Normally, I'm not a big fan of house parties. My practical side tells me I should prefer them, inexpensive drinks, people I probably like, comfortable places to sit. But the fact is, I like the bar. A bunch of people standing around trying to get alcohol in their system fast enough for someone to make a spectical out of themselves so everyone will have something to talk about, so not my scene.
From time to time, though, a house will surprise me. Last weekend I went to a friend's house, comfortable, well-designed, good food, good beer (the Champagne of Beers even) and good conversation. It may be time to rediscover the house party, give it a second chance.
Special thanks to Kyle and Patsy for hosting!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
A Beginners Guide to Las Vegas, Part 1
I go to Las Vegas a lot. Work, birthdays, freebie weekends, all these add up to an average of about a once a month visit. I've been going there for years too. This gives me an interesting perspective on the city. Not a local, not really a tourist either. But maybe this makes it the best of both worlds. I know what I like, what I don't, I have great contacts, can secure good deals, free passes, skip the line, bottle service (now I'm just bragging but still).
It's my home away from home, I love this city and it kills me at the same time. I've left a bar in tears on two occasions, I've left a bar with no memory of leaving, I've left sober, drunk, with friends, with strangers, in cabs, cars, limos and on foot. I know this city... as a visitor. Which makes me well qualified!
Okay, now the fun part. As a visitor you can separate everything out into two large categories and move on from there, Downtown and the Strip. Pretty much, unless you're considering moving there or purchasing property these are the only two places you'll go. We'll save Downtown for another installment, today The Strip. Now you decide if you want a restaurant, bar or club. Restaurants are a far cry from the 99cent steak buffet it used to be. Four star, Michelin rated, celebrity chefs, all are available. Bars are beyond numerous, too many to count. Clubs, ah the night club in Vegas. Not much can compare to Las Vegas clubs so that's where I'll begin.
Moon - Palms
If you go to the Palms you're gonna wait in line. If you purchase a table, with bottle service you won't have to wait as long but you'll still wait. If you know a club promoter you won't have to wait as long as the schmoes but you'll still wait. If you're a hot girl with 10 hot girl friends and can schmooze one of the guys at the rope you won't have to wait long. If you're one of the schmoes well, wear comfortable shoes.
But if this is your first time to Vegas Moon is where you should go. It's worth the wait and I hate waiting, like violently hate waiting in line and I'm telling you to go. It's a night club, it plays hip hop, r&b, top 40 music and the drinks are expensive (get used to that!). But it's 57 floors up, has two levels with outside viewing platforms of the Strip and a motha-effin retractable roof. Boom goes the dynamite.
XS - Encore
Did I say Moon was a must visit? Cause so is XS. Be prepared to shell out some serious cash to get in though, girls are $50 and guys are a whopping $100 cover! That's just to get in, then there's, you know, the alcohol and the tips. I cannot stress to you enough to always tip your bartender, especially if you use the same one again and again.
Okay, XS well, first of all it has a pool. Like you walk in the front and there's a bar and a dance floor and then you get past that and there's a pool. The pool actually, the pool that in the daytime is surrounded by bikini clad ladies smearing SPF 8 on their overly tanned selves. There's also another bar, some blackjack tables, some beds, you know, the usual stuff. Oh and I've heard (but haven't seen) that they occasionally rain money on the dance floor...I'm just sayin.
Tao - Venetian
Remember what I said about waiting in line at the Palms? Well, take that and quadruple it for Tao. Then, once you get inside there isn't enough room to dance, talk or drink. It's loud, sweaty and the tourist #1 stop. This place gets a thumbs down from me.
End of Part 1
It's my home away from home, I love this city and it kills me at the same time. I've left a bar in tears on two occasions, I've left a bar with no memory of leaving, I've left sober, drunk, with friends, with strangers, in cabs, cars, limos and on foot. I know this city... as a visitor. Which makes me well qualified!
Okay, now the fun part. As a visitor you can separate everything out into two large categories and move on from there, Downtown and the Strip. Pretty much, unless you're considering moving there or purchasing property these are the only two places you'll go. We'll save Downtown for another installment, today The Strip. Now you decide if you want a restaurant, bar or club. Restaurants are a far cry from the 99cent steak buffet it used to be. Four star, Michelin rated, celebrity chefs, all are available. Bars are beyond numerous, too many to count. Clubs, ah the night club in Vegas. Not much can compare to Las Vegas clubs so that's where I'll begin.
Moon - Palms
If you go to the Palms you're gonna wait in line. If you purchase a table, with bottle service you won't have to wait as long but you'll still wait. If you know a club promoter you won't have to wait as long as the schmoes but you'll still wait. If you're a hot girl with 10 hot girl friends and can schmooze one of the guys at the rope you won't have to wait long. If you're one of the schmoes well, wear comfortable shoes.
