FarBarLittleTokyo Archives

Patio Panache: Circa’s Go-Tos for Alfresco Dining

We all love LA’s storied rooftop restaurants and bars, but if you’re looking for something a little more down to earth, it’s time to discover the city’s bustling patio scene. Enjoy chef-driven menus and elegant craft cocktails at Redbird and Manuela. Or choose from an array of curated beers at Far Bar. If you’re feeling more adventurous, explore authentic Persian cuisine under the open sky. From lush garden oases to secret tucked away courtyards and lively casual spaces, you can soak up the outdoor vibe day or night. Here are some of our favorites, many not far from Circa.

Everson Royce Bar patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Everson Royce Bar 1936 E 7th St. Los Angeles CA 90021

Voted “Best Patio in L.A.” by The Infatuation, Everson Royce Bar (E.R.B.) is a polished cocktail spot located in the DTLA Arts District. The extensive menu offers everything from their signature burgers to potato taquitos, nachos, and salads, along with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free selections. Quench your thirst with erb cocktails, beer, wine by the glass or bottle, and non-alcoholic beverages. The patio can be reserved for large and small parties.

Far Bar patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Far Bar 347 1st St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Situated in the historic Far East Building in the heart of Little Tokyo, Far Bar offers something for everyone looking for a good time, with the aim to bring you the best in craft beers, spirits and food. On top of the large selection of bottled craft beers from Japan (the largest in Southern California!), they offer 34 different craft beers on tap. The whiskey and bourbon selection is one of the best in Los Angeles, along with tequila, rum, and sake. A good drink isn’t complete without a great bite to go with it! From sushi to signature burgers and their famous wasabi fries, Far bar offers a delicious menu designed to pair perfectly with a good drink.

Redbird patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Redbird 114 E 2nd St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Set inside the former Vibiana cathedral, one of downtown LA’s most striking architectural landmarks, Redbird feels iconic and familiar, where exceptional food and great drinks arrive without pretense. Led by Chef Neal Fraser’s distinctive Angeleno point of view, the chef-driven restaurant and award-winning cocktail lounge were designed for real life in LA, where shared plates, great drinks, and conversations don’t need rushing. The Main Dining Room offers open-air dining beneath a retractable roof, with views of the bell tower. On cooler evenings, heaters and a wood-burning fireplace create a comfortable, inviting atmosphere, making the space ideal for both intimate dinners and lively group dining.

Benny Boy Brewing patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Benny Boy Brewing 1821 Daly St. Los Angeles, CA 90031

Benny Boy Brewing is a community‑driven, independent craft brewery & cider house with a huge outdoor beer garden, great people, wacky events, and drinks poured straight from the tank. An Urban Backyard, Benny’s is where you come to unwind, connect, feel at home, party, and discover something special: a vibrant space for immersive events, cultural celebrations, live music, watch parties, and multi-day festivals. Getting hungry? There are rotating food trucks daily.

Damian patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Damian 2132 E 7th Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Located in Los Angeles’ Arts District, Damian features contemporary cuisine rooted in Mexican culture. Inspired by Pacific Rim culinary traditions, they celebrate seasonal California produce. Damian’s beverage program focuses on artisanal spirits and reflects its cuisine, allowing the high-quality ingredients to shine. Their greenery-filled patio is the perfect setting for gracious outdoor dining, socializing, and making memories with family and friends.

Manuela DTLA patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Manuela 907 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA, 90013

Nestled in the Hauser & Wirth building in DTLA, Manuela unites chef, farmer and artist to create an authentic and original dining experience. Under the direction of Executive Chef Kris Tominaga, the menu celebrates seasonal ingredients sourced from the best farms and producers in Southern California. Serving a wide range of vegetables, grains, fish, and game, Manuela also features an exemplary bar program, which serves classic cocktails using house-made bitters and tonics. Manuela offers extensive outdoor seating surrounded by verdant plant life. Don’t forget to check out the garden area, where you’ll see some of the seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs they grow in-house, not to mention a brood of chickens that provide fresh eggs.

Berenjak patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Berenjak 1010 S Santa Fe Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90021

A Persian garden in the downtown LA Arts District, Berenjak takes its inspiration from the gardens of Pasargadae, the ancient capital city of Cyrus the Great, celebrated as the origin of the Persian garden style. The menu at Berenjak is made up of favoriite Persian dishes, honing in on the must-haves from one of the oldest and richest cuisines in the world. Crafted around the culinary heritage of founder Kian Samyani’s family recipes, passed down from generation to generation, the menu aims to showcase the best of Persian cuisine through a modern lens. Michelin Guide has awarded Berenjak a Bib Gourmand for “excellent cooking at a reasonable price.”

