Looking for a pocket of Hollywood nightlife, sans pesky, wax museum-going tourists and 5-for-$10 T-shirts? Cahuenga Corridor, that stretch of bars and clubs just off the Hollywood Walk of Fame where a diverse crowd of Hollywood club-lovers comes to escape the tourists, Scientologists and Scientologist-tourists, has never been more happening. Sports bars, trendy zen dens, sketchy gay bars, places to get all gussied up whilst getting sloshed—they're all here, as is the smell of bacon-wrapped hot dogs, tantalizing the Urban Outfitted crowds trapped behind neverending velvet ropes.
Cahuenga Corridor nightlife guide
Where Hollywood clubbers, indie kids and punks party in harmony
By Amir Kenan
Special to MetromixAugust 9, 2007
Wonderland Nightclub
1835 N. Cahuenga Blvd - HollywoodMushrooms not included
Bar Delux
1624 N. Cahuenga Blvd. - Los AngelesPlacing a superlative in your title is risky business. If you're product is worth it, you have an Incredible Hulk-like success, but it can go horribly wrong (see: Crunchwrap Supreme). Questionable spelling aside, Bar Delux is a hit thanks to seasoned veterans Kristofer Keith, who designed the bar, and the Foundry chef Eric Greenspan. The lounge is heavy on the Art Deco, a style known for its mysterious ability to turn men into gentlemen and women into starlets. Cocktail standouts include the Spicy Dom, made with Don Julio Blanco, agave, lime juice and pickled jalapenos.
Ecco Lounge
1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd. - Los AngelesWhen you think environmental responsibility, the Cahuenga Corridor isn’t the first place that springs to mind. But it might soon be thanks to Ecco, the new ultra lounge in the space formerly occupied by Tokio, which mixes eco-chic and Hollywood nightlife under one roof. That’s right: Ecco (pronounced like echo) is green gone Hollywood.
Beauty Bar
1638 Cahuenga Blvd. - Los AngelesRetrofitted with mid-'60s salon gear, Beauty Bar is a glittery, mod tribute to all things feminine-offering in-house manicures and specialty cocktails with sassy names like the "Platinum Blonde." Which, given the bar's proximity to the glamorous stars lining the Hollywood Walk of Fame, perfectly suits the hip 20-something clientele.
Shag
1835 N. Cahuenga Blvd. - HollywoodFormerly club Comcorde, this chic, expansive L.A. nightspot features ornate interiors (think Old Hollywood glitz) and an even more ornate clientele. Shag also has a swanky restaurant and a large smoking patio, for those who like to eat and/or kill themselves in style.
La Velvet Margarita Cantina
1612 N. Cahuenga Blvd. - Los AngelesThe food’ll do at this Hollywood Cantina, but it’s the margaritas, velvet Elvises and Mexican Day-of-the-Dead-like gothic décor that are the real draw. The menu serves up Mexican standards with California spin for the hip under-30 crowd.
Citizen Smith
1600 N. Cahuenga Blvd. - Los AngelesTo say that Citizen Smith has a bar scene would be a colossal understatement. This trendier than thou, high-end comfort food haven may boast tasty sliders, chicken and waffles, and frozen hot chocolate (ripped off from Serendipity in NYC), but the true attraction is the beautiful crowd and wild gothic decor.
Hotel Cafe
1623 1/2 N Cahuenga Blvd. - Los AngelesAn intimate venue for the next big singer-songwriter, Hotel Café has booked acts like Rilo Kiley and John Mayer. The club recently began serving food along with their drinks, so come for Death Cab for Cutie, stay for the quesadillas.
Burgundy Room
1621 1/2 Cahuenga Blvd. - Los AngelesA dark and punkish dive amidst the Hollywood hoo-ha.
The Room
1626 N. Cahuenga Blvd. - Los AngelesThe chillaxed Cahuenga Corridor hideaway is still money, baby.
Amir Kenan is contributing editor for Metromix Los Angeles.



