{"id":335974,"date":"2025-10-27T12:06:13","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T12:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/335974\/"},"modified":"2025-10-27T12:06:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T12:06:13","slug":"where-to-host-a-big-birthday-party-in-l-a-restaurants-bars-patios","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/335974\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to host a big birthday party in L.A.: Restaurants, bars, patios"},"content":{"rendered":"

Looking for things to do in L.A.? Ask us your questions<\/a> and our expert guides will share highly specific recommendations in our new series, L.A. Times Concierge. <\/p>\n

Where can I host a big birthday party on a restaurant patio or rent out a bar during the day? That\u2019s not outrageously expensive? \u2014 Kristen Silva<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what we suggest: <\/b><\/p>\n

First and foremost, I respect \u2014 and deeply relate to \u2014 your desire to celebrate your birthday on a budget. It\u2019s tough right now. The good news, though, is that L.A. is brimming with delicious restaurants and aesthetic bars that go easy on the pockets \u2014 both for you and your guests. And some even allow you to bring your own birthday cake. <\/p>\n

For a laid-back spot where you and your friends can sit at picnic tables and enjoy juicy pastrami sandwiches, loaded French fries and refreshing cocktails, check out Johnny\u2019s<\/a> in West Adams. Senior food editor Danielle Dorsey recommends the spot in a guide to West Adams<\/a>, calling the umbrella-dotted parking lot patio \u201cthe perfect al fresco setting.\u201d Because Johnny\u2019s has a walk-up service counter, its easy for your guests to come and go as they please. Plus, you won\u2019t have to worry about the headache of trying to split the bill at the end of the night. Reservations are only necessary if you\u2019re looking to rent out the space, but there is a $35 cake fee. <\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t mind being indoors, my colleague Deborah Vankin suggests Far Bar<\/a> in Little Tokyo, where she celebrated her birthday on the mezzanine with about 50 friends. \u201cIt was a cozy, but still roomy space that felt festive and provided the best people watching below,\u201d she says. \u201cThe price was beyond reasonable and, afterwards, a group of us walked down the street for dessert and karaoke.\u201d If you\u2019re open to hosting your party on a slower night (not Friday or Saturday), a manager told me you can avoid rental fees. (FYI: There\u2019s also a narrow outdoor seating area here, but Vankin says it\u2019s not great for parties.) <\/p>\n

Music lovers will appreciate Zizou<\/a>, a vibey French-Moroccan restaurant nestled in Lincoln Heights. Owned by two lifelong friends from France, Zizou features a stunning vintage sound system, where DJs can be found spinning jazz, French hip-hop, South African rhythms and other global sounds on the weekends. My friend Tori Johnson hosted her birthday party on the starlit patio earlier this year. \u201cWe were able to invite friends post-dinner to come and have wine with us until the restaurant closed,\u201d she tells me. \u201cIt felt intimate and just what I was looking for for my 31st birthday.\u201d For parties of eight or more, there\u2019s a $75 minimum per person for seated dining, but no minimum if you\u2019re planning to just chill at the bar or near the sound system. You can either bring your own cake at no additional cost or order Zizou\u2019s house-made French apple tart for dessert. And don\u2019t worry, the servers won\u2019t look at you with disdain if you ask for separate checks \u2014 at least from my experience.<\/p>\n

Another worthy option is Everson Royce<\/a>, which deputy food editor Betty Hallock calls \u201cone of the best bars in the city (with great food),\u201d and I can\u2019t agree more. This spot is popular because of its happy hour<\/a> and its breezy outdoor patio. \u201cIt\u2019s like being in a friend\u2019s backyard, with picnic tables, string lights and a vine-wrapped tree, except you\u2019re in the middle of downtown,\u201d Hallock reports in a guide to the most picturesque restaurant patios in L.A.<\/a> An Everson Royce staffer told me that you can book a normal reservation for up to 100 people \u2014 yes, you read that correctly \u2014 and that the restaurant doesn\u2019t charge extra fees or require any deposits. Staff will even split the checks for each of your guests. <\/p>\n

In the mood for dancing? Start your night with focaccia-style pan pizzas at De La Nonna<\/a>, then head next door to the Let\u2019s Go! Disco & Cocktail Club<\/a>. I DJed a wedding here last year and it was a seamless transition, sweating out the delectable pizza at the Italian-inspired nightclub where 1970s disco hits (and related genres) are the soundscape. Reservations are highly recommended. For 20 guests, De La Nonna requires its prix fixe menu with optional drink packages, but 30 or more guests are considered a \u201cpartial buyout,\u201d so both are required. There\u2019s also a room fee. If you\u2019re still in the mood for partying once the cocktail den closes at 1 a.m., then walk across the street to EightyTwo, an arcade bar with dozens of pinball machines and classic video games. (Note: De La Nonna charges a $20 cake fee.) <\/p>\n

If these spots don\u2019t satisfy your needs, some of my food colleagues also suggested Le Great Outdoor<\/a> in Santa Monica, Mr. T<\/a> in Hollywood, Good Neighbor Bar<\/a> in Altadena and Benny Boy Brewing<\/a> in Lincoln Heights \u2014 all of which have a patio. <\/p>\n

As you can see, there are loads of options depending on what type of food, vibe and part of L.A. you prefer. Wherever you end up, I hope you have a wonderful time and, most importantly, that you have a great birthday and year ahead. <\/p>\n