7205 Santa Monica Blvd (map)
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 850-1726

The second best thing about Jones is the fact that they serve food during the high party hours, which means late night pizza is a definite possibility if this is where you end up. The only drawback is this means it’s nearly impossible to find a surface to sit on, because nearly everything is set aside for diners. But there is the cushion-filled, artsy lounge room, which is a little darker and more intimate than the main bar, and you can usually get a booth if you order bread (totally worth it). But the best thing about Jones is the jukebox – featuring a solid catalog of indie rock, UK punk, new-age folk, post-punk ’80s, and basically everything a respectable music aficionado is partial to. Party.

The haiku version:

Mellow urban bar
And classy Italian place
With a bomb jukebox

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6366 Hollywood Blvd. (map)
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 962-7560

www.west.ioimprov.com

This small local theater (Formerly Improv Olympic West) was the stomping grounds of celebrity comics like Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Mike Meyers, Chris Farley and Tim Meadows while they were on the way up, and now it’s home to comedy troupes like Kick Drum Decade, who perform improve comedy battles for their guests weekly. Energetic stage hosts liven up the atmosphere, but it can get crowded, so finding a good seat can be tough unless you want to jump the line. The place features an upper balcony for those who want the aerial view, and a bar for those who came too late. It also advertises comedy training for prospective students, and judging from the performances, they’re good teachers.

The haiku version:

The place to go if
You want to get a drink and
Squirt it out your nose

8852 W Sunset Blvd (map)
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 652-7869

www.viperroom.com

This is one of the Hollywood’s most well-known rock venues and celebrity-sighting spots. The Viper Room was co-owned by Johnny Depp for a number of years, and is also known for being the site of River Phoenix’s premature death. Its upstairs stage room hosts touring rock bands, including some locals, though in choosing bands they tend to stick more to the rock ‘n’ roll image than the east Hollywood venues do. The small lower lounge has hosted intimate acoustic acts, though it’s usually occupied by patrons who want to avoid the noise upstairs. Being a West Hollywood bar, there is nearly always a line and a cover, and parking is tight. But the place lives up to the Hollywood rock image, and the bands are always on the money.

The haiku version:

Hollywood rockers,
Boots, leather jackets and sneers
Drinking Jack Daniel’s

1822 W Sunset Blvd (map)
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 413-8200

www.attheecho.com

Another one of the staple east-of-Hollywood music venues, the Echo caters heavily to the art and indie crowds on weekends, though its DJ nights bring out the area hip-hop population during the week. The retro-outfitted stage area has an ‘80s-glam feel, with plenty of standing room between the bar and the seating area. A narrow hallway leads to the spacious, fenced-in outdoor smoking area in back. The place is frequented by local bands as well as touring bands with loyal cult followings, and has also been known to host secret shows by acts like Weezer, Beck and Steve Malkmus. The acoustics are good, but sound-wise the levels tend to be loud and unbalanced, and it might take some moving around to find the “good” spot in the room. Monday nights are free, otherwise the cover is usually between $5 and $10. Everyone parks in the huge lot (free after hours) located a block away, and there are a few decent taco joints in the neighborhood that make for good late-night food.

The haiku version:

The third tower of
Echo Park and Silverlake’s
Classic retro scene

2906 W Sunset Blvd (map)
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 663-9636

You may have seen band photos taken here. They’re the ones featuring the distinct, glowing yellow SALVATION sign hung directly over the band, adding a tiny bit of biblical irony to any show. Unlike the other Silverlake indie venue, Spaceland (which may swap patrons with this place several times in a night), Silverlake Lounge is less choosy about the bands that play there. Hence you’ll see great local and touring acts, as well as the occasional dithering pop-scene chum. It’s surprisingly crowded during good shows, but it’s never overcrowded, and the cover isn’t usually over $10. Free Monday night shows attract the attention of the local scenesters. The Latin drag shows on weekend nights attract an entire other local scene.

The haiku version:

Darkened dive lounge where
Scenesters skulk against the walls
Bobbing to the band

1717 Silver Lake Blvd (map)
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 661-4380

www.clubspaceland.com

You may have seen it in “Yes Man,” or in a crappy teen drama that tried (unsuccessfully) to transpose Orange County’s pop-punk scene into the retro, thrift-shop culture of Silver Lake, but Spaceland is more or less what its name implies. The stage area is walled in by a glittering blue and silver curtain, the floor patterns are 1970s roller-rink, and the back room resembles an old Star Trek episode. Is that a launch helmet hanging from the ceiling? The bands that play there (the booking agent is very selective) complete the retro vibe, and there’s even a table-style Pac-Man game for you to freak out over.

The haiku version:

‘70s cult scene
Provides the city with new
‘70s cult bands

If you’re visiting for the holidays and looking for a tour of Los Angeles, Hollywood or any of the surrounding areas, these guided tour companies can show you the sights you want to see, with your schedule and budget in mind — and maybe with a little extra entertainment on the side.

Open-topped van tours circle around the Hollywood area throughout the day, and the colorful vans can be seen every day of the week from central Hollywood to Beverly Hills and beyond. Traditional shuttle-bus tours may venture further away, to areas like Long Beach or Orange County, and small-group walking tours are available for those who want to stay around the sightseer-friendly downtown or Hollywood Boulevard.
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7428 Melrose Ave (map)
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 653-3028

Santa Monica: (310) 395-2620
Studio City: (818) 980-8800

www.shopwasteland.com

In the Hollywood vintage clothing racket, Wasteland is more or less the central pillar, at least as far as the everyday shopper goes. They’re selective, which means their racks are filled with real, valuable designer vintage garments in good condition – though they’re also becoming home to the new, mass-produced pseudo-vintage trend haunting vintage stores. Their shops are also decorated well, with unique displays, cool furniture and a retro-’70s vibe, recently with more ’90s leanings, complete with cool in-store soundtrack (though this depends on the cashiers). They’re a little pricier than some of their competitors, and selling is a little harder, but you tend to get a better experience out of it overall. Just make sure you try it on before you walk out.

The haiku version:

A typhoon of style
Blew in from the seventies
And brought lots of jeans

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131 N La Brea Ave (map)
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 938-8604

Westwood: (310) 208-7403
Sherman Oaks: (818) 783-3420‎

www.buffaloexchange.com

Purveyors of consignment clothing and accessories consider this small chain shop a staple in the Hollywood vintage scene. They’re selective enough that you can find good, quality garments without wading through racks of garbage, but they’re affordable enough that you don’t need to be Angelina Jolie to walk out with a bag of treasures. Likewise, selling mostly just requires a good sense for what’s in style. Take the store credit, you’ll use it.

The haiku version:

You can find a dress
Or maybe a pair of shoes
And not lose your shirt

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