Guidebook for Los Angeles
Drinks & Nightlife
Trendy Speakeasy behind Best Buy, walking distance. There is a softly lit sign with a barber's pole and usually a doorman/bouncer.
Crowd is casual late twenties to early thirties.
It gets very crowded on the weekends with usually a DJ. The weeknights are pleasant with softer music.
Favorite Drinks: Batman, Old Fashioned, Moscow Mule.
80 íbúar mæla með
Blind Barber
10797 Washington BlvdTrendy Speakeasy behind Best Buy, walking distance. There is a softly lit sign with a barber's pole and usually a doorman/bouncer.
Crowd is casual late twenties to early thirties.
It gets very crowded on the weekends with usually a DJ. The weeknights are pleasant with softer music.
Favorite Drinks: Batman, Old Fashioned, Moscow Mule.
Solid cocktail menu in a very small bar, good mood. Outside it doesn't look like much but there is a classic wooden interior. Sometimes gets crowded for a trivia night. Weekends are packed.
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Oldfield's Liquor Room
10899 Venice Blvd.Solid cocktail menu in a very small bar, good mood. Outside it doesn't look like much but there is a classic wooden interior. Sometimes gets crowded for a trivia night. Weekends are packed.
This is the trendy hipster bar in the area, lots of locals out on a date night, occasional groups. Often has a live DJ or occasionally a band.
My favorite cocktail: Sasquatch
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Bigfoot West
10939 Venice Blvd.This is the trendy hipster bar in the area, lots of locals out on a date night, occasional groups. Often has a live DJ or occasionally a band.
My favorite cocktail: Sasquatch
I only go for free Sunday jazz. Pop song rotation from Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys/Beyonce in jazz style with 4 or 5 piece band, several singers and dancers. Usually goes late and features a tap dancer mid show.
People like to dress up a little more in this area and to this event. Drinks are expensive like any city spot, but the event is free.
SAFETY ADVISORY: Be aware of anyone who's had too much to drink that they don't bump into you on packed summer nights--people aren't the most polite in these bougie places. If you watch your personal space or go early, you won't run into any trouble.
Starts around 10:30-11PM and there is very limited street parking--might be worth an Uber ride.
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W Hollywood
6250 Hollywood BlvdI only go for free Sunday jazz. Pop song rotation from Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys/Beyonce in jazz style with 4 or 5 piece band, several singers and dancers. Usually goes late and features a tap dancer mid show.
People like to dress up a little more in this area and to this event. Drinks are expensive like any city spot, but the event is free.
SAFETY ADVISORY: Be aware of anyone who's had too much to drink that they don't bump into you on packed summer nights--people aren't the most polite in these bougie places. If you watch your personal space or go early, you won't run into any trouble.
Starts around 10:30-11PM and there is very limited street parking--might be worth an Uber ride.
This is really a hotel in historic downtown, but has a great restaurant and bar. Expensive but pleasant atmosphere, inside has quiet jazz nightly and outside is great for people watching. Ask for directions to the Velvet Lounge for a quieter upstairs lined with velvet furniture and a different menu.
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The Culver Hotel
9400 Culver BlvdThis is really a hotel in historic downtown, but has a great restaurant and bar. Expensive but pleasant atmosphere, inside has quiet jazz nightly and outside is great for people watching. Ask for directions to the Velvet Lounge for a quieter upstairs lined with velvet furniture and a different menu.
You never know whether this will be just a bar or a nightclub on the weekend. But it tends to be a classy early-evening spot during the week to sit on posh British furniture in a library/study styled interior. The drinks and bartenders are highly underrated by the local scene, and this place was renovated a year or two back. Almost a secret spot because nothing is around.
45 íbúar mæla með
The Wellesbourne
10929 W Pico BlvdYou never know whether this will be just a bar or a nightclub on the weekend. But it tends to be a classy early-evening spot during the week to sit on posh British furniture in a library/study styled interior. The drinks and bartenders are highly underrated by the local scene, and this place was renovated a year or two back. Almost a secret spot because nothing is around.
Food Scene
Local Korean-Mexican fusion taco chain that also has a taco truck. Decent for the distance if craving something different than Mexican. I personally like the Mexican style tacos more than the Kogi style, which has different Korean-styled veggies/slaw.
