The New Face Of Los Angeles: a Real Adventure

ROOFTOP BARS

Upstairs at Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles – 929 South Broadway, Los Angeles – Situated a top the landmark 1927 United Artists building, this hip in-door-out door lounge offers an urban sanctuary in the heart of Down-town L.A. (DTLA). The stylish Moroccan-themed decor comes from local design collective Commune, with a concrete pool inspired by the late artist Donald Judd’s residence in Marfa. Cocktails pay tribute to neighborhoods like Little Tokyo and Hollywood & Vine, while mouthwatering snacks include California-style avocado toast and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Catch LA – 8715 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood – Since opening in late September, this West Coast outpost of the NYC favorite has become the place to see and be seen in the City of Angels. The sprawling 12,000-square-foot space features an expansive, 340-seat outdoor dining area-complete with a retractable roof for the rare L.A. rainy day-overlooking the twinkling West Hollywood Design District. But it’s the scene inside that offers the most impressive views of all, best enjoyed from a comer banquette over a plate of truffle tuna sashimi.

Mama Shelter – 6500 Selma Ave., Los Angeles; 323-785-6666 – Nestled above the sixth story of Mama Shelter Los Angeles-the first U.S. location of the cult Parisian hotel brand-this lively year-old roof-deck features 360-degree views that stretch from the Hollywood sign to DTLA, and sometimes all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Mama Shelter’s aesthetic takes inspiration from the tropics, with vibrant-hued wooden tables and chairs and a palapa-style bar. The palm tree-lined space serves a Mediterranean menu for lunch and dinner, and has its own outdoor movie screen.

E.P. & L.P. – 603 North La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood – The epic S,500-square-foot rooftop bar-with lush landscaping, oversize deck chairs, a communal fire pit, and prime views of the Hollywood Hills—is one of the top draws at this two-level hot spot, which opened in May 2015. Aussie-Fijian chef Louis Tikaram serves up Southeast Asian small plates like soft-shell-crab bao and organic tofu fries alongside inventive drinks-go for one of his signature bubble tea cocktails featuring fruit-flavored boba pearls. Full dinners can be enjoyed in the bustling restaurant below.

Perch – 448 Hill St., Los Angeles – Floating 16 stories above the cityskyline, this French-style bistroand lounge elevated-quite literally-the downtown L.A. nightlife scene when it opened in 2011. Order the Penicillin-a bibulous concoction of Famous Grouse Scotch, lemon juice, agave nectar, and ginger elixir-and post up by one of the ornate outdoor fireplaces under the stars. -Amanda Eberstein

NIGHTLIFE

The Walker Inn – 3612 West 6th St., Los Angeles – A place for serious cocktail enthusiasts, this 27-seat Koreatown den is accessed via a discreet entry behind the Normandie Club at Hotel Normandie. Make a reservation in advance to secure a spot at the seven-person bar, where the Walker Inn’s talented mixologists lead guests through an omakase experience of two or more carefully crafted cocktail courses. The menu changes about every six weeks and always sticks to a specific idea. Previous themes have run the gamut from “Pacific Coast Highway” to “Wet (Hot) American Summer.”

Clifton’s Cafeteria – 648 South Broadway, Los Angeles – After a five-year restoration, the city’s oldest cafeteria-style food hall reopened in 2015 as a multiuse dining and nightlife destination. The newest addition to the historic six-story space is the just-opened tiki bar, the Pacific Seas, up an obscured staircase on the fourth floor. Decorated in a vintage, Polynesian style-think traditional thatch work, a hand-painted mural, and a bar made from a Chris Craft mahogany boat-the kitschy-fun spot features classic tropical cocktails like Mai Tais and Fog Cutters, live performers, and seafood-centric fare.

Doheny Room – 9077 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood – The latest concept from the hospitality wizards at SBE Entertainment, this restaurant-cum-lounge is where the pretty young things of Los Angeles go to let loose. Wednesdays or Saturdays are promoter nights-meaning you should probably know someone if you want to get past the velvet ropes. Once in, grab a table by the tropical wall, order a Delgado Dorado, and soak in the scene.

Beacher’s Madhouse – 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles – After a brief hiatus, this quirky vaudeville-inspired nightclub made its triumphant return to the newly renovated theater at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in October. In addition to the usual cast of zany characters-like the infamous Flying Little Person bartenders-look for new additions, such as a mini Kanye West and sultry burlesque dancers.

RESTAURANTS

Gjelina – 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice – Since opening in 2008, this perennially packed eatery has helped transform the once sleepy Venice surfing haven into a highly sought-after neighborhood. The rustic space has a humming communal bar area in the front and a courtyard in the back, with farm-to-table plates meant for sharing. Start with one of Chef Travis Lett’s signature flatbread pizzas before moving on to the grilled lamb ribs and crispy duck confit.

Tower Bar – 8358 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood – Located inside Jeff Klein’s Sunset Tower Hotel, this elegant dining room and terrace strikes the perfect balance between star-studded and understated. Legendary maître d’ Dimitri Dimitrov watches over the intimate, 80-seat space, where classic American dishes like burgers and clams casino combine with one of the best dirty martinis in town to offer an Old Hollywood feel.

Nobu Malibu – 22706 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu – Yes, chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s sushi is delicious, but at this sexy hot spot overlooking the Pacific Ocean on Carbon Beach, it’s all about the scene. Open in this location since 2012, the clean-lined wooden space has quickly become an L.A. icon, with an expansive outdoor terrace and oceanfront seating that caters to the city’s who’s who. And now, with Soho House’s new’ Malibu outpost next door, the crowds-and paparazzi-show no sign of slowing down.

Craig’s – 8826 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood – When Craig Susser, the beloved longtime manager of famed Italian restaurant Dan Tana’s, opened his own American joint in 2011, it became an instant L.A. institution. The clubby atmosphere is perfect for a big night out on the town, with celebrity fans like George Clooney and Ben Affleck, and hearty dishes like prime rib-eye and honey-truffle fried chicken.

Baroo – 5706 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles – If there is any restaurant indicative of where the city’s food scene is headed, it’s this tiny, 19-seat kitchen-located in a strip mall. Overseen by ambitious Korean chef and co-owner Kwang Uh, who trained at Noma before moving to L.A. in 2015, this experimental eatery features an ever-rotating menu that puts twists on Asian classics such as pineapple fermented kimchi and kimchi fried rice. The result is a surprising combination of comfort and unpredictability that has won Baroo rave reviews and recognition from the James Beard Foundation.