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Jon Lovitz Comedy Club
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New York City Meets Los Angeles: The Hudson
No, we aren’t in New York City. The Hudson has arrived to Los Angeles, and with reason.
Reason being that this bar is the perfect place for after work drinks, a Saturday night out or a quick way to say you’ve done something outdoorsy (as long as you sit at the table closest to the tree that literally makes its way into the bar and through the roof.
The Hudson is what you would call geek chic. It’s chic enough for a night out with your girls but geek enough to find a cute computer programmer in the corner to buy you a drink and then hop into the photo booth with later.
And if you happen to get a little hungry after those round of beers all those “geeks” bought you, a basket of fries from the Hudson always does the trick.
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Tavern on the Scene: Laurel Tavern
If you happen to be in the San Fernando Valley on a Saturday night looking for something to do, visit Laurel Tavern in Studio City where there are a fine selection of beers on tap as well as a fine selection of pretty faces everywhere.
Though the Valley isn’t particularly known for their happening nightlife, Laurel Tavern is an exception to the rule. This rustic “pub” is the perfect place to grab after-work drinks with friends or kick back with a beer and bucket of fries any day of the week. Though they have an outdoor patio in front, finding a table inside seems to be all the rage, making it exceptionally hard to find a place to sit after a certain hour.
The after-work crowd tends to pile in around 6pm or 7pm when the kitchen is still open and serving dishes such as Grilled Artichoke, Chorizo Sliders and Pork Belly Skewers.
The only downside to finding a table, chair and someone to share a beer with: you have to pay for everything at the bar.
Also, don’t be surprised if you run into a celebrity or two at a table in the back.
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Drumsticks & Draft Beer: Dillion’s Irish Pub
With comfort food, endless beers on tap and waitresses running around in green and white school girl outfits, the vibe at Dillon’s is always changing, from a mellow Tuesday night with a pitcher of beer to a packed bar on the weekends.
Though most people visit Dillon’s for the cheap beer, Dillon’s large menu offers classic comfort food and game day treats such as Crisp Fried Calamari, Fried Onion Rings and Avocado Fries, slices of avocado fried to perfection served with chipotle and lemon aioli on the side.
Thanks to comfort food, inexpensive beer and an always popular bar and seating area, this Irish pub is becoming as popular as the bars and night clubs that share the same street.
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Dinner, Drinks and Vodka Tastings: Nic’s Martini Lounge
Nic’s Martini Lounge is one of the only places in Los Angeles where you can enjoy live music, eat dinner and take a trip to the VodBox for vodka tastings.
Though Nic’s is popular for dinner with specialty dishes such as Nic’s Oyster with spinach, garlic and walnuts as well as Pan Sear Filet Mignon with crispy fried onions, it is one of the only places in Beverly Hills that doesn’t close down once diners leave. Once the dinner rush is over, Nic’s turns into an after-hours lounge featuring live music and an array of specialty martinis to choose from. Though the live music can range from a Beatles cover band to a solo acoustic singer, the specialty martinis remain the same and the most popular drink on the menu. Specialty martinis include the “Beez Kneez” made of Marani Armenian Vodka with muddled raspberries and candied pear and the “Vicious & Delicious” made of Vicious vodka, vanilla liquor and strawberry juice.
If dinner and drinks isn’t enough to get your party started, a trip to the VodBox might just do the trick. As you dress yourself in luxurious furs, a trip inside the vodka locker allows you to taste some of the finest vodkas out there as well as in-flight tastings for the true vodka lover.
In the city that is infamous for hot weather, those at Nic’s are voluntarily entering freezing territory.
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Muy Bueno: Las Palmas
If you feel like you just stepped into an episode of “The Hills,” it’s probably because you were rubbing elbows with Brody Jenner and Kristin Cavallari at Las Palmas Nightclub in Hollywood.
If you seemed to make it through the line and past the doorman, consider yourself lucky; Las Palmas is taking over the Hollywood nightlife scene and is becoming THE place to frequent. Ever since Las Palmas had a nice little face lift, the place is swarming with celebrities and those willing to purchase private tables.
Though the lines are long and the guest lists are crucial, Las Palmas has become known for featuring unbelievable DJs that deliver amazing music. If all the dancing and squeezing through crowds has got you hot and bothered, Las Palmas features two outdoor patios that shouldn’t be missed.
