It’s the most magical time of year: office holiday party season. That one special night where you get to spend even more time with people you don't particularly enjoy, drink a lot of alcohol together, and see how it all comes out in the wash tomorrow. And if you’re the designated one to make it all happen, your night is probably going to be even worse. Just know now - you probably won’t make everyone happy. But finding a place that’ll at least keep people stimulated for a good chunk of the evening will pay you great dividends. To give you the best possible chances for success, we’ve rounded up the 32 best spots in LA for holiday parties, broken up by what kind of company you probably work for. Seasons greetings.
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1
Golden Road Brewing
5410 W San Fernando Rd
MAP
The worst-kept secret to every successful holiday party? Alcohol. And at Golden Road, you pretty much have it within arms reach no matter where you are. The Atwater Village brewery is massive, with both a great outdoor patio and large dining hall with communal tables perfect for smaller groups. But if you’re looking for something more secluded, their private speakeasy-ish event space, Chloe’s, is pretty damn cool too.
Capacity: Parties up to 75 people inside Chloe's.
2
Wurstküche
Arts District
800 E. 3rd St.
7.5
MAP
No matter how rowdy this Arts District sausage emporium can get on the weekends (and also at its Venice location), no one can deny this place works great for a big group party. Normally, you’d have to wait in line and order at the counter, but for groups big enough (12+), you’re able to snag a reservation and get a cordoned off area of the restaurant. Sausage, beer, and hip-hop music. Happy holidays, everyone.
Capacity: Groups of 12+, semi-private.
3
Button Mash
Echo Park
1391 W Sunset Blvd
8.3
MAP
It was a great year for your at-home foot massage app, but you’re still running at about 10 employees, so there’s no reason to blow it out just yet. Head to Button Mash in Echo Park where old-school arcade games, a great beer selection, and an even better Chinese drunk food menu awaits.
Capacity: Reservations for groups of 10+. No private dining option.
4
Pizzeria Mozza
Hancock Park
,
Hollywood
641 N Highland Ave
7.8
MAP
LA will never be a pizza town, but Pizzeria Mozza is certainly among our best. The casual spot at Melrose and Highland is one part of the three-restaurant Mozzaplex, and works for low-key parties because it’s fun and affordable. And when does pizza not work for big group festivities? If you're looking for something more private, they have the Jack Warner Room in the back as well.
Capacity: 30 in Jack Warner Room. 120 for full restaurant buyout.
5
Upper West
3321 Pico Blvd
MAP
Greetings from one of the most underrated restaurants on the Westside. Its Pico and Centinela location might be in a bit of a no man's land, but this neighborhood spot has a great laid-back space, excellent cocktails, an accessible American menu, and all the private dining options you could ask for.
Capacity: 42 seated, 50 standing in the front room. 90 seated, 120 standing in the main dining room. 140 seated, 170 standing for full buyout.
Photo: Upper West / Facebook
6
Chosun Galbee
3330 W Olympic Blvd
MAP
Nothing beats a big group Korean BBQ outing. And while Ktown has more options than it knows what to do with in this category, go with Chosun Galbee for the holiday party. The large, modern space is beautiful, the food quality, and unlike some of the other popular spots, you won’t have to sell your soul to get a table here. Not to mention, there's several private dining options.
Capacity: 12-45 for private dining.
7
Same Same
2835 W Sunset Blvd
MAP
The thought of having an office Christmas party at a wine bar is downright excruciating, but when said wine bar is also serving some fantastic Thai food? Suddenly things get more interesting. Same Same in Silver Lake offers family-style dishes for big groups or buyouts as well as all the beer and wine you’ll need. And trust us, you’ll need plenty.
Capacity: 50 seated, 80 standing for total buyout. Regular reservations available for any size party.
8
The Spare Room
7000 Hollywood Blvd
MAP
Deep down you know the idea of sitting next to your coworkers for an entire dinner won't end well. So, let’s go bowling instead. The Spare Room (inside the Roosevelt Hotel) is part bar, part restaurant, with a few bowling lanes thrown into the mix. If that sounds cheesy to you, know that this place's old Hollywood feel steers it clear from Dave & Busters territory.
