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Suggestions of bars/lounges from West LA to Hollywood

I found a great post asking about bars/lounges and got some ideas but it was specific to Hollywood's red line. I'm part of a social group (most of us are in our 30's) and we hit up a bar/lounge every Saturday anywhere from the West LA/Santa Monica area up to Hollywood. I'm trying to keep a good variety but want to make sure the places we go have a non-elitist vibe, can be casual to dressy, easy to get into (no long lines) and roomy enough for our group (love finding places with scattered couches/seating/etc). Would like to find places that are more on the quiet side (ie: not having to talk right into someone's ear and STILL not hear them). Any help would be great, thanks!

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  1. 1) How many in your group ?

    2) What time of day does your group like to meet on Saturday (night I presume) ?

    3) What places has your group been to before than your group liked best ?

    7 Replies
    1. re: JBC

      1. Average about 10-15 who show up on any given Saturday
      2. Meeting time is always 9:30pm, most show up around 10-10:30
      3. Some favorites have been Gaslite, Air Conditioned Club, Arsenal, Lost and Found (we mostly go for more casual/divey place bars but every once in a while like to mix it up and go to a fancier place)

      1. re: dinami

        Maybe someone should scope this out before you commit your group to this destination (*) ; however, to try something different you could go to Cafe Momo which is really part of, and connected to:

        Koutoubia - Moroccan - WLA ~ Cafe Momo has a full bar and is open till 1 p.m. on Saturdays, and if there not too busy maybe your group can takeover something like the bottom right picture in their "Gallery" :


        P.S. - I have no idea how busy this place is from 10 til 1 a.m. Saturday.

        (*) i.e. - drink prices aren't too high, couch availability, the belly dancing music isn't a problem, ect.

        1. re: dinami

          You might enjoy checking out Bigfoot Lodge West on Venice Blvd. (in between Greenfield and Veteran) some night. Pretty fun place.


          1. re: dinami

            You should also check out the Daily Pint, the back patio at Warszawa, the Mandrake, the Joker (if you don't mind it on the very divey side) and SF Saloon (great burgers).

            1. re: mollyomormon

              I really like SF Saloon's burgers too, Molly. Speaking of bars, have you been to the Tar Pit yet? I ask you b/c I know you have more of a nightLIFE than I, and I've heard good things about it. Just wonderin'.

              1. re: Phurstluv

                Ha! I still haven't been to Tar Pit, although I've heard great things. Work has been killing me so you may actually have more of a nightlife than I do these days.

                I did finally check out Lazy Ox Canteen today and it was fantastic!

                1. re: mollyomormon

                  Not likely, friend!!! Good to know re: the ox, may be able to swing by when I'm in that part of town.

        2. I'm absolutely nuts for Angels. Terrible name, fantastic bar - with live jazz. Great service, the best happy hour in town (goes until 8PM), great food (old chef from Authentic Cafe), and the decor is...interesting.


          1 Reply
          1. re: yogachik

            Hahahaha, "interesting" is definitely one way to describe the decor. I have to check out the happy hour there. Thanks for the tip!