Everson Royce Bar

Tucked into an unassuming building at the edge of the Arts District, Everson Royce Bar refuses to be pigeonholed. Is it a bar that happens to serve remarkable food, or a restaurant with an exceptional cocktail program? The answer doesn’t really matter once you’re there. The space divides into two distinct zones: a dark, intimate interior bar perfect for close-quarters conversation and serious drinking, and a sprawling back patio that ranks among downtown LA’s finest outdoor spaces.

The menu may be compact—around a dozen items—but it punches well above its weight class. The single burger has earned its reputation as one of the city’s best, delivering incredible depth of flavor in an unassuming package. Fresh hamachi on a crispy tostada showcases seafood quality you’d never expect from a bar, while the shrimp roll—served on a hamburger bun with hidden potato chips for crunch—manages to be both unconventional and completely satisfying.

The back patio sets the scene for virtually any occasion. Its relaxed energy works equally well for casual after-work drinks, dinner with friends, or full-blown birthday celebrations. Some guests come purely to drink, others to eat, but the smart move is doing both. The cocktail program holds its own against any dedicated bar in town, and the wine list outclasses most proper restaurants.

ERB has carved out a rare niche—a place that excels at everything it does without trying to be any one thing. When you want quality food and drinks in a space that adapts to whatever you need, this Arts District gem delivers on every front.