Navigating: dinner and a jukebox
Where to juke, jive and chow down around town
By Michelle Lanz, Special to Metromix
March 10, 2008101 Coffee Shop
6145 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles323-467-1175
This greasy spoon is a destination for comfort food and good tunes. The jukebox is stocked with classics from the Pixies and Joy Division to classic-classics from the Rolling Stones. The best part is the free parking—a precious gift in Hollywood, so you might as well use it. Just be prepared to wait; this place buzzes at all hours.
The Arsenal
12012 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles310-575-5511
The Arsenal has a little bit of everything: a covered patio for smokers, a lounge for drinkers, and an all-American menu of hamburgers and steaks for diners. The jukebox rules most nights, so long as the pesky DJs don’t steal its thunder. The Smiths, the Cure and Michael Jackson are notable selections. Come early or on weekdays and you can Bogart the jukebox, forcing everyone else to listen to your picks.
Big Wangs
1562 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles323-469-2449
Ever think Hooter’s is missing something? A good jukebox, maybe? Big Wangs offers an all-rock jukebox, perfect for the rowdy sports-bar crowd. Wings are big, of course, but sandwiches, pizza and a small selection of salads round out the rest of the menu. Turn up the AC/DC and start a bar brawl, or order the High Roller (Moët champagne and 18 pieces of wings) to impress a lady friend.
Cabo Cantina - Sunset Strip
8301 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles323-822-7820
Cabo is usually packed full of college coeds or older folks trying to relive their beer-fueled youth, especially during the infamous happy hour. The jukebox here won’t satisfy a music snob, but Guns n’ Roses and Michael Jackson keep the energy high, since the volume is usually cranked up to max. The food is Mexican, watered down for the American palate, but it’s cheap, as are the drinks. Get there early, grab a table, and fill up the jukebox with your hard-earned change.
Cafe 50's
11623 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica310-479-1955
This kitschy diner looks like someone raided grandpa’s garage for all the crap stockpiled from the Cold War era, then mounted it all to the wall. Sure, a lot of it looks like junk, but at least it’s fodder for interesting conversation over a mint-chip milkshake and fries. Waitresses shell out the goods wearing risqué pink and white minis. Like all great ’50s diners, the jukebox is the center of the restaurant and churns out the hits from the bygone era.
Cat & Fiddle
6530 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles323-468-3800
Rumored to be Morrissey’s favorite L.A. hangout, this Amoeba-adjacent British pub is packed after dark. The large patio provides the best place to people-watch, but stay inside if you want to take full advantage of the wall-mounted jukebox. The food is typical pub fare—fish and chips, bangers and mash, and plenty of beer and cider—to go with samplings from the Stones Roses, New Order and Cold War Kids.
Chez Jay
1657 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica310-395-1741
This Ocean Avenue landmark doesn’t look like much more than a bar upon entering, but keep walking and you’ll find the back dining room, which is jumping on the weekends with birthday parties and one of the best jukeboxes in town. Say hi to owner Jay Fiondella, who is often either working or drinking at the bar.
Downbeat Cafe
1202 N. Alvarado St., Echo Park213-483-3955
Jazz and blues lovers will swoon at the sounds emanating from this tiny Echo Park cafe. The jukebox has an extensive selection of blues, jazz and jive, from Coltrane to Davis to Billie Holliday. The cafe menu is small, with the requisite list of soups, salads, sandwiches and baked goods. Wednesday nights showcase aptly named jazz group the Downbeats from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
HMS Bounty
3357 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles213-385-7275
This retro-fabulous bar boasts ye-olde-nautical-inspired interior and a jukebox that actually plays 45s. The food is traditional American fare, and the prices are reasonable. Better still: the drinks are stiff, and the service courteous.
Mel's Drive-In
8585 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood310-854-7201
Not so much a drive-in anymore, the West Hollywood landmark is a must for tourists and locals looking to check it off their list. Gawking at passersby along Sunset Boulevard is entertaining, as is the jukebox full of ’50s faves. Burgers and fries are key, ditto the ultra-thick milkshakes. Be prepared to wait if you’re there on the weekend, when tourists and concertgoers flood the dining room.
Redwood Bar & Grill
316 W. 2nd St., Los Angeles213-680-2600
The Redwood is one of the many reasons to love Downtown L.A. The Internet jukebox ensures that there will be plenty of tunes to choose from. The downside is that it costs more than pocket change to pick a song—but hey, you’re in L.A. The food is heavy on meat, with steaks, burgers, and ribs, but a handful of salads and a couple of veggie options are also available.
St. Nick's Pub Restaurant and Bar
8450 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles323-655-6917
The food may be cause for debate, but at least it’s cheap. The jukebox is a deal too, and for $10 you can load it up with 40 of your favorite songs. It’s the usual selection of classic and modern rock, and even a little Sir Mix-A-Lot to round out the lineup. The room is dark and cavernous, making it an ideal spot to hunker down for an uninterrupted night of drinking.
Swingers
8020 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles323-653-5858
So much coolness in such a little coffee shop. The wallpaper is inspired by Andy Warhol; the waitresses are bedazzled with piercings, tattoos and fishnets; and the jukebox is to die for. The diner’s menu pays special consideration to veg-heads with such offerings as Soyrizo scrambles, veggie burgers and plenty of salads. Jukebox selections include everything from Radiohead to Elliot Smith to good old Moz. There are two locations—one the Eastside and one on the West—so there’s no need to fight.
Tom Bergin’s Tavern
840 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles323-936-7151
Bergin’s is one of the best and the oldest Irish pubs in town, and the double-sided bar is always tended by a friendly face. The jukebox is old-school, and includes hits by the Rolling Stones, Miles Davis and the Pretenders. The menu is equally dedicated to Irish specialties and American favorites; just be sure to end your meal with one of the bar’s famous Irish coffees.
