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While it may seem difficult to define "local" in the large city of Los Angeles, it is the very breadth of this city that allows for a rich and diverse nightlife scene. Local bars to the Los Angeles area are as varied as the stars in the sky, each one burning brightly in a unique and ethereal way. Los Angeles is often perceived as the land of eternal glitz and glam, where every bar has it's own Hollywood sign and elite selection of celebrities sipping sassy cocktails in evening gowns. While LA might very well have a jarring amount of these VIP style clubs to suit the VIP style celebs, this city is also home to scads of hangouts for the average, every-day working folk; folk who like quiet bars at happy hour where they can grab an ice cold beer and watch the game, folk who don't want to wait an hour to get into the bar, folk who don't want to wear anything other than jeans and a pair of chucks to the speakeasy around the corner.
326 Bar
6333 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.933.9211
Serving domestic draft and bottled beers and wines, the 326 Bar located at the Original Los Angeles Farmers Market is a seen and be seen down low haven where you can escape, but still soak in, the Farmers Market shopping scene. 326 Bar also features something that you so wouldn't expect in a town like LA; free live music. Yep, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 326 Bar kicks back with some down tempo jazz or blues beats from local Los Angeles live music acts that perfectly caps off the low key vibe at 326 Bar. |
4100 Bar
4100 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.666.4460
4100 Bar is a sleek LA nightclub scenester lounge with a Far East flair and an all-encompassing vibe. Dragons, Buddha, music and drinking under the darkened lights attract an eclectic mix of clubbers, straights, gays, bis and hipsters to the 4100 Bar where there's couches for lounging, tables for a less intimate exchange and a genre smashing jukebox that keeps the party rockin' and the drunks swaying. The uber-crowded Los Angeles nightclub 4100 Bar also sports some kickin' bartenders that take pride in their chosen craft throwing down heady cocktails mixed with a decidedly heavy hand. |
Akbar
4356 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.665.6810
Probably the best thing about a lot of the Los Angeles drinking scene is that, well, there's never a lack of cool places to bend your elbow in and Akbar should come speeding to the top of your list. Akbar is primarily a gay bar, but c'mon this is Los Angeles and a hip bar is a freaking hip bar so this local Silver Lake bar sports an eclectic mix of drinkers, gay and straight sets, a kitschy retro styled vibe and some very creative nightly drink specials poured to the sounds of a well stocked juke. |
Aloha Sharkeez
52 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, California; Tel. 310.374.7823
This popular Hermosa Beach local bar starts drawing in drinkers as soon as the doors to Aloha Sharkeez cabana like confines swing open and the blenders start their daily workouts. The twenty-something beach bum model set—the ones that seemingly don't have jobs, but never a lack of money—vie for bar stools and scantily clad hotties at this Los Angeles beach bar with Aloha Sharkeez signature bucket drinks that are as big a draw as the tanned eye candy. Nearly every night, Aloha Sharkeez is packed from patio to dance floor with drinkers going for a more laid back alternative to the busy Los Angeles bar and club scene. |
Amagi
6114 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.962.6808
Amagi is a mild mannered Los Angeles Japanese restaurant by day, but at night the ultra cheap booze fuels a rowdy karaoke party with sauced bar patrons belting out renditions of off beat classics. Amagi sports serious Japanese kitsch meeting Los Angeles local bar coolness and nearly every Hollywood denizen takes their turn on the small stage. Those less inclined to hit the boozy amateur signing circuit can grab a stool at the bar and still view the action at this cheap liquor swilling, hard partying Los Angeles karaoke bar. |
The Arsenal
12012 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 310.575.5511
This nostalgic bar and restaurant is located on the southwest fringes of West Hollywood and is easily accessible from many points of interest around the LA area. Good Euro-American food, great drinks, an awesome burger, a beautiful-looking crowd and a hot late night singles scene have been the highlights of the Arsenal since 1950. From the front, the Arsenal hasn't changed, and it still sports an old and inviting vertical neon sign. Inside, the Arsenal's decor is dim and cozy with old war relics on the walls. The Arsenal is just a good old, unspoiled gem of a Hollywood bar—and the price is right.
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Back Door Pub at Milner Hotel
813 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.627.6981
The Back Door Pub in downtown Los Angeles is a retro divey bar that emotes the bygone days of back alley speakeasies. The drinks are poured strong and cheap at this LA local bar and the scene at the Back Door Pub in the Milner Hotel is, well, there really is no scene just patrons that are serious about their drinking and couldn't care less about much else. |
Backstage Cafe
9433 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills, California; Tel. 310.777.0252
If Beverly Hills could have a rocking neighborhood bar, the Backstage Café would be it. This secret celeb hangout is decked out exactly like you'd imagine a low-key Los Angeles nightclub would be with red walls, gold records and stage that has seen impromptu jam sessions spark up between the likes of rock star Slash and rapper Dr. Dre. The lively crowd at the Backstage Café ranges across the drinking board from businessmen and socialites to young boozers cruising the single scene and kicking back to world-class DJs, live music or better than average karaoke. |
Baja Cantina
311 Washington Blvd., Marina Del Rey, California; Tel. 310.821.2252 |
Baja Sharkeez
3801 Highland Ave., Manhattan Beach, California; Tel. 310.545.6563
Bar 107
107 W. 4th St., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.625.7382
Serving mind-bending cocktails and kitschy décor in downtown Los Angeles, Bar 107 is kicking up the hip quotient for the downtown LA revival. Sporting walls redder than pre-free market Russia, vinyl booths and a shabby-chic garage sale motif, Bar 107 is 4-room retro drinking spot for the Los Angeles bar set. Bar 107 also kicks in the tunes with live bands on the smallish stage most nights and when there's no live music—anything from punk to funk—DJs take care of the sound sensations. In addition to all this retro cool, Bar 107 doesn't skimp on hitting your liver, delivering a 5-hour cocktail testament to cheapness daily with Tuesdays being the jackpot when it's all-day happy hour. |
Bar 21
4108 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, California; Tel. 818.972.3990
Rocking a hip little retro vibe at the tail end of the NoHo Arts district, Bar 21 is Los Angeles' answer to the classy, but underground speakeasy culture of yore. Bar 21 oozes charm and sophistication with a hip edge that's totally accessible making everybody that enters the cozy room feel like a regular—ultimately meaning a blessed no VIP list policy. And everyone, from the doormen to the bartenders at this LA bar and lounge, sports the same friendly attitude making a night drinking at Bar 21 much more relaxing than some other nightclubs in the Los Angeles scene. |
Bar at the Standard
8300 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.650.9090
A stylish Los Angeles nightlife scene if ever there was one, the Bar at the Standard Hotel sports so many chic appointments—from the shabby, to the kitschy, to the swank—that the overall effect is somewhat surreal. A good mix of Sunset Strip club kids and drinkers at various points on the ever-sliding celebrity (or wannabe celebrity) scale inhabit the Bar at the Standard and this LA nightclub doesn't keep anything in reserve when accommodating them. If it's Los Angeles hip lounging you're after, hit the astro-turfed pool deck at the Bar at the Standard and catch, not only awesome views of the LA Basin, but young clubbers doing their best at looking bored. |
Barney's Beanery
8447 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.654.2287
With classic Los Angeles neighborhood dive bar charm, none of the usual LA scene pretensions, hundreds of brews on tap and in the bottle, sports, and comfort food, that in a nutshell describes Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood. Oh yeah, this kicking LA bar also sports some pool tables and video games in case you need some more drinking distractions other than the huge semi-rowdy crowds, UCLA games, any way you can imagine chili and burgers and old school scruffy factor that has made Barney's Beanery a Los Angeles bar staple since 1920. Heck, you can even get the good old Hollywood celeb factor in this venerable LA local bar. |
Beauty Bar
1638 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.464.7676
The vintage theme in this Los Angeles bar is taken right down to the salon fixtures that are actually operable. The Beauty Bar in Los Angeles was the first cocktail lounge to offer the luxury of sipping a martini while enjoying a manicure in 1960's retro style. Stay late into the night at this Hollywood hot spot to enjoy popular indie DJs on the turntables. It's the best bar and salon combination in Los Angeles, not to mention police probably won't be on the prowl outside a beauty salon. The LA bar even has its own kitschy specialty drinks—the conditioner: Stoli vanilla, ginger ale, and lime juice—that only the beauty bar could pull off. Also, come in to Henna tattoo happy hour for drinks and a little temporary body art. |
Big Wangs
1562 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.469.2449
The name of this Los Angeles restaurant and bar could be deceiving when you step into a barnyard themed restaurant and bar. Beer prices lower than most of Hollywood and karaoke night sets this LA bar apart from the rest. Visit Big Wangs as a getaway from the Hollywood club scene and to fill those buffalo wing cravings. The rock from the digital jukebox contributes to the fun atmosphere and the great singles scene, although newcomers are warmly welcomes by the vivacious bartenders. Bringing the country into Los Angeles County, this bar contributes character to the LA nightlife. |
Bigfoot Lodge
3172 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.662.9227
Taking the forest lodge theme to new extremes, this log cabin cocktail lounge is a popular Los Angeles nighttime hang out. A karaoke bar on Mondays, Girls' Night Out on Tuesdays, and a DJ spinning for the hipsters Wednesdays cover the midweek LA crowd. The weekend is made up of cheap beer specials and rock music that even Sasquatch would love. Sunday night has archived films being played if you're burned out from a weekend of bar hopping and LA clubs. Feel like you're not in Los Angeles, California anymore but out in the middle of nowhere drinking moonshine with all your friends at the Bigfoot Lodge. |
Birds
5925 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.465.0175
