Los Angeles, California and heck most of the country seems to have a ton of rules, especially when it comes to enjoying a good drink. I mean you can walk around with a drink in Vegas but here in LA there is not many places you can be out with a libation in public besides restaurants and bars.
But there are a few! We have put together this is fun list of places where you can drink outdoors and are not bars right here in Southern California. Grab a group and head over to one of these cool spots for a good time.
This list has many choices including outdoor concerts, beaches, and markets . If you do like picnics however, we also have excellent recommendations of places where you can bring your own wine with your food.
Here we go!
1 – Getty Center and LACMA
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The Getty Center with its beautiful art and landscape is an inviting spot to have a nice glass of wine while taking in all the magnificent surroundings. Although you can’t really walk around with a bottle here, you can have drinks outdoor in their courtyard restaurant. And for those of you who have been there, you know it does not feel like your at a restaurant with all that space and views around you.
There are always fun special events and one of the most popular is Saturdays Off the 405 free Summer Series, will should be back again this year with a great list of artists an musicians. If you like to have a drink outside you can do it at the fabulous Getty while listening to live music!
LACMA is another great place for outdoor drinks in Spring! While they have a pretty cool outdoor bar called Ray’s Stark Bar carrying a great list of cocktails you can also bring your own picnic and wine during the outdoor Jazz concerts. They allow people to bring their own wine during these concerts and enjoy themselves right on the grass. Most folks bring wine but pretty sure you can bring beer as well.
Check out their website and browse through their fabulous list of musicians and dates. But its usually every Friday night April – November and the first one of 2022 is scheduled for April 29th at 6PM.
Try to arrive early to pick a good spot on the lawn as it can get packed!
Location: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Pic Credit: @anthelion.helicopters
2 – Beaches
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Have a nice glass of wine right on the beach at sunset! Might sound like a fantasy here in LA but we assure you its possible without breaking the law. There are two spectacular spots that allow you to bring booze on the beach without having to be in a bar or restaurant.
Our first suggestions is beautiful Paradise Cove in Malibu. This very popular spot is a true Malibu gem and you can drink on the beautiful beach because its privately owned.
They allow you to bring your own beer or wine but no hard stuff (and they do sometimes check). If you prefer to get a real cocktail you can order from the restaurant and sip on it with your toes in the sand and the Ocean breeze on your skin.
Doheny State Beach in the OC is our next destination for beach drinking. It has an inviting campground that is right next to the beach. where you can check in at 2:00 pm. You can bring your own alcohol and drink it at your campsite. You are not supposed to technically drink on the beach but the campsites where it is allowed is right there. Have an awesome time while camping over night!
Location: 28128 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90265
PIC Credit: @ nysee_love
3 – Hollywood Bowl
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Is there any more magical place in Los Angeles to have a picnic than the Hollywood Bowl? The Hollywood Bowl is not only our most famous outdoor concert venue its a public park that has about 14 picnic areas with awesome views. If you’re going to a concert get there early and meet with friends, enjoy your snacks and sip on some good wine.
Picnic tables are available on a first come, first serve basis but there are also grass areas to sit down outside of the bowl where you can enjoy your food and drink before the concert. You can also bring a full cooler to your seat and we have seen beer, wine, cocktails and even Jell-O shots at some of the Hollywood Bowl concerts we’ve been to.
Not in the mood to prepare a picnic? Not to worry, the Hollywood Bowl knows how to pamper guests and offers a selection of picnic food and wines during concerts. You can pre-order the box and enjoy without having to pack or carry a cooler.
Note most but not every concert at the Hollywood Bowl allows you to bring in your own alcohol.
Location: 2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068
PIC Credit: @anr.on.holiday
4 – Electric Boat and Gondola Gateways
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What can be more perfect than a beautiful sunny afternoon gondola ride with a special someone and a bottle of your favorite wine or champagne? I mean why have a drink near the water when you can have a drink on the water?
There are a few in Los Angeles and Orange County but we recommend you go to Naples Islands in Long Beach and try a Gondola experience. You will feel transported to Italy as you cruise the water with your guide on one of the fun gondolas and sip away. Gondola Gateway is the most popular in Long Beach and you can reserve your package on their website.
Electric boat rides are also a super fun way to enjoy a beautiful day on the water with drinks. They are easy to rent and drive around nice areas, but what we like most about these boats is that you can bring food and drinks and its like your own mini party on the water. You can even bring a birthday cake and champagne if you are having a celebration.
We recommend London Boat Rentals in Long Beach or check out E-Boat Rental in Newport Beach.
If you want to step your party on the water up a bit you can check rent your own Tiki Party Yacht which is not expensive as it sounds if you have enough people and slit it (about $100 each)
Location: 5437 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803
PIC Credit: @ gondolagateway
5 – Malibu Wines
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Many people enjoy a trip to Malibu Wines, and what’s not to love? For one they have marvelous views, the panorama just feels like it goes on forever, showcasing gorgeous Malibu. It’s also perfect location to meet up with a group and have a good time.
They have lots of options available for visitors. There are guided group hiking tours there are also more high end experience tours you can take like on Vintage VW Bus or in 4×4 Jeep
Beside the regular wine hiking tours they also often have specials events. Check out their calendar for a full list but these are some that caught our attention.
Silent Disco on April 16th and April 22nd. Dance your favorite songs with silent disco DJs, and of course purchase beer and wine.
With Spring Market, Malibu Wines presents local vendors and artisans on the property on April 24 from 1 pm to 5 pm. Come visit the beautiful winery to sip on wine and beer while also shopping around.
At Malibu Wines you can also reserve picnic tables and you can bring your own picnic food! It’s $20 per person and one table fits 8 people. This doesn’t include beer or wine prices which you would need to order.
To book your Malibu Wine Experience you can do it right on our website or for the picnic table reservations go to their site.
Location: 32111 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
PIC Credit: @ malibuwinehikes
Do you agree with our list or did we miss an obvious one? Let us know by commenting below!