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Kogi Taqueria
3434 Overland AveLocal Korean-Mexican fusion taco chain that also has a taco truck. Decent for the distance if craving something different than Mexican. I personally like the Mexican style tacos more than the Kogi style, which has different Korean-styled veggies/slaw.
My absolute fave local spot that has picked up in recent years. A little pricey, but offers unique craft pizza and beer in an industrial / Brooklyn style atmosphere.
My fave: Spicy Bear Pizza, and any current Nitro / Coffee Stouts.
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The Doughroom
3409 Overland AveMy absolute fave local spot that has picked up in recent years. A little pricey, but offers unique craft pizza and beer in an industrial / Brooklyn style atmosphere.
My fave: Spicy Bear Pizza, and any current Nitro / Coffee Stouts.
Not necessarily a secret anymore, you will pass about 5 empty taco trucks to get to this one that has a moderate line most times of the night. Open very late. Tuesdays and weekends get packed by locals, parking is best in the nearby street inlet. It's an obvious flashy truck located in the parking lot of a gas station. Believe me, the Al Pastor tacos are worth every penny especially with the red salsa. This is one of the food scenes most unique to LA.
SAFETY ADVISORY: This is towards mid-city so please be aware of vagrants/beggars, and locals who are drunk or high if venturing late at night (11:30PM-2AM).
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Leo's Tacos Truck
415 Glendale BlvdNot necessarily a secret anymore, you will pass about 5 empty taco trucks to get to this one that has a moderate line most times of the night. Open very late. Tuesdays and weekends get packed by locals, parking is best in the nearby street inlet. It's an obvious flashy truck located in the parking lot of a gas station. Believe me, the Al Pastor tacos are worth every penny especially with the red salsa. This is one of the food scenes most unique to LA.
SAFETY ADVISORY: This is towards mid-city so please be aware of vagrants/beggars, and locals who are drunk or high if venturing late at night (11:30PM-2AM).
This is mostly a sports bar, but a great food spot and many locals would consider it the only sports bar in the area worth going to. It has deliciously hearty Italian-American food that is simple yet probably more filling for the buck than most trendy spots in the area. I recommend the burger and a beer, pizza and Parmesan fries. Not a huge fan of the wings, but they're aight.
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Rocco's Tavern
3843 Main StThis is mostly a sports bar, but a great food spot and many locals would consider it the only sports bar in the area worth going to. It has deliciously hearty Italian-American food that is simple yet probably more filling for the buck than most trendy spots in the area. I recommend the burger and a beer, pizza and Parmesan fries. Not a huge fan of the wings, but they're aight.
Don't be afraid of the prices here--it's a great spot for some ribs, fish or chicken. Go early to get the fresher more popular meats--literally because they will run out. They serve family style smoked meats, barbecue meats/ribs and southern dishes, so while individual dishes aren't that much you'll easily spend $80-$100 to get enough for two people. Very classy and trendy atmosphere.
34 íbúar mæla með
Maple Block Meat Co.
3973 Sepulveda BlvdDon't be afraid of the prices here--it's a great spot for some ribs, fish or chicken. Go early to get the fresher more popular meats--literally because they will run out. They serve family style smoked meats, barbecue meats/ribs and southern dishes, so while individual dishes aren't that much you'll easily spend $80-$100 to get enough for two people. Very classy and trendy atmosphere.
Nice pizza place to stop in when visiting Santa Monica or The Bungalow. Actually decent casual date spot.
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800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen
800 Wilshire BlvdNice pizza place to stop in when visiting Santa Monica or The Bungalow. Actually decent casual date spot.
Beer and Bratwurst with extensive selection of imported German and Belgian beers on tap. Pricey but hearty food. Fries and sauces are delish. I usually get a regular brat and Louisiana Hot Link, but some braver souls will try the rattlesnake or rabbit varieties.
Open picnic table style seating but fun atmosphere and good for a group. People draw on the paper tablecloths with crayons.
