L.A. residents have their own routines when it comes to a night out

BY STEPHAN HORBELT

Los Angeles has a lot to offer when it comes to nightlife, and the adage is true: there really is something for everyone, whatever your penchant or preference. Here are four Angelinos with completely different outlooks on going out, proof that fun can be found just about anywhere in this town.

Jonathan Chu

Finance
Beverly Hills
Favorite Nightlife Spot: East/West

Ideal Night On the Town: I don't go out much during the week, but every now and then I like to go out on a Thursday to meet up with friends and start my weekend a little early. I'll start the night off civilized with a cocktail, either at East/West or the Abbey. Afterward, I'll take the night up a notch at Fubar. When I'm in the mood to shake things up or go dancing, I like stopping by Popular (Saturday nights at Here). There are always cute guys and great music. But I've found that no matter where I go, I always have fun if I'm with my friends.

Mike Wilson

Realtor
Miracle Mile
Favorite Nightlife Spot: Sundays at Area

Ideal Night On the Town: A group of friends and I like to start the night at Colorado Wine Co. in Eagle Rock for their weekly wine tastings, where they feature wines and pair them with gourmet cheeses. Somewhere between the second and third pour, we'll make reservations at Casa Bianca for pizza. In my opinion, Casa Bianca has the best pizza in L.A. I can't explain it—something about the cheese, sauce, and being drunk—in any case, I was born and raised here, so you can trust my opinion on this. By the time we're finished with the wine, our dinner reservations are ready. After devouring pizzas, we roll ourselves over to The Chalet for a night cap. And the best part is that all three places are within stumbling...er, walking distance of each other.

Marc Escañuelas

Nomad
Echo Park
Favorite Nightlife Spot: Good Luck Bar

Ideal Night On the Town: Silver Lake nightlife seems to be suffering from an identity crisis. Akbar is still a reliably good time, but the vibe has definitely changed and on busy nights the place feels like a sardine can. MJ's keeps hitting and missing with its nights, despite having arguably the best venue in the area. Nowadays, I've given up on trying to find out where the boys are in favor of finding comfy spots in which to drink heavily. Good Luck Bar fits the bill, as does Tiki-Ti. Places like the Faultline and the Eagle still serve up reliable doses of sleaze and hard liquor with fun theme nights.

Corey Spears

Student
West Hollywood
Favorite Nightlife Spot: Eleven

Ideal Night On the Town: When I go out, I like to do it with a big group. That means making phone calls in the afternoon to rally the troops and figure out a game plan. Generally, we'll all meet up at a friend's house and get the drinking started early. After everyone's put back a few, we'll cab it out to a bar in West Hollywood, usually Eleven or the Abbey. It's not rare for us to hit up three or four bars in one night, and it's nice to have them all in walking distance. Some nights we may decide to leave the bars before last call and head back to the house for more drinks and debauchery. With this routine, we've never have a bad time.

On the Town

Off-the-beaten path ideas for date night

BY JEFF KATZ

Let's face it: It's pretty hard to get bored living in Los Angeles. Distraction lies on any given street corner, but that certain something different can be a little tougher to come by. So we scoured the southland for the unique, and put together this itinerary for a great date. So call up your special someone, throw on your best look, we'll take care of the rest.

L.A. is a big town and there certainly is a lot of terrain to cover. Get out of your usual stomping grounds for a night and let someone else handle the driving. Spring for a fancy ride for the night from gay-owned Onyx Limo (www.onyxla.com). For as little as $55 an hour, you and your date can be chauffeured around in one of Onyx's new town cars or Audis, or go for the bragging rights and rent a stretch for $85 an hour.

Before you get all indie and artsy, start your early evening off by taking to the air with a little rock climbing action at Rockreation (11866 La Grange Ave., West L.A. www.rockreation.com). The 9,000-square feet of indoor climbing walls and caves offers a variety of courses and terrain for both beginner and experienced climbers. This isn't some little rockwall at your county fair, though, but a fun engineering feat of nature gone modern. Join one of the many group classes, get individual coaching or take your chances on the rocks on your own. Best of all, everything you'll need to climb (including shoes) can be rented, so no need to come prepared. One-time passes start as low as $17.

After hanging around for a bit, it's time for some quality face time over drinks. The Golden Gopher (417 W. 8th St., L.A.) in downtown L.A. has a great look and feel of a saloon-meets-lounge. Plenty of intimate seating and kitsch (complete with Pac-Man), Golden Gopher also still operates its famed in-bar liquor store. If you or your date are more a fan of the hard stuff, the 120-plus whiskey options at Seven Grand (515 W. 7th St., L.A.) are sure to please the palate. The masculine décor—complete with wall-mounted taxidermy—will certainly make for a good conversation starter.

Now it's time to wine and dine just down the street at the fantastic Blue Velvet (750 S. Garland Ave., L.A. www.bluevelvetrestaurant.com). The chic and stylish eatery may seem unassuming and hard to find at first, tucked back in a residential building. But once you find the restaurant, you'll be taken aback by its awesome design, skyline views, and poolside lounge.

Executive Chef Kris Morningstar's menu may be small on choices, but it's huge on delivery. Fish is perfectly prepared, seasonings are inventive, and the evening's amuse-bouche will set the meal off on the perfect note. But diner beware: The dining room is small, so reservations are highly recommended.

Get your post-contemporary art on at downtown's newest gallery space, Zero One Gallery (746 S. Los Angeles St., L.A.). The gallery just moved into a prime 4,000-plus sq. ft. space on the first floor of Santee Village—the urban-chic loft and retail space in L.A.'s fashion district. Currently showing until March is the multi-artist Dysmorphic Visualization Syndrome show. Robert William's controversial “Appetite for Destruction” piece, once used as a Guns N' Roses album cover, but later pulled by the record company, is just one of the intriguing pieces in the collection. Aside from the show art, the multiple painted columns by Retna are stunning, and help set Zero Gallery apart from any other space in town.

Once you two have burned off some of those calories walking around the gallery, it's time to refuel with late-night eats. Fred 62 (1850 N. Vermont Ave., L.A.) serves up the Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love Pancake, Bossa Nova Waffle Sundae, and plenty of other diner faves, everyday of the week and all night long.

For something to snack on, make a last minute stop at Susina Bakery & Café (7122 Beverly Blvd., L.A.). Tempt your date with Susina's Raspberry Lemon Dream cake, Cinnamon Pecan Sticky Buns, or Sour Cherry & Chocolate Scones. They are the perfect treats to end a sweet date.