If I have to go to the westside, Roger Room on La Cienega has always yielded good results for me. But avoid Friday and Saturday after 9:30 - it gets really crowded.
Also, I know you didn't ask for this, but it never hurts to have some Eastside recs:
Covell in Los Feliz is a real sexy wine/beer bar - good lighting, never that crowded, and there are great banquette seats in the back if you can snag them. It's my go-to date spot.
La Descarga is good for that wow factor when you enter in through a coat closet. Girls love that shit. Not the greatest in terms of being comfortable - you'll probably be standing all night, but there is a lot of dancing to live music, if that is something that works for you.
I've heard great things about Pour Vous (sexy, good scene, upscale), but it's all hearsay at this point coming from me.
Also, I know you didn't ask for this, but it never hurts to have some Eastside recs:
Covell in Los Feliz is a real sexy wine/beer bar - good lighting, never that crowded, and there are great banquette seats in the back if you can snag them. It's my go-to date spot.
La Descarga is good for that wow factor when you enter in through a coat closet. Girls love that shit. Not the greatest in terms of being comfortable - you'll probably be standing all night, but there is a lot of dancing to live music, if that is something that works for you.
I've heard great things about Pour Vous (sexy, good scene, upscale), but it's all hearsay at this point coming from me.