High Rooftop Lounge

"Half the reason you’re even visiting in LA is because you want to drink alcohol by the beach and post an Instagram of you doing it for your bitter East Coast friends. Go to High Rooftop and accomplish both. Despite being one of the only rooftop patios on the Westside, High gets largely bypassed by tourists, giving the whole place a relatively calm and relaxing atmosphere to enjoy the sunset in. Drinks are a tad pricey, but you’re paying for way more than just alcohol here." - brant cox

"Head to Hotel Erwin’s High Rooftop Lounge for brunch served with 360 views of the Pacific and Venice Beach. Classic dishes like coffee cake, avocado toast, breakfast burrito, chicken and waffles, and more are served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations will make it easier to get the seat — and vantage point — you want." - Eater Staff

"You hate LA smog until you remember how cool it makes our sunsets look. And if your idea of a good date involves staring into a pink sky, head to High. Yes, this bar is on top of a Venice Beach hotel right near the boardwalk. And, yes, that means it’s a bro magnet. But if you make a reservation for just before sunset, you won’t have to wait in line, and you’ll be able to sit on one of their couches and get to know your date with prime position for a viewing of our city’s signature pollution-fueled skies." - jess basser sanders, amy clark, brant cox

"A beautiful ocean view can add a lot to cocktail hour, which is why it’s worth braving the chilly Pacific breeze (and occasional touristy crowd) at Hotel Erwin’s High Rooftop Bar. The rooftop bar’s cocktails are relatively simple but delicious, like a standard margarita on the rocks, an espresso martini, and smoky mezcal negronis. Make a reservation to nab one of the comfy couches (ideally under a heater) and take in the sunset with a plate of fries and a few drinks. " - sylvio martins

"There’s a lot of beach in Venice and Santa Monica, but really only one not-terrible rooftop that has a beach view. That bar is called High, and it’s on top of the Hotel Erwin. Unfortunately, that’s not a secret, so there will definitely be a crowd here on a weekend afternoon. After a bottle of prosecco at Ester’s though, all those people are much less likely to annoy you. Reserve a couch and you won’t have to wait at the bar, plus you’ll have a prime view for one of LA’s smoggy-but-excellent sunsets." - brett keating