Even after a long night as Las Palmas, the h.wood family was kind enough to set up a taco stand out front, to fulfill any late night munchie needs.
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Surf’s Up at Duke’s
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The Hill’s Stacie Hall: Getting Away From The Drama
Citybuzz Los Angeles blogger Jessica Ingber interviews Stacie Hall
How has the hills changed the way you view your city?
The Hills mainly focuses on Hollywood and the trendy places to go and hang out. Filming in different places really showed me there is a lot to do and see that's not just clubs and glamour.
Was some of your favorite hang outs filmed on the hills? If so which ones?
The best place we filmed on the Hills was obviously Malibu for the summer. We were so fortunate to spend our days on the sand and have beach parties at night.
What do you love about your city?
I love that Los Angeles has it all. We have the city with cool restaurants and shops and only 20 miles from that is beautiful beaches. There's not a lot of cities that have so many different things to do with very unique people.
What do you love about your city in the summer/fall?
Los Angeles has some of the most gorgeous weather. I love that everyone is very active riding bikes and going on hikes in the mountains.
What are some of your favorite neighborhoods? For eating? Museums? Nightspots?
I really like Hollywood and West Hollywood. I would highly recommend the Farmers Market for small restaurants that have a lot of character and have been around in Los Angeles the longest. The Griffith park observatory is also great and has great views of the city. My favorite Night spot is Teddy's located in the Roosevelt hotel that has been around longer than most cubs and always draws a big crowd and is never too trendy.
What is your favorite place to shop in the city?
I really enjoy the flea markets and farmers markets. You can spend your weekends browsing antiques and finding really original stuff. There's a great place to find fresh fruit and a lot of local business's at the farmers market near the grove.
What inspires you about your city?
I feel really lucky to be around so much history and old Hollywood glamour. Los Angeles is one of the places people can only dream about going and making there dreams come true.
Do you have an insider tip for tourists visiting your city for the first time?
If you're a first time visitor I recommend going to check out Hollywood and Highland were the man Chinese theater and the Hollywood stars are.
Are you a regular somewhere? Local hangout?
I like trying new places whenever I can but I cant seem to get away from Venice beach!!! There's always so much to do there including roller blading and riding bikes.
Do you have a secret spot in the city (to unwind, get away, people watch, read a book, escape) and why?
One of the most peaceful places is the top of Runyon canyon. It's a short hike up the mountain and has views all the way to the ocean.
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Corkbar: Uncork & Unwind
If you are looking to do a little wine tasting, you no longer have to trek to Temecula or plan a visit to Napa. Thanks to the creators of Corkbar, those looking to wine taste simply have to head Downtown to uncork and unwind.
Whether you decide to drink by the bottle or glass, Corkbar is filled with the finest reds and whites California has ever seen. Tasting menus are perfectly concocted for those looking to experience wine tasting at its finest. If you are looking to pair your vino with a little bit of grub, Corkbar also offers a full menu filled with dishes such as Shrimp & Grits and their signature Corkbar Burger. And after you wine and dine, indulging in dessert is an absolute must. With offerings such as a Chocolate Board filled with chocolates and dried fruits as well as “breakfast” consisting of cinnamon brioche with caramel sauce, the motto at Corkbar is truly to eat, drink and be merry.
Corkbar not only offers great wine tastings and food preparations, but they are always looking for new ways to please their customers. With Jazz Wednesdays and Test Kitchen Tuesdays featuring new bite-size appetizers for guests to enjoy, diners are definitely raising their glasses for Corkbar.
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Going in the Right Direction at East/West
Once awarded “Best Gay Bar in Los Angeles,” East/West keeps to its reputation, offering a lounge feel with club perks such as insane drink menus and table service. With drinks consisting of The Naughty Peach and Lemon Love, you will probably feel as though you belong in a sweaty Miami nightclub. Though East/West prides itself on not being that typical nightclub, the line to get in certainly reminds you that are you in L.A.- and if you want to get in, you’ve got to wait.
In the land of the overpriced, East/West actually throws customers a bone every so often by offering 2-for-1 drink specials and happy hours. Not only does this lounge provide cheap drink opportunities, they also dedicate certain nights to certain performers. If you check their weekly events section online, you are sure to find music video nights and spinning DJs.
