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Nightlife

As the hub of the music industry, L.A. attracts musicians and bands as much as it lures actors. Whatever club you land at (and there are many), you may end up catching tomorrow's "it band" before they hit. While an assortment of bars and clubs are scattered all over the city, many hotspots are concentrated on the Sunset Strip; we suggest the exquisite Bar Marmont (8171 W. Sunset Blvd.) on the east end (it's slated to reopen in July 2006 following renovations; call 323/650-0575 to confirm). A word of caution: Don't attempt to drive down Sunset Boulevard on the weekend unless you want to sit in limo gridlock with Paris Hilton wannabes.

The scene at Hollywood and Cahuenga has grown almost achingly hip in recent years, but we recommend checking it out as a great way to dive into the L.A. "cool pool" without suffering the attitude that often overwhelms the Strip. Get a manicure with your martini at the oh-so-retro Beauty Bar (1638 N. Cahuenga Blvd.), sashay into a '60s glam scene at Star Shoes (6364 Hollywood Blvd.), or catch a flick while you sip cocktails at Cinespace (6356 Hollywood Blvd.).

We also recommend happy hour at the Formosa Café (7156 Santa Monica Blvd.), an authentic old West Hollywood watering hole that opened in 1934 ($4 well drinks, Mon–Fri 4–7pm). If you're searching for a place to chill downtown after catching a performance at the Music Center, you'll dig the remodeled luxe lounge splendor of Golden Gopher (417 W. 8th St.), which has one of the oldest liquor licenses in the city so you can take your booze to go.

Finally, perched high above the Sunset Strip, Skybar (8440 Sunset Blvd.) is Hollywood's perennially hip place to see and be seen. This sleek outdoor oasis is the perfect place to sip cocktails as the L.A. sun sets in a blaze of electric tangerine.

Keep in mind, too, that most establishments close at 2 a.m., though a few clubs are open after-hours. For detailed bar listings, check out the nightlife section of LA.com.

PERFORMING ARTS
Though they'll always play second fiddle to film, theater, music, and dance have a strong foothold in the City of Angels. The region's most outstanding concert venues take full advantage of the city's blessed climate and offer up outdoor performances all year long – weather permitting, of course. The granddaddy of them all is the Hollywood Bowl (2301 N. Highland Ave.), which held its first concert in 1922 and today boasts a new band shell. Other outdoor venues include the John Anson Ford Amphitheater, at the Cahuenga pass, between downtown Hollywood and Universal Studios, and the Greek Theater, located inside Griffith Park.

Downtown is home to the Los Angeles Music Center (135 North Grand Ave.), a complex of venues that includes the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, where the L.A. Opera is based, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, where the L.A. Philharmonic plays when they're not performing summer concerts at the Hollywood Bowl.

The Geffen Playhouse (10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood) is the preferred home for many acclaimed off-Broadway shows while The Actors Gang (9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City) is where offbeat experimental theater shines.

For the most up-to-date performance listings, we recommend picking up a copy of LA Weekly, a free publication distributed throughout the city. The best online listings can be found on the Los Angeles Times Calendar Live site.

See Los Angeles Travel Guide