De La Nonna patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

De La Nonna 710 E 4th Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90013

De La Nonna, meaning from the grandmother, represents the idea of Italian soul food that your Nonna would approve of. After a year of successfully popping up at various locations throughout Los Angeles, the Nonna team brought their dream to life with a brick and mortar space in the Arts District, complete with a hidden garden that hosts the best pizza party in the city. The menu at De La Nonna consists of Italian classics and coastal favorites with unforgettable flavors. Executive Chef and Owner, Patrick Costa, draws inspiration from his grandmother, who’d only cook using fresh, home grown herbs and local market produce.

Bestia patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Bestia 2121 E 7th Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90021

In 2012, Chef Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis found themselves in a vacant warehouse, down a dimly lit alleyway at the edge of downtown Los Angeles. The exposed brick, steel beams, and well-worked concrete spoke to who they were as people and the food they wanted to cook. The converted warehouse soon opened its garage door and with it, a menu that reflected Menashe’s interpretations of Italian classics with an emphasis on powerful, yet balanced flavors and wood-fired cooking, while Gergis’ desserts brought a final course of equally reimagined heavy hitters. In the lush courtyard, music dims to a hum and trees ripe with figs frame your view. The intensity of the open kitchen and the passion of the Bestia team remains timelessly palpable.

Bavel patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Bavel 500 Mateo St #102, Los Angeles, CA 90013

The follow-up to DTLA’s always-packed Bestia, Bavel is a Middle Eastern restaurant from Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. With family roots in Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt, the couple have always wanted to open a restaurant that showcases the cuisines of their family lineages, bringing together the flavors and dishes they grew up with. Middle Eastern restaurants are often imagined to have design aesthetics that tend to be very dark, heavily patterned, and somewhat cliché. The design for Bavel set out to challenge those conventions with a light and leafy ambiance and a lovely outdoor patio.

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: Benny Boy Brewing

Photo #2 Everson Royce Bar

Photo #3: Far Bar

Photo #4: Redbird

Photo #5: Benny Boy Brewing

Photo #6: Damian

Photo #7: Manuela

Photo #8: Berenjak

Photo #9: De La Nonna

Photo #10: Bestia

Photo #11: Bavel

Circa Scores Winning Points at DTLA’s Premium Sports Bars

It’s that time of the year again, when there’s a never-ending lineup of action-packed sporting events! From the World Series to the NFL, Lakers, and LA Kings, it’s hard to catch them all. The good news is that DTLA tops the leaderboard with premium sports bars, complete with giant screens, state-of-the-art sound systems, luxe interiors, full bars, and curated menus. If you’re looking for something a little more casual, some of your favorite neighborhood bars and pubs offer a congenial viewing experience, along with an excellent selection of beers on tap and craft cocktails. With so many venues in close proximity to Circa, you won’t need a Hail Mary pass to find the perfect atmosphere for cheering on your favorite team. Check websites for game schedules.

Tom’s Watch Bar at LA LIVE sports bar near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Tom’s Watch Bar LA LIVE 1011 S Figueroa St. b101, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Just minutes from Circa at LA LIVE, Tom’s Watch Bar is your go-to for the ultimate sports bar experience. Their 360° wall-to-wall state of the art screens gives you a better view than sitting in a front-row seat. With over 155+ TVs, plus new Megatron screen coming in at a massive 13 feet high and 23 feet wide, you really haven’t seen a game until you’ve seen it here. Pair the game with inventive cocktails, endless beer options, plus a chef-inspired menu with hospitality, and you’ll discover why Tom’s is the only place to watch the game.

Lucky Strike at LA LIVE sports bar near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Lucky Strike LA LIVE 800 W Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Featuring 18 premium lanes, tons of screens to catch all the big games, and plenty of tasty cuisine to fuel your fun, there’s no shortage of action at Lucky Strike L.A. LIVE. Check out their luxury suite that offers a private setting with 4 lanes, 2 billiards tables and a private bar. Enjoy Happy Hour Monday though Thursday from 4PM – 8PM. The special includes food and drinks, including Cheesy Dippers, Chicken Tenders, Crispy Cauliflower, Mozzarella Bites, and Pretzel Pins.

