Welcome to Disneyland for Eastsiders. Just a fixed-gear-bike ride away from its sister neighborhood of Silverlake, Echo Park is home to a younger but equally art-enthused boho community where you’ll find late-night drinking spots teeming with indie bands and electro DJs who will take you for a ride late into the night.
Most nights of the week this family-friendly eatery offers standard Mexican fare for the dinner crowd, but on hump day the bar gets fierce with booze hounds. Wednesdays brings a “come one, come all” crowd for the Doin’ it in the Park party, featuring DJs and, most importantly, $2.49 margaritas. Waste the evening away outdoors on the smoking patio or inside the rowdy, multi-leveled restaurant.
Que syrah, syrah at this charming Echo Park wine bar that's as in-the-know as the people who live in the neighborhood. Rather than carrying varietals that’ll dent your pocketbook, City Sip specializes in value-priced boutique wines, many of which are accompanied by a charming little story.
The Echo can be hard to find because of its unmarked exterior (unless you count the nearly illegible retro sign that says “Margaret’s Restaurant”). Just follow the skinny denim and unkempt-sexy crowd and wham—you’re in the epicenter of Eastside cool. Club nights are hit-or-miss, but dancey parties like Hang the DJs usually deliver make-out worthy crowds. Of course, the real draw is the abundance of hot indie bands that regularly get loud on the Echo stage.
The Plex is the underground fraternal twin of the Echo. Inside, you’ll find Dewars-and-ginger-soaked floors packed with American Apparel-model look-alikes getting busy with anything-goes dance moves. Catch mash-up dance parties like the monthly Bootie L.A. event put on by DJ Paul V., not to mention more Metromix-approved bands. Be forewarned: There’s a flight of stairs that connects the Echo with the basement Echoplex, but it’s off limits to partygoers. Gah! Instead you have to cross Sunset and go down the smelly city staircase that leads to the cavernous Glendale entrance.
El Prado
Calling all beer snobs! El Prado is all about suds. The beer-only drink menu features international and local high-end brews, along with knowledgeable bartenders to guide your thirst quenching. Make a request from the vinyl-only music selection, which spins from a retro-cool record player, or get adventurous and sample a Michelada. (It's like a Bloody Mary made with beer.)
Sign of the times? What was once a Latino dive has increasingly become a gentrified hipster hot spot. We can see the appeal: There are Vegas-like neon lights and chesty cocktail waitresses who approach like hungry tigers the moment you walk in the door. Combine that with $1 tequila shots and free tacos and it’s no wonder the neighborhood kids keep coming back for more.
Before Little Joy became a magnet for every easy-on-the-eyes, shaggy-haired, vintage-wearing local, it was a Latino leather bar. These days there are still sketchy good times to be had by all. The graffiti-decked joint is outfitted with slashed pool tables and gets groovin’ nightly with DJs who spin whatever their hearts desire. Catch hip-hop Fridays, country Wednesdays and open-mic Sundays. Note: The bar is cash-only, but the drinks are super-cheap. And save some change for a bacon-wrapped hot dog outside.
Late nights at homey Masa bring in second-daters and after-dinner sippers. Sit near the window for a front-row view of the Echo Park scenesters, take a drink from Firestone brews made exclusively for Masa, or choose from a nice selection of reasonably priced wine by the glass. The restaurant is open until 11 p.m. weekdays and midnight on weekends.
What used to be an old cop watering hole (be sure to scope out the poolroom’s police memorabilia wall) has morphed into a too-cool-for-school dance den for Eastside party people thanks to co-owner Greg Dulli, formerly of the Afghan Whigs. Friday and Saturday nights are so jamming, there’s nearly always a line to get in the door. Get in the game early with $2 Pabst happy hours. But try not to get so drunk that you disturb the neighbors with, um, lewd behavior in the street after last call.
Looking for a make-out spot? Take your date to this French restaurant with a dimly lit cocktail lounge that regularly swings with live local music. Sink into the black leather seats and choose the tasty house lager or something from the extensive list of tres francais wine. Don’t know much about wine? Ask your server for the perfect drink to get the romance started.
Sophia Kercher is a contributing editor for Metromix Los Angeles.
Opening Ceremony's recent dance party drew a very...
