Little known fact: Thomas Edison himself set up LA’s first power plant. Though the building had fallen into disrepair (as these things are wont to do), it was purchased by some enterprising nightlife barons and turned into one of downtown’s classiest drink spots, while keeping the original hardware from the power station.

On slow nights, the entrance to this hot spot is hidden down a less than glamorous alley where you may have to step over puddles just to get to the door — but on the weekends it’s difficult to remain hidden when there is a line of desperate drinkers down the block. But once you find, or make it up to, the entrance and past the well-dressed but suave bouncer, you’ll have to be careful getting down the stairs to the expansive bar area. Two bars and knowledgeable bartenders serve up old time drinks with names like “Tesla’s Revenge #2” and small plates of taste gourmet munchies. Some nights you’ll find an absinthe fairy wandering with her cart of green concoctions or an aerial dance troupe entertaining the well-dressed patrons. The night that’s probably the most in line with the speakeasy era is Friday’s Soup Kitchen where from 5-7 you can get a $.35 martini with grilled cheese and tomato soup. Um, yum.