Birds is a great place for dinner and drinks that turns into a hotspot for the nightlife later. In true nouveau Hollywood style, amateur go-go dancers are invited into a cage with a swing after midnight. Many claim Birds has the best chicken in Los Angeles after several of their specialty drinks from the bar. Often used as a starting bar and restaurant to the pub and club crawls of singles speaks to Birds' great Hollywood neighborhood locale. While singles hang out on the outside patio to smoke and watch sports at the bar inside, others enjoy good food and the owner's sense of humor. Birds is a great LA neighborhood bar with plenty of singles and a great night life. |
Blue Room
916 S. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, California; Tel. 323.849.2779
It's like a flashback to California in 1950 inside this bar outside of Los Angeles. The Blue Room is a low-key Burbank bar that plays home to local regulars and studio executives looking for a place to get away from Hollywood hotspots. The retro furniture is comfortable and the vinyl turquoise booths are cozy spots for couples while cheap drinks keep flowing at the dark wood bar. An eclectic easygoing crowd fills the Blue Room bar on weekends as friendly bartenders nod at familiar faces in the Burbank bar scene. The Blue Room has a great bar scene at night and this not so LA bar is an excellent alternative to a club. If you're looking to avoid hipsters and enjoy the atmosphere of a classic bar, the Blue Room is the place to be. |
Blu Monkey Lounge
5521 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.957.9000
This Moroccan-inspired lounge makes potent drinks, served up by attractive and friendly staffers who groove to good lounge and R&B music. World renown DJs spin at the Blu Monkey Bar every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night, and between the cool walnut bar, the VIP area and the adjacent outdoor patio, there's always a spot to mingle comfortably or to get some sort of privacy in a sea of semi-wild, young Hollywood party types. After all, the Blu Monkey Bar IS on Hollywood Blvd. and like most bars in its class and in the area, they will dance until they are thrown out. Come early when Blu Monkey has a more chillout, cool and kickback vibe going on. |
Boardwalk 11
10433 National Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 310.837.5245
One of the best bars and clubs in LA, the Boardwalk 11 karaoke bar has plenty of beer on tap as well as great food to hold you over during acts. It's not the typical karaoke bar in Los Angeles because it also has a touch of class from the dark polished wood at the bar to the plush seating. The karaoke theme is pulled into the Asian décor at Boardwalk 11 with flourishes that you wouldn't expect when you think of a karaoke bar. The martinis keep flowing and this Los Angeles bar keeps serving as singers get better as the night goes on. |
Bodega DeCordova
361 Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.951.1969
It's a dream come true, Spain in Fairfax! This Los Angeles bar has been inspired by the soul and romance of Madrid but Bodega DeCordova sits in a convenient location in Los Angeles. The wine is imported as well as the various tapas you may choose from to accompany your beverage and the friendly faces remind you that you are still in LA, but enjoying treats from a world away. Bodega DeCordova has a warm atmosphere and allows customers to truly enjoy themselves over a blossoming glass of red wine while absorbing all the fabulous Spanish influences this worldly chic Los Angeles bar has to offer. |
Brennan's
4089 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey, California; Tel. 310.821.6622
Known for turtle racing at this Westside LA bar, Brennan's also has everything from pinball machines and pool tables to '80s cover bands and Irish folk songs. The excitement never wanes at this Los Angeles watering hole with so much activity, a testament to the Irish in the pub. The folks are friendly, the beverages are quality, and the food is scrumptious at this LA neighborhood hang out. The loud and raucous atmosphere at Brennan's Irish bar in Los Angeles is half the fun for those looking to have a good time while watching sports, drinking, and playing bar games. |
Britannia Pub
328 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica, California; Tel. 310.458.5350
The atmosphere in this Los Angeles bar is lively and friendly much like the English pubs it intends to mimic, but without the taxes. One block away from the 3rd St. Promenade, Britannia Pub invites locals and newcomers alike to have a pint and enjoy the live music or sports on the many TV screens. This English Pub fits into the LA lifestyle with a California flare because it isn't just drinking and rugby on tap at the Britannia Pub, but this popular Santa Monica local bar also has a pool table and a love for music. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner while you enjoy cocktails, listen to live music, karaoke, or the jukebox. It's eclectic enough to have its very own nightlife in LA. |
Broadway Bar
830 South Broadway, Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.614.9909
Right in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, the Broadway Bar has been the LA bar location of choice in several movies because of its glamorous décor and embodiment of the ideal LA nightlife. The circular bar runs around antique mirrors that give a view of almost everyone in the room. The open mezzanine at Broadway Bar provides another view of the nightclub and cocktail lounge events going on below while offering its own bar and smoking balcony. Los Angeles locals as well as business people and visitors must see this lovely bar to get a taste of the real LA. |
Burgundy Room
1621 _ N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.465.7530
The Burgundy Room exudes punk rock to anyone who hasn't lived under a rock their whole life. Don't expect glamour from this classic Hollywood bar because instead of ball gowns and ties you'll get tattoos and torn jeans. A worn-in LA dive bar like this one shows what it takes to survive the changing Los Angeles nightlife scene proudly displaying its shaky ceiling fans, scratched mirrors, and red Chinese lanterns. The narrow room of this Cahuenga strip dive bar cranks the amps and ups the energy making it easier for those who are liquored up to stand by leaning on customers next to them. The jukebox at the Burgundy Room plays punk rock classics nonstop and makes this dive bar feel like the CBGB of Los Angeles. |
Busby's
3110 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, California; Tel. 310.828.4567
Don't let the swanky leather chairs, fireplaces, and gourmet food trick you, Busby's is a Los Angeles sports bar in the grandest sense. Foosball, ping-pong, and backgammon keep sports fiends busy during the commercial breaks of the game that could be playing on of the several flat-screen TVs. Others can dance to hip-hop and house with a gourmet beer in their hand in a separate room at this hopping LA sports bar. Happy hour is popular with Los Angeles locals and businesspeople who snack on free bar goodies while downing as many cheap well drinks as they can. The best part about this Westside sports bar is the free buffet from 5-7pm Monday through Friday. Not even the surfers and undergraduates in the Westside bar scene can resist free food. |
Cabana Club
1439 N. Ivar Ave., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.463.0005
The outside bar of the Cabana Club whisks you out of the regular Hollywood nightlife bar scene and into a Mediterranean-style oasis. It's Los Angeles, but you might swear you feel an ocean breeze sitting in a private cabana surrounded by palm trees and a waterfall cascading into a shallow pool. Inside the Cabana Club are more European accents where club-goers enjoy a break from the LA nightlife and relax a little. The Sterling Steakhouse has a separate entrance but is adjacent to this chic LA lounge getaway. You'll never want to leave, because the moment you step back out into the Hollywood streets, you'll see the Amoeba Music behind the Cabana Club and smell the punk kids from around the block. |
Cabo Cantina—Santa Monica
11829 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, California; Tel. 310.312.5840
During 4pm and 8pm every day at this Los Angeles bar there are two-for-one drink specials that make it quite the place to go. It's no wonder it always feels like Spring Break in the appropriately named Cabo Cantina. The flat screen TVs on every wall and the rock coming from the jukebox are the only details that remind you that you're in a LA local bar and not Mexico. The UCLA students and young professionals from Brentwood and Santa Monica all visit this Los Angeles bar. The orange and yellow in their south-of-the-border décor make the margaritas that much more satisfying and the chips that much more authentic at Cabo Cantina. |
Café—Club Fais Do-Do
5257 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.954.8080
Since the 1960s, this South Los Angeles bar has been a jazz and blues club but only became Fais Do-Do in 1990. Sam Cooke and John Coltrane played this venue back in the day, one of many spots on the LA circuit of jazz and blues live music venues. The New Orleans theme shines through from the name to the food at Café Club Fais Do-Do bar, but don't hold your breath for flashing and bead throwing. Fat Tuesdays at Fais Do-Do—meaning "go to sleep" in French—are nights of live improvised jazz and experimental music. On other nights, patrons can sit at the bar and enjoy good cheap Cajun food while enjoying any kind of music from Brazilian to electronic rock. |
Cage Club
617 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, California |
Casey's Irish Bar & Grille
613 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, California |
Cat Club
8911 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, California; Tel. 310.657.0888
On the Sunset Strip is a little bar called the Cat Club where people who live, breath, and dream about rock n' roll go. West Hollywood is the prime location for a club like this one where the house band, The Starf**kers, has Guns n' Roses member Gilby Clark and fills the LA bar on a Thursday night—and other nights also, of course. The Sunset Strip nightlife wouldn't be the same without this exquisitely petite bar. |
Catalina Bar & Grill
6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.466.2210
Catalina Bar & Grill has been a noteworthy place in Los Angeles to enjoy live jazz for over 15 years. The bar and grill used to be in a smaller space on Cahuenga but now calls Sunset Blvd. home in its new Hollywood location. The new building is a trendy demonstration of Los Angeles nightclub style for a jazz club. The atmosphere is warm and inviting inside of the Catalina Bar & Grill setting the ideal environment for listening to live music. The sound quality is great but there's also an outside patio for those who need a break. Catalina Bar & Grill is one of the best jazz clubs to enjoy a delicious meal and unbeatable live jazz. |
Catch One Disco
4067 W. Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, 90019; Tel. |
Charlotte Chamberlain's Tip Jar
3967 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, California; Tel. 310.390.1328
On Wednesday nights Charlotte Chamberlain's Tip Jar feels like a good ol' hometown honky-tonk—that is if you're from some small town in America that has those. Many LA bar and live music club regulars are always present for the Wednesday night shows but newcomers are always welcome. Chamberlain books country-rock and bluegrass groups to make this small Los Angeles bar feel more like its somewhere in Middle America rather than in the fast-paced and hip LA nightclub scene. The limited space is a plus for those who like their live music close and there's no cover. You certainly can mosey up to the bar without feeling out of place at the Tip Jar. |