Yard House sports bar near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Yard House LA Live 800 W Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015

An LA LIVE staple, whenever there are sports, beers and burgers involved, Yard House has all three. With 160 beers on tap, featuring over 100 beers from local and imported breweries, there’s something for every fan in your group, no matter what team they’re cheering for. The chefs at Yard House are constantly coming up with new ways to introduce globally inspired flavors to favorite American dishes, giving the menu a worldly yet familiar feel.

33 Taps DTLA sports bar near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

33 Taps DTLA 1240 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

33 Taps is an LA-born, family-owned neighborhood sports bar, serving beers, burgers, and wings. 33 Taps has no shortage of HD Televisions showing all of your favorite sporting events. With 65 – 75 inch TVs viewable from every seat and large TV walls, you won’t want to watch sports anywhere else. Although most known for being a sports bar, loyal customers return for their high-quality food menu, fun weekly events, and top-notch service. Everybody is welcome – including your dogs! All profits from the sale of puppy bowls are donated to local animal charities.

First Draft Taproom & Kitchen sports bar near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

First Draft Taproom & Kitchen 1230 S Olive St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Featuring 46 taps of craft beer, wine and cider, First Draft Taproom & Kitchen is a great place to hang out with your friends and enjoy your favorite games. To keep your energy level at peak performance, choose from their robust menu including handcrafted burgers, pizzas, wings, specialty flatbreads, salads, and fries. They even have a Doggie Menu!

Spring Street Bar sports bar near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Spring Street Bar 626 S Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Find your new favorite neighborhood hangout at Spring Street Bar. This venerable DTLA venue just reopened thanks to veteran bartenders Alexander Vaughan-Ruiz and Brandon Richard, who have reimagined the former Historic Core sports bar into a welcoming place for thoughtful cocktails. With two TV screens, this cozy spot is perfect for unwinding with friends or enjoying a laid-back evening without the hullabaloo of a typical sports hangout.

Dublin’s Irish Whiskey Pub sports bar near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Dublin’s Irish Whiskey Pub 815 W 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

Watch your favorite sports team on walls of TVs, while enjoying an ice cold beer and wings. Dublin’s Irish Whiskey Pub shows Lakers, Dodgers, Kings, Clippers, and more, along with PPV events like boxing fights as well as UFC. Dublins offers a carefully curated handcrafted menu, including small bites, burgers, sandwiches, and Irish specialties. Their large selection of draft beers almost guarantees you’ll find your favorite. No game on tonight? No problem. Dublin screens some of the most viral videos of all time on Chive TV.

Far Bar Little Tokyo sports bar near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Far Bar Little Tokyo 347 1st St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Located in the historic Far East Building in the heart of Little Tokyo, Far Bar offers something for everyone looking for a good time, including watching your favorite teams this season. Far Bar is a chill gastropub offering American & Asian food, like burgers & sushi, plus beer & cocktails. They have been listed as the No. 1 bar in Downtown LA from LA Weekly in 2013, Discover Los Angeles Guide to the “Best places to Watch the World Series,” and featured in Hopped LA’s “Downtown Beer Guide.”

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Lucky Strike LA LIVE

Photo #2: Tom’s Watch Bar

Photo #3: Lucky Strike LA LIVE

Photo #4: Yard House

Photo #5: 33 Taps DTLA

Photo #6: First Draft Taproom & Kitchen

Photo #7: Spring Street Bar

Photo #8: Dublin’s Irish Whiskey Pub

Photo #10: Far Bar Little Tokyo

Something’s Fishy! DTLA’s Best Sushi, Sashimi & Sake

First settled in the late 1800s, Little Tokyo has grown into a bustling hub of delectable food options, exciting nightlife, world-class museums, and eclectic shopping. A major attraction is the restaurant and bar scene, offering an authentic Japanese experience in the heart of the city. From cozy family-owned sushi bars, to hipster hangs, exclusive high-end establishments, and even Japanese cooking classes, you’ll find the best sushi, sashimi, and sake in DTLA!

