Los Angeles Nightlife

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Back to Los AngelesLos Angeles Nightlife Guide

L.A. didn't invent the word hip, but it certainly holds the patent on it. The City of Angels has some of the most cutting-edge clubs and bars in the world and is the polestar for the best and brightest in the music scene. Entertainment of all stripes -- from Hollywood Bowl picnic performances to cool jazz venues, retro roller discos, and rock-'n'-roll clubs -- can be found in the following pages.

Of course, first you need to find out who's performing while you're in town. Your best bet for current entertainment info is the L.A. Weekly (www.laweekly.com), a free weekly paper available at sidewalk stands, shops, and restaurants. It has all the most up-to-date news on what's happening in Los Angeles's playhouses, cinemas, museums, and live-music venues. The Sunday "Calendar" and Thursday "Weekend" sections of the Los Angeles Times (www.calendarlive.com) are also a good source of information on what's going on throughout the city.

To purchase tickets in advance, first try buying them directly from the venue to avoid paying a surcharge. If that doesn't work, log on to Good Time Tickets' website at www.goodtime-tickets.com or call tel. 800/464-7383. Based in Hollywood for more than 30 years, the privately owned company specializes in selling tickets to sporting, theater, concerts, and other entertainment events throughout Los Angeles -- at a markup, of course. If all else fails, take out a loan and call Ticketmaster (tel. 213/480-3232; www.ticketmaster.com), but beware of their absurdly high processing fees.

Dinner-&-a-Movie-&-DJs-&-Dancing-- If your big night on the town involves dinner, a movie, DJs, and dancing, CineSpace has got it all covered. Every Thursday through Saturday this stylish, intimate Hollywood supper club serves contemporary American cuisine -- and stiff cocktails -- while screening recent hits, indies, classics, and shorts. When the (free) film's over, the DJ party starts at around 10pm and goes until 2pm. Check the CineSpace event calendar online to see what's playing, then call to make a reservation. It's located in the heart of Hollywood at 6356 Hollywood Blvd. at Ivar Street on the second level; tel. 323/817-3456; www.cine-space.com.

Stars, Whiskey & Cigars-- If your idea of an evening well spent is sitting on a soft leather sofa sipping single malt whiskey and smoking a fine cigar, you're in luck. Just off the 3rd Street Shopping Promenade in Santa Monica is a small cigar shop called the Lone Wolf Cigar Company, where local cigar aficionados -- including many celebrities -- congregate to enjoy a guilt-free smoke and scotch among friends. Founded in 1996 by Chuck Norris and James Belushi, it's now owned and run by David Weiss, whose love for a fine cigar is infectious: Pedestrians who wander in out of curiosity often end up staying for hours, talking shop with David while savoring a mild Lone Wolf Signature Select made from top-grade Dominican Republic tobacco. David also carries a large selection of other premium cigar brands and a wide assortment of the most beautiful lighters I've ever seen -- the perfect gift for the guy who has it all. Even if you don't know a Montecristo from a Swisher Sweet, stop in, say hello, fire up a smoke, and relax for a while. 223-B Broadway Blvd., between 2nd and 3rd streets, Santa Monica (tel. 800/577-9653; www.lonewolfcigars.com).

Late-Night Bites

Finding places to dine in the wee hours is getting easier in L.A., as each year sees more 24-hour and after-midnight eateries staking a place in the culinary landscape.

Supper & a Show at the Cinegrill-- If you enjoy the supper-club experience and live performances, you'll want to reserve a table at the Cinegrill, ensconced within the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel at 7000 Hollywood Blvd. (between Highland and La Brea aves.), right in the thick of Hollywood. Appropriately dim, curvaceously cozy, and equipped with state-of-the-art audio and visual systems, the tier-leveled supper club serves contemporary American cuisine along with top talent such as Michael Feinstein and Cybill Shepard. For show times and reservations, call tel. 323/769-7269 or log on to www.cinegrill.com.