Barney’s Beanery

Walk into Barney’s Beanery and it feels like you have stepped into several decades at once. The walls are packed with license plates, vintage signs, photos, and enough visual noise to make the jukebox seem almost unnecessary. This is not minimalist West Hollywood. This is maximalist history, served with chili and a beer.

Open at this location since 1927, Barney’s was a popular stop for travelers coming west along the historic Route 66, which ends not far from here. And the place has long been a crossroads for Los Angeles characters. Over the years, the bar has been associated with a dizzying list of musicians, actors, and writers, some drawn by its late hours, others by its refusal to chase what’s fashionable. Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin are among the rock-star names most often linked to the place. A canceled check signed by Marilyn Monroe hangs on the wall.

More recent celebrity sightings include the likes of Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. 

In recent years, Barney’s has found new life as a Gen Z hangout, with lines out the door on busy nights. The place has a lived-in authentic feel that makes it stand out amid the everyday social-media hype. Multiple pool tables, foosball, arcade games and a working jukebox invite patrons to relax and enjoy themselves. And the menu offers plenty of bar-food favorites to choose from, whether it’s the legitimately famous chil, burgers, wings, or pizza. 

The place has been successful enough that there are now four additional Barney’s Beanery locations across the Los Angeles area, but the immaculate vibes are strongest at the original West Hollywood joint.