Named after a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle, it’s no myth that this Eastside watering hole is a local favorite for mid-week nightcaps and a common battleground for weekend warriors.

Already a successful bar in Las Vegas, The Griffin franchise carves out a neighborhood nook in artsy Atwater Village (home to the studios of the Black Eyed Peas and the Beastie Boys’ former Grand Royal Studios), becoming the newest addition to Los Feliz Boulevard's dive bar row.  This cavernous tavern adds some Euro-style class to the street that is home to gritty staples Bigfoot Lodge and The Roost.  Inside the main room, those who ride the Eastside are welcomed by brick arched ceilings and two fireplaces surrounded by comfy ottomans and sofas.  Scruffy locals lounge around the fireplaces or on the loooong walnut bar, where they can discuss whether it's going to be a Black Label or a Boddington's night—a decision aided by The Griffin's knowledgeable and helpful bartenders.  Either way, the drinks are always stiff and designating a driver when planning a night out to The Griff is a must.  The backroom is opened on the weekends to accommodate the large crowd of young urban professionals and neighboring Glendale inhabitants ready to shelve their stethoscopes and spreadsheets for the weekend. 

The Griffin’s crown jewel is their outdoor smoking patio—complete with brick walls and yet another cozy fireplace.  The smoking set can lounge in the medieval space on raised benches within arched crannies—which create intimate hiding spaces for optimum canoodling. —Stephanie Ocampo