Grabbing a drink with old friends is a cherished holiday season ritual. But you don’t want to end up at a dingy dive bar where the cocktail list is an afterthought.

You want someplace special and now’s a good time because the Southern California bar scene has never been livelier. Choose from tiki joints, speakeasies, cocktail lounges with vintage decor and more. Ambitious food menus await and there’s a trend toward accepting reservations so you don’t have to waste time waiting behind a velvet rope. Here are six bars with a vibe to make the night out memorable.

Death & Co

Enter from the street and walk down a dimly lit hallway to the hostess stand with a black velvet curtain behind it. Behind the drape this cocktail bar is sooo dark that servers carry candles on their trays so you can see your drink coming. Candles in faceted glass holders barely illuminate the menu and “Can you close the curtain please?” is the hostess’s refrain.

It may be dark as a coffin but there’s nothing deathly about this place. Even on a Wednesday night it’s lively with a bass-heavy soundtrack and every bar stool occupied by 8 p.m. Date night couples, dudes sharing after-work stories, even tourists: “Are we going to California Adventure tomorrow? That’s where I had my first martini!”

Everyone’s here for killer cocktails. Spirit-forward Gunnister Man ($17), with Compass Box Glasgow Blend Scotch, St. George Spiced Pear, Dow’s Ruby Port, Americano Rosa and orange bitters, is like a Manhattan, says the server. But you decide it’s so much more as you munch crunchy chips and a creamy dip ($9), contemplating your follow-up drink. The Sour Soul ($16), with rye, calvados, spiced pear, vanilla and a splash of wine, tastes like a margarita we once had in Santa Fe that was topped with a swirl of Sangria. It pairs with tender mussels ($21) in a savory broth served with grilled bread.

For dessert there’s a rich olive oil cake ($12) garnished with thyme sprigs to have with the Morning Dove ($18), a Paloma-like tequila drink with an intriguing bitterness and a grapefruit garnish. Service is super friendly with no L.A. attitude. For a good time, just trust the servers and take their recommendations.

Open:  6 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday-Wednesday; 6 p.m – 2 a.m. Thursday-Saturday. Reserve on Tock.  818 E. Third St., Los Angeles,  deathandcompany.com.

Jane

If your hip, antique-collecting Aunt Jane died and left you a bar, this would be it. The Bridgerton-meets-speakeasy vibe is gently bespoke with peacock feathers and brass lamps. A Swarovski crystal chandelier hangs above the back booth and you check in at a hostess desk from 19th-century France. Cut-glass coupes and carved ivory-colored tiki cups? This barware looks like it was found in a treasure chest.

You’ll likely be greeted by Dylan Churchill and yes, he’s distantly related to that famous Churchill. He can talk you through the drinks list, which includes formidable stiff ones to suit the seaside location, like Tiki Royale ($17) with Old Forester 100 proof bourbon, house Falernum, pineapple, lemon and bitters. But there are also heady concoctions like Girl Grey ($17) with Fords Gin, Gentian Amaro and yuzu served in a tea cup topped with foamy egg white and garnished with a violet. If you like your hooch neat, this bar is stocked with Weller 12-year bourbon, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend bourbon and Bozal Coyote Mezcal and more.

Go hungry because the comestibles emerge from the same kitchen as The Cellar next door. Small bites include shishito peppers and edamame ($12), squash blossom ($12) with hand breaded zucchini flowers filled with jalapeño crema, lime and black sea salt cream cheese. For larger appetites there’s Cioppino ($22) and a petite filet mignon ($36).

Opens 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Closed Sunday-Tuesday. Reserve on Open Table. 158 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, bar-jane.com.

The Whisper House

Do you love to day drink? Then The Whisper House would love to seat you on the weekends. This joint has a double vibe. Inside there’s a Prohibition-era feel with a massively stocked bar as a centerpiece. Black-and-white photos of flappers and G-men adorn the walls and a reclaimed wood floor gives off a warehouse feel. Outside during the day it’s bright and sunny on the patio and you can eavesdrop on the brainy conversations of the profs and students in this college town.

The bar serves craft cocktails and “comfort food with a twist.”  During brunch hours, the star is a big two-hand burger dubbed Wake Up Call ($15) with slices of crisp bacon sticking out the sides, melted cheese, fresh arugula and a fried egg. Shareables include fried calamari ($17), buffalo chicken fries ($17) or a charcuterie and cheese selection ($32).

Like spirit-forward bourbon drinks? The weekend bartender prides himself on his Manhattans ($11) served straight up with Old Forester overproof bourbon, sweet vermouth and a double garnish — an orange twist and a Luxardo cherry. For something lighter, the Pinkies Up is mimosa-like and fruity with peach liqueur, Triple Sec, pineapple juice and champagne ($8). The Voodoo Laveau ($14) is refreshing with Pimm’s No. 2, Brokers gin, peach liqueur and lemon; its gray color comes from charcoal. The Whisper House ($13) has Old Forester Rye, orgeat and unexpected lemon notes with creamy egg white foam and it’s garnished with baking spices.

