Los Angeles' Offbeat Destinations
Sometimes I get tired with the scene in Los Angeles. LA is well renowned for its glitz and glamor but after a while, things become stale and I try and seek different types of experiences off the beaten path. From turtle races to Thai Elvis impersonators, here are some of the wacky places that LA has to offer.
Restaurants
Because if you’re going to eat out, you might as well be entertained.
Opaque Dining in the Dark
8401 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069
After seeing this restaurant on “Rock of Love 2”, I knew that I had to go try it out. You know how they say that blind people give the best massages because they’re more attuned to their other senses? Well, I guess that doesn’t work in this case because they’re not actually cooking the food, but you get the point.
The food is pretty standard fare and the place always sort of smells faintly like a bathroom, but their main claim to fame is their excellent Thai Elvis impersonator that performs most nights. Laugh all you want, this guy is the real deal… except when he forgets The King’s lyrics and inserts random Thai words in their place.
The food is pretty standard fare and the place always sort of smells faintly like a bathroom, but their main claim to fame is their excellent Thai Elvis impersonator that performs most nights. Laugh all you want, this guy is the real deal… except when he forgets The King’s lyrics and inserts random Thai words in their place.
Miscellaneous
Because in a city as big and varied as LA, sometimes it’s just impossible to group these things into a category.
Brennan’s is a pretty nondescript Irish pub and sports bar save for its one saving grace: TURTLE RACING THURSDAYS! I have never seen such an eclectic group of people come together to watch reptiles race. Lots of surreptitious bets and as I’m sure you would expect, quite a few drunk people. This is an experience.
Brennan’s is a pretty nondescript Irish pub and sports bar save for its one saving grace: TURTLE RACING THURSDAYS! I have never seen such an eclectic group of people come together to watch reptiles race. Lots of surreptitious bets and as I’m sure you would expect, quite a few drunk people. This is an experience.
Following closely in the footsteps of Brennan’s animal themed Thursday nights, Ghetto Gloss offers “Ape Thursdays” featuring dancing apes and a simian themed movie marathon well into the wee hours of the morning. The art on display is not really my style, but it’s always good to go and laugh at other people’s (the guy in the dancing ape costume) misfortune.
Following closely in the footsteps of Brennan’s animal themed Thursday nights, Ghetto Gloss offers “Ape Thursdays” featuring dancing apes and a simian themed movie marathon well into the wee hours of the morning. The art on display is not really my style, but it’s always good to go and laugh at other people’s (the guy in the dancing ape costume) misfortune.
The self proclaimed premiere shopping destination for unique toys, gifts and underground clothing in Los Feliz. Which is a pretty sad statement when you think about it. Like The Flight of the Conchord’s who proudly state their status as “Formerly New Zealand’s fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo.” Except they were trying to be funny.
The self proclaimed premiere shopping destination for unique toys, gifts and underground clothing in Los Feliz. Which is a pretty sad statement when you think about it. Like The Flight of the Conchord’s who proudly state their status as “Formerly New Zealand’s fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo.” Except they were trying to be funny.
Irony Has a New Middle Name
The Sleazy Guy Every Girl Loves
Notice that Brett Michaels thinks that just about anything women do is hot?
Nightlife
These places definitely come in handy when you’re tired of being jostled around by dozens of Middle Eastern men who invariably roll up to the same night spots you do with their flashy jewelry, slick pomaded hair and hirsute displays of male virility.
Walking into Bigfoot Lodge is like going back in time to summer camp, but with significantly more pent up sexual frustration and heady amounts of booze. Expect lots of camp-style decor along with s’more themed cocktails replete with burning marshmallows. My girlfriend’s favorite!
Walking into Bigfoot Lodge is like going back in time to summer camp, but with significantly more pent up sexual frustration and heady amounts of booze. Expect lots of camp-style decor along with s’more themed cocktails replete with burning marshmallows. My girlfriend’s favorite!
After this place was prominently displayed in the film Swingers, tons of people packed the joint to try and soak up Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau’s hip vibe… OK, maybe just Vince Vaughn’s mojo. Still, the dynamic musical stylings of Marty and Elayne – the bar’s live music duo – are what bring me back to this establishment.
After this place was prominently displayed in the film Swingers, tons of people packed the joint to try and soak up Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau’s hip vibe… OK, maybe just Vince Vaughn’s mojo. Still, the dynamic musical stylings of Marty and Elayne – the bar’s live music duo – are what bring me back to this establishment.
SNL's The Culps
Just like Marty and Elayne, only a little bit worse.
Spa treatments… at night? Great concept.
Spa treatments… at night? Great concept.
Shopping
Put aside Melrose Ave. and Rodeo Dr. and come with me to the soft underbelly of LA’s burgeoning kitsch shopping scene.
One of my sushi chefs moonlights here as a fortune teller on his off days, and if you are into metaphysics or arcane religion, this is definitely the place for you. I’ve also noticed an apparent trend in men loitering around trying to pick up on women who have very little qualms about breaking Judeo-Christian precepts on promiscuous sexual activity. Hey, whatever gets business in the door!
One of my sushi chefs moonlights here as a fortune teller on his off days, and if you are into metaphysics or arcane religion, this is definitely the place for you. I’ve also noticed an apparent trend in men loitering around trying to pick up on women who have very little qualms about breaking Judeo-Christian precepts on promiscuous sexual activity. Hey, whatever gets business in the door!
"Psychic Eye"
Psychic eye: “I… I… sense… confusion.”
Me: in wonder “You’re a genius!”
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Big Mama's House
Name: juan sheem
Birthday: 6/1/1980
Gender: Male
Interests: Like Roberto Duran I say, "no mas." And like Duk Koo Kim I say, "ughhhh" and die in the ring because my stubbornness and pride as a Korean won't allow me to see that I am up against an opponent too strong, too fast and most impo...
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