By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
September 15, 1996
LOS ANGELES — Make fun of their laid-back lifestyle, their aversion to walking (outside of a gym) and their quest for the perfect tans, but Los Angelinos know how to have a great time, day or night.
In between working out with her personal trainer and attending spinning classes (a bizarre execise craze where a bicycle is involved), my friend, Leah, took me on a tour of her city where we ferreted out some of the most fun places to eat, shop and listen to music. Come along for the ride – with the top down, of course.
3 Clubs, Vine Street at Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. (213-HO2-6441). Look for a tacky sign that says Bargain Circus and you’ve found the building that houses 3 Clubs. That’s how hip this night spot is: It’s not listed in the phone directory nor does it have a sign marking it as 3 Clubs. People find it by word of mouth, and there must be a lot of mouths yapping ’cause on a typical Friday night, the club is elbow-to-elbow room by 1 a.m. All the bartenders are good-looking wannabe actors (this is L.A.) and will gladly tell you about their latest role in Angela Bassett’s “Strange Days” or their night out partying with Johnny Rotten and members of Oasis. Ironically, the club is located next door to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting hall.
The Ivy, 113 N. Robertson Blvd. (310-274-8303). If you can’t leave Los Angeles without at least spotting a star or 10, this is the place to be. Not only is the veggie pasta salad delicious, but I promise you’ll be able to celeb watch. During a two-hour lunch on the outdoor patio, I sat kitty corner from Martin Landau, watched Pierce Brosnan drive up in his black Porsche (license plate “ICYCALM”) and saw Dustin Hoffman munch on his salad.
House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd. (213-848-5187). Sure Mick Jagger, Slash and John Goodman hang out here for the music and the ambiance, but just plain old regular folks jam into the club for its popular Sunday Gospel Brunch, where they’re treated to two-hour gospel sets and a heavenly menu that includes corn bread, omelets, barbecue chicken, catfish and shrimp. There’s always a line, so be prepared to wait. If nocturnal hours suit you better, check out the nightly performances by acts such as Del Amitri, the Pogues, Tito Puente and Pete Townshend. Contrary to its name, it’s not just the house of blues.
You won’t have to hightail it out to Los Angeles to check out the House of Blues, because the club is opening a Chicago branch that will be open to the public the week of Nov. 23. Located at 329 N. Dearborn, the House of Blues will kick off its Chicago debut with a plethora of blues artists and celebs such as Dan Akroyd, who promised to ride around on his bike checking out the site. Call (312) 527-2583.
Cat & Fiddle, 6530 Sunset Blvd. (213-468-3800). There’s a lush courtyard filled with trees that make patrons feel like they’re going to run into Maid Marion and Robin Hood. The doormen can be imposing (think Hells Angels), but they’re polite enough. You can have a drink on the outside terrace or snarf down a full meal inside. The trendoids don’t get there earlier than midnight, so you might want to get there before them if you want to nab a table.
Hollywood Athletic Club, 6525 W. Sunset Blvd. (213-962-6600). Don’t plan on going for a jog here. The most exercise you’ll get at the Athletic Club is on one of the 43 pool tables. The food is good but the eye candy is even better. On any given night, chances are you’ll spot one of the Baldwin boys, Jason Gedrick or Downtown Julie Brown shooting pool and/or posing.
Kings Road Cafe, 8361 Beverly Blvd. (213-655-9044). One of the most fun places to have breakfast or grab a quick sandwich. Seven bucks will buy you a hearty brunch (stay away from the cappuccinos — they tend to be a bit bitter) and the chance to dine next to folks like the kids from the “Wonder Years.” Kings Road is so hot — and so fair in its seating policy – that one Sunday morning, Richard Belzer (from “Homicide”) strolled in looking for a table, waited a bit and then meandered back out. Luckily, there’s a well-stocked newsstand adjacent to the cafe where potential diners can peruse periodicals while waiting for a table to free up.
Viper Room, 8852 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. (310-358-1880). Johnny Depp’s club still is a scene (at least for tourists) and books bands such as the Buzzcocks. Depp’s gal pal Kate Moss is a regular, as are the usual suspects from the modeling and rock community.
Opium Den, 1608 Cosmo (213-466-7800). Located in an iffy neighborhood, the Opium Den isn’t nearly as notorious as its name would suggest. But it is a nightclub where anything can happen. Dark, but with cozy sofas and chairs strewn in corners, the hot spot’s manager didn’t blink an eye when members of the industrial band Nature trotted on stage for their set – sans clothes. This being L.A., a member of the jaded audience was heard complaining, “Are they naked again?”
Lisa Kline, 136 S. Robertson Blvd. (310-246-0907). Kline’s boutique is small, but well stocked. The funky pieces are cheaper and often better made than the ones they sell at department stores. Frequented by folks such as the cast of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” the line changes often to stay a step ahead of the latest trend. Also check out the jewelry and other accessories.
Jet Rag, 834 N. LaBrea (213-465-0128). If the clothes on Rodeo Drive are a bit pricey for your pocketbook, and you don’t mind picking through used merchandise, this vintage store might be the place to nab a bargain. You can get a leather jacket for under $20 and a pair of flared jeans for about $5. But the best deal is the weekly Sunday sale in the Rag’s parking lot, when more than 50,000 items of merchandise are on sale for $1 each.
