Luis at the bar was exceptional. The drinks were great and conversation was hilarious. Shoutout Oceanside

We chose Employees Only for a special occasion because we were looking for an authentic speakeasy experience before an event in Beverly Hills. After reading the reviews and seeing the photos, we had high expectations. Unfortunately, it didn't quite deliver the experience we were hoping for. The entrance felt surprisingly ordinary and didn't create the sense of mystery or excitement that's usually part of a great speakeasy. Inside, the space is attractive, but the atmosphere felt a bit confusing. It wasn't quite a speakeasy, it wasn't quite a fine dining restaurant, and it wasn't casual either. It seemed like it was trying to be several different things without fully committing to one identity. The food was good, but nothing particularly memorable. Everything was enjoyable enough, but considering the reputation and price point, we expected dishes that would leave a lasting impression. The service was pleasant, although not especially attentive or polished. One unexpected disappointment was the lighting. We were excited to capture a few photos to remember the evening, but the lighting made that nearly impossible. None of our pictures turned out well, which was unfortunate since we had planned this as part of a special night out. The restaurant was also surprisingly quiet, with only one other couple dining during our visit. They were also discussing the food and seemed to share some of the same impressions we had. Overall, Employees Only wasn't a bad experience--it simply didn't live up to the expectations created by its reputation. For such a special occasion, we were hoping for an immersive atmosphere, standout food, and a memorable experience. Instead, we left feeling underwhelmed. I'm glad we gave it a try, but it's probably not a place I would choose to visit again. read more

Was in the area for dinner the other night, so we made a reservation at Employees Only to try something new. Vibes are restaurant lounge, dimly lit and setting a vibe for the evening. Started with drinks and, honestly, can't remember what everyone ordered. I got a Desert Quench which has a tequila base and flavors of bergamot, lime, raspberry and mango. Tasted great, no complaints. For food, we started with the bone marrow and meatballs. The bone marrow was like most bone marrow, you now what you're going to get, while the meatballs were underwhelming. They didn't look appealing in terms of color and flavor was lacking. Entrees, we each tried something different. The steak frites was cooked to order but really didn't set itself apart from other frites. The trout was cooked well, and seasoned nicely, but the purple cauliflower puree, for me, didn't come together in terms of presentation for the dish. The pistachio pesto pasta was very flavorful, mixing in the burrata on top and then the little pops of spice from the chili flakes.. Just a nice bite. Finally was the double wagyu burger with caramelized onions, American cheese and a sauce emulsified with bacon. Very tasty, and those caramelized onions just added another level to each bite. Overall, nice spot in WeHo serving up some tasty cocktails and decent food. Definitely get the pistachio pesto and double wagyu burger, but you can skip the bone marrow, meatballs, frites and trout. read more

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This is a place to chill, get a drink or two, and people-watch. When the live music sets in, things get quite animated and loud, but not in a chaotic or turnt up way. I saw lots of people come in, have a drink, and leave after a little while. Delilah is next door, so maybe this is a good place for a quick meal or a pre-game drink. We opted to have dinner, which was decent. The meatballs lacked some real flavor, the fries were delicious albeit quite salty, the burger was okay, and the tableside steak tartare seriously did not need to be mixed tableside... I was also not keen on the flavor of the tartare, and I happen to adore steak tartare and steak carpaccios. Alas. Valet parking or street parking are your options in this area. So, overall, cool vibe - but not going to be a memorable experience for the food. read more

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The NY import does not disappoint! Fantastic interiors, fantastic cocktails, and a delightful food menu. I came here with friends and had a great time. Unlike the NY original the main improvement of this LA version is that there is so much more space! read more

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Got together with a good friend and was visiting from out of the country. He was staying in the area and searched bar/lounge and this place came up. We came for drinks only but was surprised with complimentary chicken noodle soup! Bartender was top notch. My friend ordered a whisky sour. I've never had it before but my friend said that's how you see if the bartender is good and he approved. The place itself was pretty chill. read more

