Redwood Bar & Grill

Known to most Angelenos simply as the Pirate Bar, the Redwood Bar & Grill at 316 West 2nd Street in Downtown Los Angeles is one of the most distinctive dive bars in the city, and one of the few venues in the historic core that has built a genuine reputation around live music rather than cocktails or scenery. The interior leans into a nautical theme with barrel-end tables, captain's tables, and maritime art covering the walls. It is dark, warm, and intentionally cave-like. The Redwood programs live bands every night of the week and has been doing so since its current incarnation opened in 2006. The genres skew toward rock, punk, rockabilly, and indie, with the kind of energy that fills a small room efficiently. On weekends, the venue pulls a crowd of rockabillies, punk regulars, and downtown residents who appreciate that the music is the point of the evening. The bar also holds the distinction of housing the karaoke scene from the indie film 500 Days of Summer, and the venue's history in the building stretches back much further through various incarnations that have included politicians, mafia associations, and film location shoots. The kitchen is open from 11 AM to 11 PM daily, serving fresh, scratch-made pub fare including burgers, sandwiches, and vegetarian options. The happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 PM. During dinner hours, the venue is open to all ages; after 10 PM with live music, the room becomes 21-plus.