Overall, East/West truly hits the nail on the head by taking the perks from a club and throwing them into a lounge. By creating a cool and comfortable setting with drinks you would find in a nightclub, East/West seems to be going in the right direction.
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Nothing Standard About This Rooftop
The rooftop bar at the Standard Hotel is the ultimate place to be seen in Los Angeles. The “who’s who” of L.A. gather to this swanky bar as often as possible during the summer time to enjoy their time around the pool. The rooftop bar is a place where the drinks are refreshing and the amount of beautiful people is overwhelming.
Those who choose to gather Downtown usually engage in a dip in the pool or lunch by the water. But if you choose to venture out at night, don’t be surprised to witness a “famous” L.A. DJ spinning or a celebrity or two walking by.
Though some may ask why the Rooftop bar is consistently so popular, the reason is a perfect combination between beautiful people and beautiful views. Overlooking Downtown LA, filled with high rises and skyscrapers, views during the days and nights are anything but standard.
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1200 Reasons to Visit Bar 1200
hrough the courtyard, which makes it the perfect place to spot a musician and/or rock star.
The bar features black and white photographs of familiar celebrity faces and provides the famous and the not so famous a place to grab a drink and lounge around. The popularity of this bar comes from the fact that it is a secluded hideaway from the hustle and bustle of Sunset Boulevard. It has a rock ‘n’ roll feel with a vast amount of seating to cozy up to in a booth or to hit the back patio.
If you are visiting Bar 1200 on a weekend, park across the street in the parking structure which will make it easier to find your car and provide less damage than an expensive valet charge.
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The Finest are Flocking to Birds
The three best times to visit Birds are for your birthday, an amazing happy hour, and when you are single on Valentine’s Day. For birthdays, the lovely employees of Birds will decorate the “birdcage” for the special event and fill it with balloons, drinks and utter humiliation from the guy with the microphone. If you are lucky enough to venture to the bar within the hours of 4pm-6pm, you might find yourself at your happiest. And finally, if you find yourself without a Valentine on the 14th, Birds has devoted an “anti-Valentine” themed gathering to draw in local singles to celebrate the anti-love.
Other than fun birthdays and an even better atmosphere, the food and drinks are equally as appealing. With a great martini list and even better food menu, there is no reason why you should be missing out on such a great experience in Hollywood.
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Leave Your Hipster At the Door at Bar Lubitsch
ate bar that feels like a pub without the 60 year old men and smell of stale beer. Though the décor feels more like a Russian hole in the wall than a Los Angeles hangout, the relaxed vibe makes sure you leave the chaos of L.A. at the door. The low lighting and stool seating at the bar make this the perfect place to cozy up for conversation. Or you can head to the back room to dance.
The beauty behind Bar Lubitsch is how popular it is without even trying to be. They never overdo it with techno music or even try to spruce up the settings. The mellow vibe brings in packs of people on the weekends making this the perfect bar on Santa Monica Boulevard.
Word to the wise, choose street parking over valet if you are lucky enough to find it.
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X-Rated Ventures at Voyeur
r brings a whole new meaning to the art of sexual observation.
The beauty behind Voyeur isn’t just the naked women; it’s the ability to get a bar and nightclub rolled up into one. The reservation only tables in front feature loud club music and packs of people, while the back end is more relaxed with a less packed bar.
This new Los Angeles playpen for the rich and famous is exactly what you anticipate it to be: impossible to get into. Make sure you know someone at the door or get your name on the list before trying to smuggle your way in. Though I could describe the magic behind the closed doors of this fabulous club, the name speaks for itself; you’ll only know once you come and observe.
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Hotel Cafe: The Only Two Things This Spot Doesn’t Have
s. With a very limited menu at night, most people are found hanging out at one of the two bars or lining up against the wall with a ledge.
Though the setting is extremely relaxed and less ritzy than the rest of Hollywood, don’t be surprised if you find a celebrity or two among the crowd; the last celebrity spotting was Ryan Cabrera supporting his fellow independent artists.
If one of your favorite performers is making his or her debut, we recommend getting there extremely early to snag one of the five tables in the front row that are usually filled by the time anyone goes on. And if you find yourself struggling with parking on a busy night, enter into the alley on Cahuenga where you can find valet parking in the back.