Capacity: 200 for a full buyout. Regular reservations available for any size party.
Photo: The Spare Room / Facebook
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9
Malibu Family Wines
32111 Mulholland Hwy
MAP
You work in a creative agency, so any old Christmas party won’t do. Obviously you’re going to Malibu and doing the wine safari. Open air safari cars tool around Saddlerock Ranch and the Malibu Wines vineyard, stopping for wine tastings and to gawk at zebras and camels. Because getting drunk with your coworkers and hanging out with Stanley the giraffe is the best possible combination of things.
Capacity: 20 per tour.
Photo: Malibu Wine Safaris / Facebook
10
CHEZ TEX
218 Main St
MAP
If you’re lucky enough to have an office full of people you actually like, you’ve got a pretty special situation on your hands. Have a laid-back dinner with them on the cool end of Main Street at Chez Tex. The bare brick walls and dimly lit space will make your snobby boss happy, but bistro style dishes like beef tartare and a tomahawk pork chop, as well as a killer wine list are what the rest of you are here for.
Capacity: 8-12 in semi-private dining room. 36 seated, 50 standing in full buyout.
11
Upstairs Rooftop Lounge at Ace Hotel
933 S Broadway
MAP
This is LA. It's not out of the question to have 80-degree weather in December, so take advantage and have a pool party. No, we’re not advocating actually jumping in the pool with your coworkers (unless it’s that kind of office), but a big group hang around the rooftop pool at the Ace is perfectly acceptable, especially when there are cocktails and food from LA Chapter downstairs involved.
Capacity: Available Monday to Thursday after 6pm. Minimum of 50.
12
Perch
448 S Hill St
MAP
We’re not sure why Downtown LA doesn’t have more rooftops, but Perch is one of the OGs and still a great spot for an event. When you're here for a private event, it's much less likely you'll find annoying people in the crowd (well, except terrible deskmate Jake), and there will probably be a lot more elbow room.
Capacity: 20-150 on the rooftop.
13
Eveleigh
West Hollywood
8752 Sunset Blvd
6.2
MAP
We’ve given Eveleigh a hard time in the past, but the whole place sure is pretty. And your graphic design firm's team definitely cares about that more than anything else. There are several different party reservation options, but our pick is the back patio for a very Instagrammable team dinner.
Capacity: 40 seated, 65 standing on the front patio. 80 seated, 150 standing on the full back patio. 40 seated, 50 standing on the partial back patio.
14
Cassia
Santa Monica
1314 7th St
8.2
MAP
Cassia is one of our favorite spots on the Westside, and it seems made for holiday parties. The Asian food is super shareable and not at all boring, the space is gorgeous, and there are a few different private rooms to choose from. Or, if it was a really good year, just go big and rent the whole space.
Capacity: 20 in the private dining room. 36 seated, 60 standing in the wine room. 60 seated, 75 standing on the patio. 150 seated, 250 standing for a full buyout.
15
Commissary
Koreatown
3515 Wilshire Blvd.
7.2
MAP
Maybe you’ve long harbored a dream of eating in a greenhouse. More likely, you’re just sure the whole team would be more than ok with drinking gin and juice cocktails in oversized plastic cups. Commissary walks the line between rowdy and classy in the very best, and mostly work-appropriate, way.
Capacity: Set menu for parties of 9+. 60-70 for a full buyout.
16
Estrella
West Hollywood
8800 W Sunset Blvd
8.3
MAP
Maybe at one point your company was a small creative office, but these days there are a lot of you and things have become pretty corporate. Get the best of both worlds at Estrella, a Laurel Canyon fever dream of a restaurant with actually excellent food. There’s even a mini-cinema attached if you’re planning on going all out.
Capacity: 80 on the north patio. 120 on the west patio. 100 in the Ma lounge. 500 for a full buyout.
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17
Katsuya Hollywood
6300 Hollywood Blvd
MAP
The Katsu-ya empire has admittedly transformed itself into more of a see and be seen operation than a see and be seen eating sushi one, but you work at CAA and that’s just what the doctor ordered. Here’s the good news though - the good sushi still exists. You might just have to take it to-go or else risk being shamed by your coworkers for eating in front of them again.
