Love Potion No. 9
(Credit: Los Angeles Times/Carlos Chavez)
Romantic bars
There's a bar for every type of Angeleno, from yuppie-hippie hybrids to gold diggers
By Carly Milne, Special to Metromix
February 8, 2008Green Door
1429 Ivar Ave., Los Angeles323-463-0008
If she’s a Francophile, take her to Green Door, a mysterious club that has the feel of a turn-of-the-century French estate, with red velvet couches, iron tables, chandeliers, regal portraits and museum-worthy murals. The Hollywood club is celebrity magnet too—and there’s no better way to end a sweet date than by staring up at the stars.
S Bar
6304 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles323-957-2279
If he’s a design freak, he’ll dig this chic Philippe Starck–designed lounge decked out with upside-down lamps, mismatched armchairs and slick tabletops. Get bonus points by ordering him a pomegranate-horseradish margarita—he’ll think you’re adventurous.
Verdugo Bar
3408 Verdugo Rd., Los Angeles323-257-3408
If you’re dating a beer snob, the selection of bottled beer at this Glassell Park gem is so diverse and plentiful it could impress the pants off him—and that’s your goal, right?
Teddy's
7000 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles323-466-7000
If she’s a gold digger, take her to Teddy’s. Sure, Teddy's has got the requisite celebrity following, but the Black Card crowd is more than a part of it. The ambiance is bustling but intimate thanks to low light and relatively tight quarters; the venue is classic but packed with fresh faces; and though the drinks aren't cheap, they are mighty tasty. A word of warning: This is definitely a "who you know" type of place, so make sure you’ve called in the favors you need to get you and yours in the door.
Mandrake
2692 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles310-837-3297
If he's an artsy type, take him to the Mandrake. Going to a gallery opening is so clichéd. But going to a hole-in-the-wall bar that shows art? Way cool. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but this Culver City mainstay is warm and cozy enough to be date-ish while remaining dive-y enough not to take itself too seriously. Plus, rotating art exhibits make for nice visuals and good conversation pieces, ensuring that you and your date don't run out of things to talk about.
Bar Noir at Maison 140
140 S. Lasky Dr., Beverly Hills310-281-4000
If you want to seal the deal, go to Bar Noir at Maison 140. All girls know there are some outfits in their closets that scream, "You're going to get lucky tonight!" This is the place that begs for those wardrobe choices. Every inch of this red and black boudoir-like bar oozes sensuality, from its décor to its most popular drinks (cleverly named "Lady Godiva" and "French Kiss"). If all that, combined with low lighting and well-timed sexy beats pouring out of the speakers, doesn't get you in the mood, you're a lost cause—even Viagra won't help.
The Chalet
1630 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock323-258-8800
If she really wants to go on vacation but you can't afford the plane ticket, go to the Chalet. Okay, so it’s not as good as walking off a plane and sinking your toes into a white-sand beach with turquoise water crashing at your ankles, but the Chalet can make you feel like you're in another country all the same. With a Swiss Alps vibe, you'll be tempted to order hot chocolate and sit by the fire, but then you'd be ignoring the joys of their full bar. Plus, you're better off taking over a cozy booth—all the better for canoodling.
The Woods
1533 N. La Brea Ave., Hollywood323-876-6612
If he's a nature freak, go to The Woods. Themed bars may be a dime a dozen, but few do it like this. With a forest theme, The Woods takes it all the way, with antler chandeliers, tree-trunk tables and stars that twinkle in the ceiling above. Grab yourself and your date one of their strong cocktails to ease some of your date jitters, then sit back, relax and tell him about that one time at band camp.
Hyde Lounge
8029 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood323-655-8000
If she's a starf-cker, take her to Hyde Lounge. This is the landing pad of A-list stars, all crammed like sardines in a gorgeous 80-person venue. If you've got the hook-up, taking over one of Hyde’s tables provides the laid-back, comfortable space you need to execute your yawn-and-stretch move.
BOA Steakhouse
8462 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood323-650-8383
If he wants to see and be seen, but not really see and be seen, take him to Boa Lounge at the Grafton. Sometimes you want to do the Hollywood thing without really doing the Hollywood thing, which is what makes Boa a perfect spot. It’s still on the Sunset Strip, so you can barhop if you so choose. But Boa has a slick yet intimate vibe that tends to attract that hip, upscale crowd without all the drama. Plus, there are some great corner seats with low lighting where you can sneak a little make-out session between cocktails.
Firefly
11720 Ventura Blvd., Studio City818-762-1833
If she's a Valley girl, take her to Firefly. Doing the over-the-hill hop can be time-prohibitive, depending on the day and how long rush hour decides to extend, which is why Firefly is the perfect alternative to the usual Hollywood haunts. Its vine-covered exterior almost give you the old "blink and you’ll miss it," but it’s only a hint to the indoor mood: cozy, intimate, candle-lit and comfortable. Grab a seat on one of the cushy couches, or take it outside so you can hear each other over the music and chatter.
Redwood Bar & Grill
316 W. 2nd St., Los Angeles213-680-2600
If she's a Downtown corporate type, take her to the Redwood. Having a tough day at the office means needing some good downtime, and there's no better place to do that than Redwood. A classic favorite of the Los Angeles Times crew dating back to the old-school era—they had a hotline at the bar in case news broke and reporters had to get back to work—Redwood works a pirate theme, complete with flags on the walls and ships' wheels as tables. Sure, it can get a little hustle-bustle, but sneak into a corner booth and you're good to go.
The Otheroom
1201 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice310-396-6230
If he's a yuppie-hippie hybrid, take him to The Otheroom. The Otheroom seems like it's been a staple of the Venice scene for eons, and the reasons why are simple: The solid beer-and-wine menu and low-key clientele make for a great venue. The lighting is low, the music is just loud enough, and there’s a wide choice of seating options, from the picnic-like tables in the front to cozy spots in the back. As an added bonus, it's not that far from the beach, should you wish to take a late-night stroll. What a way to win points!
Sgt. Recruiter
4655 Hollywood Blvd. ,
Los Angeles
323-669-3922
If he’s a wine snob, take him to Sgt. Recruiter, an intimate bar that only seats 14 people. The bartender will spoil you with tons of attention—and free samples, which means you’ll have money left over for your next date.
The Happy Ending
7038 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles323-469-7038
If you’re dating a nymphomaniac, liquor up your lush with a $3 “blow job” shot. By the time you get home, you could be getting off on the real thing. (OK, maybe this one’s not so romantic.)
