The Lab Gastropub
University Park, Los Angeles
Restaurant in Los Angeles, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
The Lab Gastropub is worth considering for an easy USC-adjacent meet-up, especially when convenience matters more than a defined culinary or wine program. For celebrations, it works better for casual groups than for diners seeking a polished, food-led Los Angeles night.
About The Lab Gastropub
The Lab Gastropub is a Los Angeles venue with a casual dress code and daily hours from 2–10 PM. The safest way to plan around it is to treat it as a direct casual option rather than a venue defined by a specific cuisine, chef, beverage program, or award history.
That makes it best to confirm any needs that matter to your visit directly with the venue before you go. If your plans depend on a particular menu style, reservation setup, dietary accommodation, or special-occasion format, those details should be confirmed directly with the venue.
Better for simple Los Angeles plans than a highly specified night
The Lab Gastropub's key planning details are practical: it is in Los Angeles, keeps daily 2–10 PM hours, and has a casual dress code. These details support an easygoing visit, but they do not establish a specific food focus, wine program, chef pedigree, price point, or formal service style.
For a date, group meet-up, or relaxed evening, use these details as the starting point. If the goal is a more clearly defined food-first plan, compare The Lab Gastropub with other Los Angeles dining options and confirm current details before committing.
Use peers to decide how much structure you need
If ease and casual planning are the priority, The Lab Gastropub may fit. If the meal itself needs a clearer identity before you choose, compare it with Holbox, Mercado La Paloma, Chichen Itza, Moreton Fig, or USC University Club. Those names can help frame the decision, while The Lab Gastropub should be evaluated on its core details: Los Angeles location, casual dress, and daily 2–10 PM hours.
Planning details
- Location
- 3500 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90007
- Website
- hospitality.usc.edu
- Phone
- +12138211797
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Lab Gastropub reads as a neighborhood stalwart: approachable and thoughtfully executed rather than theatrical. It anchors itself in University Park’s everyday life, shaped by proximity to USC and layered residential blocks, and favors utility over destination spectacle. The writing positions the menu and service as accessible enough for regulars but careful enough to stand up against the city’s more ambitious restaurants. Overall the tone is steady and community‑oriented — a gastropub that leans into its local role, offering a comfortable, unpretentious experience that rewards repeat visits.
Best For
The Lab is best for locals and nearby students looking for an unfussy spot to gather — particularly people who want a reliable after‑work meal or a casual group dinner. Its gastropub format is designed to accommodate repeat visits and shared plates, so it suits regular neighborhood dining and small group outings rather than formal celebrations. Because the venue is rooted in local price expectations and daily life, it’s a practical choice for anyone seeking solid, familiar American fare in the University Park corridor.
Ordering Tips
The menu favors shareable, diner‑directed choices rather than a fixed tasting sequence, so plan to order a mix of plates to share. Signature items called out include the Lab Burger, Fish Tacos and the Spinach and Avocado Dip — sensible starting points that reflect the gastropub’s balance of bar food and considered cooking. Expect rotating taps and a menu architecture built for flexibility: pick a couple of sharable items, add a main or two, and let the table mix plates to taste. Keep price sensitivity in mind, given the neighborhood context.
Venue details
Ambiance
Modern indoor/outdoor space with chemistry lab-inspired decor, lively bar scene at night, and relaxed patio lounge with firepit and couches.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Large
Signature Dishes
- Lab Burger
- Fish Tacos
- Spinach and Avocado Dip
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 3500 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- USC University Club, Notable alternative
- Moreton Fig, Notable alternative
- Holbox, Mexican Seafood, Mexican, $$
- Mercado La Paloma, Notable alternative
- Chichen Itza, Mexican, Mexican
Restaurant context
How The Lab Gastropub compares nearby
Choose The Lab Gastropub when the plan is tied to USC or Figueroa and you want the easiest, most casual option. Compared with USC University Club and Moreton Fig, it reads as the more relaxed pick for drinks-forward groups rather than a meal that needs a campus-club or sit-down restaurant feel.
For food specificity, Holbox is the stronger cross-shop because its Mexican seafood identity and $$ price signal make the value proposition clearer. Mercado La Paloma and Chichen Itza also make more sense when the group wants a defined Mexican food outing rather than a general gastropub setting.
The practical verdict: The Lab Gastropub is the easiest choice for a casual nearby hangout, Holbox is better for a food-driven meal, and Chichen Itza or Mercado La Paloma are better when regional Mexican cooking is the reason for going. For ambiance, pick The Lab Gastropub when a livelier, less formal room is a plus.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Lab Gastropub guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Lab Gastropub
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Lab Gastropub | Los Angeles | , | , | No published awards |
| USC University Club | Los Angeles | , | , | No published awards |
| Moreton Fig | Los Angeles | , | , | No published awards |
| Holbox | Los Angeles | Mexican Seafood, Mexican | $$ | 2026 North America's 50 Best Restaurants · #262026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #532026 James Beard Award Nominees2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2026 Michelin 1 Star2025 LA Taco Best Tacos in LA · #22025 World's 50 North America's Best Restaurants · #422025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #432025 James Beard Award Semifinalists |
| Mercado La Paloma | Los Angeles | , | , | 2025 LA Times 101 Best Restaurants · #1 |
| Chichen Itza | Los Angeles | Mexican | , | 2026 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Featured Restaurants2026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Recommended2025 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #3002024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #3162023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Ranked · #139 |
How The Lab Gastropub Los Angeles compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to The Lab Gastropub?
Keep it casual. The dress code for The Lab Gastropub is casual, and the venue is open daily from 2–10 PM.
How far ahead should I book The Lab Gastropub?
The Lab Gastropub is open daily from 2–10 PM, but if timing, group size, or seating matters, confirm directly with the venue before making plans.
Is lunch or dinner better at The Lab Gastropub?
The Lab Gastropub's hours are 2–10 PM every day. Specific lunch service details should be confirmed, so plan around the posted afternoon and evening hours and confirm current service details directly with the venue.
Is The Lab Gastropub good for a special occasion?
It depends on the occasion. The dress code is casual, so it is easiest to frame The Lab Gastropub as a relaxed Los Angeles option. If your occasion requires a specific menu, private setup, formal service style, or other special arrangement, confirm those details directly before booking.
What are alternatives to The Lab Gastropub in Los Angeles?
For comparison, consider USC University Club, Moreton Fig, Holbox, Mercado La Paloma, or Chichen Itza, along with other Los Angeles dining options. Check current details for each venue before deciding.
