No need to settle for a basket of questionable tater tots when bar-hopping with omnivores. Los Angeles chefs and proprietors are whipping up first-rate plant-based party food for all to enjoy. Educated bartenders can assist with pairings, alerting one to which wines and beers are vegan, too.
Bar Amá
Chef Josef Centeno offers numerous veg-friendly options on the Tex-Mex menu at his Downtown LA fave, from guac and Super Nachos with Soyrizo during "Super Nacho Hour," to a dedicated Vegetables section, vegan queso, and vegan short rib fajitas.
Beelman's
Forget peanuts and pretzels. Patrons of this veg-friendly Downtown LA pub get spoiled with bar bites like Potato Taquitos, Buffalo Cauliflower and Totchos (tater tots, soyrizo, cashew cheese sauce, salsa, gochujang crema, house-pickled jalapeños, pinto beans, cilantro). The Loco Moco Bowl is made with Impossible meat, garlic, jasmine rice, Napa cabbage, scallions, ponzu, sweet chili sriracha and samba sauce. Mains include the If Looks Could Kale Burger and the Viet Nom Nom Wrap with citrus-marinated vegan "spare rib."
Gracias Madre
Warm the belly in style at Gracias Madre's weekday happy hour, when you can sip on Purista Margaritas and nosh on Jackfruit Carnitas Tacos and Soyrizo Empanadas. Tequila and mezcal lovers will love the agave flights, while non-drinkers can enjoy housemade hibiscus ginger soda and watermelon agua fresca. With its expansive patio, Gracias Madre is also the perfect special occasion spot for holidays and celebrations.
Link N Hops - Atwater Village
Though meat-centric in concept, the Atwater Village location of Link N Hops offers plant-based sausages, beer brats, and kielbasa along with curry ketchup, vegan cheddar, spicy barbecue sauce, and Dijon mustard. Their craft beer tap list changes daily and Monday nights are game nights.
Tony's Darts Away
Pioneers in the vegan pub game, this beloved Burbank bar set the precedent years ago with their quality vegan-heavy menu. Bonus points for their efforts to be “a zero waste bar and almost zero waste kitchen.” California craft beers pair with the ever-popular Disco Fries (make it a “Disco Inferno” with pickled jalapenos), chilaquiles, or homemade kettle chips. The outrageous Bulls-Eye Burger features two Impossible Burger patties smashed between a donut croissant bun with vegan bacon, vegan provolone, BBQ sauce and frizzled onions. Look for weekly and seasonal specials.
Trejo's Cantina - Hollywood
Trejo’s Cantina is a lively Hollywood sports bar featuring large-screen TVs and taco Tuesday specials starring jackfruit, cauliflower and "mexi-falafel" as solid options for vegans, as well as the street corn (minus chipotle cream), street beans and escabache (always vegan here). Hit up Trejo's Coffee & Donuts location for a Vegan Coco Loco to satisfy that sweet tooth afterward.
Wurstküche - Downtown L.A.
The Downtown L.A. and Venice purveyor of artisanal sausages and Belgian craft beers recently added Beyond Sausage (made by L.A.-based Beyond Meat) in flavorful Italian, Smoked Apple Sage and Mexican Chipotle variations. Extensive non-alcoholic menu features sodas, lemonades and brews by the likes of Fentiman, Mr. Q, Manhattan Special, Sweet Blossom, Nesbitt, and Reeds, too.