(Credit: Richard Hartog)
L.A.'s best post-show drink-tanks
Where to get your drink on after getting your rocks off
By Scott T. Sterling, Metromix
July 31, 2007Short Stop
1455 Sunset Blvd. , Echo Park213-482-4942
Did you have another night at the Echo? Maybe you’re still damp from getting your dance on down at the Echoplex. Either way, the Short Stop will welcome you with open arms and a nice, cold PBR for prices even cheap hipsters ... er, I mean we can afford. They have a photo booth, so you can take snaps making out with your summer fling (memories, dude). Head Afghan Whig Greg Dulli owns the place, and he’s the man. The Afghan Whigs’ “Congregation” album is still one of the great, unsung LPs of the 1990s. Listen up.
Frolic Room
6245 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles323-462-5890
There are a lot of reasons to dig the Frolic Room. What tops our chart is its proximity to the Fonda, a top-flight concert spot we find ourselves haunting on a weekly basis (at least). It’s a short stroll from the Fonda to the Frolic, where a most unpretentious vibe and shockingly economical drink prices make it a sure thing both before and after a show. You might run into some cuties on their way to a performance at the Pantages. This class act gets bonus points for being featured in a Busta Rhymes video before all of the gun charges.
Little Bar
757 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles323-937-9210
We can’t say enough good things about this cool storefront bar on La Brea. Granted, a large part of the appeal is that it’s within walking distance of a certain Metromixer’s place. But there’s so much more. It’s right around the corner from the El Rey, which is another venue we find ourselves inhabiting on a regular basis. The joint is all wooden benches and dart boards, so feel free to stroll in at your most casual (you could wear the concert t-shirt you just bought at the El Rey). If you get your date here after the show, things are looking good.
Cha Cha Lounge
2375 Glendale Blvd.,
Los Angeles
323-660-7595
The guy at the door knows your name. Yes, you spend a lot of time seeing bands at Spaceland. When this week’s next big thing gets you all revved up for more indie party action, just cruise up Silver Lake and hang a hard right. You’ll crash land at the Cha Cha Lounge (on a clear night, the drive can be romantic, like that one VW commercial with the Nick Drake song playing). The place is rife with mad fashion crimes that still somehow look so sexy--nerd glasses, house dresses, and neon-bright hoodies abound. The place packs in the hyper-cool kids for its cheap happy hour with Pabst specials, and the music is generally loud, fast and pretty cool (it's not everyday you hear Plastic Bertand at a bar). Big booths provide comfy seating for those who don't mind Tecate served in cans. The pick-up scene here is pretty fierce, but that's to be expected with so many young pretty things crammed into one place.
Power House
1714 N Highland Ave., Hollywood323-463-9438
How such a gloriously dive bar exists in the heart of this bacchanal of consumerism is a miracle. You walk into this no-attitude place and you expect to see Charles Bukowski, Johhny Knoxville and Mickey Avalon saddled up at the bar. I’m sure there was a place just like it in your hometown. Some tables, a few chairs, a couple of really good pinball machines in the back and cheap drinks. Power House is the bomb. Don’t take it for granted.
Frank N Hank's
518 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles213-383-2087
The Wiltern is rapidly becoming one of our favorite places in L.A. to take in a show. Once we discovered Frank n Hanks just up the street, its top-shelf status became cemented. This is the sort of place that would inspire David Lynch, a no-frills bar inhabited by a quirky cast of regulars and the occasional hipster working the jukebox. Drinks are crazy cheap, but they only accept cash, so do the right thing and hit the ATM early. Be cool to “Snow” (she runs the joint) and she’ll be cool to you, capiche? A perfect place to pre-party the next time you’re at the Wiltern.
Saddle Ranch Chop House
8371 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood323-656-2007
Seeing a show at the House of Blues on Sunset is a serious commitment. Just parking can be a traumatic ordeal. But once you’re securely situated on the Strip, it’s stupid not to embrace its wild ways. And nothing screams party time on the Sunset Strip like a turn through this fully loaded den of debauchery and post-collegiate frat boy charm. Will you ride the bull? Well, how drunk do you plan on getting? The scene is loud, horny and itching to push your evening from just fun to “what the hell happened last night?” Not for the faint of heart.
Cat & Fiddle
6530 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles323-468-3800
Got bangs? Wearing headbands this season? Have a penchant for neon, stripes and all things metallic and/or American Apparel? Do you have a boyfriend? Oh, did I say that out loud? We’ve seen you at Cinespace every Tuesday for the past three years. You go for the scene and the up and coming bands that will be huge in six months (think Bloc Party). Maybe you just caught a band over at the Avalon. Either way, you’re just a few blocks from this inviting British pub. The main attraction is the super-fresh patio scene out front. The food is generally good, and the beer flows freely. Girls are cute and on occasion, even friendly. And yes, Morrissey famously likes to hang out here. I saw Bam Margera there once.
Drawing Room
1800 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles323-665-0135
Like it’s dominant older cousin the Hollywood Bowl, we simply just can’t get enough of L.A. concert gem the Greek. Set in the hills high above Franklin Ave. and a stone’s throw from the Griffith Observatory, the Greek has left us with many musical memories (Radiohead, anyone?). So after another fulfilling evening soaking in the sounds under the night sky, we like to come down the hill and go directly to the Drawing Room. This decidedly rock ‘n’ roll hot spot is always on jam, with cute tattooed bartenders pouring stiff drinks and cool regulars that likes to drink as much as you do. It gets crazy up in here, especially when they fire up the karaoke machine. One Journey song is all it takes to really get the party started right. Get to know the Drawing Room. You’ll be glad you did.
OK, there you have it. The Metromix picks for best places to get your drink on after getting your rocks off. Dare you let us in on your favorite post-show drinking holes? Hmmmm? We're all ears over here. Go ahead, we're listening...
