Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
267
turns into a club after 10pm on the w eekends—and an ex clusive rooftop with cabanas
offering sweeping views of the city , including the H ollywood sign. G enerally speaking
there isn't a cover charge, but depending on the night or pr omoter, it could be as much
as $20 to get in; table reservations and bottle service are always shoe-ins.
6608 Hollywood
Blvd., Hollywood.
&
323/785-5000.
www.thekress.net.
3
BARS & COCKTAIL LOUNGES
Akbar
Finds
On the outside, Akbar isn't much to look at with its brown stucco facade
and simple (almost imper ceptible) sign. Step inside, though, and y ou'll find one of the
city's more moody and elegant r ooms. Friendly barkeeps ply the patr ons with cocktails
from behind the arabesque mirr ored bar, and an astonishingly div erse CD jukebo x is
filled to capacity with tunes old and ne w. This is a mix ed bar that's predominantly gay,
but always comfor table for straights.
4356 W. Sunset Blvd. (at Fountain Ave.), Los Angeles.
&
323/665-6810.
www.akbarsilverlake.com.
Bar NINETEEN12
I'll take any excuse to walk through the front doors of the luscious
Beverly Hills Hotel and rub shoulders with the celebs who love to hang out here and be
seen. Suck on an apple martini popsicle while striking a pose on the golden-toned velvet
sofas and high-backed leather chairs. Me, I'm out on the veranda nursing a $14 Manhat-
tan while pretending not to notice P amela's cleavage.
Tip:
Thursdays are the hot night,
but arrive before 9pm or you might not make it in.
9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills.
&
310/
273-1912.
www.barnineteen12.com.
Beauty Bar
It's a proven concept in New York, Las Vegas, and San Francisco: a cock-
tail lounge/beauty salon. Decorated with vintage salon gear and sporting a hip-retro vibe,
the Beauty Bar is both campy and tr endy. Where else can y ou actually get a manicur e
while sipping cocktails with names like B lue Rinse (made with blue C uraçao) or P rell
(their version of a grasshopper)?
1638 N Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood.
&
323/464-7676.
www.
beautybar.com.
Bob's Frolic Room I
This classic L.A. div e bar is located next door to the P antages
Theatre on H ollywood and Vine. Pumping too-loud music fr om one of the best CD
jukeboxes in Los Angeles, H ollywood vampires hang out with r ough-around-the-edges
hipsters and old coots getting their fill of stiff , cheap drinks amid the Ar t Deco decor.
Look for Hedy Lamarr's star out front on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (“That's HED-
LEY!”).
6245 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood.
&
323/462-5890.
The Bowery
Finds
This is by far one of my favorite local hangs in L.A. Centrally
located at the Sunset and Vine intersection, walking distance to the Palladium, the Arclight
movie theaters, and the Pantages Theatre, the sliver of a bar is just
a good bar:
A stylish decor
with subway tiles and black leather booths; no v elvet rope and no cover charge; a fantastic
spirits list, plus eclectic beers and wines; and a gr eat-looking, low-key crowd which might
include the occasional celeb tr ying to pr ove they ar e normal people just like us (w e saw
Justin Timberlake and J essica B iel one night, J ake G yllenhaal another). The best par t,
however, is the thick, juicy burger (get it with the works) and sweet potato fries, plus other
American bistro dishes like fish and chips, char cuterie and cheese plates, and salads.
6268
Sunset Blvd., Hollywood.
&
323/465-3400.
www.theboweryhollywood.com.
The Brig
This ultrahip bar, located at the end of the A bbot Kinney strip in Venice,
attracts an eclectic crowd of young clubgoers from all over L.A. The spacious main room
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