Gate-side in Terminal 1, Point the Way Café pours local beer
Right in LAX Terminal 1 past security, Point the Way Café sits on the main concourse near the Southwest gates, so you don’t have to stray far from boarding. It runs on typical terminal hours, generally opening early for morning departures and staying open into the late evening bank of flights. Seating is mostly high-tops and bar stools facing the concourse, so it feels more like a bar stop than a long sit-down meal.
Prices run in standard airport range: think burgers and sandwiches in the $15–$20 band and draft beers around $11–$14. The menu leans American pub style, with things like chicken tenders, burgers, salad bowls, and flatbreads that land fast enough to work on a 60–90 minute connection. Portions skew large, so one entrée can work for two lighter appetites before a late flight.
Beer is the main draw here, with a focus on Los Angeles–area brews on tap alongside a few national names. Expect several rotating handles plus canned options in the cooler, and staff are usually fine with samples so you don’t gamble a full pour on something unfamiliar. Wine and basic mixed drinks are available, but the bar program tilts heavily toward craft beer drinkers killing time near Southwest gate clusters.
Service pace tracks how slammed Terminal 1 is; during the 5–8 p.m. bank, food tickets can stretch to 25–30 minutes, while mid-mornings see plates in closer to 10–15 minutes. There’s table service, but solo travelers often grab a seat right at the bar to order quicker and keep an eye on the departure boards facing the concourse. Power outlets sit under several bar seats, but not every stool has one.
Tip: with TSA lines in Terminal 1 often running 20–30 minutes, clear security first, then use Point the Way Café as your pre-boarding stop instead of eating landside.