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Akbar
4356 Sunset Blvd.
L.A., CA 90029
(323) 665-6810
http://akbarsilverlake.com Silver Lake's Moroccan-themed gay grotto is a long-running fave, as much for its stiff, reasonably priced drinks as for its vivacious, open-to-all atmosphere. When the adjacent dance room was added a few years ago, it became a full-fledged club. The dark and sweaty pit pumps and pulsates on weekends thanks to dynamic electro/disco mixes from local DJs. Expect a bevy of boho bi and gay grinders in the mix mostly on weekends, and local of all ilks during the week even crafters (!), who take over with an early gathering every Wednesday.
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ANTHILL PUB
4200 Campus Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 824-3050
The UCI grad students who run this place buy a buttload of beer. They buy stouts and ales, pales and darks, apricot this and wheat that. Everything from your Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye to your Lost Coast Downtown Brown to your Brasserie Huyghe-Melle Delirium Tremens, which we believe is illegal, to your North Coast Pranqster 2X Belgian, which we know is illegal.
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Antojitos Denise's
4060 E. Olympic Blvd.
L.A., CA 90023
(323) 264-8199
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AOC Wine Bar
8022 W. Third St.
L.A., CA 90048
(323) 653-6359
http://aocwinebar.com
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Bacaro
2308 S. Union Ave.
L.A., CA 90007
(213) 748-7205
Plush seats and restored barnwood tables line the perimeter of this intimate wine and tapas bar where a the menu is written on a large blackboard including around 20 wine varietals from around the world. Warmly lit and small, Bacaro is a relaxing, conversation promoting atmosphere. The wine, which averages around $8 a glass, and the small, but scrumptious tapas, each around $6, allow visitors to taste different food and wine pairings without emptying their savings. Try the braised beef shanks with a spicy Shiraz or the polenta with roasted eggplant with a crisp Pinot Grigio.
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Back Door Pub at Milner Hotel
813 S. Flower St.
L.A., CA 90017
(213) 627-6981
Wander down the dark ally behind the historic Milner Hotel and you'll see it - a glowing red sign beckoning you to enter through the back door to this speakeasy-reminiscent bar. You'll feel as if you should be greeted by some flirtatious flappers and men in pin-stripped suits. The jukebox is always playing and the atmosphere is relaxed. You'll want to sit down with a stiff one and chat with the bartender for a bit. The crowd is older and bar closes at 10.
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Bar Marmont
8171 Sunset Blvd.
L.A., CA 90046
(323) 650-0575
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Bar Pintxo
109 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
http://www.barpintxo.com/
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Baran
1916 Westwood Blvd.
L.A., CA 90025
(310) 475-4500
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Bastide
8475 Melrose Place
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 651-5950
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Beechwood
822 Washington Blvd.
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 448-8884
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BLD
7450 Beverly Blvd.
L.A., CA 90036
(323) 930-9744
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Blu Monkey Bar & Lounge
5521 Hollywood Blvd.
L.A., CA 90028
(323) 957-9000
Long cushioned benches lined with plush pillows, Morroccan-influenced decorations, and mosque-shaped hanging lights make Blu Monkey Bar & Lounge look as if it is a hookah bar. Despite the lack of hookahs, the vibe is laid-back. Speedy bartenders and good DJs keep customers happy and the dance floor full. Unpretentious, but still crowded, the Blu Monkey is a good place to chill with good friends.
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The Blue Cafe
210 The Promenade
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 983-7111
http://www.thebluecafe.com Beachfront club with 13 full-size pool tables upstairs, patio seating and dancing; full dinner menu. Full bar. Over 21.
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Blue Velvet
750 S. Garland Ave.
L.A., CA 90017
(213) 239-0061
http://www.bluevelvetrestaurant.com/
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Bona Vista Lounge
404 S. Figueroa St.
L.A., CA 90071
(213) 624-1000
This rotating cocktail lounge located on the 34th floor of the Westin Bonaventure hotel is a great place to get a birds-eye, 360 degree view of downtown. Sleek, curvy booths and dim, modern lights create a romantic ambiance in which visitors are able to enjoy the glistening view of the city at night. Fruity specialty drinks are served in souvenir glasses and light fare is offered.
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Brass Monkey
659 S. Mariposa Ave.
L.A., CA 90005
(213) 381-7047
http://www.caffebrassmonkey.com This small karaoke bar fills up to the brim after 10. A wide selection of oldies and modern songs give singers a range of options. Wait time to sing can get extremely long, but sitting in the audience is like being a judge on American Idol some have a little too much liquid courage that probably shouldn't. Try the Funky Monkey made with watermelon pucker, vodka and orange juice.
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BREWBAKERS
7242 Heil Ave.
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(714) 596-5506
http://www.brewbakers1.com Part fraternity, part bakery, part miniature brewery, Brewbakers is as much a bonding experience as an eating establishment, a gustatory amusement park in the midst of chain-heavy Huntington Beach. While the personal beer-making process is the main attraction, owner Dennis Midden maintains that baking is his first love, and a chomp through his pretzels?chewy loops with a perfect crustiness and enough salt to enhance the taste but not cover it?confirms it.
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Briganti
1423 Mission St.
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-4663
http://www.brigantirestaurant.com Some people with whom I am acquainted consider the Hollywood trattoria La Buca to be one of the great Italian restaurants in Los Angeles, a place to find perfect gnocchi, crisp-crusted pizza and pasta made with the care that only an Italian grandmother could bring to the job. Briganti, a rather sleeker restaurant from the same owner, is more or less a replica of La Buca on South Pasadena’s growing restaurant row, only with better furniture, easier parking and a patio perfect for sipping cool Orvieto on hot summer nights, but with the gnocchi recipe intact. Even if you are a La Buca regular, you may ask yourself where you have tasted rigatoni alla amatriciana, spaghetti with clams and pizza Margherita like Briganti’s, until the answer occurs to you: pretty much everywhere, especially if you have spent much time in the neo-Tuscan ghetto in Brentwood. Lunch Mon.-Fri. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., dinner Mon.-Fri. 5:30-10 p.m. and Sat.-Sun. 5:30-10:30 pm. Full bar. Street and lot parking. AE, MC, V. Italian. (Jonathan Gold)
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Camilo's
2128 Colorado Blvd.
Eagle Rock, CA 90041
(323) 478-2644