Drinking in the sights
Although Los Angeles doesn’t need spring as an excuse to celebrate the great outdoors, the warmer weather and clear skies serve as a perfect dress rehearsal for the approaching summer months. So get ready for the beach by taking to the roof. In a city renowned for amazing rooftop bars that offer brilliant views and exotic cocktails, here’s a look at just a few of our favorites.
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The London
West Hollywood
This sleek renovation of the old Bel Age Hotel space is the relative new kid on the Sunset Strip. The exclusive, guests-only pool area is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and offers a wide range of seductive enticements, from Gordon Ramsay cuisine to signature drinks priced at $10.20 (the hotel’s address) to private, rentable cabanas equipped with a 32-inch TV for catching “Gossip Girl” reruns while you sun. More active types can work up a sweat in the rooftop gym. When things get chilly after sunset, guests can cozy up to the blazing fire pit.
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ABH at Thompson Beverly Hills
The ultra-swank ABH (“Above Beverly Hills”) is among the most exclusive rooftop bars in the city. But for guests of the hotel and their friends, the gorgeous views and glamorous details (like a huge palm tree) make it worth the effort. Boasting a swimming pool lined in Swarovski crystal and the requisite cabanas, the bar completes the picture with a menu of truly warm weather-friendly cocktails. They don’t get much more summery than the Acai Watermelon Cooler, complete with fresh watermelon juice.
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Rooftop bar at the Standard Hotel Downtown
This consistently hot Downtown L.A. destination has become a regular stop for party people of all stripes, thanks to a multitude of DJ-centric events. This spring/summer is no exception, with the rooftop bar hosting a variety of regular soirees. Every third Saturday (from 1 to 8 p.m.) brings “Honey,” featuring all female DJs spinning funk and soul, while every third Sunday equals Robtronik’s techno bash “Compression.” Traffic Events hold down the fourth Sunday of the month with their raucous “Room Service” party and Bauhaus/Love & Rockets bass player David J sets the mood every Friday night, 6 to 8:30.
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Roof Garden at
the Peninsula Beverly Hills
A $4-million renovation of the Roof Garden has resulted in an array of posh new amenities, including a rooftop kitchen, heated limestone floors and furniture by Janus et Cie. The panoramic view offers glimpses of Downtown L.A. to the east and Century City to the west. The new weekly Cocktail Hour (Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m.) offers half-priced drinks and free valet parking. Weekend warriors take heed of the Saturday and Sunday barbecues (4 to 9 p.m.), featuring a three-course menu alongside signature drinks like the White Peach & Pear Martini.
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The Kress
This Hollywood Boulevard hot spot is rolling out a veritable buffet of summer fun. They’re getting into the Sunday afternoon party game with “Burn,” boasting misters, inflatable pools in each rooftop cabana and a barbecue grill. Potential regulars can invest in the “Slushy” program, with the club’s blended ice drink coming in a reusable cup that doubles as a VIP card to the rooftop patio any night it’s open. Tuesdays play host to “Rock Jamaica” parties, a weekly reggae party featuring DJs from Jamaica and Miami.
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Sky Bar at
the Mondrian
West Hollywood
This recently renovated party palace is virtually synonymous with velvet rope exclusivity, which is why it still retains so much heat and buzz after all these years. But once past the clipboard-wielding door person, expect a classic L.A. experience. From industry heavyweights to this week’s hottest Hollywood ingenue, the people-watching is always good at Sky Bar. Guests are advised to mind their step after a couple of cocktails (like Sky Bar’s signature mojito), as the precariously positioned swimming pool in the middle of the roof is just begging for someone to stumble in. But avoid the temptation, as swimmers are quickly escorted out.
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Rooftop bars
THE LONDON
Where: 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood
When: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Price: No cover for guests
Contact: (866) 282-4560; www.thelondonla.com
ABH
Where: 9360 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills
When: 7 a.m.-midnight daily
Price: No cover for guests
Contact: (310) 273-1400; www.thompsonhotels.com
ROOFTOP BAR AT THE STANDARD DOWNTOWN
Where: 550 S. Flower St., L.A.
When: Noon-1:30 a.m.
Price: Cover varies depending on event
Contact: (213) 892-8080; www.standardhotel.com
THE ROOF GARDEN
AT THE PENINSULA
Where: 9882 Santa Monica Blvd. S., Beverly Hills
When: 7 a.m.-9 p.m daily
Price: No cover
Contact: (310) 551-2888; www.peninsula.com/ beverly_hills
THE KRESS
Where: 6608 Hollywood Blvd., L.A.
When: Friday-Saturday, 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Expanded summer hours forthcoming
Price: Cover varies depending on event
Contact: (323) 785-5000; www.thekress.net
SKYBAR
Where: 8440 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
When: Open to guests 10 a.m.-2 a.m. daily. Open to public 8 p.m.-2 a.m. daily
Price: RSVP required; phone ahead
Contact: (323) 848-6025; www.mondrianhotel.com
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