El Lay

I'm going in early November on a three-dayish work trip. Never been, in fact, I've never been to California at all. Should have some time to see some sites.

Bring the advice. If I'm going to a bar, I want it to be cool, but have a chilled-out kind of vibe from yesteryear. Cocktailish? Sure. But I'm poor as fuck, so it's not like I'm going to run up a Kobe Bryant-sized tab. Or even an Elden Campbell-sized one. Plus, I dress like a goon's goon.

I don't do clubs. I'm too old, for one, and you know the guy who dances like MC Hammer on crack? He thinks I suck as a dancer.

I'm staying in Sherman Oaks and I'll primarily be around UCLA if that helps.

 

If you get into Hollywood there's the Rainbow Room on Sunset. It's the kind of place that has whiskey on tap and from my LA friends there are plenty of stories of '80s rockers being seen holding court at one of the back tables.
Try some of the more touristy stuff like Griffith Park Observatory and the beach. Try some authentic Mexican food (the worst Mexican place in LA is better than the best Mexican place in most other cities). Food Truck Roundup is awesome if you can find it.
Also I have heard rumors of a bar in the valley where porn stars sing karaoke on Tuesdays.

 

Barney's Beanery
8447 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069.
Happy Hour Mon-Fri, 4-7pm (except certain holidays).


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barney%27s_Beanery

 

Musso & Frank's for REAL old Hollywood. You won't go wrong with Thai or Korean food either. And if you don't go to the beach, you haven't been to LA.

 

I recommend the Santa Monica pier, and the beach there.
The water is cold, circulating down from Alaska, unlike much warmer east coast beaches.
Up on the bluff above the beach is the western end of Route 66.
And if you want a scenic drive, take the PCH from Santa Monica, through Malibu and out to Point Mugu. That area shows up in LOTS of car commercials.

VB

 

For a cocktail, the martini at Musso and Frank, per Gee, is the Platonic ideal of the thing itself. For more Old Hollywood tradition, try a Daiquiri or Sidecar at the Formosa on Santa Monica Blvd. two blocks west of La Brea - and instantly recognizable from 'LA Confidential.' Also the bar at the Chateau Marmont; or the Polo Lounge; or the Sunset Tower; or the Rainbow (next to the Roxy); or the Troubador; or the Hotel Roosevelt.

 

Now I think I want Az to show me around LA.

 

Chez Jay in Santa Monica.

 

Someone did the same kind of thread a year or two agp -- I would recommend looking that one up in the search function because IIRC it had several pages of good responses that might be of service to you.

 

You have to have a chiliburger from Tommy's.

 

Some in the city want to level it as part of the downtown redevelopment.
Others want to make it a historical landmark. I'm with this group.

 

Go to Norm's and see if they still serves the strange looking patty melts. Or I'd recommend the dangerous veal cutlet at the Copper Penny.