Some people are lucky enough to be able to leave work at 5 and catch that glorious window of time known as happy hour. For the rest of us, however, the Falls Lounge's schedule is more accommodating, with a later happy hour that runs from 6 to 9 p.m. It's a cozy yet cool spot bearing comfy couches lining the wall, and it's big enough to accommodate your whole crew. As for the crowd, it tends to transition from business-casual to casual-club as early evening turns to night, which means you'll probably fit right in no matter how you're dressed. Topping it all off, beloved old-school hip-hop radio station KDAY is in the house every Thursday night, with DJ Prophet spinning smoothed-out joints and jams that will melt even the most reluctant dancer's resolve. Though it's located on the trendy stretch of Spring Street, somehow there's almost always decent parking. With no cover, there's no way you can go wrong. 626 S. Spring St., dwntwn. (213) 612-0072, thefallslounge.com.

—Rebecca Haithcoat