In the past, as far as nightlife was concerned, downtown Hollywood was a wasteland of bawdy tattoo parlors, neon-lit liquor stores, and dirty sidewalks and save for
Les Deux
1638 North Las Palmas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323-462-7644
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Expensive
Owners Mike Malin, Lonnie Moore and Sylvain Bitton have transformed this restaurant/club, which was one of the first on the scene many years ago when there was virtually nothing. L.A.’s hottest restaurant of the ’90s has had a soft reopen in 2006, the Parisian-style main room still features familiar peach-tinted mirrors and curvy-black architecture accented by Louis XVI candelabras. An added Ultra Lounge offers a dimly lit bar area with overhead projection of foreign films and vintage fashion shows to DJ-spun house music. The patio is still the best place to see and be seen
Presently, there are almost too many clubs that have opened in Hollywood, starting with The Highlands Hollywood, which really never caught on with the club scene set, although it opened the doors for what was to come, namely the
Kress
6608 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 785-5000
Website: www.thekress.net
Opening Hours: Tue-Sat. 5:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Smoking: Outdoor Area/Patio Only
Prices: Expensive
A 38000 sq. ft. multi-floor entertainment center, located in the former quarters of Frederick’s of Hollywood, including a basement nightclub. It was developed by Mike Viscuso—who was at least partly responsible for the renovation of the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego.
Avalon
1735 Vine St
Hollywood, CA 90028
Phone: (323) 462-8900
Opening Hours: Show times vary
Pros: Music, Crowd, Service, venue
Cons: Strict bouncers, 18+ nights
Parking: Pay lot
Live Music: Yes
Credit Cards: Visa, MC
Music Types: Alternative Rock, Rock & Pop, Hip-Hop & Rap, Techno & Industrial, Funk, Soul & R&B
It first opened in 1927, this classic Hollywood art deco landmark and former Palace location has played host to almost every entertainer. Extensive renovations and posh additions have brought the art deco landmark into the 21st century–think minimalist, modern decor; an outdoor smoking lounge with its own bar; an entirely new upper lounge built over the existing balcony; reserved seating; and a private club-within-a-club called the Spider. The impresarios behind the venture are a pair of ex-East Coasters with a string of successes, including the Limelight and Tunnel in New York, and Axis and Embassy in Boston.
Entrance to the Spider Club is handled separately from the Avalon. You must be on the guest list. The line forms just north of the main entrance, near the alleyway.
DJ Mr.White spins good selections. Service is very good, the bottle girls are pleasant. A 33000 sq. ft. club that holds rock shows on weekdays and electronic extravaganzas during the weekends has been open since 2003 and now with the recent opening of its exclusive lounge and Bar BARDOT atop the Avalon, they are expecting to attract an elite crowd who will enter through a separate entrance.
Bar Delux
1624 Caheunga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Tel. 323-461-6800
Restaurant / Bar
Music: Pop / Top 40
Cross Streets: Selma Ave.
Dinner served
Dress Code: Casual Chic
Alcohol: Full Bar
Smoking: Outdoors Only
Bar Style: Whiskey, Lounge, and Martini
Audience admittance: 21+
Atmosphere: Upscale
Prices: Expensive
Credit Cards: All Major
This is the latest venture from Adolpho Suaya and designer Kristofer Keith (Spacecraft), Delux is an Art Deco cocktail lounge featuring elegant chandeliers and a massive emerald stained glass mural.
Ecco Ultra Lounge
Located on Cahuenga corridor this club is L.A.’s first green nightclub that features organic cocktails, energy-efficient LED lighting and waterless urinals.
Katsuya a late-night sushi bar and the adjacent Philippe Starck designed S Bar at the famous intersection of Hollywood & Vine are both very popular venues.
Playhouse
6506 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028
Bar / Club Type: DJ / Dance Club
Robert Vinokur’s Playhouse is emulating a bit of La Vegas blended with a healthy dollop of South Beach in the center of newly-revitalized downtown Hollywood.
The 13,000-square foot nightclub (designed by the same design firm behind STK and Villa, Manhattan-based Icrave), situated inside the Fox Theater on Hollywood Boulevard at Wilcox Avenue will feature top name DJ’s from Europe and a 24-hour diner type of operation. It will have top-name DJs from Europe.
The sound system is state of the art and was designed by Dan Agne from Sound Investments (known for work at Cielo New York, Vanguard, and Beta Nightclub in Denver). The lighting system at the Fox was designed by Steve Lieberman of SJ Lighting, known for his work at Tao Las Vegas, Cherry Las Vegas, and Crobar New York. One can easily see they have spared no expense on the technical side.
Projected Opening: Mid-December 2008
Vanguard
6021 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028
Driving directions: Located on North side of Hollywood Blvd. between of Gower St. and Bronson Ave, 3 blocks East of Vine St. Entrance from the back (parking lot).
Tel. 323-463-3331
Website: www.vanguardla.com
Type: Afterhours, Club
In Hollywood where most clubs shut their doors by 2 A.M., the Vanguard’s dedicated after-hours dance scene has become a mainstay for house music and late-night action in L.A. with a rooftop patio.
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Expensive
The next massive development to be opened in the next year or so will be the W Hollywood operated by one of Las Vegas’ top nightlife destinations.