Hayato 1320 E 7th St #126, Los Angeles, CA 90021

This small gustatory gem is all about creating a personal connection and intimate dining experience, as if you were invited into a friend’s home. Dinner is served by the chefs themselves, at one of eight counter seats in front of an open kitchen. For guests who prefer more privacy, a single table in a private tatami seating area is available by special request. The nightly omakase tasting menu menu consists of approximately ten dishes focused on the best fresh seafood available. Hayato uses the five Japanese cooking techniques (sashimi, grilling, steaming, frying and simmering) to produce simple dishes that derive their complexity from the quality of the ingredients. Dinner usually lasts about two and a half hours, but guests are welcome to ask the staff to pick up the pace or slow things down, as they wish.

Third Generation Sake Bar 808 W. 7th St. Los Angeles, Ca 90017

Located in the heart of DTLA’s Financial District, 3rd Generation Sake Bar serves small plates of popular Japanese dishes and sake in a simple, polished wood-infused room. Specialties include ramen, sushi hand rolls, poke bowls, dumplings, and octopus fritters. Wednesday is Sake Night, featuring $3 Sake Glass & 1/2 off Sake Bottles from their excellent selection of Japanese imports.

Sake Dojo 333 E 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

From the owners of Far Bar (and just a few doors down), Sake Dojo is an immersive dining and drinking sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle of DTLA’s Little Tokyo. The name Dojo means a hall or space for intensive learning or meditation – the term literally means “Place of the Way” in Japanese. The food is authentic Japanese-style, with a modern culinary twist. Beverages consist of a large selection of craft Japanese sakes, whiskeys and beers.

Sushi Zo 334 S Main St, Los Angeles 90013

Sushi Zo features “Omakase,” a Japanese-style chefs’ choice meal, presenting customers with seasonal dishes, using the highest quality and freshest natural ingredients. The balance between the neta (seafood) and shari (sushi rice) is the most important aspect of sushi. Each day, seafood products are carefully selected, prepared and served at their flavor peak, using a perfectly matched accompaniment for the particular neta, which may include a unique soy sauce, sea salt and other ingredients. The shari (rice) is meticulously cooked, seasoned with a unique blend of vinegars and served at body temperature, to create the perfect partner to the nata. The goal is Ittai-kan – when the neta and shari unite in perfect harmony.

KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar 421 South Main Street, Los Angeles 90013

KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar was created with the idea that the experience of eating hand rolls is truly something special and worthy of its own restaurant. Created by Sushi Nozawa Group, the Los Angeles-based restaurant group behind Sugarfish and Nozawa Bar, KazuNori is the first restaurant of its kind to focus exclusively on hand rolls. The restaurant serves only the freshest fish, along with specially harvested seaweed, house made sauces, and their signature warm rice.

Japanese Cooking Classes at Foodstory 810 S Spring St #1204, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Yoko Isassi came up with Foodstory cooking classes as a way to pass on what she learned about Japanese food culture from her grandmother, great Japanese chefs in Japan and the US, her friends, favorite books, and fellow food lovers. Foodstory offers more than a dozen cooking classes including ramen, bento box, plant-based dishes, noodles, and the art of tea. She also organizes cooking and tasting tours at Japanese markets in Little Tokyo. Most classes are limited to 10 people with some exceptions. Classes usually last around 3 hours including dining time. Book your class here.

Sushi Go 55 333 S Alameda St, Ste 317 Los Angeles, CA 90013

Located on the top floor of the Little Tokyo Galleria Market, Sushi Go 55 has been a Little Tokyo fixture for nearly 60 years. Owned by the Morishita family, “America’s First Family of Sushi,” Sushi Go 55 was a pioneer in bringing sushi to America, with the mission to provide a memorable experience as if you stepped into a sushi bar in Japan. This cozy establishment focuses on the highest quality fish, flown in fresh from Japan and all over the world.

Shojin 333 Alameda St #310, Los Angeles 90013

Fish not your thing? Shojin is a vegetarian option, serving organic, gluten free Japanese vegan and macrobiotic dining, washed down with a heady selection of sake, beer and champagne. Their vision is to provide the most flavorful and naturally preserved meals using natural foods with no chemical seasonings and harmful additives. With personal service in a warm, friendly and relaxing atmosphere, Shojin offers a community setting to help guests understand the importance of healthy eating habits to achieve a rewarding lifestyle.

Wet Your Whistle: DTLA’s Whiskey Bars

Once regarded as a “dad drink,” whiskey has exploded in popularity in the last decade. Cool retro shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Crown and Mad Men have fueled an interest in all things mid century–how they lived, what they wore, and what they drank. The rediscovery of whiskey has inspired a new generation of whiskey bars, many carrying exclusive inventories of rare and premium varieties.