Chez Jay's
1657 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, California; Tel. 310.395.1741
The celebrities that Chez Jay's has had in their over 40 years of being open have included the likes of Frank Sinatra, Henry Kissinger, Marlon Brando, and in more recent years George Clooney has been added to that prestigious list. Located in Santa Monica, the low-key bar is only a stone's throw away from Los Angeles and draws the beach into its nautical theme. A jukebox plays oldies, sawdust covers the floors, and fish are mounted on the walls above the vinyl booths. Everything about this Santa Monica local bar will make you want to set sail. The bar staff is friendly at Chez Jay's and they offer a full menu. Take a break from the Los Angeles nightlife and enjoy the fresh ocean air at Chez Jay's. |
Cinespace
6356 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.817.3456
Many first dates require dinner and a movie at two different locations, but Cinespace has combined the best of both worlds into one convenient Hollywood bar and lounge location. It's the perfect example of Los Angeles multitasking. New movies as well as classics are played Thursday through Saturday evenings at Cinespace with seating starting at 7:30pm. You can order from a menu of contemporary Californian food such as mac-n-cheese or finer fare like pan-roasted halibut. But the LA nightclub scene at Cinespace wouldn't be Hollywood without a bar and dancing, so a DJ starts spinning around 10pm when the crowds at this trendy Hollywood lounge really picks up. |
Circle Bar
2926 Main Street, Santa Monica, California; Tel. 310.450.0508
Claiming to have one of the best Los Angeles singles scenes on Main Street, Circle Bar is open every day of the year. That means Monday through Sunday the nightlife at Circle Bar is going on for the twenty-somethings who crowd around the circular bar in the middle of the dark room. Red lights and old photographs are secondary to the beautiful Los Angeles girls on the dance floor looking to dance, drink, and make-out at the Circle Bar. Go early to beat the crowd because Circle Bar is more LA club than Los Angeles dive bar and its trendy reputation draws beauties from both Santa Monica and Los Angeles. |
Clear
11916 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, California; Tel. 818.980.4811
Clear is a Los Angeles bar that is so retro it's modern. A glass door opens to a large bar room with Plexiglas barstools and padded white leather walls filled with a multi-ethnic crowd of Los Angeles bar and nightclub hoppers. The bench and ottoman seating contributes to the minimalism of Clear because seat backs just aren't needed at a swank LA bar like this. Los Angeles DJs are spinning nightly to keep the rhythm of the crowd at Clear while hip LA clubbers sip from cocktail glasses that are—what else—clear. A cozy patio overlooks a modern cabana for those who need a breath of air at this Studio City hotspot. |
Club 740
740 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.225.5934
Three levels of club floors look onto a stage with state of the art sound and lighting that put on a show behind beautiful dancers. VIP rooms and supreme bottle service make this Downtown Los Angeles bar and club a hangout for celebrities and artists like Usher, Missy Elliot, Sean Paul, and members of the Black Eyed Peas. Each of the three levels has a bar and is accented with glass walls that give a view of South Broadway. A Cryogenic jet-blast system was installed when the club was revamped to cool off the crowd periodically. The nightlife of downtown LA centers on this trendy club with all the modern dance club amenities and A-listers filling the VIP rooms. |
Club 7969
7969 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.654.0280
The eroticism of Club 7969 draws all types to this West Hollywood bar for dancing and indulgence. Depending on the night, the stage—with a pole, of course—is what catches the attention of the goth and alternative crowd gyrating on the dance floor. The pole is gets a dance workout on Wednesdays by plus-sized ladies, Thursdays by topless female cabaret dancers, Mondays and Fridays mean transgendered beauties, and Saturdays have buff males grinding away. Booths surround the large dance floor and a separate room allows you to meet the acts when they aren't on the pole. Those Los Angeles club and bar goers who have a fetish for the erotic have found their scene in West Hollywood at Club 7969. |
Club Lingerie
6507 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.466.8557
This dual-leveled Hollywood bar and dance club has bars around every corner so the booze never stops flowing. Depending on the night, the club features rock and electro music. There are a few plush VIP rooms for those who have the right connections in Los Angeles, but for those who are just important people there is still plenty of fun to be had at Club Lingerie. Famous for the punk and metal bands that came to play in the '80s, the bar now sees more of the hip and trendy crowd. Besides the great Los Angeles location on Sunset Boulevard, the best part about Club Lingerie is the ease of keeping a drink in your hand at all times thanks to all the bars. |
Club Ripples
5101 E. Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, California; Tel. 562.433.0357
One of the best-known gay bars in Los Angeles County, Club Ripples never lets their customers down with hot dancers and exciting events every night of the week.
Serving up strong cocktails and filling their two dance floors, Club Ripples draws all types for dancing and drinks from Long Beach to Los Angeles. On Friday nights, Girls Girls Girls makes the two levels and three bars in the club a hot spot for ladies while Saturday night has buff male go-go dancers shaking their rumps to the beat. Capping off the week, and probably the best night to go to Club Ripples, is the Sunday Beer Bust and T-Dance with live DJs and entertainment. The free Mexican BBQ and cheap drinks are a plus along with the sexy go-go boys and girls. Club Ripples is an exciting bar and nightclub regardless of which way you swing. |
Cock N Bull Pub
2947 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, California; Tel. 310.399.9696
Coda
5248 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, California; Tel. 818.783.7518
Bringing a taste of the posh side of the Hollywood nightlife to a different part of Los Angeles County, Coda is a bar that's as hip as its hipster clientele. With more room in Sherman Oaks than most bars have in LA, Coda has a huge dance floor, a plush VIP area with bottle service, and an outdoor patio to enjoy the nightlife outside the club. A strict dress code gives a bit of class to the bar and allows their regular patrons the ability to be a little snootier. This Los Angeles bar's strong drinks loosen up the crowd as the night goes on and the atmosphere stays low-key. The East Valley proves that they really do have something going for them and can fit into Los Angeles. |
The Continental
8400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel.323.782.9717
The Continental is a high-energy, swanky, loungy supper-club kind of a joint with a hip vibe and overall mood. It's got that "look-good" lighting that sometimes makes all the difference between an okay night and a great one. The Continental is popular with the younger and louder Beverly Hills party crowd and has a dress code of rock-star chic. Once partly owned by Matt Damon and his buddy Ben Affleck, the Continental pulls a crowd that dresses and acts like they're all expecting Matt and Ben to walk through the door. Drinks are pricey and the food is so-so, but the ladies make up for that. The Continental is the perfect noisy hot spot to get tanked before heading out to a late night club—it closes early at 1am. |
DeLacey's 41
41 S. DeLacey, Pasadena, California; Tel. 626.795.4141
A Pasadena staple, DeLacey's 41 has the best apple martini in the whole city, maybe in all of Los Angeles County. They also serve lunch and dinner everyday with a menu that specializes in American cuisine including plenty of steak options. An exquisite wine list is also available though you might not expect fine wines after seeing the game mounted on the walls. The sun shining through stained glass windows highlights the long bar, wooden booths, and an old-time atmosphere. Sitting at the bar will charm you right out of LA and into a friendlier place where the bar staff will take the time to know you. Old Town Pasadena is the perfect home for a bar of this quality. |
Detroit Bar
843 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa, California; Tel. 949.642.0600
The Orange County scenesters and hipsters have made this bar just outside Los Angeles home as they dance to Brit pop, indie, and '80s hits that were popular before they were born. Don't let the expensive haircuts and skinny jeans on boys and girls scare you away, the bar actually has some pretty entertaining events. Up and coming indie bands are booked every week and a new house band takes over each month. The metro boys and made-up girls take advantage of the fireside lounge and full bar at this OC hotspot. Two pool tables, a juke box and private seating are also featured when the entertainment is too busy being concerned with how they look to really put on a good show. |
Dimples
3413 W. Olive Ave., Burbank, California; Tel. 818.842.2336
Always dreamed of being a star? Or being discovered while singing your best karaoke rendition of "I Will Survive?" Look no further than Dimples in Los Angeles. Sitting right across from the Warner Bros. and NBC Burbank studios, this bar is apparently the nation's first karaoke bar as of 1982. Dimples isn't any karaoke bar either, they give you a free audiocassette of your performance, and if it's your birthday, a free DVD! However, if you get stage fright, hit the bar hard ahead of your time slot because Dimples is going to broadcast your face into LA. The screens throughout the bar, the Dimples website, local access channels, and a 9x12-foot theater screen on the rooftop will all be broadcasting pictures of your pretty face to people who love karaoke as much as you do. |
Dragonfly
6510 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.466.6111
Four full bars and a huge dragonfly hanging from the ceiling draws a hip crowd to this Los Angeles bar. Local and out of town acts are booked at Dragonfly on certain nights while the same act might be booked for every Monday or Sunday. Every Friday night is Miss Kitty's "Erotic Discoteque and Cabaret" featuring "dirty go-go boys and girls" as well as stage shows. Marilyn Manson's ex-wife, Dita Von Teese, has been known to get kinky on stage for the fetish nights. The trendy people add to the simple décor of this LA bar with its cement bars and dragonfly theme whether it's a rock, reggae, or fetish themed nightlife. |
Dr. Tea
8612 Melrose Ave,. West Hollywood, California; Tel. 310.657.9300
Dr. Tea serves no alcohol. So now that's out of the way, what Dr. Tea does serve at the tea bar—much like a real bar—is hundreds of tonics and potions that swear to change everything in a person just short of skin color. This is the kind of feng shui/Far Eastern/New Agey hangout where customers chill out and read a book outside in the backyard, surrounded by banzai trees and chirping birds. Dr. Tea is full of hot, vegan-like women, who seem to be more than happy to move over for a stranger who's looking to sit down. It's a scene for the tea-sipping, herbal concoction-slurping, ultra-trendy Melrose crowd and is so frickin' healthy it can make one sick.
