Los Angeles' Best Spot for a Secret Affair 2008

Comfortable basement-sized martini bar fills a niche between the stuffier and scruffier neighborhood spots.

Reviews:

• “Great Ambiance, Awesome Music, Unique Martinis”
• “Best Ambiance Best Service – anywhere”
• “Dig the Atmosphere”
• “Best date place Ive been in a while”
• “Got a losuy waitress/food tasted like it was frozen deep fried and a lot of salt.”

Tips: There’s no sign and the entrance is located just north of Manhattan Beach Boulevard, on Ninth Street.

The Side Door

Downtown’s lounge-life evolution continues, this time in a historically refurbished, turn-of-the-century boiler room.

Reviews:

• “See to believe…”
• “We need more places like this”
• “Great decor, rude Staff”
• “Classy, trendy, beautiful lounge”
• “Different concept but well done”

Tips: The bar is actually located down Harlem Place Alley. Look for the bouncer outside.

The Edison
email The Edison

This ain’t your average Strip club, baby: Sexy lounge lures scenesters and celebrities with its Vegas-style sensibility and solid New American small plates.

Reviews:

• “A definite must!!”
• “Great Place for Friends!”
• “Best Restaurant in LA”
• “New chef has created fantastic menu "
• “great menu, tasty cocktails”

Tips: The velvet rope scene on weekends (and Monday nights) can be quite a crush, but a dinner reservation will get you in immediately. DJs spin nightly. The kitchen offers a complete menu up to 1am.

ONE Sunset
email ONE Sunset

Oh, the tales to be told if these walls could talk.

Reviews:

• “old charm hollywood”
• “We were treated like Royalty!”
• “If you must get into trouble, go to the Marmont”
• “It depends on how you look at it…”
• “OVER-RATED!”

Tips: Hungry? Head to the hotel’s trendy restaurant for some nourishment.

Chateau Marmont

Experience a world of sensitivity in a pitch-black dining room, guided by blind servers, at Santa Monica’s V Lounge.

Reviews:

• “Good place to go that is dark”
• “Exhilarating experience”
• “Great Concept – Not so great food”
• “Experience Beyond the Norm”
• “So much fun! Everyone should eat here at least once!”

Tips: Wine and beer are offered with the meal—differentiate the white wine glasses from red by feeling the shape of the glass.

Opaque – Dining In The Dark at V Lounge
email Opaque – Dining In The Dark at V Lounge

Secluded supper club lets the dress-to-impress crowd step past Sunset’s neon lights and traffic into Paris, circa 1925.

Reviews:

• “Response to the doorman’s review: You are really making this place go out of business dude!”
• “Run by rejects”
• “thank you”
• “POWER TRIPS.”
• “If the Guys at the door weren’t such losers, it would be a great bar… Worse front door in Los Angeles”

Tips: Dress code is strictly enforced. Jackets are preferred for men and, sorry Turtle, no tennis shoes.

Green Door

A one-of-a-kind tropical spot for grog and grub.

Reviews:

• “INEDIBLE BAD FOOD POORLY SERVED”
• “Great place to get a drink, date and appetizers”
• “Great Drinks and Atmosphere”
• “Bahooka- an establishment as unique as its name.”
• “BEST TROPICAL MIXED DRINKS OUTSIDE OF HAWAII”

Tips: If the onsite lot fills up, street parking in the area is plentiful.

Bahooka

Velvet, leather and candles mix with hip-hop and funk for a soulful evening.

Reviews:

• “It’s better to come during the week,”
• “THE ROOM IS BACK TO THE OLD DAYS”
• “Hard to find but worth the search”
• “Always and still is…”
• “Good vibe, great music, friendly atmosphere”

Tips: Try The Room on holidays: It has a Halloween extravaganza and is one of the few L.A.-area establishments that doesn’t charge cover on New Year’s Eve.

The Room SM

Chef Nadav Bashan’s rising star brings sublimely inventive New American cuisine to a chic, modern Montrose setting.

Reviews:

• “REALLY GREAT food, intimate setting”
• “Hidden Gem!!!”
• “Best rip off in the area”
• “Average Bistro, Typical CA Fare”
• “So Delicious, I Almost Cried”

Tips: Street parking is usually easy on Verdugo, but mind the signs that instruct to turn wheels to the curb—they ticket frequently for this violation.

Bashan Restaurant

Models, musicians and a French-kissed menu of martinis at this swank Beverly Hills hotel bar.

Reviews:

• “used to be one of my faves”
• “Cozy Lounge with good martinis”
• “Cozy, Hot, Secret”
• “Red – Very Red”
• “Looks like David Lynch decorated it”

Tips: After 9pm on weekends, this tiny space can become uncomfortably full. Stop in after 6pm for a tranquil pre-dinner aperitif.

Bar Noir at Maison 140