If you're looking for your favorite Los Angeles bar, music venue, or overall "scene," it's going to be a long day. Unless you're the Michiko Kakutani of inebriate decadence, in which case, the water is just right. Where you choose to hedonize in LA is comparable to your religious or political affiliation. Every city, god and zoning board willing, is a steaming pool of diversity. In LA, a city with the nightlife the world fantasizes about, the fever-dreams are writ large. Battle lines are distinct: the ones who can part the red ropes and the ones who can't; those who favor the orchestral and those who seek the sweat straight from the lead singer's brow; the clubbers, the loungers, the low-rent boozehounds and the witty oenophiles; the loyal neighborhood stool-polishers and the hipsters drawn to the nearest flame. For some (hey there, Midwesterners!), this is the supreme aesthetic mosh-pit that they've craved since they got sick of home, which happened early. For others, it's a cold, shallow Battle Royale of egos that leaves them ladling the sauce on their rising reverse-snobbery. Either way, the good news is that you have choices.
Keeping track of it all can be like preparing for April 15th, and everyone has unique short cuts. There's still LA Weekly, LA's premier free paper, and the LA Times has its Calendar Live section. (Each has an online counterpart, in case you think Craigslist is a fad.) There's also an honking traffic jam of sites like www.la.com. One namecheck on Daily Candy means your corner bar just got drafted - that’s how hungry everyone is for the next big, pre-approved thing. We’re going to ignore that huge can marked "blogs," along with all the web-based newsletters and other e-entities dedicated to the LA nightlife. (Just for you, here are two good, widely read ones: Flavorpill and My Open Bar.) Is this sounding like finding a needle in a haystack? Well, it is and it isn’t. Consider all of this a childproof toolbox. Rummage, experiment, and find your favorites. Remember, in LA, word of mouth is king, and whatever advice you bought from your guerilla-marketing guru, there’s no faking that funk. But here are some of our suggestions to get things rolling…
Best Dive Bars
In Los Angeles, you know you've entered a dive bar when there's no velvet rope, no schmoozing the bouncer, the smell of sweat and stale beer, and a strict "cash only" policy. Don't you dare order a schmancy Negroni or any rainbow-hued, blacklight-sensitive drink here, unless you're an undisputable badass; your request will be met with a smoky giggle (at best), a disgusted grunt, or hair-curling rejection. A warning to oenophiles: these places stock the worst of the worst in wine, so, really, don't even bother, unless you love vomiting. Best stick to what dives do best (and most enthusiastically): beer, shots, pool, and darts. One of out favorite dive bars in LA is White Horse (Map 3) on the ground floor of Super 8 Motel on Western Avenue, just north of Sunset Boulevard; its red walls and black leatherette bar stools lend a sense of unpretentiousness, and the Romanian owner will feed you hot dogs and popcorn if you’re nice...or tell you to "get lost" if you’re not. If you like your dive bars filthy, Power House (Map 3) on Highland specializes in dingy booths, stiff drinks and Hollywood losers. While the Westside typically avoids cracked seats and beer nuts, the Eastside dives hard: a few great ones to visit are Hop Louie (Map 9) in Chinatown, The Roost (Map 5) in Atwater Village, or the slightly less seedy Short Stop (Map 5) (part-owned by local rock legend Greg Dulli), conveniently just a block’s stumble from Gold Room (Map 5) in Echo Park. And nothing says "dive bar" like PBR, the drink of choice for many a patron at Highland Park's popular quasi-dive Footsie's (Map 36), which has the distinction of hosting a few NFT parties over the years. (We'll have the Chimay, thanks.) The morning after, head to Ye Rustic Inn (Map 4) for their weekend Bloody Mary Brunch--an interesting mix of locals
and twenty-something scenesters who love this amazing seven-buck breakfast-and-drink affair.
Best Outdoor Spaces
Constant sun and an average outdoor temperature of 72 degrees mean that many LA bars drag their tables outside. For those of you who enjoy a smoke with your drink, outdoor seating is the only option. The très rive gauche Figaro Bistrot (Map 4) on Vermont in Los Feliz lines up 'round marble tables to squeeze in thirsty hipsters. Malo (Map 4) on Sunset has an industrial-looking, surprisingly intimate outdoor seating area with heating lamps. A happier Friday was never had than at Ciudad's (Map 9) happy hour at 5th and Fig downtown, where cheap mojitos, delicious tapas, and zesty Latin jazz spice up TGIF. Oliverio (Map 1) at the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills serves chilled martinis poolside (plan ahead and reserve a cabana). If you want off the beaten track and a taste of history, head to the back of the Figueroa Hotel for a drink by the pool on the nostalgic patio at the Veranda Bar (Map 9). For stargazing through your beer goggles, the rooftop bar at The Standard (Map 9) needs to be experienced once. Brit expats especially enjoy a pint in The Cat & Fiddle's (Map 3) leafy beer garden, ringing their mates in rainy ol' England to gloat about the balmy stateside summer nights.
