Hidden behind a simple black painted building is perhaps the Valley's best bar. This dimly lit lounge is the place to be if you are feeling in the mood for a Hollywood bar, but don't feel like making the trek over the hill. The decor is what you would expect to find in Hollywood. The bar is decked out with stained glass and an eclectic collection of drinks. Everything from well aged scotch to flavored vodkas lies in wait for spirit thirsty patrons.
Venture towards the back of the bar and you will find a comfortable lounge with felt-lined walls. The brown, gold and red walls have a throwback feel. It's like a dance back through time to some hip bar of the 60s. With comfortable couches, it's a perfect spot to relax with friends. If pool is your thing, an adjacent room contains a pool table. But expect to wait awhile if you want to play.
The drinks are pricier then other valley bars, but not by much. And the quality and strength of the pour more then makes up for the cost. The bartenders are attractive and good at their jobs. I have never had to wait more then a couple of minutes for a drink, even on weekends.
This bar has become a favorite of those looking to mix and mingle. The crowd here is matched by any you will find in Hollywood, with a wide range of styles and tastes. The atmosphere is friendly and lively. There is a palpable energy that fills the place, but never seems to overwhelm it.
Be warned, No Bar is considered the place to be on weekends by both locals and visitors. They get pretty crowded after ten. Groups of friends and co-workers seem drawn to the place. Make sure you get there early enough and you will be more then accommodated.
Like most bars, No Bar seems to rely heavily on street parking for its patrons. This is no problem, however as there is plenty of it.
Located in the fashionable part of the valley, Mexacali Cocina Cantina has a reputation for being a trendy spot to have lunch or diner. With that reputation comes both the good and the bad. Dark wood tables, soft lighting and tightly packed tables gives Mexacali a very comfortable feeling. Perhaps known for their very attractive waiter staff, almost all of whom are aspiring actors, and the celebrities that frequent the restaurant (Jessica Simpson most notable) as much as for there food, Mexacali continues to be a chic spot for those looking to see and be seen.
The Food
Don't come here expecting to get authentic Mexican food. The name says it all. The food is a standard mixture of everything you would find in a traditional Mexican restaurant, but done with a California sensibility. Flour over corn tortillas and esoteric spices such as saffron and cilantro are just a few of the differences. Some of the more popular dishes are the Tortilla soup, the shrimp fajitas and the Shrimp and Crab burritos. If you are looking for some drinks with your meal try their signature drink, the Margatini. It's as potent as it is tasty, packing enough licker to get most people buzzed with the first glass.
The Service
The service here is what you would expect from a trendy restaurant with an actor heavy staff. You get pleasant chit chat, your meal and a couple of refills on chips and drinks. If you come for diner expect a long wait. On some nights the wait can reach forty-five minutes as the place gets packed. Lunch is usually easier to get in without a wait or reservation.
Parking
Parking is perhaps the best I have seen at any restaurant. They share an adjacent lot with the surrounding business so there is plenty of it.
Located on the border of Burbank and North Hollywood, this small bar is the place to be for those looking for a trendy bar without the trendy attitude. A nondescript outside hides the sumptuous beauty and style of this quaint little bar. The interior is designed to look like a 50s gin joint; with all the style and grace of that era.
The single room space is cloaked in soft lighting that glimmers off the exposed brick walls adorned with scones and candles set above black circular booths. A long, black enameled bar stretches across the other side of the bar. From here the bartenders offer both good drinks and conversation. If your lucky you will strike up a conversation with the raven haired bartender who has all the sultry beauty of the bar itself.
The drinks here are phenomenal. Much better then what you would expect to find in a neighborhood bar. Their drink selection matches anything you will find in Hollywood or Los Angeles. The pour is great, with no premixing or water-downed booze. Order a drink here and expect to be satisfied.
Despite its opulent charm and style, Bar 21 maintains its neighborhood bar vibe. Perhaps it's the bartenders who actually bother to remember your name or the small size of the place. Either way you'll find yourself welcome by staff and patrons alike. This is the perfect spot to take a date after a diner. They are also open to you ordering in food if you get hungry while you drink.
Come down and check out the Valley's newest gem before it gets picked up by the in crowd. The place never seems to get too packed or too loud. It retains a perfect mixture of energetic joviality and friendly civility.
Once again the parking lot for this bar just cannot handle the numbers of visitors, so park on one of the nearby streets. There is plenty of room for everyone.
Hidden behind a corrugated steel entrance is a bar that time forgot. The decor is straight out of a fifties noir film. Located on the corner of San Fernando and Alameda in Burbank, the Blue Room is the place to be for locals and others looking for a break from the typical Hollywood bar scene.
The Scene
Referred to some as the best damn dive bar in Los Angeles, you will find the place alive with patrons on most nights. The types of people you'll come across at the Blue Room range from the local rummy to glitzed up Studio folk.
From the roomy and comfortable booths to the outdoor patio, the Blue Room, or the Blue as it is referred to by some of the regulars, has something for everyone. Just about the only thing that jumps out as modern in the entire place is the Juke Box. An internet connected wonder that allows you to download just about any song you could think of. That can be both a plus and a minus as I have heard Dancing Queen just one too many times.
The Drinks
The drinks are considerably cheaper then any you will find in Hollywood, or any other nearby bar for that matter; and twice as strong. With affable bar tenders and waitresses just as quick with a line as your drink, you are sure to be pleased with the experience.
The Parking
The parking situation is less then perfect, but at least it’s free. Don’t expect to find parking in their, oh so small lot. There is enough street parking to accommodate everyone though, so don’t worry. Make sure to use the back entrance as the front entrance seems to be just for show (and to comply with local ordinances).
