Los Angeles' Best Hookup Spot 2008

Hip ultra-lounge returns to its long-ago straight bar roots, after a short stint as I-Candy on gay Logo TV.

Reviews:

• “One of the Best Exclusive Lounges!”
• “I HATE THIS CLUB”
• “WORST CLUB EVER! THEY DIDN’T EVEN PAY THE DJ!”
• “Horrible experience”
• “uh…yea”

Tips: Expect an easy door during the week, but Friday and Saturday nights are the tough ticket, when the promoters are more finicky.

Seven

Cheap margaritas and no-frills Mexican food fuel a spring break-style party.

Reviews:

• “OVER RATED”
• “Cool Laker game spot”
• “Waitress forgot Happy Hour”
• “College Vibes”
• “Bad food, smells, stay away!”

Tips: Get 2-for-1 drinks weekdays, 4pm-8pm. Popular cocktail choices include traditional and watermelon margaritas, mojitos and the Cabopolitan, made with tequila, cranberry and lime juice.

Cabo Cantina

Popular San Diego bar opens its second Westside branch, with boldly styled supper club in Venice’s former El Marquez space.

Reviews:

• “No shorts, no notice, no entry…”
• “Great music, lame crowd”
• “Worst Bartender Ever…”
• “I’ve never been disappointed here”
• “Awesome music, glitchy bartender”

Tips: The bar (and crowd) is best on Thursday and Saturday nights between 11pm and 1am, with rarely a line or any hassles at the door.

AIR CONDITIONED Supper Club

Flirtatious singles crowd the multiple dance floors at this Hermosa Beach hot spot.

Reviews:

• “Pretends like it’s Vegas…and acts even worse”
• “EASY, BREAZY, Bangin.”
• “DISCRIMINATING!!!!!!!!!!”
• “Good Fun Place”
• “worst place ever”

Tips: There’s no cover or line before 9pm. From 9pm to 10pm, the club closes its doors and freezes out the line so dinner patrons can eat in peace. After that, be prepared to wait, sometimes as long as two hours.

Sangria or email Sangria

Hike with beautiful people and their leash-less pooches on a paved trail with panoramic Hollywood vistas.

Reviews:

• “Nice Park, Too Many People”
• “It’s like 30 minutes on the stair master”
• “SO RELAXING, GREAT INSTRUCTOR!”
• “I’m a beginner, but plan to become a regular!”
• “Great workout, great views, dog friendly”

Tips: There’s no running water at the top of the canyon. Carry enough bottled water for yourself and your panting pooch.

Runyon Canyon Park

This sports bar gets a singles upgrade and girl infusion to become a new Santa Monica hot spot.

Reviews:

• “good at being a sportsbar, good at being a club, great at being neither”
• “GREAT Sports Bar on the Westside”
• “Final Four at the Best sports bar ever!!!!!!!!”
• “Always a Good Time”
• “WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER!”

Tips: The bar opens early on the weekends to cater to early game watchers, and breakfast is served Saturday and Sunday mornings. Regular menu items include wings, burgers, sandwiches and fries.

The Parlor or email The Parlor

Early-’60s swank meets Japanese minimalism at this striking Venice dining-and-drinking destination.

Reviews:

• “great place to hang out”
• “Great service & Food”
• “LAME Midget Redhead ‘Manager’”
• “Have had more pleasant experiences in a hospital cafeteria”
• “Horrible service and management and over priced food”

Tips: While the dining room is only open Tuesday through Saturday evenings, the lounge serves seven nights a week. The bar menu features smaller-portioned items like shrimp skewers, grilled lamb meatballs, and three kinds of fries.

Beechwood

Eclectic neighborhood crowd lingers over all-American fare and inventive cocktails in this relaxed Venice eatery.

Reviews:

• “Don’t talk too loud while Hal’s having dinner!”
• “nice atmosphere, poor food”
• “Great Bar, Delicious Food, Terrific Atmosphere”
• “salad was good!”
• “Long wait on Saturday Night”

Tips: On packed weekend nights, ask for a table in the quieter, upstairs dining room, which may also be entirely rented out for private dinners of up to 40 people.

Hal’s Bar & Grill

If you were in the Mood a couple years ago, settle in for a night at the Opera.

Reviews:

• “Disappointed Finally….”
• “Mondays and Fridays are takin’ over”
• “From a guy’s perspective…”
• “avoid”
• “arrogant self -centered club with 20 dollars surcharge”

Tips: Even if you’re well over 21, bring your ID—you won’t get in without it.

Opera

Fresh produce and gourmet frozen foods sold at affordable prices.

Reviews:

• “Great Location”
• “It’s my fave”
• “Best Local Neighborhood Market , Great Service”
• “If you liked pre packaged and canned goods”
• “Fast check out”

Trader Joe’s

Studio City gets a taste of the lounge life with a cool theme bar.

Reviews:

• “awful, sad little place”
• “where its at”
• “Hip Valley hideaway…miami style DJs…the meltingpot”
• “Bartenders or pickpocket”
• “clearly not a place for me”

Tips: Arrive early to chat up club owner Bryan, who concocts better mojitos than the bartenders—and does so from scratch—but only for special customers. Bring your own mint: It’s available down the street at Trader Joe’s.

Clear or email Clear