Best Lounges
In a city where image is reality, the larger-than-life style of LA's clubs tends to squash the urban reign of the almighty bar. Dives often seem a bit lost amid the velvet rope-gawking, and the current Cahuenga fascination distracts from simpler watering holes. What emerges is LA's answer to compromise: the lounge. What passes for a stylish alternative in other cities is the modest choice in LA. But, anywhere, a solid lounge is a beautiful thing, and LA has some solid ones. Many lounge-prone Angelenos migrate from the velvet ropes of Hollywood Boulevard to Sunset, where they find The Well (Map 3). Modish warmth is key to this lounge’s hip brown-and-black design and tall leather banquettes; with a killer juke mix and a smooth transition from low-key hangout to loud and lively late night spot, it's a big draw. The Brig (Map 21) on Abbot Kinney in Venice is a chic, sleekly illuminated mod dream. As swanky as it is (down to the bathrooms), it’s still a laid-back lounge where the cocktails and pool, not the celebrities, pull rank. If you’re looking for something a bit more dressed up, the East West Lounge (Map 2) in WeHo is a good bet. This elegant bar is a martini safe-haven for your inner mid-'50s grown-up along with WeHoans looking for a break in their clubbin' schedules. Probably the most well known local lounge, The Dresden Room (Map 4) solidified its fame with a cameo in 1996’s prerequisite LA film Swingers, and comes with its very own lounge act. Say hi to Marty and Elayne when you go.
Best Beer Selection
There is oh so much more to beer than Bud and MGD. If you’re a beer cynic, places such as Father's Office (Map 18), with 30 microbrews on tap, and The Library Alehouse (Map 18), with 29 on tap, are all the conversion you'll need. Los Angeles’s own brew, Angel City Brewing, is on draft in a number of locations including the vast and sporty Hollywood Billiards (Map 3) and the swanky Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel (Map 18). For a little adventure, try the Wednesday-night mystery brew at Good Microbrew & Grill (Map 4). For three bucks, you get a mystery beer from their eclectic collection of 150 bottled beers or their rotating selection of five draft beers (after you finish, they'll let you know what you had). For a night in with your favorite rare ale, stock up at Cost Plus World Market (Map 20), where "Beers of the World" are sold by the twelver. Beer aficionados feel right at home at West Hollywood’s Red Rock (Map 2), where the extensive brew selection slakes the young, beautiful thirsts, and at Backstage (Map 24), Culver City's reigning dive bar and karaoke headquarters. And last, but not at all least, there is the granddaddy of beer: The Yard House (Map 34), with literally hundreds of beers on tap; for some East Coast flavor, they offer the option of a half-yard glass. For those who like beer and love it on tap, welcome home. Wipe your feet.
Best Milieu
Décor varies greatly among LA's proud gin joints. Drop by the Bigfoot Lodge (Map 5) in Atwater to swig down a few beers (or a Toasted Marshmallow, if it’s your birthday and you’re extremely girly) while you cozy up to Smokey the Bear. The owner of Tiki Ti (Map 4) in Los Feliz is so dedicated to keeping up his mini-Polynesian paradise that patrons will find the bar closed when he’s in the islands "doing research." The 4100 Club (Map 4) is like drinking in the belly of a Buddha with draped batiks, Persian lanterns, and intimate booths, yet it manages to keep the hippie vibe at bay. (If you can't make out here, you're just not comfortable with yourself.) Try Saints & Sinners (Map 24) for a kitschy "naughty & nice" experience at a retro lounge space complete with a pyromaniacal bar staff. For upscale chic, Casa del Mar (Map 18) in Santa Monica delivers with a grand lobby/bar serving drinks with grand price tags; or try The Windows Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel (Map 2). O-Bar (Map 2) may seem like simply upscale WeHo food and cocktails, but take a step inside to experience how this oasis uses the elements to provide a unique hideaway. If you’re looking for a great view, you’re looking for Yamashiro (Map 3). It’s a famous Japanese restaurant in the Hollywood Hills, but skip the pricey meal and get a drink at the bar--and pick a table that takes advantage of one of the best views of Los Angeles. The Edison (Map 9) downtown takes boiler-room chic to a new, drunken level with its historically-accurate industrial vibe--just beware of the gate-keeping bouncers who hold a staunch no-tennis-shoes policy. (Or just get with the program, you slob.)
