There is such a wide selection of bars scattered throughout Los Angeles that narrowing down interesting options is a familiar predicament for both visitors and locals. Santa Monica is known for upscale bars with beachside vibes, while Hollywood offers patrons a more affordable and laid-back experience.

However, these neighborhoods simply can’t compare to the unforgettable bars in Downtown Los Angeles, which is the center of living, working, and playing for many professionals in the city. Here’s a list of six themed bars there that stand out from the crowd. 

EightyTwo

Courtesy of EightyTwo

If you are someone who enjoys drinking while playing pinball or vintage arcade games, EightyTwo is a great place to visit. There is no cover charge, but this Arts District bar operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, so be wary of crowds during the weekends. Once inside, you can purchase handcrafted drinks at the fully-stocked bar, play Pac-Man or Donkey Kong to your heart’s content, and hang out on the leafy outdoor patio, complete with torch lamps and wooden bench seating.

Library Bar

Courtesy of Styleture

Conveniently located in Pershing Square, Library Bar has been a go-to fixture in the neighborhood for years. If you can’t tell by the name, the bar’s theme is a library. You can enjoy cocktails and gastropub bites while perusing the walls of books. Unfortunately, many of the books are just decoration, though you might get lucky and pick out a real one. Library Bar holds different events every night, including music and lounge parties throughout the week and TV viewings on Sundays.

Redwood Bar and Grill

Courtesy of The Redwood Bar and Grill

Redwood Bar and Grill near Grand Park reimagines the experiences of legendary explorer Amerigo Vespucci as if he had built the bar himself. The skull-and-sword themed bar is intimate and welcoming (visitors are often greeted with an “ahoy” upon entry). Since Redwood also operates as a restaurant, patrons can also enjoy a nautically themed meal with their drinks.

Pattern Bar

Courtesy of Zagat

Located in DTLA’s famous Fashion District, Pattern Bar pays homage to its surrounding trendy neighborhood with specialty beverages named after legendary fashion designers, such as The Chanel and The Lagerfeld. Known for using high-quality local and organic ingredients, the bar bites here have a great reputation. Staying true to its fashion theme, the bar is decorated with plenty of full-length mirrors, patterned decor, designer magazines, and even vintage sewing machines.

Clifton’s

Courtesy of Clifton's

Located in the heart of DTLA, Clifton’s cafeteria has roots going back to the Golden Age. The massive bar has been dubbed by Downtown locals as “Narnia for adults,” illustrated through its fantasy-style decor filled with bears, lions, buffalos, and even a towering tree cutting through the center of each floor. The three-story hangout includes several eclectic rooms to visit, all of which include fully stocked bars.

Pacific Seas at Clifton’s

Courtesy of The Modern Tiki

This nautical-themed tiki bar is located within Clifton’s, but can only be accessed through a “secret” entrance. Unlike the fantasy-filled Clifton’s, Pacific Seas introduces patrons to the Golden Age of Travel. Clifton’s creator Clifford Clinton styled the bar after “a mythical South Seas adventure,” which portrays an oasis located in the middle of the jungle. Fish tanks, canoes, and Tiki Bob's decorate the venue, which is notoriously difficult to get into during the weekends.