[Oblivion77]

Hi folk,

I always wondered if roaming on the forums there are plenty of people that either live in LA or that have been here often enough to be able to recommend some venues.

I'm just curious about your hunting grounds and certified hot-spots. I get great feedback from this forum but often it is too generical (no clue about the poster age, social circle, student or a professional, city, country and so on. All variables that dramatically affect the validity of any statement. In other words, it lacks context).

That said, this is what I usually do in LA:

When in hollywood I tend to go to upscale places like W Hotel or the Roosevelt' Hotel and once in a while at the Standard on sunset. Girls dress up and seem to dig these places...and you shouldnt see them wearing flip-flops!

On the other hand when I want something low key I go to west hollywood and hit places like Bar Lubitsch, Winston's or Crown Bar (if you manage to bypass nasty bouncers). Or otherwise stay on the westide in Venice or Santa Monica - for places like the Viceroy Hotel, that is fun during summer when you can hang around the pool area - or bars like The Other Room or The Basement Tavern.

Still, I never disdain an escapade south to Manhattan Beach (Shade Hotel or Upper Manhattan Lounge) if you dig blonde volleyball players sport chicks.

If you want to go trashy and you dig cheap drinks I also recommend that infamous meat market that is the Hermosa Beach pier - places like Sharkeez - low class sport bar populated by frat boys and slutty chicks - are perfect for someone with the drunken student disease ;-)

Overall LA can be lot of fun. The only issue is that the city shuts down soo early (2am the bar close) when compared to European standards and you are forced to adjust and go out at 8.30pm.

Thoughts and suggestions on target rich venues from other LA dwellers?

[speakeasy]

Oblivion, don't overlook downtown. I like the downtown scene because it doesn't have the pretentiousness of Hollywood or the fratboy douchebag types you find in the beach scenes. There's a total renaissance going on down there and because this is the oldest part of the city, the bars have a more classic, historical feel to them. The Edison is one of the coolest bars in this city. I like the Broadway Bar too, cool 1920s classic decor and ambiance. Seven Grand can be cool although it usually has a long ass line one Fri/Sat nights. A couple doors from Seven Grand is another cool little spot which I think is just called Seven which is right on the corner of 7th and Grand, more of a meat market scene there with a dancefloor spinning club hits and sometimes house. Believe it or not I still haven't been to rooftop bar at The Standard downtown but I hear nothing but good. Casey's Irish Pub has a good crowd. They also opened up another Irish pub Dublin's not far from there. The place looks really nice when I stuck my head in during the daytime, but I have no idea what nightlife is like there. There's the Stock Exchange, and other smaller bars with outdoor patios on Spring Street. It's definitely worth a look if you haven't been down there lately.

[tongue-splitter]

Downtown is great for all the reasons speakeasy mentioned, but at least from where I live it's a huge pain in the ass to pre-drink, get down there, drink more, and find your way back without dying.

I wouldn't be too quick to write off the Venice/SaMo area. Yes there are a bunch of frat types, but I have had great success with pulling girls from Main St. in the past. Just make your way down Main until you find a bar that's target-rich. I also find that the vibe in that area is really friendly. I've been opened by girls more consistently in those places than anywhere else. I usually start at O'Brien's.

[Oblivion77]

(06-02-2011 01:06 PM)speakeasy Wrote:  

Oblivion, don't overlook downtown. I like the downtown scene because it doesn't have the pretentiousness of Hollywood or the fratboy douchebag types you find in the beach scenes. There's a total renaissance going on down there and because this is the oldest part of the city, the bars have a more classic, historical feel to them. The Edison is one of the coolest bars in this city. I like the Broadway Bar too, cool 1920s classic decor and ambiance. Seven Grand can be cool although it usually has a long ass line one Fri/Sat nights. A couple doors from Seven Grand is another cool little spot which I think is just called Seven which is right on the corner of 7th and Grand, more of a meat market scene there with a dancefloor spinning club hits and sometimes house. Believe it or not I still haven't been to rooftop bar at The Standard downtown but I hear nothing but good. Casey's Irish Pub has a good crowd. They also opened up another Irish pub Dublin's not far from there. The place looks really nice when I stuck my head in during the daytime, but I have no idea what nightlife is like there. There's the Stock Exchange, and other smaller bars with outdoor patios on Spring Street. It's definitely worth a look if you haven't been down there lately.

I love The Edison! I forgot to mention it. And yeah, I also used to go to Broadway Bar. The crowd is indeed very easy going and approachable - compared to Hollyweird.

I am just not a fun of the Standard downtown, but probably it is just me.

I will definitely check out the new spots you recommended: I do like downtown, I just ended up there too rarely.