Best Dancing
So you think you can dance? Whether you shake your moneymaker to salsa, hip-hop, techno, or reggae, there is someplace for everyone to get down in Los Angeles. For hot and sweaty Havana nights, it doesn't get more authentic than Hollywood's El Floridita (Map 3) salsa club, located in a shady strip mall on Fountain and Vine. Downtown's legendary Mayan (Map 9) doubles as a concert venue and an exclusive salsa club with a strict dress code--call ahead for details. Over in the 90069, Boys Town boasts a plethora of gay dance clubs known for, um, stiff drinks, um, throbbing music, and Schwarzenegger-esque bartenders. Some of the most popular include The Factory/Ultra Suede (Map 2), The Abbey (Map 2), Micky's (Map 2), and Rage (Map 2). For less hype, head to Los Feliz’s Akbar (Map 4) to find a mixed crowd and a chill Eastside vibe. Central Hollywood has replaced the Strip as the hotspot for club-hopping millennials, short-run celebrities, and indie fauxhemians. Ivar (Map 3), Cinespace (Map 3), Avalon (Map 3), and Spider Club (Map 3) are all popular dance spots within one two-block radius. A couple of blocks west lies celebrity club-hopping central, with places such as LAX (Map 3), Parc (Map 3), and Les Deux (Map 3). For more middle-of-the-road destinations, head to LA’s own Times Square (Hollywood & Highland) for The Highlands (Map 3). Even die-hard Hollywood fans flock to South Bay for Long Beach’s ten-million-dollar club, V20 (Long Beach). If hip-hop, dancehall, and reggae are more your style, hit up Hollywood’s Nacional (Map 3) on Fridays or The Echo's (Map 5) Dub Club on Wednesdays in Silver Lake. For a wild night out on the cheap, check out La Plaza (Map 2) on La Brea, with DJs spinning ranchero music and fabulous Latino drag-queen performances at 10 pm and midnight on the weekends.
Best Music
Out-of-work musicians are almost as plentiful in Los Angeles as out-of-work actors. Lucky for them, LA draws more than enough stadium-filling performances to help them keep the dream alive while offering plenty of smallish venues where they can showcase their talent. If you want your music grand, orchestral, and outdoors, then head to The Hollywood Bowl (Map 3). Pack a picnic, a blanket, and your significant other and head on up for a stunning view and some outstanding acoustics. The Bowl plays host to rock shows, classic bands, an impressive Independence Day fireworks show, and the occasional Garrison Keillor radio performance. Another panoramic outdoor attraction is the Greek Theatre (Map 4), a gorgeous venue in Griffith Park showcasing a lot of nostalgia acts and a recent current of freshness. On the Sunset Strip, the dependable House of Blues (Map 2) draws in big names. Local institutions like the Whisky A Go-Go (Map 2) and the Viper Room (Map 2) draw crowds for their reputations alone, while offering a mix of both established and undiscovered bands. Some adventurous performers and voyeurs take their chances at Mr. T's Bowl (Map 33), a seedy former bowling alley in Highland Park. For the freshest indie bands and underground rock, try the Henry Fonda Music Box (Map 3) or The Troubadour (Map 2). The Wiltern (Map 7) and the El Rey Theatre (Map 6) in mid-Wilshire are local favorites for catching bigger bands at a smaller venue, while Spaceland (Map 5) in Silver Lake and The Echo (Map 5) in Echo Park bring in locals and music insiders with more alternative live music. The Hotel Café (Map 3) is undoubtedly LA's best loved acoustic venue, with a cozy New York vibe and some impressive names performing nightly. For live music that doesn’t overpower the pub atmosphere, Molly Malone’s (Map 2) is a deservedly popular spot. It’s a great place to see a wide range of great bands (from alt rock to reggae) and then shoot some darts. Those with more, ahem, evolved tastes can often be caught taking in a Friday night performance at the Getty (Map 16), or a live music-silent film combo at the scandalous Silent Movie Theatre (Map 2). The famous, cavernous Amoeba Music (Map 3) packs in locals with (free!) live in-store performances--check their marquee for upcoming shows from surprisingly big names. DJs are people, too. Some people even consider them musicians. The most eclectic slate of DJs spins at Verdugo (Map 36), and the crowd is wildly different from night to night.
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Monday, February 28, 2011
Posted By:
Emerson Dameron
Photo:
Emerson Dameron
Black Boar
I've spent many hours in the dark confines of the Black Boar, knocking back the happy-hour special (a Pabst and an Evan Williams shot, which I christened the "meal deal") and wishing the day's care into the cornfield. So I got to know the bar's mustachioed proprietor. Like me, he has a history in Chicago, and we discussed the idea of opening a "Chicago-themed bar" in LA. But, in many ways, he's already done it. The Black Boar is modeled on British pubs, but like the most grounded Chicago taverns, it feels more like a particularly kempt dive than a theme bar. It's not well known enough to drive traffic from parts west, but like a corner tap in Chicago, it caters to a range of immediate locals: the craft beer selection rivals LA's best, but there's plenty of cheap swill for the kids. The jukebox rocks macho FM staples, contemporary indie-electro fads, and some surprisingly deep cuts. Key bartenders are enthusiastic to the point of flamboyance, but they're much more theatre/improv-comedy types than Hollywood types, if you get me. Bouncers and older regulars are chummy and charming in a gruff, avuncular way. The dark interior and huge wooden booths shut out the world. Daily specials include the Mystery Shot. Do not ask what this is.