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EAST|WEST Lounge
8851 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, California; Tel. 310.360.6186
One of the more chichi bars in West Hollywood, EAST|WEST becomes the ideal meeting spot for ostentatious businesspeople to conduct deals over a cocktail. The lounge has membership privileges, but those without a membership are also welcome. Members have a private entrance, posh back room, a balcony overlooking the bar, are invited to special tasting events and can store favorite bottles in the illuminated cabinets for the common people to look at. It's no wonder that celebrities like Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore have stopped into LA's EAST|WEST Lounge for their elegant cocktails. In Los Angeles style, the flavored martinis are made with fresh fruit and puree. The truest testament to the bar's elegant style is the lavender used in the lounge's signature martini, The Perfect Pair. |
El Carmen
8138 W. Third St., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.852.1552
El Carmen is one of the few Los Angeles bars that stocks more tequila than most Mexican bars with 400 beautiful bottles of the golden and clear liquor behind the bar. Don't expect an umbrella in your margarita here, they mean business where their tequila is concerned. For brave souls who are eager to try as many of the 400 types of tequila as possible, shot by shot, remember that the house rule is to yell "ole!" after each shot. However, if tequila is on your list of things-to-never-drink-again, this Los Angeles bar offers a variety of other drinks for you to enjoy. A popular LA Mexican-style drinking hole, El Carmen fills up quick. Get there early to snag a good spot to watch body shots. |
El Dorado
11777 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 310.207.0150
Westside Los Angeles now has a Mexican restaurant to eat, dance, and party at Monday through Sunday. El Dorado has two dance floors for salsa dancing as DJs spin salsa and Latin music late into the night. Thursday nights fill up quick with the added feature of go-go dancers, tarot card readers, and giveaways. Tamale Tuesday at the bar means $1 tacos and $2 tamales with cheap cervezas to quench your thirst. The crowd is a mix of hipsters and generic folk out to dance the night away in Los Angeles. |
El Guapo
7250 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.297.0471
The only things that are Mexican about El Guapo are the name, the food, and the drinks. TV screens adorn every wall playing various sports games and rock songs play in the background. Situated on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, the bar at least provides fierce margaritas to the cheering sports fans. Only 16 kinds of tequila grace the bar, but the combinations are virtually endless in their strong drinks. Los Angeles' El Guapo also offers a huge outside patio with seating and a private bar. The Mexican cantina serves Mexican and American food, but the list of margaritas and "fun shots" are far more important. Just one 42-ounce Monster Margarita at this LA local bar and you'll be ready to go back to El Guapo again and again. |
Fiesta Cantina
8865 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, California; Tel. 310.652.8865
Casual crowds of gay boys pack this West Hollywood gay bar from top to bottom. The two-for-one drinks don't ever seem to end and happy hour starts at noon on weekends. The bar area, rooftop lounge, and front patio on Santa Monica Boulevard are all great places to eat and drink the night (or afternoon) away. Typical Mexican food is on the menu for those looking for a bite to eat with their tequila. The Los Angeles gay scene shows a very handsome face at the Fiesta Cantina until they've had one too many mixed drinks. |
Finn McCool's
2700 Main St., Santa Monica, California; Tel. 310.452.1734
Owner of Finn McCool's. Gerri Gilliard, has taken the idea behind Irish pubs she grew up with in Ireland and put it into her pub and restaurant in Santa Monica. Authentic Irish food is served alongside Guinness, Scottish malts and Irish whiskey. Like any Los Angeles bar, there is a happy hour Monday through Saturday with various drinks and appetizers for $3 each. Many Santa Monica locals populate the bar while tourists often come to see the beautiful teak bar, Celtic murals, and make friends with the Irish bartenders. The pub has a "tradition of hospitality to strangers" and is a very friendly place to eat and drink in LA. |
Footsie's
2640 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.221.6900
Taking all the snobbish fakery out of Los Angeles bars and you might be left with Footsie's—that is, until the hipsters discover this Highland Park dive. New customers are always welcome, but regulars seem to be the primary clientele at the bar. A few pool tables give those with a competitive edge an activity while a jukebox plays classic rock and metal. Drinks are cheap at Footsie's and Pabst Blue Ribbon is the beer special during happy hour Monday through Friday. Half-circle leather booths and a comfortable lounge provide seating to relax in while enjoying conversation with those in LA who appreciate being able to hear in a bar. |
Forbidden City
1718 Vine St., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.461.2300
Over-the-top Chinese décor up the sleaze factor of the Forbidden City on Hollywood and Vine. Gold accents and red Chinese lanterns top off the black wood bar and statues of dragons. A reasonably priced Chinese restaurant menu would make Buddha happy before the dining area gets turned into a dance floor that vibrates with hip-hop. The lounge on the first floor has a flashy bar with fish tanks on each end to light up the booths around the bar. Upstairs, the Los Angeles elite can spend their time in the VIP area furnished with modern accoutrements. The two open-air patios allow the LA club goers to get closer and enjoy the Los Angeles night air. The Forbidden City has a great singles scene and many details that make it very Hollywood. |
Formosa Café
7156 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.850.9050
Vintage, Asian-themed landmark, Formosa Café, has been open since 1939 in its West Hollywood location. Two low-lit bars have seen all kinds of people come through over the years from studio execs to up-and-coming musicians. Local drunks certainly have had their share of fun at the Los Angeles landmark as have casual professionals. A plethora of celebrity photographs, many of who have since passed away, line the walls of this Los Angeles bar. Most patrons stop by for a drink before or after dinner and Matthew Gladstone redesigned the full Asian menu in early 2006. Gourmet dishes true to LA style are served to those who want a bite to eat alongside their classic cocktails. |
Fubar
7994 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, California; Tel.323.654.0396
"FUBAR" is a common acronym that usually means something along the lines of "f**ked up beyond all repair." Keep that in mind as you venture into the realm of Fubar in West Hollywood. The bar has common bar activities, drinking, pool tables, and karaoke, but on nights like "Big Fat Dick," you might want to leave your straight friends at home. Television screens play freaky porn around the bar and every other Saturday night, Fubar has theme parties like "Gay Porn Massacre." "Filthy Friday" is the other night during the week that the Los Angeles bar isn't dominated by karaoke but instead by unusual gay boys. Depending on the night, the bar is easily packed by dancing bodies and men pushing their way to the bar for a drink. |
Gallery Bar
506 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.624.1011
The elegant and historical Millennium Biltmore Hotel has a bar that just as elegant as the hotel. The Gallery Bar in downtown Los Angeles is one of the best places in LA to have a cocktail and enjoy classic Los Angeles. The lounge has a full bar, fine wines, and exclusive liqueurs that patrons can sip under the eyes of carved angels floating about the polished granite bar. Every Saturday night live jazz adds to the class of this Los Angeles hotel bar where it seems only right to dress up for a night on the town. |
Golden Gopher
417 West 8th St., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.614.9909
The Golden Gopher has one of the oldest liquor licenses in Los Angeles, which means that they can provide off-site liquor sales as well as bar services. Close to Downtown Los Angeles' "Hotel Row," the bar welcomes business people as well as tourists out of the scary streets of LA and into a flashy bar with gold gophers everywhere. Old video games and a jukebox playing almost any rock imaginable top off the downtown Los Angeles bar's appeal. The atmosphere at the Golden Gopher is low-key and a great place to have a drink and relax. |
Good Hurt
12249 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 310.390.1076
In a kinky doctor-and-nurse themed Los Angeles bar, first-aid kits and nurses have a whole new meaning. Good Hurt has cocktail waitresses in skin-tight black nurses uniforms that rush around the bar while a DJ spins hip-hop, Brit-pop, and Latin music. Good Hurt only has a liquor license to serve beer and wine, so cocktails are made from soju, a beverage often distilled from sweet potatoes. Bands occasionally turn the scene at this LA club from dancing to a rock club, but not to worry, the nurses will still be there to take care of you. |
Good Luck Bar
1514 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.666.3524
A hot singles scene thrives under the Chinese paper lanterns and carved dragons at the Good Luck Bar in Los Angeles. Right off Sunset Boulevard, the Eastside crowd comes from all parts of LA to meet new singles who are out to have a good time and enjoy the nightlife. The brassy antique décor is accented by the beautiful girls filling the bar and getting drinks bought for them. A back room provides a place to lounge once the singles have met their prey. |
Guy's North
12655 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, California; Tel. 818.766.8311
The Hollywood club scene has spilled over into Studio City to the trendy Guy's North, the branch off from Guy's in West Hollywood. Flat screen TVs, a state of the art sound system, and a screen that covers almost an entire wall of the club make the bar an ideal place to host private events when there aren't hip Los Angeles clubbers filling Guy's North. Plush couches and pool tables provide a diversion from the two dance floors. On Friday and Saturday nights, the well-dressed girls are sure to hit up the bar before making their way to the dance floor of this stylish Los Angeles nightclub. |