Capacity: 400 for total buyout. Private dining available for groups of 12 or more.
Photo: Katsuya / Facebook
18
Sur Restaurant and Bar
606 N Robertson Blvd
MAP
Home to the world’s most important TV show and some horrifically mediocre food, Sur works for a holiday party because everybody knows what it is and they know they can get trashed there. Plus, this place was essentially designed for private events. From the gaudy, over-the-top interior to the gaudy, over-the-top back patio, there’s plenty of space for you and the assistant bros to get sauced and stroll into work late tomorrow.
Capacity: Up to 300 for total buyout. Private dining rooms available for groups of 12 or more.
Photo: laura*b / Flickr
19
CATCH
8715 Melrose Ave
MAP
The NYC import is the newest spot on the list, but one look at the line of desperation and stilettos snaking down Melrose right now will tell you one thing - Catch is an all-out blockbuster. With over 12,000 square feet, a retractable roof, and other impressive things that don’t really matter, this seafood megaplex will be the hardest space to lock down your holiday party at this year, so start making those phone calls now.
Capacity: Private dining available for parties over 20.
Photo: Catch / Facebook
20
Rao's Hollywood
1006 Seward St
MAP
Famous for being the hardest reservation to get in the world (or something like that), Rao’s Hollywood location is thankfully much easier to get into than its New York spot. Located on a side street south of Santa Monica Blvd., Rao’s is old-school New York Italian food with a warm interior that makes you feel like you’re in Manhattan. But it’s that back patio where holiday party glory truly begins.
Capacity: 60 for full patio buyout. Regular reservations available for any size party.
Photo: Rao's / Facebook
21
pearl's
8909 W. Sunset Blvd
MAP
Pearl’s is one of those places you assume is the worst, but then you get there and realize you actually like it. Its Sunset Strip location is definitely a touch scenery, but that's exactly what every UTA bro in your division is craving. Not to mention that large second-floor patio has some pretty good views too. The drinks are strong and the seafood-based menu is solid.
Capacity: Private dining available for parties of 12+.
22
Yamashiro Hollywood
1999 N Sycamore Ave
MAP
After being put on life support not all too long ago, this Hollywood landmark has been revived and is back better than ever. Located on a private hill overlooking Hollywood, you won’t find many better views than at this iconic spot, and though its pan-Asian menu isn’t going to change the world, nobody at your holiday party will care. They even have three separate private events spaces to choose from.
Capacity: 150 seated, 175 standing in the garden courtyard. 60 in the Skyview Room. 30 seated, 45 standing in the Koi Room.
Photo: Yamashiro / Facebook
23
Neuehouse
6121 Sunset Blvd.
MAP
The absolutely stunning co-work-millennial-glamazon-swap-meet space in Hollywood is here for any type or size holiday party your agency requires. With a ground-floor auditorium and two separate outside patios (one being on the roof), the hardest part is actually choosing which space you want. The food comes from the full, on-site restaurant and it’s actually very good.
Capacity: Studio A - standing 600, seated 300. Mezzanine bar and semi-private dining - standing 50, seated 12. Garden Terrace - standing 400, seated 250. Paley Penthouse - standing 100, seated 18 (indoor) / 40 (outdoor). Paley - standing 300, seated 200.
Photo: Emily Andrews
24
The Bazaar by José Andrés
465 S LA Cienega Blvd
MAP
Ahh, The Bazaar. That beautiful place where you can spend a sh*t ton of money and get a syringe of caprese squirted into the back of your mouth. 'Tis the season indeed. Though ridiculously over-the-top, this shrine to gastronomy at the SLS Hotel is a great place to throw a holiday party, especially for excitable CAA agents. The space is actually massive and Greg from Theatrical is going to lose his mind once those chocolate pop rocks hit the back of his tongue.
Capacity: Terrace for up to 40. Rojo for up to 100. Blanca for up to 100. Bar Centro for up to 90. Patisserie for up to 60. SAAM for up to 40. 675 for entire buyout.