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Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Posted By:
Emerson Dameron
Photo:
Emerson Dameron
Pop Champagne & Dessert Bar
C'mere, beautiful. I know it's been a long week. We've been caught up with work, and neither one of us has gotten enough attention. Trust me, I know. So here's what we're going to do. We're going out. For dessert. AND bubbly. Plus swank, swank atmosphere. (It's got bubble-shaped mirrors--I mean, come on now.) If that doesn't get things simmering, I'm a monkey's uncle. Which I'm pretty sure isn't the case. I'm not sure who drafted this business plan, but it's close to the ideal date spot for overstimulated professionals who appreciate the simpler things among the finer things, ersatz class with no pressure. Skip dinner. Just fill up on crepes and hoist a flute. I have heard people complain about the service, but I've never had any problems. And, once, I happened to drop in while a speed dating session was going on across the room, which would make a fantastic people-watching date, methinks.
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Monday, July 12, 2010
Posted By:
Emerson Dameron
Photo:
Emerson Dameron
The Airliner
Yes, it's dingy, and yes, you'll get patted down aggressively at the door. (I had a ballpoint pen confiscated.) It gets crowded and, many times yes, the service is slow and unenthusiastic. But any fan of underground hip hop is advised to pop in at least once. The cosmopolitan, Jazzercise-dressed hipsters show up in force for Low End Theory Wednesdays, but I'm partial to the Urban Underground on Fridays, particularly the freestyle open mic. At least since the '90s, "West Coast hip hop" has been stereotyped as lackadaisical and nihilistic (think Snoop), but the MCs at Airliner, who commute from all over SoCal, generally share a fierce, sophisticated style of wordplay and an unrelenting enthusiasm for the game. Yes, it's in Lincoln Heights, and the crowd is, how you say, gully. Don't be a jackass or get too drunk (easier said, considering the enormous helpings of beer on special) and nothing bad will happen.
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Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Posted By:
Emerson Dameron
Photo:
Emerson Dameron
Sonny McLean’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
$4.25. Why would any bar charge $4.25 for a glass of beer? I'm a big tipper and usually break off a dollar per drink, but if the change consists of jingling quarters, it's much easier to leave them on the bar, thereby nickel-and-diming the staff out of a good deal of dough by the end of the night. If I owned a Boston Celtics shirt, I'd wear it here, just to see if I would have to wait any less than ten minutes for a bartender’s grace. (This is the sort of place, the rare sort of place, where Celtics fans come to root against the Lakers.) Obviously, it's an "authentic Irish pub." For the record, I think almost all ethnic pride is stupid, a poor substitute for personal achievement (I'm an untraceable white-trash mutt, if you're playing along at home), and I don't make an exception for Irish pride. Plus, I've drank Guinness and Jameson in Dublin, I've never seen it done right here, and it isn't done right at Sonny's. And yet, I like this joint. I've always shown up here in a foul mood, and I've always left in a better one. Everyone is attractive (in that particularly Santa Monican flavor of vanilla), the bartenders are friendly and generous, and I've never found anyone who wasn't down for a loose chat. So, in spite of all the, you know, bullshit, I'd be glad to meet you at Sonny's. It's the perfect place to act normal. Solid pub grub, too. But $4.25? Really?
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Monday, February 15, 2010
Posted By:
Emerson Dameron
Photo:
Emerson Dameron
Fifth Amendment Alehouse
Great beer selection; odd business plan. The sign outside bespeaks a $3 happy hour lasting until 2, but that's just the shitty beers you can procure anyplace; the tasty stuff (Allagash White FTW) will cost in excess of five bones. The staff is kind, but the service is often largely theoretical; order a plate of the half-decent pub grub, and you may watch an entire True Hollywood Story before it appears. The jukebox is just as inexplicable as the TV, ping-ponging from country to Sinatra to Rick James to AC/DC. The Fifth Amendment is still new on the scene, and it's rep is thusfar mixed at best. But in Santa Monica, a land of pretensions lounges and cavernous, deafening Fratty McDaterape meat markets, it's a small, insulated getaway for touchy, self-sufficient boozehounds. No one said Zen was smooth sailing. But, if you imbibe enough, you might find yourself sampling a llama burger.
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