H.M.S. Bounty
3357 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.385.7275
Somewhat of a historic LA landmark in terms of bars, the H.M.S. Bounty is a nautical themed bar in the Gaylord Apartment building. The apartment building was named after the millionaire who developed the area, Gaylord Wilshire, and who lent his namesake to the street the building is on as well, Wilshire Boulevard. The bar now is frequented by business folk and apartment residents during the day while the Los Angeles club hoppers come through at night. The H.M.S. Bounty bar has been in the building since it was erected in 1924 but has gone through several changes over the decades. In he 1950's the bar was the "Secret Harbor," a popular place for parties and the way that the later incarnation, the H.M.S. Bounty, got its nautical decorations. The Bounty still has its original "old Hollywood" décor and attracts various patrons from far and wide for their "food and grog." |
Harvelle's
1432 4th St., Santa Monica, California; Tel. 310.395.1617
Since 1931 Harvelle's has been one of the best live music venues on the Westside. Local, national, and international jazz artists come to perform at the Los Angeles joint in front of an audience who is invited to drink, dance, and simply enjoy a night of fabulous jazz. A full bar offers a long list of cocktails, beer and wine selections as well as several gourmet tapas. Harvelle's has been the filming location for several movies and offers recording services as one of the ways to utilize the Los Angeles nightclub. The nightly jazz and dancing attracts a night crowd who enjoys the down-to-earth environment of the club. |
Helios
21300 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, California; Tel. 818.884.5340
Helios is a chameleon of a bar, able to transform into different entities depending on the time of day or night of the week. During the day, Helios is a restaurant, but when the sun sets and the night moves on, the bar and lounge become the main draw at this Los Angeles club as a DJ starts spinning. The patio becomes a Caribbean party on Sundays, complete with reggae and BBQ while other evenings the patio is a sports bar with games projected onto a large screen. The main draw for local Woodland Hills residents is not driving over the hill to Los Angeles to get their club hopping on. For those hipsters who are low on gas and still want to enjoy the night scene, Helios is a welcome fill in. |
Here
696 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, California; Tel. 310.360.8455
Every Thursday night Here is home to Fuse, one of LA's best dance club nights for women and the fun doesn't stop for the girls on Friday night either. Truck Stop takes over Friday night with Coyote Ugly style service on the bar and more than enough dancing on the dance floor too. Gay LA boys gather on Saturdays and Sundays for more dancing to some of the hottest new music. The modern décor and fabulous DJs make Here one of the favorite gay bars in West Hollywood. Lines form fast at night with people from all over Los Angeles, so come early to get the fun started. |
H.M.S. Bounty
3357 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.385.7275
The interior of this pub-style bar resembles the inside of a ship. H.M.S. Bounty is a chillout kind of a joint where friends can enjoy a few beers together without having to worry about the right shoes to wear or if that celeb over there is noticing which brands of footwear they're rockin', which for some, could make having a cold beer an even colder experience. Come and play the jukebox at the Bounty, which has a vibe like a family barbecue. Strange people wander in and out to give the place just the right amount of people-watching appeal. |
Hollywood Canteen
1006 N. Seward St., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.465.0961
In 1942, Bette Davis and John Garfield opened the Hollywood Canteen for the service men and women of Hollywood. Years later, the Hollywood Canteen still has a classic Los Angeles dining area but now the open air patio and attached air-stream trailer double as contemporary lounges. The LA club people who come later at night hit up the full bar before heading to one of the cushy lounges. The trailer, nicknamed the "Love Den," is filled with modern couches and mood lighting for girls and boys to get closer. The outside patio with semi-circle couches and palm trees at the Hollywood Canteen is the ideal place to sip a cocktail and people watch. |
Hotel Café
1623 _ N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.461.2040
Situated on Hollywood Boulevard, the Hotel Café is a cozy little Los Angeles live music club known for the big names that have come through it. Also, a full bar and food service have recently been added to this LA club when they increased their capacity to 200 people. Bartenders give pleasant service and big indie bands like Death Cab for Cutie and Rilo Kiley have played the stage at Hotel Café. Compared to other Los Angeles venues, the Hotel Café is not nearly as large but offers an intimate place to see amazing artists. |
Hyde Lounge
8029 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.656.4933
Perhaps the name of this classy Los Angeles lounge is a reference to all the faux animal hides that were used to make the furniture. Or maybe it's called the Hyde Lounge because West Hollywood elite can hide in the small lounge from the lower class Los Angeles folk. Either way, both make the nightlife at the Hyde Lounge a list of LA who's-who. Well-made cocktails are served up at the bar and for those who need more than liquid sustenance, California-Asian cuisine is available. The girls are good looking and the men have connections, otherwise none of these folk would have been able to make it past the door. |
Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce
5574 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.465.4242
The burlesque-style nightclub in Hollywood has a sister club in Las Vegas, and it's no wonder with the retro lounge décor. White linen table clothed tables and red pleather chairs face the stage in a fashion that resembles Ricky Ricardo's club, The Tropicana, in "I Love Lucy." Dancers put on a strip-tease burlesque show backed by a jazz band, but when there aren't girls dancing, Forty Deuce resorts back to any other Los Angeles club's mainstay playing rock and hip-hop. The full bar also plays the role of runway for the dancers, so get a good seat for a better view of the show. |
Ivar
6356 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.465.4827
Being in an industrial building has its perks for Ivar, a classy Hollywood nightclub and bar that takes full advantage of all the space. Several "party rooms" break up the space of the immense Hollywood building including an "orange room" with comfy couches and orange lighting. The VIP room overlooks the entire club from a mezzanine level allowing celebrities and other Los Angeles socialites to spy on unassuming LA club goers. Four bars and eleven wells are spread throughout the club for those who haven't been taken in by one of the champagne-sipping men at the "private party pods." Once past the choosy bouncer you'll pass through the expansive outside patio before entering the club. Be careful, it could be easy to get lost in the gargantuan building and LA night scene at Ivar. |
Jewel's Catch One
4067 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.734.8849
The shimmer of Hollywood is not alluring to all lesbians; many prefer the eclectic atmosphere of Jewel's Catch One. Madonna liked the Los Angeles location also and held her album release party at the club in 2000. On Saturday and Sunday nights Jewel's Catch One becomes a karaoke bar where ladies take the stage to do their best renditions of pop songs. Live groups also come through to perform when this Los Angeles nightclub isn't booked for a private party. Drinks are reasonably priced and women who love the ladies come to suck them down and take in the hip-hop and R&B sure to be playing. |
Jimmy's Lounge
6202 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.957.1066
Los Angeles is a hot spot for chic lounges with a DJ spinning, and Jimmy's is no different. The dark chocolate colored walls offset the chandeliers over each semi-circle booth. Faux-fur pillows add comfort to the already plush seating at Jimmy's Lounge. If you're not one for sitting down while you drink, the shiny bar is a great place to stand for a full view of the dance floor. The lounge is a new addition to the Los Angeles scene, but is sure to gradually turn more heads in their direction. |
Joe Jost's
2803 E. Anaheim, Long Beach, California; Tel. 562.439.5446
Back before there were hip Los Angeles lounges, swanky nightclubs, and people drinking and dancing under neon lights, there were bars like Joe Jost's. A bar where you don't have to get dressed up and if you want a pickled egg, gosh-darn-it, they have them. Down in Long Beach, Joe Jost's has been serving sausage sandwiches and beer for over seventy years to workingmen and down-to-earth people. The Los Angeles County location has kept things simple, and it seems to be a recipe that works. You know when a LA bar celebrates a "Customer of the Month" that they have their priorities straight. |
Johnny's Cocktail Lounge
2939 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, California; Tel. 323.660.2276
An up and coming spot for locals to get their drink on, Johnny's Cocktail Lounge offers beer and an extensive wine list. Soju cocktails are all the bar is allowed to serve right now in the way of mixed drinks, but they've made the drinks fun by naming them after local bars. A rounded bar sits in the middle of the room and benches surround the walls of the bar for extra seating. A mellow Los Angeles lounge atmosphere pervades the bar and makes it a great place to relax at night. Local Eastsiders and music lovers from the nearby Silver Lake Lounge shows are the primary customers, but there's always room for more. |
Joseph's Café
1775 Ivar Ave., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.462.8697
Joseph's Café, a blue and white Greek restaurant, becomes a Hollywood hotspot at night. World famous DJs spin the latest hip-hop and R&B to crowds of pretty girls that sometimes include celebrities. Some of the best bartenders in LA serve up expertly mixed cocktails at the bar to club goers before they head out to the dance floor or to the beautiful outside patio. Each evening has a different event going on for those looking to get out at Joseph's Café. The ornate Mediterranean atmosphere provides a getaway from typical Los Angeles nightclubs but Joseph's Café is still only a few blocks from Hollywood and Vine. |
