The Hotel Irwin’s High Rooftop Lounge overlooks the Venice boardwalk.
Boa Steakhouse
Despite a stunning indoor dining room, it is the expansive patio of Boa’s Sunset Strip flagship that has become LA’s go-to place for power lunches and industry drinks dates, especially when the weather is mild. In the cool of the evening, celebrities and moguls jostle for a table by the flickering fireplace. 9200 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 310-278-2050
Cliff’s
The fabulous new menu by young French chef Benjamin Bailly might be a big draw of late, but what keeps patrons coming back to this cozy little Silver Lake establishment is the chance to enjoy delicious libations, such as the Cliff’s Manhattan and the cucumber margarita, on the romantic, leafy patio with Balinese-inspired décor. 3626 W. Sunset Blvd., LA, 323-666-6116
Duke’s Place
The casual lounge and restaurant at Newport’s exclusive Balboa Bay Club & Resort is named for John Wayne since the roughrider was a frequent guest here, and there’s no better place to enjoy a libation than out on the patio, which has a perfect view of the marina and its mega-yachts. You can’t go wrong with classic cocktails, but the spicy-sweet reposado tequila-based Newport Peach summer cocktail is also fantastic. The Balboa Bay Club & Resort, 1221 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949-645-5000
High Rooftop Lounge at the Hotel Erwin
When the skies are clear and the surf is up, the rooftop bar at the funky boutique Hotel Erwin is the place for a dazzling California sunset view stretching from Malibu to Palos Verdes. Upwardly mobile Westsiders come to enjoy cocktails such as the passion-fruit mojito and blood-orange julep above the fray of the Venice boardwalk below. 1697 Pacific Ave., Venice Beach, 310-452-1111
Restaurant at Sunset Marquis
Past the lobby pool, across a bridge, over a koi pond, and within four acres of gardens, the Restaurant at the Sunset Marquis is worlds away from bustling Sunset Boulevard just beyond its walls. The idyllic setting is perfect for catching up on industry gossip over a chilled bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. 1200 Alta Loma Road, West Hollywood, 310-358-3759
The Roof Garden at The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Though The Peninsula Beverly Hills is usually a hushed, white-tablecloth venue, come summertime the place to see and be seen is the beautifully renovated rooftop garden adjacent to the pool. Hollywood’s heavy hitters come here to unwind over alfresco cocktails around the fire pit, while enjoying the special barbecued entrées on offer. 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-975-2855
SkyBar at the Mondrian Los Angeles
The name is no play on words. The well-heeled partygoers ensconced at SkyBar’s Outdoor Living Room pavilion occupy a privileged location high above the city with sweeping views of LA at their feet—perfect for rising above the hoi polloi partying at the pool below—as they sip unique cocktails such as the summery SkyBar Express with Stoli Vanil, limoncello, fresh pineapple juice, and muddled lemons. 8440 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323-848-6025
The Terrace at Sunset Tower Hotel
It’s hard not to feel like you have all of Los Angeles at your feet during a poolside brunch at the Sunset Tower Hotel’s The Terrace. You never know which A-listers will be surreptitiously swanning around, but one thing you can be certain of: The croque madame and Bloody Mary here are the perfect post-party cures. 8358 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323-848-6666
