nightlife on the cheap
|
Name & Link |
Address, Phone & Map |
Description |
Parking |
Cover Charge |
Drink Prices |
|
Los Alamitos |
|||||
|
Starting Gate |
Los Alamitos, CA
(Across from the Race Track)
(562) 590-8957 |
Friendly, non-pretentious place to go. Live music most nights of the week. Most bands are country, except from weekends which tend to be Rock & Roll, Top 40, Soft Rock, Pop. See website for band schedule. My recommendations are "Kaos" or "Caliente" |
Free |
None |
$3-$5 |
|
Los Angeles & The Valleys |
|||||
|
Northridge, CA
(Corner of Tampa & Roscoe) |
Very small, local neighborhood bar. What makes this bar different is their live blues performances. The Stoney Curtis Bans are regulars here. They get some really great acts in this little dive. Check website for schedule. |
Free |
None |
$3-$5 |
|
|
Commerce, CA
(Off the I-5 @ Washington)
(323) 728-3600 |
Not what it used to be, but still a descent choice. Recently remodeled, the music is in their new outdoor (but made to feel like indoor) patio. Quickly becoming a little too trendy and dress-to-impress for my taste, but they do get some great bands here. Stop by when "The Back Street Band" or "Sangria" are playing. Oh yeah, were comfortable shoes. |
Free |
None |
$2-$6 |
|
|
Van Nuys, CA
(818) 785-4031 |
When it comes to Irish Bands, this is the place to go. "Twig & Berries" are very good and the only band I know of that is 100% 80's music. Wear comfortable shoes, this place gets very busy on weekends. Check website for schedule. |
Street |
None |
$4-$8 |
|
|
Ye Rustic Inn |
Los Angeles, CA |
No live music here, just a very loud jukebox playing ALL THE TIME! A very friendly place to go and the some of the bartenders are real lookers, for both men & women. This place is average neighborhood bar by day, but a crowded and popular hangout for locals at night. On weekends, the place is packed to the rafters. They have a full kitchen (servers till midnight) with good food (for a bar). Try the wings, they are really great. Cheap, Cheap, Cheap Prices for both food & drink. Come a mid-week night and you might get to win a prize, playing the Jack Daniel's Blackjack game. |
Free |
None |
$2-$4 |
|
Redondo Beach |
|||||
|
Latitudes |
Redondo Beach, CA
(In the parking lot, right by the Sport Fishing Pier)
(310) 798-3170 |
Just a beach bar by day, located by the fishing pier in Redondo Beach. On Saturday night, "DMK" takes over and has their weekly club event. Club, meaning nightclub. Be prepared, unlike my other recommendations, this one is likely to have Entrance Lines, Security Checks, Cover Charges, Pricey Drinks and all that shit. It's only redeeming quality (and the reason it is listed here) is the Beautiful Asian clientele the club attracts. You can get a VIP card from DMK for Free Entrance. Oh yeah, Latitudes is the new name, is used to be known as Chiller's.
UPDATE: Recently I've noticed live bands, instead of a DJ. The lines, security and cover charges have also seemed to disappeat. Go figure. Let me know what you find out, when you go there. |
Pay/Limited Street |
$10-$20 |
$5-$10 |
|
Naja's Place |
Redondo Beach, CA
(On the Lower Side of the piet, next to Delzano's)
(310) 376-9951 |
This is my favorite place of all time. Located on the Boardwalk, on the lower side of the pier. Their house band, "The Land Sharks" have a very strong local following and are one of the best bands I have come across. They play a little of everything, but it will always have a Rock beat to it, they tend to like Classic Rock & Alternative. They play Naja's every Friday & Saturday Night and Sunday Afternoons. Prices are reasonable. Beer & Wine only. No need to dress up, your raggedy shirt and ripped jeans are cool here. Naja's claim to fame is their beer selection: 777 brands available, 77+ on tap. |
Pay/Limited Street |
None |
$3-$6 |
|
Starboard Attitude |
Redondo Beach, CA
(Upstairs from Charlie's Place on the Pier)
(310) 379-5144 |
Located on the 2nd floor, above Charlie's Place on the Redondo Pier, this little bar is a little like Cheers. Once you introduce yourself, everyone will remember your name. A very friendly place to go, no attitude, all locals. Live music most night of the week, mostly Blues (they are locally famous for their Blues Acts). Weekend night can bring Pop, Top 40, Rock & Roll & Soft Rock (similar to the Commerce Casino). Saturday & Sunday afternoons, usually has a Blues performance happening. |
Pay/Limited Street |
None |
$3-$5 |
|
Late Night Dining |
|||||
|
101 Coffee Shop |
Los Angeles, CA
(Near Franklin & Argyle, in the lobby of the Hollywood Hills Hotel)
(323) 467-1175 |
A diner whose decor is so plain and simple, it makes it interesting, although a little noisy when the place is busy. Good Food, fair prices, open till 3 AM. Need I say more? (Don't forget to try the Waffle Brownie Sundae!!) |
Free |
N/A |
Food: <$10 pp |
|
House of Pies |
Los Angeles, CA
(Corner of Franklin & Vermont)
(323) 666-9961 |
Plain and Simple coffee shop type food. Open till 1 AM |
Limited Free/Street |
N/A |
Food: <$12 pp |
|
Mel's Drive-in |
Los Angeles, CA
(One block south of Hollywood & Highland)
(323) 465-3111 |
50's Style diner, right down to your server uniform. Started in San Francisco, became a popular chain there. Now they have a few locations around Los Angeles. Open till 1 AM. |
Limited Street/Pay Lot |
N/A |
Food: <$15 pp |
|
West Hollywood, CA |
Full service restaurant. Has everything from sandwiches to dinners. Open 24 hours a day. |
Free |
N/A |
Food: <$10 pp |
|
|
The Kettle |
Manhattan Beach, CA |
Full service restaurant. Open 24 Hours a day. |
Street |
N/A |
Food: <$12 pp |