If you want a night out in Los Angeles where you can walk between bars instead of constantly calling an Uber, the Arts District is one of the best places in DTLA to start.
There are enough bars packed into a relatively small area to build a full night around them, with everything from huge beer halls and arcade bars to neighborhood dives and cocktail spots.
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We've put together a four-stop route that starts casually, gets more lively as the night goes on and finishes at one of the Arts District's best-known cocktail bars.
Start with games and drinks at Arts District Brewing Company
Arts District Brewing Company is a great place to start because there is plenty to do before you even think about moving on.
The huge space on Traction Avenue has a full bar, beers brewed on site, cocktails, food and a collection of classic games including skee-ball.
It works particularly well for groups because you can actually settle in for a while rather than standing around waiting for the night to get going.
Grab some food here too, especially if you know you are planning on having a few drinks later.
It is also open late, with the brewery staying open until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Head to EightyTwo for arcade games and DJs
From Arts District Brewing Company, walk toward East 4th Place for EightyTwo.
This is where the crawl becomes a little more energetic.
EightyTwo combines a full bar with more than 55 vintage arcade and pinball machines, an outdoor patio and a regular DJ program.
It is strictly 21 and over, and entry is generally free and first come, first served.
There is no food service, so this is more of a drinks-and-games stop than somewhere to plan dinner.
Friday and Saturday nights can get busy, particularly later in the evening, so arriving earlier can make it easier to get a drink and actually play some of the games.
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Slow things down at Tony's Saloon
Next, make your way toward East 7th Street and Tony's Saloon.
Tony's has a completely different feel from EightyTwo.
It describes itself as the Arts District's original neighborhood bar, with a laid-back atmosphere, classic cocktails and a large selection of beer.
There are also pool tables, ping pong and darts, so you can keep the competitive part of the night going without another arcade.
One of the useful things about Tony's is that outside food is welcome, meaning you can grab something nearby and bring it in if the group is getting hungry.
It is open nightly until 2 a.m., making it one of the easier places to keep the crawl going.
Finish with cocktails at Everson Royce Bar
The final main stop is Everson Royce Bar on East 7th Street.
This is where the crawl gets a little more polished, with a large outdoor patio, cocktails, beer, wine and a food menu.
If you are hungry again by this point, the burger is one of the things the bar is particularly known for.
The patio gives the place a relaxed backyard feel, which makes it a good spot to settle in rather than simply having one drink and leaving.
Friday and Saturday are the best nights if you want to stay late, with the bar currently open until 2 a.m. on both nights.
Want a fifth stop? Check out High Tide
If the night is still going and you want something different, High Tide is worth considering as an optional fifth stop.
The tropical-themed bar sits around the Arts District and Little Tokyo area and has a more party-focused atmosphere, with DJs, events and an outdoor space.
The important thing here is to check what is happening that night before making it part of your route.
High Tide's schedule is more dependent on events than the other bars on this list, so it is better treated as a bonus stop rather than a guaranteed part of the crawl.
The Arts District bar crawl route
For the simplest version of the night, go in this order:
Arts District Brewing Company → EightyTwo → Tony's Saloon → Everson Royce Bar
The route gives you four noticeably different experiences without spending the night crossing Los Angeles.
Start with food and games, move into arcade and DJ territory, settle into a neighborhood bar and finish with cocktails and a patio.
Just remember that the Arts District is still a city neighborhood, so watch your belongings, use crosswalks and stick together when walking between stops.
And, as always, if you're drinking, leave the car at home and use a rideshare or designated driver.
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