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A Night on the Town in Los Angeles
Things to do at night in Los Angeles. Recommendations from
the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau.
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 ½ 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 risqué spot where "no cover" refers to admission
and performers (1715 East Olympic Boulevard, 213-623-3989)
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Provided courtesy of the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau
Related Links
Nightlife in Los Angeles
Articles About Los Angeles
Los Angeles for Visitors
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