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Swanky, old Hollywood bar. Almost feels like a movie set for a James Bond film or something. We sat at the bar and had a couple appetizers and happy hour drinks. The bartenders are very nice and fun to talk to. It's dark and moody in here, a nice respite from the busy WeHo street outside. They played fun music, but I almost feel like they need a live pianist. This would be a great spot to pre or post game a more formal event. I had the basil margarita, which was just ok. Felt like it was missing something. Not super basil-y, very sour, something was off. The fries with aioli were very good. Shoestring situation always hits the spot for me. read more

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Late review but I went with my bestfriend for the first time recently and we had such a good time! It was great, the drinks and happy hour snacks were amazing! Luis our bartender was so awesome and talented!! I really can't wait to go back! Thanks for having us :) read more

Employees Only - Happy hour Espresso - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

This place is great for a date! Cute and romantic vibe. They have HH deals as well. The Pepperoni Pizza and Crispy BBQ Chicken Pizza were soooo good - crispy, flavorful and just delicious. I will say the pastas were good but not anything amazing. I had gotten the Pistachio Pesto Pasta. I actually could've done with a little more flavor here. Overall, so worth coming back for their pizzas though! read more

Employees Only - Pistachio Pesto Pasta - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

Really really bland food. Pizza definitely some of the worst I've had. Customer service was also off. Will not return.

Cute cocktail bar! Love the vibes and music. Came for happy hour (make a reservation before hand) and enjoyed the drinks and food. No complaints. read more

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My partner and I stopped by Employees Only for a nightcap during Fourth of July weekend. We were already a bit buzzed and looking for a more upbeat vibe, but the atmosphere was quiet and more refined, which is fine, just not what we expected. The kitchen was closed, so we just ordered drinks. I can't remember the name of the cocktail I had, but it was a blackberry twist on a Cosmo, and it was delicious. I still crave it and would go back just for that drink. Overall, it's a great spot for a cute date night or a girls' night out--intimate and classy. read more

Employees Only - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

delicious cocktails! this place has a moody and romantic aesthetic yet felt lively and fun. my boyfriend and i came in on a saturday night and were able to quickly find seating at the bar. staff were super friendly and attentive! it made the experience so much nicer. parking was pretty hard to find, (as expected for LA) but good spot for bar hopping. read more

Employees Only - espresso martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

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This is such a cute speakeasy. The interior is moody and perfect for a date night. We came without reservations around 6 pm on a weeknight and we weren't able to get a table but were able to snag seats at the bar, our drinks were great and I got the two drink option for the Cucumber lemon drop which is a nice deal. The drink was so refreshing! I had the pasta which was decent, I'd be back to try the food because I did see some dishes that I may have missed out on. read more

Employees Only - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

Super cute spot for a date, very romantic vibes. Got here around 8:00 pm on a Thursday and sat at a small table. Delicious cocktails - got the Amelia and Watermelon Moonshine. Service was super attentive. It is super dark in there, so WATCH OUT FOR THE STEP UP ONTO THE AREA WITH BOOTHS AND TABLES. That seemed hazardous to me. read more

Came in and sat with 3 at the bar at employees only. Got in quickly for a Friday night , sat at the bar but the restaurant wasn't busy around 9pm. We got a round of cocktails and the bartenders as a whole were not busy and unfortunately unmemorable compared to the experience we had Nextdoor at Laurel hardware. Cocktails were meh, I got a martini that was weirdly unbearable . Olives served with it were small , felt weirdly stale, and over saturated . I've always heard great reviews of this place but the bar scene is lacking for being such a great location for locals . read more

Great vintage West Hollywood vibe, decent prices, bone marrow appetizer, happy hour prices. The service at the bar was fabulous and made the night. read more

Employees Only - Bone marrow appetizer - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