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Wurstküche Restaurant Venice Beach
625 Lincoln BlvdBeer and Bratwurst with extensive selection of imported German and Belgian beers on tap. Pricey but hearty food. Fries and sauces are delish. I usually get a regular brat and Louisiana Hot Link, but some braver souls will try the rattlesnake or rabbit varieties.
Open picnic table style seating but fun atmosphere and good for a group. People draw on the paper tablecloths with crayons.
Simple shop that is hipster alternative without being overly pretentious. Good place to come on your own--it's pretty quiet most of the time, like a daytime office for people that don't have real jobs.
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Tanner's Coffee Co
4342 Sepulveda BlvdSimple shop that is hipster alternative without being overly pretentious. Good place to come on your own--it's pretty quiet most of the time, like a daytime office for people that don't have real jobs.
Hands down my fave diner. Great for a budget, fun 50s retro styled interior. CASH ONLY. CLOSES EARLY. It keeps getting more popular so weekends expect to wait 20-30 minutes if you arrive in peak hours.
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S & W Country Diner
9748 Washington BlvdHands down my fave diner. Great for a budget, fun 50s retro styled interior. CASH ONLY. CLOSES EARLY. It keeps getting more popular so weekends expect to wait 20-30 minutes if you arrive in peak hours.
A local spot that gets packed on Sundays for brunch probably for their mimosas. Trendy and pricey, it's not really my scene but a very respectable place for cooler youngsters or for off-peak visits.
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Overland Cafe
3601 Overland AveA local spot that gets packed on Sundays for brunch probably for their mimosas. Trendy and pricey, it's not really my scene but a very respectable place for cooler youngsters or for off-peak visits.
I lived in China and have been searching for an actual family-run place that does great Chinese food. I finally found it. Decent prices, I recommend most anything that's not pork... the hot and sour soup, lo mein noodles, orange chicken, kung pao or general tsao chicken, pork dumplings, bell pepper beef... everything. If you want something more trendy, expensive and less Chinese, try Mao's Kitchen in Venice.
CLOSES EARLY
Century Dragon Chinese Restaurant
10614 W Pico BlvdI lived in China and have been searching for an actual family-run place that does great Chinese food. I finally found it. Decent prices, I recommend most anything that's not pork... the hot and sour soup, lo mein noodles, orange chicken, kung pao or general tsao chicken, pork dumplings, bell pepper beef... everything. If you want something more trendy, expensive and less Chinese, try Mao's Kitchen in Venice.
CLOSES EARLY
Simple buffet style Brazilian BBQ. Everything is hearty, salty, juicy and delicious. Not cheap but not expensive.
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Pampas Grill
3857 Overland AveSimple buffet style Brazilian BBQ. Everything is hearty, salty, juicy and delicious. Not cheap but not expensive.
You have no business getting anything other than a beer and the one, Father's Burger here. They get packed, and there is another location that is lame. This is the one. If you can't stand burgers, they do have escargot and bone marrow and other fancy-pants foods, breaking the mold for a trendy gastro pub.
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Father's Office
1018 Montana AveYou have no business getting anything other than a beer and the one, Father's Burger here. They get packed, and there is another location that is lame. This is the one. If you can't stand burgers, they do have escargot and bone marrow and other fancy-pants foods, breaking the mold for a trendy gastro pub.
Shopping
They did about $300MM in renovations of this place, which forced a closer a few years ago when I was working here. This is a now an even more beautiful and fancy outdoor mall with a movie theater and some very upscale and pricey restaurants. Less crowded than the Santa Monica Promenade if you aren't intending to stroll on the beach or listen to street musicians.
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Westfield Century City
10250 Santa Monica BlvdThey did about $300MM in renovations of this place, which forced a closer a few years ago when I was working here. This is a now an even more beautiful and fancy outdoor mall with a movie theater and some very upscale and pricey restaurants. Less crowded than the Santa Monica Promenade if you aren't intending to stroll on the beach or listen to street musicians.
This mall is uniquely styled and has a permanent farmer's market which has fun shops like an entire shop of hot sauces from around the world. Very touristy and busy.
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The Grove
189 The Grove DrThis mall is uniquely styled and has a permanent farmer's market which has fun shops like an entire shop of hot sauces from around the world. Very touristy and busy.