And then there’s the Japanese whiskey phenomenon, which has taken LA by storm. Commercial whisky production first began in 1924 and today Japanese whiskey-single malt and blended whiskeys-are some of the most sought-after in the world.

Join fellow whiskey lovers at Whisky X on Friday Jan. 25 at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. There will be 60 whiskeys to taste, including Bulleit, Bushmills, Glen Moray, Loch Lomond, Calumet, the Irishman, the Sexton, Wild Turkey, Tin Cup and Westland, along with music and food trucks.

Getting thirsty? Here’s a guide to some of LA’s best whiskey bars.

Seven Grand 515 W 7th St #200 Los Angeles, CA 90014

When it opened In 2007, Seven Grand signaled the rebirth of great cocktails in Los Angeles. This comprehensive whiskey bar features one of the largest selections of premium whiskeys in the West, with bottles displayed in vintage cases from the custom-designed building’s original proprietors, Brock & Co. Jewelry Emporium. Alongside hand-crafted cocktails, state-of-the-art beverage delivery systems, live music, pool tables and private party areas, Seven Grand is home to the ever-popular Whiskey Society, a unique membership program providing guests the opportunity to further explore the spirit via education and experimentation with comprehensive tastings featuring Master Distillers, International Brand Ambassadors, and notable members of the liquor industry.

Bar Jackalope 515 W 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

Tucked behind Seven Grand DTLA, Bar Jackalope is Seven Grand’s sipping library, offering comparative whiskey flights and education. The intimate bar boasts over 120 varieties of whiskeys, including rare international and domestic varieties. With seating for 12 inside and 12 on its outdoor Cigar Patio, Bar Jackalope offers a relaxing respite for those looking for a place to unwind with friends, both old and new, while a Coltrane record spins on the turntable and oil lamps color the night. To preserve the soothing ambiance, Bar Jackalope only hosts groups of four or fewer. Reservations are available for its Whiskey Locker Members, and all other seating is done on a first-come basis.

The Whiskey Lounge 888 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90017

The Whiskey Lounge is an exclusive Whiskey Room situated downstairs at Miro Restaurant. Upon entering the cellar-like staircase and reaching a dimmer, you’ll step through a more intimate lounge set apart from the bright, modern lines of the main dining room. The Whiskey Lounge holds one of the most inclusive and eclectic whiskey collections in the city, with a menu specializing in classic cocktails. For a truly truly immersive and intimate private experience, gather at The Vault, an invite-only whiskey tasting room offering some of the rarest and most highly allocated spirits in the world. Guests have the full attention of a knowledgeable whiskey expert who will guide aficionados of Scotch, Japanese, American and other world whiskeys through customized flights that explore a desired region or style. Guests are given the opportunity to enjoy limited-edition whiskeys, with the option to purchase full bottles, which can later be stored in lockers.

Mrs. Fish 448 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Sushi. Art. Whiskey. With every detail in place, Mrs. Fish welcomes diners and drinkers, locals and tourists alike to experience modern Japanese cuisine and a robust whisky program in a stunningly designed, art-filled DTLA oasis. Located 15 floors below Perch (same ownership), Mrs. Fish combines food, art from the hottest galleries in Tokyo, and drink to create an unparalleled dining and drinking experience in an immersive environment that is at once Zen-like and provocative. Classic Japanese traditions evoking the chef’s memories of home cooked meals with items suitable for any time of the day and for every palate.

Wolf & Crane 366 E 2nd Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

Billing itself as Little Tokyo’s neighborhood bar, Wolf & Crane proudly pours Japanese whiskey daily, along with a tantalizing array of craft cocktails. Proprietors and longtime DTLA residents, Michael Francesconi and Matthew Glaser founded this evocative, late-night watering hole as a place for the community–a bar where you can relax, gather, party, politic, romance, seduce, dance and drink–and of course, to fall in love with Japanese whisky.

Far Bar 347 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Located in the historic Far East Building in the heart of Little Tokyo, Far Bar offers something for everyone looking for a good time! Although their main claim to fame is a notable bourbon and Japanese whiskey selection, Far Bar also offers signature cocktails and craft beers to wash down with an Asian Fusion gastropub menu created by their James Beard Chef. If you’re looking to explore a range of whiskeys, try the Whiskey Flights–each flight consists of three .75 oz pours.