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(Credit: Kenesha Sneed)
Downtown nightlife guide
Pirate-themed bars, giant disco balls and a tiny golden gopher
By Amir Kenan, Special to Metromix
February 20, 2008The Edison
108 W. 2nd St. #101, Los Angeles213-613-0000
How's this for a bright idea: Take a turn-of-the-century boiler room in Downtown L.A., add a jukebox and a couple of bars, and charge admission. Sure, The Edison's ginormous industrial space is not without its share of kitschiness, but the club-lovin', business card-exchangin' crowd eats up the retro-electric decor (figuratively) and the supper club fare (literally).
The Standard Hotel
550 S. Flower St., Los Angeles213-892-8080
You know those people in L.A. you’d like to see in skimpy swimsuits? They’re all here. Weekend parties at this retro-mod hotel get wet n' wild, with DJed music sets by the rooftop pool and drinks-a-plenty from the Rooftop Bar. If you can pry your eyes away from all the pretty people chillaxin' poolside, make sure to check out the jaw-dropping views of Downtown L.A.
Seven Grand
515 W. 7th St., 2 floor, Los Angeles213-614-0737
Over a hundred varieties of whiskey – from $7 to $120 a shot – should keep your mouth busy and your wallet empty. Named after its Downtown address (the corner of Seventh and Grand... sort of), Seven Grand’s weekly DJ sets, killer jukebox and rare outdoor smoking patio bring the American Apparel-wearing, loft-dwelling crowd.
Library Bar
630 W Sixth St. Ste 116A, Los Angeles213- 614-0053
Downtown's Library Bar has solved the problem long presented by college: Where should I spend my evening, at the library or at the bar? With dark wood paneling, a sexy lighting concept and antler chandeliers (why not?), this the hippest place in L.A. to pretend you enjoy reading (outside the real library, of course). If you get the munchies, you can order gourmet(ish) pizza from the Wolfgang Puck Express next door.
Redwood Bar & Grill
316 W. 2nd St., Los Angeles213-680-2600
Landlubbers love this nautical-themed bar, which features some yummy grub courtesy of Cobras & Matador chef Jason Michaud. By early evening, the place is packed to the gills with pirate ship cannons, fishing nets and mermaid paintings straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean (the ride), and a clientele pretty enough to be in Pirates of the Caribbean (the movie).
Blue Velvet
750 Garland Ave., Los Angeles213-239-0061
Don’t come expecting David Lynch or Bobby Vinton; do come expecting high-end dining and lounging with a jaw-dropping downtown view. The spacious Blue Velvet has got your evening plans covered, whether you choose to linger at the poolside patio, check out one of the two sleek lounges or make a new friend at the unisex restroom.
Golden Gopher
417 W 7th St., Los Angeles213-614-8001
The Golden Gopher’s antique (but still valid) 1905 liquor license allows a rarity in L.A. - an alcoholic concession stand that allows patrons to take their booze "to go." Add an outdoor smoking area, a selection of old school video games (hooray for Asteroids!), some cheesy décor and some mighty strong mixed drinks, and by night’s end you'll be whispering all your secrets to the little gold gopher lamp by your table.
La Cita
336 S. HIll St., Los Angeles213-687-7111
This former Mexican restaurant and bar is now hip-kid-friendly, thanks to new ownership and indie-rrific DJ nights. First-timers should check out DanceRight, a weekly dance night that takes the Echo Park scene even further east. Bring your Jet Rag duds and your best ironic dance moves.
Tatou
333 S. Boylston St., Los Angeles213-482-2000
An enormous, perennially packed dance floor… A weekly burlesque show… A restaurant serving up Cal-Asian-Latin fare… Two massive indoor palm trees… Probably the biggest disco ball in town… And all this in the building that once housed Prince's Glam Slam club.
Broadway Bar
830 S. Broadway, Los Angeles213-614-9909
The '40s are still alive and kicking in this Theatre District gem. A swanky 50-foot circular bar anchors the spacious, two storey interior, and early bird specials (Tuesdays through Fridays, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.) bring in the after-work crowd. Ornate chandeliers and floral print carpets, wallpaper and couches lend the place an old world charm with just a hint of grandma’s house kitsch.
J Restaurant and Lounge
1119 S. Olive St., Los Angeles213-746-7746
J Lounge is bringing swanky back with three floors of Mediterranean-chic décor and a huge outdoor smokers area with roomy cabana seating, all set up against downtown's metropolitan skyline. Signature cocktails include Mango Mojitos and the ‘Flirtini,’ and there’s a limited lounge menu with upscale pizza, upscale fries and an upscale-priced pretzel ($7). There’s no cover charge before 10:30 p.m., and no entry if you're wearing tennis shoes.