Went here on Saturday evening with my SO and it was great! Our reservations were at 7:30pm, to which I feel was perfect timing as it wasn't crowded or busy at all. Yes, it is quite dim inside, as the other reviews have pointed out. But a very cool vibe nonetheless! The reason why -1 star is... I hate to say it, but the food was just okay. Nothing really special.... I did love how they had lots of vegan/ vegetarian options for myself, and it is very cool how they have a "Golden Hour" special menu from 6-8 PM containing not as pricy drinks and entrees. The "regular" menu drinks/food was standard, expected pricing in the WeHo area Valet parking is offered right outside for $15. Or you can find street parking Overall, very awesome/cool vibes, the atheistic, decor was 10/10 ! Our waitress was a bit slow in regard to introducing herself, coming to our table to take our orders, and then us asking for a bit more time, but taking a long time to come afterwards (I think she was busy! Just not as great or ideal in timing because I think she wasn't really watching us but totally okay, understandable. Just a comment/observation) But the staff refilling our water was top notch!! He was SO attentive in pouring water, even whenever our glasses were half full! I hope he knows his attentiveness and attention to detail is greatly appreciated. Would come back again from the vibes and fun convos, not really the food or drinks. But def a cool place to check out! Happy to have stopped by :) read more

It was a "treat yo'self" kind of month for book club and when Employees Only was suggested, we all agreed it looked like a great spot. And wow, what a menu! While our server Vesna V. was fine, the real stars of the evening were the food and drinks. I kicked things off with the hand-cut steak tartare which was prepared tableside. It was seriously delicious and I can't recommend it enough. Then I followed that up with the double wagyu burger because, apparently, I was on a beef kick that night. So good! My dining companions were adventurous with their drinks, ordering everything from a cherry bomb to "when in Oaxaca," a couple of bartender's choice beverages with vodka, a billionaire, and an exotic espionage. I went for the mocktail version of the ritual rum which was good but I was hit with a $3 upcharge for it... For food my friends ordered a variety of dishes: arancini, truffle parmesan fries, fried calamari, shrimp scampi, and the burrata margherita pizza. Everything was tasty and the atmosphere of the place had a ton of potential. It was a bit on the empty side since it was during the wildfires in LA but I was thankful to be able to dine here. Overall, good food, good company, and a cool spot. While I might be back in the future, I'll probably check out some other restaurants in the area first and hopefully they won't upcharge for a mocktail. read more

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Overall a nice experience because my bf and I always have a great time whatever we do. But the service was not the best. Took a long time to get their attention and then they would never check on us. The biggest pet peeve was asking if we were done with our food and when answering that we're still working on it, the person still removed it. Same thing happened with the drinks. Clearly hadn't finished our drinks and the person still took the drinks from our table. This left a bad taste in our mouths. But I like the place and the music was great and so was the vibe. read more

Employees Only - Focaccia with ricotta butter, meatballs - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

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Scammed: Food is mediocre. Service was terrible, rushing you to leave, bring all order at once although we asked not to. They didnt even reheat it when brought back remaining. (And bathroom isn't clean) anyways, when paying, they rush you to check the all orders and pay. I noticed later that they charged service fee 5% on top of everything, so careful when you tip..... (scammed) read more

Nice little cocktail bar located right in the heart of West Hollywood. They have a decent size dining room, a good sized bar and a DJ spinning some cool tunes. The cocktails are pretty good but if you wanna try something different, get the martini tower! 12 martinis all together in a single tower... yikes read more

Employees Only - Martini Tower - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

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I visited this spot for dinner and the Spicy Mushroom Pasta had a wonderful flavor. The atmosphere was very lively and made for a perfect evening out. read more

I loooove their cocktails. Came here 2 times tried different drinks The fruity drinks are really good But it is very dark inside read more

Employees Only - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

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I went to Employees Only for my birthday and it was such a great choice. Our table comfortably accommodated 7 people, which isn't always easy to find. The cocktails were excellent--creative, well-balanced, and a definite highlight of the night. The food was good, and dessert, too--the flourless chocolate cake was absolutely delicious. The ambiance was a blend of New York sophistication and West Hollywood glamour with a large brass bar and Art Deco design. Dim lighting and a DJ gave the space a fun, elevated late-night energy. Service was a bit slow, but the staff was kind and welcoming. Overall, a great spot for celebrations and special occasions. read more

Employees Only - Flourless chocolate cake! Yum! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

We had a great time! DJ was on point the whole night playing a mix of all genres. Slightly crowded for a Friday at first but this place is a good vibe with plenty of seating if you want to order food and drinks. We ordered an espresso martini and the purple rain mocktail and they were all fabulous! The wagyo burger was also delicious. Will definitely be coming back. read more

Employees Only - Purple Rain Mocktail and Express Martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

