A Night on the Town in Los Angeles

Movies, music, theater, restaurants and off beat after hours clubs are just steps, a subway ride, or a quick bus or taxi journey away from wherever you are in Downtown Los Angeles. You can spend a quiet night listening to jazz at a bar or club, or join the hip, trendy set who frequent the late night hot spots. You can take in a movie, play or concert or simply dine leisurely at a number of fine restaurants. Whatever your pleasure, Downtown LA has a variety of activities.

A Stroll Around Chinatown
Begin your night on the town with a stroll through Central Plaza at 947 N. Broadway. Browse the boutiques, shops and art galleries. Pick up some Chinese herbs or teas at Wing Hop Fun Ginseng and China Products Center (727 N. Broadway, 213-626-7200). Grab some whipped cream cakes at the Phoenix Bakery (969 N. Broadway), stop for some fresh seafood and Chinese delicacies at the Hop Li (528 Alpine St., 213-680-3939), or do Szechwan at Yang Chow (819 N. Broadway, 213-625-0811). Then head over to Saigon Plaza and pick up anything from a T-shirt to gold jewelry.

Little Tokyo
For additional tastes of Asia, step into Little Tokyo between South Alameda, South Main, East Third and East First streets. The core of LA's Japanese-American community, this area buzzes with teahouses, shops, restaurants and fun karaoke bars. It is also home to the New Otani Hotel, an authentic Asian property with its Thousand Cranes/Sen Bazuru restaurant and 24-hour Rendezvous Lounge. Start your evening with a soak in a hot tub followed by a Shiatsu massage at the Japanese-style spa. Then watch a magical twilight spread over the city from the windows of Genji Bar. (120 S. Los Angeles St., 213-629-1200)

See A Play or a Concert
The sprawling Music Center stages plays and concerts at three world-class venues: the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Mark Taper Forum and Ahmanson Theater. There you can listen to the LA Philharmonic perform Stravinsky, Mozart, Brahms and other masters or see stage plays such as Rent, Morning's at Seven and Nickeled and Dimed. For tickets see your hotel concierge or call: 213-972-7211 or 213-628-2772, or go to www.taperahmanson.com. 135 N. Grand Ave. Be sure to stop at Otto's Grill & Beer Bar at the Dorothy Chandler for a preconcert/theater drink (213-972-7322), and then eat at the elegant Impresario Ristorante on the fifth floor (213-972-7333). Enjoy the culinary talents of famed chef Joachim Splichal at Patinette at the Museum of Contemporary Art (213-626-1178).

More Music in Los Angeles
The Colburn School of Performing Arts offers concerts and performances by the students and faculty from this independent performing artist institution. More than 1,300 students study and perform at the school's Grand Avenue campus. (200 S. Grand Ave., 213-621-2200)

Take in a Movie
There are never lines at Laemmle's Grand 4-Plex Theater where first run movies (Sweet Home Alabama, Barbershop, The Tuxedo) are always on the marquis. Comfy seats are equipped with handy tray tables, the popcorn is always fresh and the staff is moviegoer friendly. Admission is $7 at night, $5 before 6 p.m. Located next to the Downtown Marriott Hotel. (345 S. Figueroa St., 213-617-0268)

A Panoramic View and Late Night Dancing
Breeze on up to Windows at the Transamerica Center for Saturday Jazz Nights enhanced by a panoramic view of the city. The food's great. Join the after dinner crowd in the Sunset Room for late night dancing to hip hop, R&B, or swing rhythms played by Highland Jazz Society DJs, Fred Loc and General Lee, popular figures of the Downtown nightlife scene. (1150 Olive St., 213-746-1554)

Dine at an Eclectic Restaurant
Stop in the Wilshire Grand and grab a bite at any of its eclectic bunch of eateries: Kyoto; Seoul Jung; City Grill or Cardini. Or you can visit the South Pacific-themed, high-energy Tiki Bar -- Point Moorea located on the 7th and Figueroa corner of the Wilshire Grand Hotel, this Downtown hot spot was been named the "Best Place to Meet Singles" by the Los Angeles Downtown News. (930 Wilshire Blvd., 213-688-7777)

Joint the Fans at a Sports Bar
Whenever there's a major sporting event, much of Downtown (or so it seems) crowds in Downtown hotel sports bars to follow the game. The Millennium Biltmore's Sports Bar is a spacious and lively bar that draws a big Monday night football group. (506 S. Grand Ave., 213-624-1011.) Another fun sports bar is Moody's at the LA Marriott Downtown. (333 S. Figueroa St., 213-617-1133).The Hyatt Regency Los Angeles Lobby Bar, though not strictly a sports bar, has TVs tuned in to the big games (711 S. Hope St., 213-683-1234). Hilton Checkers Los Angeles has monitors in its newly renovated bar, right off the lobby. (535 S. Grand Ave., 213-624-0000). Even when there's no hot game, all these bars draw a fun and lively crowd.

Take a Walk on Wilder Side of L.A.

Trip out at the rooftop bar at hip Downtown Standard Hotel, where vibrating cushions perched on waterbeds and DJs spinning CDs sets the mood. Go for the special Sunday Service jam session from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. with music, dancing and lots of tippling. (550 S. Flower St., 213-892-8080)

For a fun night on the town let TK (Thomas K. Nagano) take you on a tour of his favorite Downtown haunts. The free service (tips, however, are happily accepted) utilizes public transportation: bus, subway and "an occasional cab" according to TK-- eliminating the need for a designated driver or any hassles. Call Thomas at 213-621-7665 and he'll lead you by the hand to such hot nightspots as:

Mr. T Bowl Karaoke - a former bowling alley serving cheap drinks, comfort food and lots of fun. (5621 � N. Figueroa St., 323-256-7561)

Naked LA - a popular biweekly, over the top, anything goes bash in an urban setting that attracts Westsiders, midtowners, collegians and anybody looking for a fun night on the town. (1024 S. Grand Ave., 213-747-0999)

Oiwake Japanese Restaurant Karaoke - where "a bunch of kids show up and make fools of themselves" and tourists go wild while sounds of artists such as Britney Spears blast from the speakers. There's a Japanese buffet Friday and Saturday nights from about 9 p.m. (350 E. First St., in Japanese Village Plaza, 213-628-2678)

The Smell - a cool, no-alcohol happening spot with an underground scene, grunge, arsty kids, anti-rock and music from all over the world (247 S. Main St., 213-625-4325) 410 Boyd- a Little Tokyo bar that attracts an arsty crowd who go for beer, wine, and finger foods and to mingle after dark (213-617-2491) Second Street Jazz- jam sessions are a real trip on Tuesday and Wednesdays with local attractions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (366 E. 2nd St., 213-680-3232)

Sam's Hofbrau - a risqu� spot where "no cover" refers to admission and performers (1715 East Olympic Boulevard, 213-623-3989)

Provided courtesy of the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau