Working the dance floor at Area
(Credit: Lawrence K. Ho)
Welcome to the L.C.
La Cienega bar crawl
A little slice of L.A. nightlife between WeHo and the Beverly Center
By Amir Kenan, Metromix
May 7, 2008Welcome to the L.C.
Coco de Ville
755 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood310-659-7363
If Emilio Pucci was in the business of designing bars, it’d probably look a lot like Coco de Ville, the exclusive lounge within the trendy STK restaurant. As you might imagine, the space is outfitted in colorful bold prints from maroon stripes to paisley yellow fabric and the walls are bubblegum pink. And you know those upside-down lamps at S Bar? Coco de Ville is just as adventurous with couches suspended like swings behind the marble bar. But don’t expect to waltz right in. Even a dinner reservation at STK won’t get you past Coco’s strict velvet rope.
Stone Rose Lounge
8555 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles310-228-6677
Across the street from the Beverly Center, this swanky upscale lounge at the Sofitel is part of a new breed of hotel bars. It's a hip hideaway perfect for sipping a mango-tini and contemplating the new escalators at the Beverly Center.
M Lounge
650 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood310-360-7070
Republic may attract a sophisticated crowd to its chic dining room, but the attached club is downright wild, with girls in miniskirts that make Britney seem modest. The DJ cranks the usual mix of hip-hop and Top-40 on the large downstairs patio, where girls show off the moves they've learned in cardio-striptease class. The upstairs lounge is much more civilized, which probably explains why there are never any dudes up there. This bar and lounge atop Republic hosts weekly lounge nights during the week. On weekends, the restaurant gets transformed into a club between 10:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. Whether you're thirsty or just want a drinkable accessory, M Lounge has got a raspberry mojito with your name on it.
Area
643 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood310-652-2012
Celebrities, socialites and reality-TV divas hook up at this midcentury-modern dance club that's often used for fashion-industry events. If you don't look like Lindsay Lohan and you're not willing to fork over a huge chunk of cash for bottle service, prepare to stand back with the paparazzi, because there's a good chance you won't make it past the velvet rope.
The Belmont
747 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles310-659-8871
Boasting the "city's best" happy hour, this neighborhood bar/eatery serves a lively late-night crowd and does brisk brunch business, with Bloody Marys and mimosas for those needing a little hair of the dog served in a warm, upscale setting. The Belmont hits the trifecta of comfort: cushy seating (soft camel-colored leather), a menu of favorites (mac 'n' cheese with blue crab and bacon) and attentive service (friendly, upbeat staff with excellent memory capacity).
Stone Fire Pizza Co.
829 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood310-659-8848
The over-30 cool crowd mixes and mingles between the bar and bistro area at this easygoing pizza spot. Stone Fire mixes typical pizzeria touches such as red vinyl booths with upscale features like candles on the tables and decorative chandeliers. It's perfect for late-night noshing and canoodling. Stone Fire's latest bit of decadence is $100 gourmet pizza, piled high with Kobe beef, Gouda and white truffles, and paired with a $30 Opus wine.
The Spanish Kitchen
826 N La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles310-659-4794
Que rico! Yes, The Spanish Kitchen is actually a Mexican restaurant and bar, one that specializes in classic Mexican bites like taquitos and enchiladas. It also offers La Cienega's tastiest and most potent margaritas, including the Gigante: 27 ounces of mind-numbing tequila bliss that you can share with a friend. The late-night crowd knows this is the place to go for drinks on Fridays and Saturdays, when the bar stays open until around 1 a.m.
Amir Kenan is TV editor for Metromix..