Jumbo's Clown Room
5153 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.666.1187
Scantily clad women, strong drinks, and occasional live rock show draw laidback folks from all parts of Los Angeles to Jumbo's Clown Room. A classic Hollywood dive bar, Jumbo's Clown room invites men and women to sit in front of the pole and give the dollars they save on not paying a cover charge to the sexy women dancing for them. Rock n' roll provides the backdrop to the girl's who strip tease—they don't go completely topless—and every now and then this Los Angeles bar hosts a live music event. Two private dance booths are available for those who like to get up close and personal with the girls, but the full bar is the big draw for most. Or maybe it is the barely clothed Hollywood women. |
King King
6555 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.960.5765
Every night is something different at King King. The Hollywood club has become famous for it's "anti-rock opera," Taking the Jesus Pill, which is performed every Wednesday night. Those who are more inclined to salsa the night away can stop by on Tuesday to learn some new moves and dance to the house band's live music at King King. Like most Los Angeles nightclubs though, Friday and Saturdays mean DJs spinning for the club-going types who want to dance and hit up the bar. For a break from the usual, a French style cabaret is usually on Thursday nights. Check the calendar before you go, after all, it is Hollywood so who knows what to expect. |
L'Scorpion
6679 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California; Tel.323.464.3062
At a wine bar you have sommeliers, so it only makes sense that at a tequila bar you would have tequiliers. It's Los Angeles, so it's only right to have people who know tequila well to be serving the over 160 tequila and mescal selections at the bar. L'Scorpion has a red and black gothic-type theme throughout the bar and restaurant. They boast the finest and freshest ingredients going into, not only their food, but their bar concoctions as well. Aside from fine margaritas and sipping tequilas, Los Angeles' L'Scorpion offers a full bar with drinks like a fresh champagne sangria. Bartenders are more than willing to explain the myth of the scorpion or suggest the best tequila to patrons lucky enough to find seating at the Hollywood Boulevard gem. If you need a bite to eat, the small Mexican dishes are fantastic and your waiter will be able to suggest a tequila pairing. Leave it to Hollywood to make tequila this classy. |
La Cita
336 S. Hill St., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.687.7111
Remnant's from La Cita's tackier Mexican Restaurant past still litter the bar and dance floor to remind all the downtown Los Angeles hipsters that this bar wasn't always the ideal place to enjoy the nightlife. Between tequila shots and traditional Mexican decorations, the Los Angeles bar turned into a hot nightclub. However, they still rock the strands of Christmas lights and red paper lanterns. It really adds a multicultural charm, especially Monday through Fridays where the bar and dance floor are overcome by DJs spinning rock, '80's, soul, indie, and more at La Cita. Weekends host ranchero bands for salsa dancing and La Cita turns into an even bigger Los Angeles hot spot. La Cita is just a great Los Angeles bar that always has something fun going on. |
La Velvet Margarita Cantina
1612 Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.469.2000
When a Mexican cantina is taken on by Hollywood hotshot club owners Sydni Perdew, Ava Berman, and Big Daddy Carlos, you get a swanky, trendy, and hip Los Angeles bar with a hint of Mexican influence. The "la" in La Velvet Margarita Cantina is about all the south-of-the-border you get in the name or the club that has become more about the bar, dancing, and nightclub than slamming tequila shots. Nonetheless, the sombreros on the ceiling, pesos on the floor, and plethora of margaritas add touches of Mexico to the Los Angeles bar. Hipsters and lovers flock to the Cahuenga Corridor location to be serenaded by roaming mariachi bands when there isn't an in house DJ spinning. It's also a great place to buy a girl a fresh margarita while she watches the black and white Mexican movie playing behind the bar. |
Largo
432 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.852.1073
When big name musicians like Aimee Man and Beck play intimate shows at your bar, who wouldn't create strict policies and make it difficult to get reservations? Largo is a Los Angeles bar and restaurant that hosts nightly performances from musicians and comedians. The only way to guarantee that you'll get in is to make dinner reservations far in advance by calling the club and leaving a message in hopes that they will return your phone call. For those who feel lucky, there is limited seating at Largo's bar and standing room that people can get if they show up early the evening of the show and get in line. Make sure to be on your best behavior and don't forget there is a strict no-talking policy during performances from awesome musicians and comedians blowing through LA. |
Lava Lounge
1533 La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.876.6612
That's not dried hay covering the walls, silly, it's just thatched! Island style chic takes over the Lava Lounge with thatched walls, tiki lanterns surrounding the bar, bamboo, and to really make it special, a whole lot of red vinyl. The 70's style Hollywood strip mall outside—as in that's when it was built and decorated—doesn't let on that this LA night spot is very cool, but once you're inside with a fruity cocktail in your hand, you'll be convinced it is. The tropical-themed bar is deceiving, but Sunday night's Kinky Karaoke and other nights of live performances make the Lava Lounge a Hollywood bar to visit. |
Les Deux
1638 N. Las Palmas Ave., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.462.7674
You don't have to speak French to know that Los Angeles' Les Deux has been revitalized into being a Hollywood hotspot for celebrities and upscale patrons. Les Deux Café has been transformed into a LA getaway good enough for European royalty with candelabras and plush leather couches inside and outside. There are two full bars encased in peach tinted mirrors to serve those who want to dance inside to the top hip-hop or outside, under the stars, to contemporary rock. The menu from the café is no longer offered, but several appetizers, entrees, and salads are. The Hollywood club wouldn't be French without desserts, though. A cupcake tower, fruit tower, and chocolate tower are all available. Skip the drinks; buy the girl a tower. |
Level 3
Hollywood and Highland Complex, Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.461.2017
What used to be Club One Seven, a Los Angeles club for underage clubbers, is now a far more mature Hollywood club and bar. The bar that used to serve anything but alcohol now specializes in it and the colorful cubby holes that back the bar are now filled with bottles of booze. Instead of a stage that could host a rock band, Level 3 has put in three beds for canoodling. Only in Hollywood. Modern lounging couches have been put in around the dance floor for those who need to rest their feet or couldn't get in on the bed action. An all-American themed snack bar is open throughout the day but there is access through the club at night. Keep in mind, Level 3 has a strict anti-drug and violence policy as well as a dress code, so make sure you shape up before trying to get in. |
Library Alehouse
2911 Main St., Santa Monica, California; Tel. 310.314.4855
The Library Alehouse is more of a down-home bar than its Los Angeles neighbors, but that doesn't mean it can't be just as good or better. The bar is like a library of beers with a lengthy and thorough selection of the brew from around the world. They one up other LA restaurants by also offering a respectable menu of wines at the bar to accompany a variety of food. The Library Alehouse has taken bar food and made it gourmet with appetizers such as Papaya Goat Cheese Quesadillas and Chipotle Shrimp Quesadillas. Those interested in watching sports pack the main room but there is also plenty of seating at the bar and on the outside patio. Santa Monica is the perfect place for this great bar. |
Liquid Kitty
11780 Pico Dr., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 310.473.3707
The only signage to demarcate the Liquid Kitty is a neon sign of a martini glass with a cigarette in it, the perfect laid back symbol that this Los Angeles bar embodies. If you're interested in imbibing the some of the best martinis you've ever had, the Liquid Kitty is ready and willing to serve you. Several nights a week the bar becomes a live jazz joint, particularly on Sundays, when hipsters make sure to arrive early for happy hour and to get a good seat. In vintage Los Angeles form, the lounge turns into a hopping '60s funk, soul and groove club on Thursday nights. Even if there isn't anything going on, the Liquid Kitty still is one of the best places in LA to drink quality martinis every night of the week. |
Little Joy Cocktail Lounge
1477 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.250.3417
Comfortably grungy and worn-in décor are what draw Echo Park locals to the Little Joy Cocktail Lounge when the LA club scene gets to be too much. Hipsters, artsy folk, and indie kids come to the bar for inexpensive drinks and prefer Pabst Blue Ribbon to all beers. An awesome jukebox provides the ideal soundtrack to this dive bar when a DJ isn't spinning new wave, indie rock, or noise pop. Keep in mind there's no dancing allowed so you're better off playing a few games of pool or making friends with the attractive girls serving drinks from behind the bar. |
Little Pedro's Restaurant and Cantina
901 E. First St., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.687.3766
Little Pedro's claims to be the oldest bar in Los Angeles, but it's not the age of the bar that matters. The atmosphere at Little Pedro's is fun and relaxed, pulling in locals from the art district as well as from all over LA County. Tuesdays seem like one of the most exciting nights of the week when Mickey Champion, a phenomenal LA blues singer, performs weekly while Little Pedro's serves up free fried chicken and cornbread. That's a hard offer to pass up. Fridays are booked by DJs or live bands of various genres but all aiming to please. The bar has an eclectic menu dominated by Mexican and Italian fare for those who need food with their drink. Everyone is welcome at Little Pedro's and people certainly travel to downtown Los Angeles for this bar. |
