Comments (0) BEST WEEKEND ELECTRONIC BEATS - 2009
Hyperion Tavern
You'd never notice Silver Lake's Hyperion Tavern unless someone pointed it out. It's housed in a nondescript navy blue brick of a building on a shady tree-lined stretch where Fountain meets Hyperion. Its owners don't do much promotion; the only signage is a striped barber pole. Until relatively recently it was a gay leather bar (leading surprised would-be patrons to receive beers when they're requesting "bears"). But every Friday, the place turns into one of L.A.'s finest havens for beat heads, with Matthew McQueen (matthewdavid) and Shaun Koplow's (sodapop) Calling All Kids night and its all-star assortment of rotating guest DJs. Since starting in January, the Dublab-, Alpha Pup- and Anticon-affiliated pair have recruited Lucky Dragons, Nosaj Thing, Doseone, Yoni Wolf of WHY?, Ras G, Dntel, Daedelus and Dam-Funk, to spin among the dive bar's décor of dusty legal books and antique chandeliers — not to mention live performances from Serengeti, Polyphonic and Zackey Force Funk. There's no hard liquor, it's cash only (though there is an ATM), and with a 70-person capacity, the Tavern fills up quickly. But if you're looking for a no-cover, no-frills spot to swill cheap beer and hear great music, there are few better options — provided you can find the place. 1941 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake. (323) 665-1941, hyperiontavern.com.
—Jeff Weiss