The Spot
S. Main St., Los AngelesThis tiny Downtown L.A. dive bar is so under-the-radar, it's got no real hours, no phone number—and no real name ("The Spot" is just what locals call the space). Word of the joint as a secret hangout for pop stars (Prince, Nelly Furtado, Queens of the Stone Age) as well as the home to private, password-protected parties is just getting out, so we'd recommend checking it out fast before it gets packed with party crashers.
Bordello
901 E. 1st St., Los Angeles213-687-3766
The area definitely leaves something to be desired (like a can of mace), but inside is pure decadence; a hip, brothel-themed bar that’s decked out in sexy reds and blacks. At Bordello, burlesque dancers, indie kids and punk rock chicks can all pretend they belong. And while the interior may be a lazy drumbeat away from a White Stripes video, the jukebox bumps through time and space with a mix of rockabilly, African beat and jazz.
Crash Mansion L.A.
1024 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles213-747-0999
This is one downtown rock venue that likes to think big. Crash Mansion is 14,000 square feet of giant stages, kick-ass, state-of-the-art live and DJed music equipment, and includes five bars and a 1,200 person capacity (so if you can't find someone to dance with, it's you, dude). After several years of success in New York City, with headliners like Beyonce, Usher and Norah Jones, Crash Mansion is finally taking the west coast by storm, one sweaty L.A. clubber at a time.
Bar 107
107 W. 4th St., Los Angeles213-625-7382
A dive bar with beautiful architectural bones, Bar 107 has become a neighborhood hangout for loft dwellers, the post-hipster crowd and the occasional Derby Doll. The once-super-classy joint is painted up in regal red and gold all the way up to its soaring 20' ceilings, and includes a popcorn popper, a photo booth, and a selection of retro arcade games. Count us in!
Mayan Theatre
1038 S. Hill St., Los Angeles213-746-4674
Like Indiana Jones for indie rockers, this gorgeous downtown theater has been completely restored to its original Roaring Twenties splendor, revealing the amazing work of LA architect Stiles Clements and Mexican artist Francisco Cornejo. The massive, Mayan temple-themed space lends itself to rollicking dance parties, and has hosted a cavalcade of great acts like UK dance heroes Basement Jaxx and Midwestern post-goth dance punks The Faint. Get lost on the immense dance floor or kick back in the seated balcony area. The bar area is strictly 21+, but the rock n’ roll knows no age boundaries.
Club 740
740 S. Broadway, Los Angeles213-627-6277
In the heart of downtown, this former site of the beaux-arts masterpiece Globe Theater is now a three-story dance club complete with bottle service and go-go dancers. Make sure you get dressed up before you get down -- this packed music factory is full of the trendsetters and go-getters dying to dance 'til they drop.
The Smell
247 S. Main St., Los AngelesAlthough The Smell was born in NoHo back in 1997, our favorite lil' all-ages club has always had a DIY attitude and progressive aesthetic perfectly suited for Downtown. Home to experimental rock/noise shows, experimental art and film exhibitions and not-so-experimental (but tasty) vegan treats.
Elevate
811 Wilshire Blvd., 21st floor,
Los Angeles
213-236-9600
Unlike The Smell, Elevate is all about showing high rollers a good time. This 6,000-square-foot club on the twenty-first floor of a downtown high-rise has the feel of a New York City loft. There are sleek VIP booths, a shiny dance floor, modern design elements and hot bartenders that attend to your every need. The best place in the house, however, is the glass-enclosed outdoor lounge that circles the perimeter of the club. There are views all the way to Hollywood and being that high up off the ground feels trippy.
Charlie O's
501 S. Spring St, Los Angeles213-622-5053
Mustached men congregate with artists, sneaker heads and aspiring Keanus at this steady-as-she-goes bar nestled on the ground floor of the Alexandria Hotel.
Tranquility Base Restaurant and Lounge
801 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles213-404-0588
A downtown “space” lounge with stiff drinks, late-night snacks and a fire pit big enough to make you ditch your vintage fur.
Bacaro L.A.
2038 S. Union, Los Angeles213-748-7205
Bacaro is like a wine bar you’d see in Venice—only you don’t have to hop on a plane to get there. The downtown bar offers small-production Italian wines that don’t forego taste for their reasonable price. And to make your wine drinking experience as authentic as possible, the owners went to great measures “studying” various bacaros in Italy. Their research found that small glasses of wine matched with fresh homemade snacks make for a good time. We totally agree.
Amir Kenan covers Bars & Clubs for Metromix Los Angeles.