Little Temple
4519 Santa Monica Blvd., Silver Lake, California; Tel. 323.660.4540
An underground crowd gathers at this Hollywood sanctuary to dance, drink, and get cozy with one another throughout the week. DJs are always spinning the latest industrial, house, or other mix of eclectic music to the perfectly tousled LA hipsters and dreadlock folk. Incense and votive candles avoid smelling like patchouli and compliment the temple theme that paper lanterns and rock gardens help create. There are two dance floors and two bars in the downtown Little Temple, but don't expect to get much meditation done amid the booming music. |
Lobby Supper Club
9077 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, California; Tel. 310.275.4983
The colorful hills of West Hollywood are home to the monochromatic Lobby Supper Club that has transformed from nightclub, The Lounge, into an even classier Los Angeles venue. A sparkling chandelier hovers over the dance floor with a DJ spinning for the aristocratic crowd to groove to. The lower floor of the bi-floored bar has white couches and black floors and walls while the upper floor is reversed. The LA bar might make you feel like you're in a high-end hotel, but there are no rooms here. To snuggle up to the beauty you met at the bar, you'll have to settle for a hidden nook. |
Lola's
945 N. Fairfax Ave., West Hollywood, California; Tel. 213.736.5652
The chic décor at Lola's make it the perfect West Hollywood bar to go with girlfriends to sip martinis over dinner. Have no fear, though, men are welcome too. The main dining room occasionally displays the works of local artists above candlelit tables with leopard print chairs but the bar in the back has more of the rowdy Los Angeles nightlife scene going on. Service at the feminine LA bar is unbelievably friendly and their martini menu offers over 200 different concoctions. A dinner menu offers gourmet California cuisine and the kitchen stays open until 1:30am, for those that get a hankering after a full night of drinking. Lola's is one of the best Los Angeles bars for martini connoisseurs, date nights, or girl's night out. |
Lou
724 Vine St., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.962.6369
In the midst of a Hollywood strip mall that hasn't been renovated in decades, a diamond-in-the-rough of a wine bar stays hidden in Los Angeles. Owner, Lou Amdur, has taken the Southern California location and made it into a destination by offering a menu of various hand picked wines that he changes every few weeks based on season or whim. The wine bar used to only offer small dishes of snacks, salads, and cheese, but recently they have begun offering Monday night suppers making it a one stop LA night. The beauty of the wine is displayed in nightly flights or poured by the glass. The over 25 wines offered are from family producers and at least 10 percent are organically or biodynamically grown. Lou treats his customers like celebrities whether or not they're from Hollywood. |
Lounge 217
217 Broadway, Santa Monica, California; Tel. 310.394.6336
Around since the '90s, Lounge 217 has remained a hot spot on the Westside that continues to draw an attractive younger crowd. Or maybe that Hollywood hottie isn't quite what they seem? With no light bulbs inside it can be a little dark but the candles are meant to set the mood. The club doesn't have a sign out front of their sterile cement building; maybe they're trying to cut costs in the high-priced Santa Monica. However, the cocktails are good, the Lounge 217 is cozy, and the bar is busy. The high cover keeps out the grease-ball bar hoppers and keeps the LA crowd classy. The velvet booths are a great place to lounge and enjoy a drink from the bar when you're not shaking your rump on the dance floor. |
Lounge at Bar Celona
46 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, California; Tel. 626.405.1000
Old Town Pasadena has never really been known for trendy bars and pubs, but this lounge connected to the modern Spanish tapas bar, Bar Celona, has enough character to catapult it right out of the dismal Old Town Pasadena bar category. There is a killer house made sangria that brings you right out f LA and into Spain, especially on nights with live music and flamenco dancing. Later into the night, DJs spin to the crowd in the lounge. You can watch the Los Angeles world fly by outside while you sip a glass of sangria over a plate of tapas. |
Lucky Strike Lanes
6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.467.7776
If you were a celebrity, and you wanted to go bowling, you would head to Hollywood Boulevard with your bowling bag and name embroidered shirt and get a lane at Lucky Strike Lanes; the alley where the stars bowl. Not to mention that the bar is a modernized-retro Los Angeles hang out for those who couldn't snag one of the 12 lanes and settle for the pool tables. Catered with gourmet comfort food and offering a full bar, Lucky Strike Lanes seems to be the new Hollywood hipster destination. DJs spin hip-hop and rock over a quality sound system in the bar and alley Tuesday through Saturdays, the nights with the hottest scene. But it doesn't slow down at the bar on Sunday karaoke nights or Monday '80s nights where those who are rocking the '80s attire get drink specials. Forget the stagnant stench and smoke stained bowling alley of yore, Lucky Strike Lanes is all good luck. |
M Bar
1253 N. Vine St., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.856.0036
In the heart of West Hollywood, the jelly donut of clubs holds a surprise for you. From the outside, you can't really tell what's inside the M Bar in its strip mall surroundings, but once you bite into it, you'll never want to put it down. Los Angeles has some of the best comedy clubs, restaurants, and bars, but M Bar has taken everything and rolled it into one. Offering a full menu of scrumptious Italian dishes and more cocktails than you can fathom, the Los Angeles club tops off each night with a comedy performance. Classy LA style pervades the inside of the bar with deep red décor and chandeliers. But don't feel obligated to don evening attire; the comics and patrons are more jelly donut than French eclair. |
MJ's
2810 Hyperion Ave., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.660.1503
MJ's dance cruise bar in Silver Lake is just what it sounds like, a bar and dance club that is boy on boy friendly. Every night of the week the LA gay crowd heads to the industrial club to enjoy the nightlife. The Tuesday night attraction at the gay bar is a night called "Rim Job" featuring a DJ spinning rock alternative and more male go-go dancers than any human man can handle. Every night is a hot night though. Wednesday nights MJ's is a gay karaoke bar, Thursdays is a dance club night, Friday features the jukebox, Saturday hosts Anthem, and the week finishes off with a Sunday beer bust! |
Malibu Inn
22969 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California; Tel. 310.456.6060
Historical Malibu Inn is right across the street from the Malibu Pier and has been a hopping bar and club for longer than most of the LA patrons can remember. The restaurant offers a full menu of typical beach bar munchies from 7am for the early rising surfers until late at night. Comedy and live music performances are booked most nights of the week at the Malibu Inn, but the old photographs in the bar of the Los Angeles of the past offer an attraction also. Home-style cooking and good drinks from the bar make the Malibu Inn a great hang out any time of the day. |
Mandrake
2692 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 310.837.3297
From the outside it doesn't look like much, but Mandrake is clean and sleek on the inside, the perfect haven for local artists. With an eclectic history, the Los Angeles hide out now is home to the tapas bar that occasionally features art exhibits in the back room. Gallery owners and artists come to schmooze over original cocktails and can enjoy the outside patio and fresh night air of LA. A DJ spins, but there is no dance floor and dancing is not allowed in the cozy bar at Mandrake. However, the chill atmosphere is perfect for happy hour and after work relaxation. |
Martini Lounge at the Dugout Club
1000 Elysian Park Ave. (inside Dodger Stadium) Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.224.1500
Baseball fans are increasingly demanding more amenities at their ball games and Dodger Stadium is willing to please them. Inside the LA Dodger's upscale Dugout Club the bar is serving up baseball themed cocktails alongside gourmet dishes. Don't worry about missing America's favorite sport while at the bar; there are plenty of flat screen televisions showing the game. Dodger dogs are offered, but when you can get quality California cuisine instead, you might as well go for it. The lounge atmosphere will make you forget you're in a baseball stadium with hecklers and Los Angeles fans cracking peanuts. |
Mayan Theatre
1038 S. Hill St., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.746.4674
This downtown Los Angeles theatre was transformed into a club that can host everything from salsa dancing to wrestling. Friday and Saturday evenings host club nights at the Mayan Theatre where each floor of the building takes on a different theme ranging from tropical music, Spanish rock, and merengue to '80s, disco, and house. If you're interested in LA places that are eclectic, this is it. You can go to one place and get a little bit of everything under one roof, not to mention plenty of bars under that one roof at Los Angeles' Mayan Theatre. Events and nightclub nights take up most evenings, but check the website or call ahead to make sure you aren't hitting up the bar and expecting to dance on a Mexican wrestling night. |
Mirabella
8768 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, California; Tel. 310.659.6022
Mirabella has been around since 1971 and still has a continental atmosphere that goes together well with the California cuisine. The people that usually frequent this joint are well to do, very in the know, and extremely good-looking, like so many people in LA in general. Mirabella does things with memorable twists, like making a martini with oysters or a Cosmo with fresh watermelon. Britney Spears has been here three or four times. Maybe she likes the bar with the retractable ceiling—it opens up at night, revealing the stars up above. Then again, with the smog, the only stars being seen might be the ones at the bar. |
