The city's latest watering hole du jour is downtown LA, where bars and boites are spreading like wildfire and drawing in even the most saavy of libation lovers. Maybe it's the influx of lofts, the surge of new galleries or the general uptick in visitation (guess L.A. Live was good for something?)... Whatever the cause, downtown's after-dark scene--from divey bars and wino havens to mega clubs and subterranean speakeasys--is finally seeing another day. And now that its bar circuit is reaching critical mass, we have put together a guide to navigating the still-developing districts of L.A.'s once-neglected core.

Historic Core: 4th and Main has been the hub of this burgeoning 'hood for a few years now, with the monthly art walk concentrating near this intersection. But just down the road along 6th Street, a one-block pocket of the neighborhood's hottest bars is swiftly settling in to fill the cool-factor void previously plaguing much of downtown's nightlife:

The Association
110 E 6th St., Los Angeles, CA, 90014
(213) 627-7385
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From the owner of The Room and Barcopa comes The Association, an English-pub-inspired bar with a locals-only vibe. Tucked into the basement level of the Pacific Electric Lofts, The Association features authentic Vegas casino carpet, tufted leather banquettes and a front door that is supposedly an exact replica of the door at 10 Downing Street. Inside, expect a classics-heavy cocktail menu courtesy of SF spirits maverick Kent Howard. The no-promoters policy has paid off since the weekend line can sometimes 20 people deep.



The Varnish
118 E. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA, 90014
(213) 622-9999
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Next door to The Association and tucked within French Dip resto Cole's, which also has its own, in-demand bar, is The Varnish. Part of Cedd Moses' ever-growing line-up of (honestly) cool bars, The Varnish, a postage-stamp-sized speakeasy, focuses on handmade, artisanal cocktails created by the guys behind N.Y. institution Milk & Honey, Eric Alperin and Sasha Petraske. It's first-come-first-serve at this secret hideaway--there's no sign on the door, save for an illustration of a cocktail--so don't forget to sign your name on the clipboard if you're looking for a table. Service--and spirits--were impressive and there's supposedly a piano player on Mondays and Tuesdays, when things are a little slower.


Bar 107
107 W. Fourth St., Los Angeles, CA, 90013
(213) 625-7382
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Old standby Bar 107 still doesn't disappoint. It's a bit gamey, but the decades-worth of kitsch and tchotchke on the walls is enough to make anyone feel comfortable. There's occasionally a pirate-outfitted homeless man outside, but he's friendly. The drinks are strong, there's a photobooth in the back and the atmosphere is definitely laid back and ironic.



Pete's
400 S. Main St., Los Angeles, CA, 90013
(213) 617-1000
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By far the cornerstone of the Historic Core scene. Located on the southeast corner of 4th and Main, Pete's stands as the go-to resto, bar and meeting place for those in the area. A delish menu, a happening outdoor patio and a bustling bar make it a sort of Cheers-esque spot where everyone knows your name.

Crocker Club
435 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA, 90013
(213) 239-9099
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One street east on Spring, the much-anticipated subterranean Crocker Club (this project has been many years in the works) is housed in a one-time bank vault. Maintaining the vault theme, walls are plaqued with safe deposit numbers, booths are situated in old teller windows (well, they're actually bars, not windows, but whatever) and the massive, still-intact vault door serves as a constant, if not ironic, reminder (at least in these economic times) that it's too bad you're happily sitting in the bank when you're money is not. Just beware: there's a dress code. Uh, what? Yeah, enough said. Any bar with a dress code means the crowd is at best questionable and at worst sketchy. But don't let that detour you from at least catching a glimpse because the interior is actually quite lovely (just don't stay for longer than a drink).



Versus
618 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA, 90014
(219) 489 1555
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This a mega-watt club if downtown ever saw (or rather, needed) one. Located inside the old Los Angeles Stock Exchange, Versus and its Art Deco exterior belies the Vegas'd-up, three-story interior of moving light rigs, bottle service and lighting that is vaguely remeniscent of the inside of that Hummer limo you took to prom.