Open: 4 p.m.-midnight Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday. Reserve on Yelp. 502 W. 1st St., Claremont, 909-625-7733, the-whisperhouse.com.

Rendition Room

Although it shares a kitchen with Vitello’s restaurant, Rendition Room has its very own speakeasy vibe.

Suddenly you’re at a hush-hush house party with gold plush upholstered chairs, area rugs, an antique brick fireplace and lamps with silky shades carefully placed around the room. There are tiny red lights running the length of the bar which has a chalkboard that reads, “Shhh!” Every so often the chalkboard slides open and Italian comfort food dishes are passed through.

Move your candle to the edge of the table, that signals you’re ready to order.There are 16 craft cocktails ($16), house-infused spirits ($14), and a special barrel aged cocktail ($18). Some have a Hollywood flair. The night we dined the bartender offered a tribute to Don Rickles with aged bourbon, Drambuie and Licor 43.

The Marilyn ($16) matches Monroe’s style and personality perfectly — vodka and white cranberry for her blonde bombshell looks and fragrant elderflower for her ethereal quality. A single strawberry garnish reminds you of her signature red lipstick.

There are also takes on classics like  Four on the Floor ($16), a Manhattan with a new spin, combining Old Overholt Rye, Four Roses bourbon, Carpano Antica vermouth and a Luxardo cherry.

The menu does more than soak up the booze. There’s steak and seafood, but Vitello’s excels in Italian dishes such as pizza and pasta. There are even choices for vegans, like Michael’s Meatless Meatballs ($16) made with Field Roast Italian sausage, carrot and panko crumbs. Vegetarian Bruschetta ($12) gets topped with tomato, garlic, basil, goat cheese and balsamic glaze. Eggplant Parmesan ($19) is lightly breaded, crowned with Parmesan, mozzarella and served with a side of spaghetti.

Even the hospitality is old fashioned. This bar answers the phone on the first couple rings, accommodates last minute reservation changes, greets you warmly and leaves you feeling completely cared for in a cozy setting.

Open: 5-10 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday-Saturday. Closed Monday. Reserve on Yelp. 4349 Tujunga Ave #2, Studio City, 818-769-0905, therenditionroom.wildapricot.org.

Bamboo Club

If tiki is your jam, head for the Bamboo Club. The scene is set with interior design by Bamboo Ben Bassham and it’s as immersive as a Disney dark ride with totems, faux lava accent walls, palm-frond trimmed booths, a bamboo bar and stage.

The drinks are mostly rum-laced and they’re delicious. Dr. Bamboo ($14) is intriguingly spicy with Doctor Bird Jamaican Rum 151, allspice, cinnamon and prickly pear. It’s garnished with fruit slices and an orchid, so is the Blue Lagoon ($11), a lighter concoction with Cutwater Vodka, lime, pineapple, Crème de Pêche and blue curaçao.

Lots of  tasty selections on the food menu with appetizers like Bamboo Club Glazed Drumettes ($11) in terikayi or habanero — you can also order it as half and half. Fries ($5) are fresh cut, mac salad ($4) is loaded with creamy mayo. There are meatless options like vegetable curry or Loco Moco ($12). Sandwiches come with fries or mac salad. The Vegan Unagi Burger ($15) is full of umami and topped with a pineapple slice. The Thai Tea Brined Chicken ($14) is cooked crispy and tucked into a soft bun with crunchy sweet slaw and spicy aioli.

It you’re looking for a daytime spot this is it, there’s a large patio outside and a weekday happy hour from 3-6 p.m.

Open: 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Sunday-Wednesday, kitchen closes at 10 p.m.; 11 a.m.–2 a.m. Thursday-Saturday, kitchen closes at 1 a.m. Reserve on Open Table. 3522 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, 562-343-2534, bambooclublb.com.

Presidential Lounge

Portraits of presidents, posh leather seating, bronze eagle reliefs, blue and gold stained glass skylight — walk through the bronze gates and slip into the swanky surroundings at the Mission Inn’s Presidential Lounge.  It’s named for the 10 U.S. presidents who have visited, among them Taft, Hoover, J.F.K., Reagan, George W. Bush, Teddy Roosevelt and Nixon.

Specialty martinis are crafted in their honor from a dry Bombay Sapphire Gin version ($13), in honor of Nixon, who was married at the hotel in 1940, to a Grey Goose Vodka, blue curaçao martini ($13) in honor of Reagan who honeymooned there in 1952.

There are appetizers to share like jumbo shrimp ceviche ($17) or chicken empanadas ($14) with chipotle aioli as well as small plates like fish tacos ($18), carnitas ($19) and enchiladas ($17).

Open: 4 p.m.-midnight Wednesday-Sunday. Closed Monday-Tuesday. No reservations necessary. 3649 Mission Inn Ave., 951-784-0300, missioninn.com.

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