Photo: Bazaar / Facebook
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perfect for a very corporate finance or law firm
25
Broken Spanish
DTLA
1050 S. Flower St
8.6
MAP
Broken Spanish is easily one of downtown’s most impressive restaurants. From the outdoor patio to the main dining room to just renting out the whole place, Broken Spanish is great for holiday gatherings of any size. And its modern Mexican menu will keep everybody happy, even your 65 year old boss who isn't totally sure what a chicharron is exactly. Your office might be stuffy, but Broken Spanish will loosen everybody up.
Capacity: 20 standing in the patio. 45 standing at the windows and counter. 50 seated, 75 standing in private room. 120 seated, 200 standing for a full buyout.
26
Cicada Club
617 S Olive St
MAP
What is it with finance firms and themed parties? Just kidding, we know what it is: their jobs are boring and everyone needs to forget that at least once a year. If a theme is necessary, at least make sure it’s a good one, and go for a Jazz Age night at Cicada Club. Banish all thoughts of spreadsheets and dance all night to the big band.
Capacity: 350 for full buyout. Group reservations for parties of 8+.
27
Republique
Hancock Park
,
Mid-Wilshire
624 S La Brea Ave
8.8
MAP
No matter the size of your party, Republique has you covered. They have 20 different spaces (ok fine, they have eight), with enough space for up to 400 people. And if your firm leans pretty conservative, that’s fine: the French menu won’t scare any of the partners away.
Capacity: 18 in the wine room. 30 seated, 45 standing in the mezzanine room. 35 standing in the bakery. 32 at the kitchen tables (semi-private). 30 standing at the bar. 62 seated, 75 standing in the dining room. 210 seated, 400 standing for full buyout.
28
Redbird
Bunker Hill
114 E 2nd St
7.9
MAP
Redbird is stunning, huge, and not the kind of place you’re going to once a week - all reasons why it's one of the best spots for a holiday party downtown. The menu is all about sharing, so maybe make sure you’re sitting next to a friend so you can hoard dishes together, because you’re going to want as much of the chicken pot pie as possible.
Capacity: 25 in the indoor dining room. 85 in the courtyard. 250 standing for full buyout.
29
The Larchmont
Hancock Park
,
Hollywood
,
Larchmont
5750 Melrose Ave
8.0
MAP
The Larchmont is the kind of place that makes you feel grown up, which is appropriate because it’s one of those restaurants that has only gotten better with age. It's a great spot for a dinner with your team - formal enough that the bosses will be happy, but also a bit laid back. For bigger groups they do family-style dinners, but just make sure the burger is on your menu - it’s one of our favorites in the whole city.
Capacity: For parties 10+, private and semi-private dining.
30
Terroni Downtown
802 S Spring St
MAP
If you need to play things kind of safe, but still want to go somewhere that feels kind of cool, the DTLA Terroni is the way to go. There are plenty of pizzas and pastas that are sure to please a corporate crowd, and the converted bank space in the Historic Core has lots of character too.
Capacity: 40 for private dining.
31
A.O.C.
Beverly Grove
8700 W 3rd St
8.3
MAP
We love the patio at A.O.C., but we might love their upstairs wine room even more. It feels like an old-school gentleman’s club, but one where you drink lots of wine instead of scotch. Because we all know wine is the only way you're going to get through tonight. The menu is designed to be shared, but doesn’t contain any surprises, so even that partner who only eats things that are white should be ok.
Capacity: 40 in the wine room. 160 seated, 200 standing for a full buyout.
32
Osteria Mozza
Hancock Park
,
Hollywood
6602 Melrose Ave
8.6
MAP
If Pizzeria Mozza is for the cool tech kids, Osteria Mozza is definitely for the lawyers and accountants. And we mean that in the best of ways: it might be a formal option, but that's also why we love it. There are white tablecloths as far as the eye can see, and the best pasta you’ll find in LA.
Capacity: 36 seated, 50 standing in the private dining room. 64 for a partial buyout. 150 seated, 200 standing for a full buyout.