Came here for a girls night out and the food was soo yummy and easily shareable! The inside is cozy and the service is great. They also have a live DJ that plays good songs. The only thing that I didn't prefer was how loud it was, my girl friends and I could barely hear each other and we were screaming the whole time. But def check it out! read more

Employees Only in West Hollywood is an absolute gem and easily one of the best cocktail spots in the city. The vibe is intimate, stylish, and effortlessly cool the kind of place where you feel like you're in on a secret the moment you walk in. The cocktails are next-level. Thoughtfully crafted, perfectly balanced, and made by bartenders who actually know what they're doing. You can tell they take pride in their craft, and it shows in every single glass. Even if you don't know what to order, they'll guide you to something perfect. Service is top-tier friendly, sharp, and welcoming without the attitude. It's the perfect spot for a date night, late-night drinks, or starting (or ending) an unforgettable night out. Employees Only WeHo delivers consistency, class, and damn good drinks. If you're serious about cocktails, this place is non-negotiable. read more

We had a great time at their New Year's Eve party last night. They had an open bar and the drinks were really good craft cocktails. They had a pear tequila drink that was amazing. They used Don Julio in all of the tequila cocktails and you could really taste the quality versus other places with open bars. The staff was all friendly and fun. The bar is beautiful and it was nicely decorated for New Year's Eve. I will definitely be back! read more

Employees Only - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

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Delicious food! We love the dark ambiance vibes. This was our first time here and the food did not disappoint! Delicious burger and the wagyu steak and fries. Drinks were pretty good as well! Not a huge fan of coupe glasses but it was delicious nonetheless. We had the drinks Flowers in Water then the Billionare. Service was good, she never said her name. We will most likely be back! We love Hollywood and trying the different restaurants along the blvd. read more

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Felt very underwhelmed with my experience here. It was extremely dark inside the restaurant. I understand that dim lighting is an aesthetic, but it was way too dim. I literally had to use my phone's flashlight to read the menu. The tiny candle on the table was not helpful. Service was not great. It took forever for an employee to come take our order and forever to receive our food and drinks. We finally got our cocktail shortly after receiving an appetizer. The only attentive employee was the guy refilling our water cups. Surprisingly, the burrata margherita pizza was the best dish I had here. It had garlic marinara, burrata, and basil. Simple, enjoyable, and hard to mess up. The worst dish was by far the arancini. It was bland and had no flavor. I loved all the arancini that I've had before at other restaurants. Did not know I could hate it until I ate the ones from here. I tried two different pastas. The hazelnut pesto was not bad, but I was disappointed to find out that there were no hazelnuts in it. It also could have used more pesto. As for the bolognese, the taste was fine but the cook of the pasta was not. The texture of the tagliatelle pasta should have been firm and slightly chewy. Instead, it was only firm. For the main dish, I had the fire roasted seabream. It was served as a small portion and tasted very salty. The broccolini was salty as well. Did not enjoy this dish whatsoever. I did not see antyhing about service charges stated anywhere, but an additional 4% service charge ended up being added to the bill even though we were only a small group of two, so watch out for that. Valet parking currently costs $15. There was no free street parking nearby. read more

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After dinner drinks on a Friday for my birthday. It was recommended by our server at dinner. He said the espresso martinis were the best here, and as we ordered our drinks we saw that that seemed to be one of the most popular choices. The bar/restaurant is on the smaller side, all bar seating was taken at around 7pm. The ambiance is dark and moody with that great candlelight type of light. It can get hard to read the menu, as I noticed a lot of restaurant patrons using their flashlight to be able to read it. Still, it's a vibe. Nobody but the bartender was particularly friendly (like, staff looked annoyed as they walked around serving their dinner patrons) but it wasn't so bad as we were just there for a couple drinks and enjoyed standing at the small high top just people watching. We ordered four drinks: Espresso martini, margarita, manhattan and dirty martini. Everything was delicious but my dirty martini wasn't dirty enough. Not that big of a deal. As the food went past us to the dining area, we thought it looked pretty good and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Place is good for dates and small group dinners, I'd definitely uber. I look forward to going back to try the food menu and more off of their cocktail list. read more

