It’s not all about Hollywood
People who come to Los Angeles usually think that Hollywood is the best place to party. When I go there I always have some fun, but its not my favorite place to go out. If you are planning to go to Hollywood, be prepared to: wait in line (if you don’t know anyone), pay for the ticket (if you don’t know anyone), buy a table if you are a man (or if you don’t know anyone) and wait. The conclusion: go to Hollywood if you know someone! In the meanwhile, I will introduce you some cool places to have a blast in the City of Angels :
The Other Room: A super nice bar, with a large variety of beers and wines, good music (no dancing) and interesting people.Tip: They don’t serve food but there are many options at Abbot Kinney.
Location:
1201 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA, 90291
1201 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA, 90291
Nikki’s: Nikkis is the closest you will get from Hollywood in Venice. If you don’t get there early you will probably wait in line. The bar is nice, good snacks, good music and good drinks. We always have fun when we go there. If you want to hit the dance floor, this is the place you should think in going.
Location:
72 Market St
Venice, CA 90291
TownHouse: Two floor bar, where in the first floor you will find a huge and loooong bar, a pool table and a private room. The second floor, the basement, is where you will probably show your moves, drink and occasionally watch a nice band playing. Usually who goes to Town House are Venice locals. You will probably have a lot of fun, but just be careful: the stairs to go to the basement are made for you to fall and when you get there you will realize that is hot as hell.
A great place to go after Nikkis (Nikkis close at 1 am and Town House at 2 am).
Location:
52 Windward Ave
Venice, CA, 90291
Basement Tavern: When you go to Basement Tavern for the first time, you think you will enjoy your night in a big and beautiful two floor house in the middle of Main street. Soon you realize that you have to take a side stair and go down to get on the Basement of the house (as the name suggest), in the bar you were looking for. The place is dark with an old-style decoration with velvet chairs and hanging rustic lighting and a nice bar in the middle of the place. Pretty sweet. Live music is a big attraction and bands usually play for a large amount of people (the place is small and gets crowded). Good spot to hang out with friends, and again, have some fun.
Location:
2640 Main St
2640 Main St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Wilshire: Wilshire is a high level restaurant that works as nightclub as well during the weekends. The house is big, but usually gets very busy and it offers great music and drinks. It has a Hollywood style, but with a more casual atmosphere. Probably more expensive that the bars in Venice/Santa Monica, but is a nice spot to go when you want to dance, drink and enjoy your night with friends.
Location:
2454 Wilshire Blvd
2454 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA, 90403
Q’s: Sport bar, with good drinks, regular food, and usually a lot of college people. There you can find karaoke, pool tables, shuffle board, two bars and different areas (one outside).
If you get tired of Q’s after a while you have two option right outside the door: Cabo Cantina and Bru Haus http://bruhauspub.com/.
Location:
11835 Wilshire Blvd
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
There are more options out there. These are the most popular (at least for me) and the ones I suggest you to go.