[vagabond]

(06-02-2011 04:22 PM)Oblivion77 Wrote:  

(06-02-2011 01:06 PM)speakeasy Wrote:  

Oblivion, don't overlook downtown. I like the downtown scene because it doesn't have the pretentiousness of Hollywood or the fratboy douchebag types you find in the beach scenes. There's a total renaissance going on down there and because this is the oldest part of the city, the bars have a more classic, historical feel to them. The Edison is one of the coolest bars in this city. I like the Broadway Bar too, cool 1920s classic decor and ambiance. Seven Grand can be cool although it usually has a long ass line one Fri/Sat nights. A couple doors from Seven Grand is another cool little spot which I think is just called Seven which is right on the corner of 7th and Grand, more of a meat market scene there with a dancefloor spinning club hits and sometimes house. Believe it or not I still haven't been to rooftop bar at The Standard downtown but I hear nothing but good. Casey's Irish Pub has a good crowd. They also opened up another Irish pub Dublin's not far from there. The place looks really nice when I stuck my head in during the daytime, but I have no idea what nightlife is like there. There's the Stock Exchange, and other smaller bars with outdoor patios on Spring Street. It's definitely worth a look if you haven't been down there lately.

I love The Edison! I forgot to mention it. And yeah, I also used to go to Broadway Bar. The crowd is indeed very easy going and approachable - compared to Hollyweird.

I am just not a fun of the Standard downtown, but probably it is just me.

I will definitely check out the new spots you recommended: I do like downtown, I just ended up there too rarely.

I live down in the southbay and I'd say you pretty much nailed the scene down here. I've gotten tired of it and find myself making the drive up to the westside more and more.

[Oblivion77]

(06-02-2011 05:13 PM)vagabond Wrote:  

(06-02-2011 04:22 PM)Oblivion77 Wrote:  

(06-02-2011 01:06 PM)speakeasy Wrote:  

Oblivion, don't overlook downtown. I like the downtown scene because it doesn't have the pretentiousness of Hollywood or the fratboy douchebag types you find in the beach scenes. There's a total renaissance going on down there and because this is the oldest part of the city, the bars have a more classic, historical feel to them. The Edison is one of the coolest bars in this city. I like the Broadway Bar too, cool 1920s classic decor and ambiance. Seven Grand can be cool although it usually has a long ass line one Fri/Sat nights. A couple doors from Seven Grand is another cool little spot which I think is just called Seven which is right on the corner of 7th and Grand, more of a meat market scene there with a dancefloor spinning club hits and sometimes house. Believe it or not I still haven't been to rooftop bar at The Standard downtown but I hear nothing but good. Casey's Irish Pub has a good crowd. They also opened up another Irish pub Dublin's not far from there. The place looks really nice when I stuck my head in during the daytime, but I have no idea what nightlife is like there. There's the Stock Exchange, and other smaller bars with outdoor patios on Spring Street. It's definitely worth a look if you haven't been down there lately.

I love The Edison! I forgot to mention it. And yeah, I also used to go to Broadway Bar. The crowd is indeed very easy going and approachable - compared to Hollyweird.

I am just not a fun of the Standard downtown, but probably it is just me.

I will definitely check out the new spots you recommended: I do like downtown, I just ended up there too rarely.

I live down in the southbay and I'd say you pretty much nailed the scene down here. I've gotten tired of it and find myself making the drive up to the westside more and more.

UPDATE: avoid my mistake and do not go to The Edison on THURSDAYS. It is apparently "casual" dress code night and everybody gets in with t-shirts, sneakers etc. It is detrimental for two reasons: 1) it completely kills the sophisticated atmosphere of the place 2) seems to attract trashy-douchy people that usually dont make it there on Friday or Saturday.

I came back on a Saturday night and the place was excellent. Perhaps the girls/guys ratio wasnt outstanding, but the scene was ideal: not loud, no line to get in, busy but not packed, good entertainment (i.e. dancing girl and band on the stage), plenty of other areas to isolate your target, good illumination and plenty of people with a general friendly attitude.
If the girls were as hot as some of the hottest hollywood clubs (Drais, Playhouse etc) this place would be awesome.
Thumbs up.

final note, The Standard Hotel downtown, on thursday, was a let down. Not crowded enough and those few fellas that were there were trashy, both girls and guys alike. Not target rich AT ALL. I had to bolt to avoid contracting the douchebaggery disease. Hit Manhattan Beach the following night - as soon as it gets warmer and the streets get packed the jackpot is down there.

[Kish]

(06-22-2011 02:52 PM)Oblivion77 Wrote:  

If the girls were as hot as some of the hottest hollywood clubs (Drais, Playhouse etc)

Drai's is the shit! When I was in LA last December they weren't throwing Day parties tho and I hear those are good. Has anyone been to their Day Parties? Worth checking out? Hopefully I can make a trip out there before summer is over.

[speakeasy]

There's also pool parties at the Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Blvd. A lot of top name house DJs will spin there. There also a pool party series about to start up at Custom Hotel near LAX. And the Viceroy in Santa Monica used to have a thing called Summer Sessions on sundays. Not sure if it's going on this year though, check their website.

[RustyShackleford]

Hey all, visiting from Canada with a few friends. I am hitting up K town tonight and probably Santa Monica tomorrow night if anyone is down to meet up.

Any good LA venues? PM me for my #