Employees Only - Martini and Manhattan ‍ - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

Dark and cozy, took a while to adjust to the light. Cool bar scene. Great service. We ordered the fried pickles and they were delicious. But the cocktails are where they really shine. I ordered a classic margarita with high end tequila and it's the best margarita I've had in years. Will definitely be going back :) read more

A total cute vibe. The manager and waiting staff are so friendly. The truffle fries and flourless cake were tasty. Thank you for the kindness and good vibes read more

My partner and I have the pleasure of having this be the closest bar to our apartment. We've been 4 times now and our drinks have been beautifully balanced every time. We'd go more often but we unfortunately are never able to get a seat at the bar. Bartenders are always welcoming but focused on the craft. Dress code is a mix of it all. read more

Employees Only - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

Went to a girls night on a Friday and the food and drinks do not disappoint! They have an amazing selection of cocktails, apps, main dishes. A lot of veggi friendly ones too! The food come out fast and like I said was super filling! Parking is a bit tricky in this area I would say Uber or give yourself time to park and walk to the Restaurant. Staff were super attentive and always ready to take away finished plates, refill water, etc. I do agree with other peoples comments that it felt that some waiters wanted to rush the order. Not terrible maybe it was the first day for them but it was a bit comedic how they would constantly check in. I made a reservation so I don't know what the wait is like if you're walking up, but it felt for a Friday night they could possibly accommodate. The only thing that I found frustrating and this is because I'm older is that the music was a bit too loud. I don't love yelling at people when I'm trying to talk. That's just a me thing though. Loved the place, will be back most likely! read more

Attended a group get together in West Hollywood at a cool restaurant and bar. The main room had nice neon lighting and long bar with ample seating. There were booths for groups to sit together. The rooms were decorated for the holiday season. Our group reserved the back room, which had its own bar and seating area. We had a open bar and delicious appetizers. The service was top notch, the bartender made and served me a mojito, which was very good. I would recommend this place for casual meeting with friends, coworkers or family. read more

Employees Only - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

The vibe, drinks, food AND THE MUSIC?! Yall are on point! My type of vibe! Thank you for your amazing bartender Ric knows what she's doing! Very knowledgeable! I love this spot! The food was amazing!!!! My fav already n this is my first time here! read more

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Such a chic restaurant serving great cocktails, small bites, and entrees. A great place to meet for a drink or two before a night out, or to have an elevated date night. Don't sleep on the HH (which they refer to as Golden Hour) , they've got some great food items as well as having martinis on HH for $12 (they're quite good) JAPANESE SWEET POTATO - 4 1/2 stars. This is a light and classic preparation and quite mild. The addition of coconut cream & honey added a nice richness to the sweet potato. A solid appetizer, though on the smaller size. MEATBALLS - 5 Stars. This was so rich in flavor and absolutely delicious. Pork shoulder mixed with panko gives this dish a rich and savory flavor, while the spicy vodka sauce (which was so delicious) creates a perfect balance. PEPPERONI PIZZA - 4 Stars. This was from the HH menu, pretty standard. On the thinner side which I enjoyed, and quite the hearty portion. Bonus points for serving this with ranch. ($14) One thing that stuck out was the exceptional customer service. I don't think I've ever had wait staff be so attentive with water refills and making sure you always had a cocktail or beverage, as well as checking in without being overbearing -- I was impressed. Parking wasn't too bad, I found a meter a short 5 minute walk from the restaurant. Definitely a solid spot in a beautiful and intimate setting. read more

We went in early on a Saturday evening. There were still seats at the bar, so we grabbed those, as we were just in for a drink or 2. We were greeted warmly by a bartender who appeared to be in training. She gave us the happy hour and regular menus. We opted for the happy hour martini and beer and a shot. The shot is a house made shot that was actually pretty interesting. The drinks on the HH menu are definitely on the lighter side, but would be good before eating dinner. The HH food options looked pretty good, as did their regular cocktail menu. We were checked on regularly from the same bartender, and we did one more round - grabbing the house wine this time. The lead bartender did not seem friendly with others, so we were glad we had the other person. The ambiance is really nice, and I would love to come back and try some food and some of their cocktails. read more

Employees Only - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

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