There are bars. There are restaurants. And then there’s Rainbow Bar & Grill—a place so steeped in rock history and counterculture vibes, it practically bleeds Jack Daniel’s and hash oil. Since 1972, the Rainbow has served as the West Hollywood watering hole of the loud, the legendary, and the unapologetically stoned.
Located on the iconic Sunset Strip, the Rainbow is more than a relic—it’s a living, breathing symbol of rebellion. It’s the kind of place where you can still light up a joint and get lost in conversation with a total stranger who just might be a celebrity. In a town obsessed with reinvention, the Rainbow never changed. And that’s exactly why we love it.
A Rock ‘n Roll Church in the Church of Weed
The Rainbow wasn’t built for tourists or trend-chasers. It was built for the scene. In the early ‘70s, while most of LA’s nightlife tried to clean up and cash in, the Rainbow stayed rough around the edges, attracting a who’s who of rock royalty—John Lennon, Keith Moon, Jim Morrison, Alice Cooper, and Ozzy Osbourne all logged hours here. Later came the hair metal invasion, with Guns N’ Roses, Mötley Crüe, and Ratt setting up camp.
But it wasn’t just the music that made the Rainbow legendary. It was the vibe—loose, lawlessness. Long before California made it legal, Rainbow Bar & Grill embraced cannabis culture like an old friend. They weren’t advertising it, but if you knew, you knew. The patio, tucked right under Sunset’s flashing lights, was—and still is—a sanctuary for cannabis smokers, a rare public pocket of peace where a joint could be passed with zero judgment.
This place didn’t wait for the green rush. It lived the legacy. It made space for outlaws when nobody else would. In that way, the Rainbow shares serious DNA with the cannabis movement. It’s about freedom, expression, and flipping off the status quo.
Come for the Vibe, Stay for the Parm
Now let’s be clear—Rainbow Bar & Grill is a restaurant. They’ve got a full menu and a kitchen that knows how to throw down. You’ll find solid, satisfying fare like spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmesan, burgers, and even a steak if you’re feeling fancy.
It’s old-school Italian-American with a Hollywood twist. Nothing reinvented, nothing deconstructed. Just hearty, hangover-proof food that hits the spot whether you’re nursing a buzz or stacking one up. The drinks are stiff, the pours are generous, and the bartenders? They’ve seen it all—and somehow still smile at your terrible jokes.
Whether you’re posted up at the bar under a framed photo of Ron Jeremy (yep, still there), or tucked into one of the deep red booths once occupied by Led Zeppelin, there’s no such thing as a boring night at the Rainbow.
Rainbow Bar & Grill had Cannabis Culture Before It Was Cool
Let’s talk about the real reason the Rainbow belongs in this Beard Bros restaurant spotlight: their unwavering tolerance—and subtle celebration—of cannabis culture.
In a city where weed was criminalized for decades, the Rainbow quietly pushed back. No fanfare. No dispensary collabs. Just an unspoken policy of “do your thing, respect the space.” For cannabis consumers, especially during the pre-Prop 215 dark ages, that kind of acceptance was gold. It made the Rainbow a safe haven for smokers, creatives, and those who just wanted to vibe out without harassment.
And now that weed is finally legal? The Rainbow hasn’t changed a bit. You’ll still catch tokers on the patio, tucked behind that neon sign like a stoned speakeasy. They’re not trying to capitalize on cannabis culture—they are cannabis culture. The original kind. The dirty, weird, beautiful, rebellious kind that existed way before there was money in it.
A Shrine to Lemmy and the Loud Life at Rainbow Bar & Grill
You can’t mention Rainbow Bar & Grill without mentioning Lemmy. According to lore, the Motörhead frontman all but moved in. He had a regular spot at the end of the bar, a game of video poker always running, a whiskey-and-coke in hand, and a Marlboro or joint hanging from his lips. Lemmy didn’t just haunt the Rainbow—he defined it. His statue now stands proudly outside, a permanent middle finger to time and sobriety.
It’s not a gimmick. It’s a promise. This place was built for people like Lemmy—and people like us. The ones who believe cannabis is a right, not a crime. The ones who light up for pain, peace, creativity, or no reason at all. The ones who remember when weed was whispered and who now shout it loud.
As LA changes, gentrifies, and polishes its image into a city of influencers and fake speakeasies, Rainbow Bar & Grill stands firm like a gritty, glorious middle finger to the mainstream.
There’s no app. No dress code. No curated cocktail program.
Just classic rock, killer pasta, cheap drinks, and the beautiful smell of cannabis in the air. It’s not sanitized, and it’s not for everyone. But if you know, you know.
So next time you’re on the Strip and you want a taste of what LA used to be—and what it still can be—roll up to the Rainbow. Spark something sacred. And salute the ghosts that paved the way.
9015 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Lemmy lives. And so does weed. Right here.
