Gilda Gazor Gazor is a fourth-year
political science student. E-mail her at ggazor@media.ucla.edu.
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Students need to extend their bar scene outside of Westwood.
Maloney’s country music, Madison’s sticky floors and
Westwood Brew Co.’s same weekly scene all get old, especially
when you’ve been going to UCLA for years. If you don’t
have a car or a fake ID (or a real one), venturing out could pose a
great challenge, but I assure you it’s well worth the
effort.
The greater Los Angeles area offers a scene that will open your
mind to new people, music and fashions. Stop neglecting the cool
variety of nightlife that Los Angeles has to offer and get out of
Westwood!
Broken down into four relatively near areas, you can choose from
West Hollywood, East Hollywood, Santa Monica and Marina Del Rey.
Each area has its own unique clientele and party atmosphere.
Santa Monica and the Marina offer places that are more mellow
with more down-to-earth people. You can find great places like Baja
Cantina to have giant tasty Margaritas and chips while watching
Lakers games on the big-screen TV. A little change of atmosphere
from sweaty guys at Maloney’s never hurt anybody. The fresh
air of the sea and its Spanish-style setting compensate for
Kobe’s lack of ball control (hence the Trail Blazers game
last weekend). You can also pop by Baja Cantina on the weekends for
a drink before heading over to the Circle Bar, which plays
different music, including hip-hop. Although it is not in the heart
of Hollywood, you’ll find plenty of attractive people to
share a cocktail with.
If you’re in the mood for something a little more upbeat,
Hollywood is the place for you. Hollywood has two completely
different scenes. In West Hollywood you’ll find a lot of
plastic, in addition to platinum Visas. You’ll see plenty of
fake boobs and Pamela Anderson look-alikes. Not that there is any
problem with this, but it might be overwhelming considering that
many of these places require you to fit the appearance mold to get
past the door. If you are one of the bold and beautiful, West
Hollywood offers great resorts like Snatch on Mondays, Las Palmas
Wednesdays, Latin Lounge Thursdays, Garden of Eden Fridays and the
new club A.D. on Saturdays. If you want to rub elbows with celebs
like Leo Di Caprio and Destiny’s Child, who frequent these
locales, get there early and bring a deck of cards to play while
waiting in line.
If you’re tired of playing poker, head out a little
farther east in Hollywood to places that are less pretentious and
more conducive to having fun. East Hollywood has funky-chic bars
like Star Shoes where you can try on vintage women’s shoes
while sipping on a Martini and listening to the DJ spin music
ranging from hip-hop to trance. Warning: smoking is allowed on the
dance floor, so if you’re sensitive to smoke, steer clear of
this fume fest. Instead, head over to the Beauty Bar where you can
get a manicure and a cocktail while mingling with a retro crowd to
’80s music. They also do henna tattoos and even guys get
manicures, so don’t be afraid to try something different.
For a vibe that’s a little less funky but still ultra-hip,
try bars like Boardners, Daddy’s and 4100 bar which are truly
for rock ‘n’rollers. Cowboy hats, faded ’80s
shirts and unique style fill these crowds and make a night out on
the town a real experience. Also worth checking our are Three of
Clubs and the Dresden, made popular thanks to the classic
“Swingers” movie.
I know you’re thinking: designated drivers, taxi cabs and
expensive drinks are keeping you from leaving Westwood, but getting
out a few times a month won’t break the piggy bank. Save cab
fare by switching drivers and save money on drinks by drinking at
home.
Don’t ignore the bar altogether though, bartenders outside
Westwood can make anything from a mean Martini to exotic drinks
like Mohitos. So, gather your friends, take out your Thomas Guide
and leave your pint glass at home, it’s time to get out of
Westwood and really have fun!