But if this is your first time to Vegas Moon is where you should go. It's worth the wait and I hate waiting, like violently hate waiting in line and I'm telling you to go. It's a night club, it plays hip hop, r&b, top 40 music and the drinks are expensive (get used to that!). But it's 57 floors up, has two levels with outside viewing platforms of the Strip and a motha-effin retractable roof. Boom goes the dynamite.
XS - Encore
Did I say Moon was a must visit? Cause so is XS. Be prepared to shell out some serious cash to get in though, girls are $50 and guys are a whopping $100 cover! That's just to get in, then there's, you know, the alcohol and the tips. I cannot stress to you enough to always tip your bartender, especially if you use the same one again and again.
Okay, XS well, first of all it has a pool. Like you walk in the front and there's a bar and a dance floor and then you get past that and there's a pool. The pool actually, the pool that in the daytime is surrounded by bikini clad ladies smearing SPF 8 on their overly tanned selves. There's also another bar, some blackjack tables, some beds, you know, the usual stuff. Oh and I've heard (but haven't seen) that they occasionally rain money on the dance floor...I'm just sayin.
Tao - Venetian
Remember what I said about waiting in line at the Palms? Well, take that and quadruple it for Tao. Then, once you get inside there isn't enough room to dance, talk or drink. It's loud, sweaty and the tourist #1 stop. This place gets a thumbs down from me.
End of Part 1
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Las Perlas
And we're back!
Downtown L.A. is not exactly known for it's... ummm... awesomeness. Really, no matter how many times I heard that it was being re-gentrified, that it was no longer just skid row (and Olvera Street), it remained a not destination in my mind.
I have been spending quite a bit of time downtown lately though; first because work sent me there, and then on my own, for fun even! That's right I went not for the bookie and not for the bondsman, but simply because I enjoyed the place. Nice condos, quality restaurants, amazing galleries and museums and, if you can believe it, actual history (not Roman Forum history but more history than people assume L.A. has).
So we head to downtown for a night at the Edison (I won't bother to review it, I'm pretty sure everyone has heard of it). But we got a late start and saw the line, well... I hate standing in line. With the Edison out we iPhone'd ourselves to a new location, a very cool looking place called the Association. After much circling we found parking and walked to this black door, oh with a huge line! Well, that just doesn't work for me. Fortunately, directly across the street was a sign for Las Perlas.
Latin music floated out the front patio and one guy stood out front checking ID's but NO LINE!! Heaven is no line. We made a bee line for the (prettily decorated) bathroom (hey, I can be impressed by a bar bathroom if I want) and then to the bar.
So we head to downtown for a night at the Edison (I won't bother to review it, I'm pretty sure everyone has heard of it). But we got a late start and saw the line, well... I hate standing in line. With the Edison out we iPhone'd ourselves to a new location, a very cool looking place called the Association. After much circling we found parking and walked to this black door, oh with a huge line! Well, that just doesn't work for me. Fortunately, directly across the street was a sign for Las Perlas.
Latin music floated out the front patio and one guy stood out front checking ID's but NO LINE!! Heaven is no line. We made a bee line for the (prettily decorated) bathroom (hey, I can be impressed by a bar bathroom if I want) and then to the bar.
It's decorated kind of Latin 50's kitsch but not out of control. Light enough inside to tell if that person you're flirting with is actually good looking, but still dark enough to be flattering after two high-powered margaritas.
Oh and the margaritas! Did I say no line was heaven? Because it might be these drinks instead. Three bartenders in snappy vests and slacks mix the deliciousness. Las Perlas is a tequila and mescal only bar. But it's okay if you don't like tequila, ask for 'The Sicilian' and you'll never know you were drinking the sometimes toilet worshiping phenomenon that is tequila. Even better if you can get the actual Sicilian behind the bar to mix it for you.
Best if you can get a seat at the bar to make friends (always make friends with your bartender people, doesn't matter how much they may occasionally piss you off..). All the guys here though are top notch! Nice, funny, mostly professional (it is a bar, they have be a little dirty) and pour a strong drink.
I've been to Las Perlas half a dozen times now and have had a great evening every time. I go downtown, try a couple places and then end up here again and again. I can't tell you how much I recommend this bar.
Oh, and if you see a handsome gentleman at the end of the bar by the bathrooms chatting with the bartenders go say 'hi,' it's Raul the GM and sometimes he has free drink tickets for, you know, the special people.
Las Perlas
103 E 6th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014-2005
(213) 988-8355
Los Angeles, CA 90014-2005
(213) 988-8355
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