Heads up: Be on the lookout for Cedd Moses' tequila/mezcal-oriented boite across the street from The Association on 6th Street. Also, around the corner will be Nip, the new lobby bar inside the recently revamped Cecil Hotel.

Wine Bars: For that (not so) closeted wino looming inside, downtown has you on its radar. A bevy of wine-friendly venues are just opened to satisfy that inner boozey old lady or secret Sideways daydream.

The Must
118 W. 5th St., Los Angeles, CA, 90013
(213) 627-1162
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From an Santa Barbara sommelier, The Must is a concept wine bar and gastropub, featuring more than 50 local and global wines as well as extensive beer, port and 'speciality' lists (the latter of which includes various sangrias, a MUSTgarita and even a port float). Large--and tasty--lunch and dinner menus enables the liquor to keep on flowing. A Monday-Saturday happy hour and week-night specials make this an even more attractive pit stop.



Corkbar
403 W. 12th St., Los Angeles, CA, 90015
(213) 746-0050
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Meant to recreat the California wine-tasting experience, Corkbar has 40 wines by the glass with more available by the bottle. Artisanal beers and a farmer's market food menu are also served. The two outdoor patios are starting to look extra appealing now that the nights are warming up, even though the long counter inside makes sampling that much easier.

BottleRock
1050 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, CA, 90015
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The second outpost of the Culver City mainstay, BottleRock is soon to open in its new South Park digs inside the Met Lofts at the corner of 11th and Hope.

South Park: Along 9th Street and its offshoots is a growing, though less concentrated, amalgamation of hip restos and bars.



Magnolia
825 W. 9th St., Los Angeles, CA, 90017
(213) 362-0880
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Just opened, Magnolia set up shop next to The Pantry on 9th and Fig. Just a stone's throw from the Staples Center and the Financial District, this is sure to be a haven for the after-work demographic. (Fingers crossed it's the young, hot demographic.) Same chef, same menu and same look as its Hwood counterpart, the resto/bar will surely have the same popularity downtown as it does on Sunset.

Broadway Bar
830 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA, 90014
(213) 614-9909
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A 50-foot circular bar anchors this old-timey New York-ish bar, replete with intimate upstairs lounge. Flocked wallpaper comes to mind at Broadway Bar, located next to the Orpheum Theatre. There's also a dress code (which can often equal 'no thanks'), but the crowd has proven to be locally minded if not a bit USC coed-ish as well.



Golden Gopher
417 W. Eighth St., Los Angeles, CA, 90014
(213) 614-8001
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Long a USC hangout, the Golden Gopher is a gem in the still-sketchy neighborhood. The intimate interior has a chummy, man-den vibe, while the outdoor alley smoking patio has proven to be the hangout for the tragically hip. Now, every Wednesday night, the Kogi BBQ--that infamous Korean BBQ taco truck--parks itself from about 9pm onwards.

J Restaurant & Lounge
1119 S. Olive St., Los Angeles, CA, 90015
(800) 850-6074
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This two-story mega club--the outdoor patio is 10,000 square feet alone--can get a bit saucy. Designed for those interested in drinking and dancing, especially pre- or post- a Staples game (which is within walking distance), J Restaurant, and its three bars, can definitely accomodate. A full menu is served, although it'll cost you. There's weekly entertainment--DJs, live music, samba, etc.--but the crowd is definitely on the older, and less hipster, side.



Seven Grand
515 W. Seventh St., Los Angeles, CA, 90014
(213) 553-4581
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Devoted to all things whiskey, Seven Grand (named after it's corner location on Seventh Street and Grand Avenue) is not for the faint of heart, well at least not the animal-loving kind. Taxidermy is taken to the cult level at this plaid-wallpaper-encrusted den located just north of South Park where tiny skulls lead you upstairs at which point you are then greeted by nearly everything imaginable stuffed, mounted and staring back at you. The cool factor wouldn't be complete without the requisite cigar. (Non-Cubans are sold behind the walnut bar.) You know what they say: "When in Rome..."