The streets of Hollywood come alive after dark and the energy is infectious. At night, Hollywood Boulevard is a catwalk lined with velvet ropes, stylish socialites and paparazzi. Defined by rapid reinvention, a world class DJ culture, top tier chefs and a cutting-edge live music scene, Hollywood nightlife hosts variety and excitement unmatched by any other city in the world; and with many venues located in close proximity it’s easy to sample several Hollywood hot spots in one night.
Crimson and Opera (1650 Schrader Blvd., Los Angeles) are two venues in the center of Hollywood nightlife divided by a removable wall. Crimson is the wilder of the siblings, with seductive décor and a rock ‘n’ roll edge. Opera pays homage to the theatre with arched vaulted ceilings, warm woods and an expansive dance space. David Judaken remained true to the venue’s rock roots when he transformed former live music venue 1650 into Crimson/Opera. The clubs, open different nights of the week, host a variety of DJs and offer ample space to dance and mingle.
David Judaken, creator of the Crimson/Opera complex, also opened Mood (6623 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles) only a few blocks away. A fashionably upscale Balinese themed ultra lounge, Mood offers privacy within the party for the celeb set with an elevated VIP area and DJ booth frequented by Sam Ronson and Lindsay Lohan. Find luxurious booths hidden behind pillars and around corners throughout the exotic space, and the dance floor is always packed with stylish trendsetters moving to top 40 and hip-hop dance hits.
Nearby, Les Deux (1638 N. Las Palmas Ave., Los Angeles) formerly Les Deux Café, was reinvented by the Dolce Group as a sexy European hideaway in the heart of Hollywood. A featured hotspot on MTV’s The Hills, the lounge was at one time a Hollywood home. The upstairs bedroom hosts a VIP area overlooking the backyard fountain and DJ booth, and the downstairs living space holds the dance floor and full service bar. It’s the perfect place to see and be seen while sampling sweet tastes and specialty martinis.
Vice (6364 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles), a sleek Hollywood haunt in the former home of Star Shoes, offers dark elegant décor with house, hip-hop and Top 40 music. 944 Magazine drops by to snap shots of the A-listers and fans of TV’s Desperate Housewives can try their luck at spotting co-owner Jesse Metcalfe.
LAX (1714 North Las Palmas Ave., Los Angeles) is Hollywood’s aviation themed home for the social elite. Owner Loyal Pennings partnered with DJ AM to revitalize the venue featuring a velvet roped enclave in the main lounge with views of the crowded dance floor and main bar backed with illuminated jellyfish tanks. A luggage friendly ramp leads outside to the smoking lounge and second full service bar.
Also in the area, Sky Bar impresario Peter Famulari transformed the Hollywood Athletic Club into his manor themed “counter club”, Boulevard 3 (6523 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles). Complete with dance floor, mezzanine, library, garden and balcony VIP suites, the stunning venue with a spacious front courtyard and two reflecting pools and fire place is an elegant must see.
Hollywood landmark, The Kress (6608 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles), once the site of the S.H. Kress department store in the 1930s, is now a multilevel venue featuring a restaurant with a Pan-Asian menu by Executive Chef Travis Kamiyama. Mike Viscuso extensively renovated the art deco space giving each level a different atmosphere and crowd. The rooftop VIP lounge offers panoramic views of Hollywood, cabana hideaways, catering and a full service bar.
The Cabana Club (1439 Ivar Ave., Los Angeles) further evokes old Hollywood with its mixture of tropical and traditional club decor. Chris Breed created a glamorous outdoor space with palm trees towering above a reflecting pool and footbridges. The indoor area presents a more traditional club feel with a built in stage and private banquets. Both indoor and outdoor spaces host DJs and live music including special performances like John Stamos with the Beach Boys.
Don’t dance all night on an empty stomach. Parc (6683 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles) serves as the ideal first or last course of any Hollywood night. An upscale dining experience with lush décor and warm family style ambience, Hollywood socialites come for Parc’s sophisticated French/Asian menu and vast array of small tasting plates that are served as main courses.
Ritual Supper Club (1743 North Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles) pleases the senses with a mind, body and soul experience. Chef Andrew Pastore offers a Pacific Rim menu with a creative California twist. Zen dining and video mixing surround the dance floor and candle lit patio where young professionals and Hollywood fashionistas come for top hip hop, house music and delicious fusion fare.
Element (6605 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles) offers a menu of comfort foods like fried chicken and mashed potatoes and decadent desserts such as caramel apple bars. Element was infused with new energy when it opened from an events venue to a nightlife hotspot featuring minimalist décor evocative of a New York loft.
The Highlands and Level 3 (6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles) at Hollywood & Highland Center are modern, expansive night clubs playing a mix of hip hop, top 40 and house. KIIS FM’s DJ Drew hosts Club DV8 at Level 3 for the 18 and older crowd on Friday and Saturday nights. The Highlands features VIP supper club RISE designed by artist Bruce Rubenstein with an innovative menu by Wolfgang Puck. The Highlands is a one of a kind nighttime experience featuring some of the best panoramic views in Hollywood, LA's hottest DJ's, sweeping balconies, plush lounges, and beautiful indoor and outdoor dining areas.
Hollywood is also home to world renowned live music venues. The Knitting Factory (7021 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles), rooted in jazz and gritty lower Manhattan rock ‘n’ roll, develops new talent on its house record labels and its two stages. The Main Stage hosts popular acts and artists with name recognition, while the AlterKnit Lounge features hardworking bands with cult followings and a more underground appeal. The Knitting factory can be counted on to offer the bands you’ll be hearing about before the buzz gets out.
Avalon (1735 Vine St., Los Angeles), across from the Legendary Capital Records building, offers world class DJs like Felix Da Housecat and well known bands. The building opened as one of Los Angeles' first and most lavish theatres in the late 1920s and was recently purchased by Hollywood Entertainment Partners. In their hands, the theatre was reinvented as a multi-venue complex embodying the glamour of the past while looking to the future of Hollywood.
For a mix of music and movies, try Cinespace (6356 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles), a chic restaurant, lounge and screening room with a stage for live music and glass VIP room. Cinespace offers dinner and a movie in the screening room and a menu of California Cuisine. The open roof outdoor smoking patio and swanky cocktail lounge host DJs playing a mix of popular and alternative dance tracks.
The excitement doesn’t have to stop at 2 AM. More live music can be found at super club Vanguard (6021 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles) where the party continues until 4 a.m. Once a warehouse, this space was transformed into a sophisticated dance and live music venue. Vanguard hosts international DJ celebrities like Paul Oakenfold on Hollywood’s largest dance floor. Art events and special performances are offered as well, making Vanguard a perfect end to any night out in Hollywood.