Monroe's
8623 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, California; Tel. 310.360.0066
This cool, sophisticated, Frank Sinatra-style lounge has a great Wednesday evening happy-hour from 9 until closing for all those who have wondered why there can't be an hour that's happy after the sun goes down. Located on the famous Melrose Ave where many stars stroll about, shopping for all the funky things they can't find on Rodeo Drive, Monroe's Bar is a strategically placed watering hole, and with the half-priced drinks, it brings all kinds of faces, many of them well-known. Believe it or not, even the rich and famous love a cheap drink. |
Montmartre Lounge/ Day After Nightclub
6757 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.465.5369
Hidden away in the back corner of the Hollywood and Highland complex, Montmartre Lounge has played home to fabulous Hollywood after parties and private events since it opened with a secret show by The Killers in 2004. The brightly colored room is full of booths and couches so the normal Los Angeles bar goers can hide out to see their favorite celebrities. But there can't be that many average club people as the lounge boasts "Hollywood's hardest door." Good luck getting in and to one of the two bars at the Montmartre Lounge . If you are lucky enough to not get turned down at the top of the stairs by the doorman, an outside patio courtyard awaits you before proceeding to the dance floor. Then all you have to do is make a few visits to the bar and wait for the LA fun to begin. |
Mood
6623 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.464.6663
Ancient bells from Bali, statues, and a entry door custom made by Bali workers have made Mood less of a Los Angeles bar and lounge and more of a temple bar that just happens to be in LA. Don't be thrown off by the crying monk statues skewered by long stakes in the lounge, those might not actually be from a temple. Candles line the bars and the shelves of alcohol behind them creating a calm atmosphere if there wasn't a DJ spinning hip-hop to Hollywood booty shakers. Mood still continues to have a great Los Angeles scene frequented by celebrities looking to get away from the bright colors and neon lights that other nightclubs have to offer. |
Mother Lode
8944 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, California; Tel. 310.659.9700
A gay bar with extraordinarily cheap beer, karaoke, pool, pinball and people watching in the West Hollywood Boystown area? Yes, it's true! Sure it is more dive bar than trendy Los Angeles lounge, but what the Mother Lode lacks in outward style they make up for in strong inexpensive drinks. Two levels offer a bar on each and mirrors hang everywhere to spot the new hottest guy. Many patrons come to the happy hour lasting until 9pm before heading out to the LA dance clubs and other bars on Santa Monica Boulevard while others stay and play pool. Not every night at Mother Lode is a balls to the walls party though, some evenings men come to play a few low-key games of pool at this Los Angeles gay bar. Regardless of the scene at the bar, the bartenders are always attentive and there are always people to watch. |
Mountain Bar
473 Gin Ling Way, Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.625.7500
The Mountain Bar is a downtown Los Angeles joint that invites the art crowd and hipsters into their red lair of alternative décor ranging from uniquely colorful lanterns to their custom carved bar. Although it is situated in Los Angeles' Chinatown, the bar is populated by those who want to enjoy intellectual discussions about politics over a few drinks. The downtown location of Mountain Bar can be a little hard to find to newcomers, but once you stumble across the two-floored club it's easy to get used to. LA bands and DJs are often booked to play on the second story, and each level offers a separate bar so you don't have to go far to fill up. |
Nacional
1645 Wilcox Ave., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.962.7712
Take a break from typical Los Angeles lounges packed full of hipsters and sweaty men in order to visit Nacional. The dual-level bar has a relaxed Cuban theme accentuated by large photographs of a man smoking a Cuban cigar on one wall and suede leather ottomans scattered throughout. A fireplace surrounded by the cut end of logs gives the Nacional club a cozier feel, after all, how many Los Angeles bars feature a fireplace? The downstairs lounge has the dance floor, DJ booth, and one of the full service bars. The other bar is upstairs in the lounge that also has an outside patio for those who want to puff on a stogie which, of course, is encouraged at Nacional. A Los Angeles DJ plays retro hip-hop, rock, and other types of dance music on nights that the club is open to the public. |
Nic's Restaurant & Martini Lounge
453N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, California; Tel. 310.550.5707
A lounge and restaurant with many faces in the heart of Beverly Hills, Nic's Restaurant & Martini Lounge has many features that will keep it from ever getting old in the push and shove LA scene. The martini lounge features a myriad of martinis at the bar with original names and recipes like the "Goose Me" (Grey Goose La Orange, orange Curacao, and Lychee nuts). For those who want more than sitting at the bar or lounge, Nic's Restaurant & Martini Lounge pumps out gourmet dishes inspired by the restaurant's namesake, Chef Larry Nicola. As if that wasn't enough, in January 2006 the lounge opened the "Vodbox," a room chilled to 10 degrees where customers can sample flights of the finest vodka. If you're looking for the perfect place to go on a first date in Los Angeles, the Vobox at Nic's LA posh bar and restaurant should be at the top of the list. |
NoBar
10622 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, California; Tel. 818.753.0545
North Hollywood, lovingly known as NoHo, has a bar for locals who aren't up for driving all the way into Los Angeles for a good time. NoBar is just as trendy as its LA and Hollywood counterparts, but without the attitude that the patrons of those lounges bring with them. Hipsters from the NoHo Arts District can go from vintage shops and boutiques straight to the bar without having to travel across Los Angeles County. Leave the nightclub out of the equation and mingle with the hip crowd at NoBar. |
Noe Restaurant & Bar
251 S. Olive St., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.617.3300
In the Los Angeles Downtown Theatre District, the exquisite Omni Hotel houses Noe Restaurant & Bar. Businesspeople come to the bar to conduct business and take advantage of the bar's selection of martinis and cigars while others stop by after a day of enjoying the area's museums and culture. The restaurant serves Japanese-French fusion food with high attention to detail of the dish and presentation. For a well-mixed martini at the end of the day, the Noe Bar can do the trick. |
Orchid
3900 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.251.8886
Professional stage lighting, cutting edge sound and video equipment, and walls full of video screens are in 18 private rooms to enjoy for the evening at Orchid. The only person who will interrupt is the waiter if you hit the "butler button." Get your mind out of the gutter. These are private karaoke rooms where you can order food from the Nyx & Nox Lounge or one of over 100 martinis from the bar at this hip LA destination. The Los Angeles Orchid Karaoke Club offers the private rooms to accommodate groups of up to 40 people who want to drink and dine while listening to karaoke. The LA club offers an enormous library of songs in English, Korean, Chinese, Indonesian, Tagalog, and Japanese. The variety of languages is appropriate for the Koreatown location, but you wouldn't know the LA club had such a unique feature upon just walking in. Even if you can't recruit 40 friends to come listen to you sing karaoke, you can at least sit at the bar and explore as many of the martinis as possible. |
Pearl
665 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, California; Tel. 310.358.9191
Destined to become one of the hottest spots in Los Angeles, Pearl has already earned the reputation of being the best restaurant in West Hollywood. The venue also excels at its role of LA nightclub and lounge as it hosts a variety of events from dance nights to performances. High-end audio and video technology is used throughout the club and bar to enhance the experience of people dancing or Pearl can act as a recording studio when groups perform live. Multiple plasma screens are scattered throughout the lounge to display the main stage to diners in the restaurant, and two more in the bar area might be giving a live feed of the cabaret show in the VIP room. The Los Angeles ultra lounge has it all from good food to good drinks and dancing. The shadows of girls dance in boxes on nights where a DJ spins hip-hop, house, trance, or rock and some nights have all-ages events. Burlesque shows, comedy, and live bands have also been known to perform at this Los Angeles venue. |
Pete's Café and Bar
400 Main St., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.617.1000
The perfect place to go for lunch, dinner, or any time in between, Pete's Café and Bar is downtown Los Angeles' all-around restaurant and bar. Businesspeople come in for lunch or take clients to talk shop, but they also stop in after work for drinks at the bar. The bar is a friendly LA place that always seems to be open and works for any occasion. Pete's Café and Bar is one of the best designed Los Angeles Restaurants in downtown and is open 7 days a week until 2am. There's no reason not to find out why it's so good. |
Poop Deck
1272 The Strand, Hermosa Beach, California; Tel. 310.376.3223
The Poop Deck is a classic Hermosa Beach bar for sunburnt and sandy bodies to take a load off at the end of the day. People come from all over Los Angeles County to people watch just a stone's throw from the Pacific Ocean. Red vinyl-topped bar stools and a peanut vending machine reminds customers that the pub hasn't changed much over the years. Cheap domestic beer is always flowing from the bar taps at the Poop Deck and LA beach beauties are often around to play foosball and pool with friends. The bartenders know who their regulars are, so if you're a newcomer, make sure to tip them well to get on their good side. |
Q's Billiards
11835 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 310.477.5550
Students from nearby UCLA travel to this Westside bar an | |
