Five Iconic L.A. Hotel Bars Not to Miss During AFM

Skipping a full meal but still hitting all the right notes, the trio of fries, a Caesar and a martini —affectionately dubbed the “happy meal,” “girl dinner” or “holy trinity” — has gone from social-media trend to staple of Hollywood’s light-bite and cocktail culture. In Los Angeles’ hotel bars — many of which have achieved legendary status as the city’s unofficial industry boardrooms for deal-making, negotiating and handshaking — this combo thrives. Here are the five scenes where Hollywood still unwinds, one fry, martini and romaine leaf at a time.

The Lounge, Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
300 S Doheny Dr, Los Angeles
Beloved by publicists and producers alike, The Lounge at the Four Seasons is equal parts patio oasis and old-school power den, where every table could be a development meeting. Start with a classic martini — Belvedere, stirred to glacial perfection — and pair it with caviar fries and the anchovy vinaigrette tossed Little Gem salad for a Beverly Hills take on the trinity.

The Maybourne Bar, Maybourne Beverly Hills
225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills

Nothing screams quiet luxury like the sensibly British yet thoroughly Beverly Hills Maybourne Bar. Belly up to the Turkish silver onyx bar, slide into a Yves Klein blue chair and pick from the five martinis on the menu, which range from the Grey Goose and Botanist Gin Skyfall to the Parmesan Espresso Martini. Pair with the N25 Schrenckii Caviar steak fries and beg your server to import over the Caesar with avocado from the Maybourne’s adjacent Whisky bar.

Bar & Lounge, Hotel Bel-Air
701 Stone Canyon Rd, Los Angeles
You never forget your first or last time at Hotel Bel-Air, which for 79 years has been Hollywood’s most exclusive sanctuary. Dark, golden, and cinematic, the walls are lined with photographs of uber-famous faces. Order the deluxe martini with gin or vodka, extra-dry vermouth, and olives or a twist; pair with truffle fries and the hearts of romaine Caesar, available on special request from the restaurant, all as classic as the setting itself.

Tower Bar, Sunset Tower Hotel
8358 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood
If that fireplace could talk. Once Bugsy Siegel’s apartment, now the industry’s clubhouse, the Tower Bar never disappoints. Chic, welcoming and private, it’s a place to come and feel safe, close deals, tuck into a walnut-paneled cocoon and be hypnotically carried away by the jazz piano. There is no guessing what to get here — the Caesar, fries, and martini — but they taste just a little bit more important based on who is at the next table.

The Bar, Fairmont Century Plaza
 2025 Ave of the Stars, Los Angeles
Anchoring the Fairmont Century Plaza, The Bar is a social nexus for Los Angeles’ entertainment corridor, designed by Yabu Pushelberg. By day, it’s the place for polished coffee meetings and by night, the tempo shifts to martinis, negronis, and quiet or loud conversations. The right fry (tempura-battered zucchini), the proper pour (“Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” cocktail named for the Stevie Nicks song is like a Dirty Martini vs. a White Lady) and the right company turn this meeting spot cinematic.