Where to host a big birthday party in LA: Restaurants, bars, patios

Where can I host a large birthday party in a restaurant courtyard or rent a bar during the day? Isn’t it too expensive? – Christian Silva

Here’s what we recommend:

First and foremost, I respect – and deeply relate to – your birthday celebration budget. It’s hard now. The good news, though, is that LA is packed with delicious restaurants and aesthetic bars that go easy on the pockets — both for you and your guests. And some even let you bring your own birthday cake.

For a cozy spot where you and your friends can sit at picnic tables and enjoy juicy pastrami sandwiches, loaded french fries and fresh cocktails, check out Johnny’s on West Adams. Senior dining manager Daniel Dorsey recommends the spot in a guide to West Adams, calling the umbrella-dotted parking lot “the perfect al fresco setting.” Because Johnny’s has a walk-up service counter, it’s easy for your guests to come and go as they please. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the headache of trying to split the bill at the end of the night. Reservations are only required if you are looking to rent a space, but there is a $35 cake fee.

If you don’t mind staying home, my colleague Deborah Winkin recommends Far Bar in Little Tokyo, where she celebrated her birthday on the mezzanine with about 50 friends. “It was a relaxed, yet roomy space that felt festive and provided the best people watching below,” he says. “The price was beyond reasonable and afterwards a group of us hit the road for dessert and karaoke.” If you’re open to hosting your party on a late night (not Friday or Saturday), one manager told me you can avoid the rental fee. (FYI: There’s also outdoor seating, but Winkin says it’s not great for parties.)

Music lovers will appreciate Zizo, a vibey French-Moroccan restaurant located in Lincoln Heights. Owned by two living friends from France, Zizou offers an amazing vintage sound system, where DJs can find jazz, French hip-hop, South African rhythms and other international sounds on weekends. My friend Tori Johnson hosted her birthday party at the Starlit Courtyard earlier this year. “We were able to invite friends after dinner to come and drink with us until the restaurant closed,” she told me. “It felt amazing and just what I was looking for on my 31st birthday.” For parties of eight or more, the minimum is $75 per person for a sit-down meal, but not at least if you plan to chill at the bar or near the sound system. You can bring your own cake at no extra charge or request Zizo’s homemade French apple tart for dessert. And don’t worry, the servers won’t look at you with distaste if you ask for separate checks – at least from my experience.

Another notable option is Iverson Rice, which assistant dining manager Betty Hallock calls “one of the best bars (with great food) in town,” and I couldn’t agree more. This place is famous for its happy hour and its outdoor patio. “It’s like a friend’s backyard with picnic tables, string lights, and a vine-covered tree, except you’re in the middle of the city,” Hallock reports in a guide to the chicest restaurant patios in LA. Additional fees or any deposits required. The staff will even split checks for each of your guests.

In the mood for dancing? Start your night at De La Nona with a focaccia-style pan pizza, then head next door! Disco and cocktail club. I got married here last year and it was an incredible transition, enjoying delicious pizza in an Italian-inspired nightclub where 1970s disco hits (and related genres) are the soundscape. Reservations are highly recommended. For 20 guests, De La Nonna requires a prix fixe menu with optional drink packages, but 30 or more guests is considered a “partial purchase,” so both are required. There is also a room fee. If you’re still in the mood to party when the cocktail den closes at 1 a.m., head across the street to EightyTwo, an arcade bar with dozens of pinball machines and classic video games. (Note: De La Nona charges a $20 cake fee.)

If those places don’t meet your needs, some of my dining colleagues also recommended Le Grand Autour in Santa Monica, Mr. T’s in Hollywood, Good Neighborhood Bar in Altadena and Benny Boy Brewing in Lincoln Heights — all of which have a patio.

As you can see, there are many options depending on what kind of food, vibe and part of LA you prefer. Wherever you end up, I hope you have a great time and, most importantly, that you have a great birthday and next year.