Category: Entertainment

“Smokey” the bear will put a smile on your face the moment you walk into the door. Another “wild” animal on display is the friendly animatronic gopher that bobs up and down out of a tree stump, on a continuous loop. A stuffed boar head along with a docile deer head hang proudly on the bar wall to greet bar visitors with their plastered smiles illuminated by a deer-in-the-head-light-fixture. The overall log-cabin décor is cozy and warm with the wood-paneled walls and a blaring fireplace creating a truly rustic mood, just like that, of a snow topped-lodge, found high in the alps. The bar has many comfortable booths to lounge in, ideal for a girl’s night.

Every night the Bigfoot lodge has something different to offer. Monday nights Rockn’ Roll Karaoke, and Sunday nights Bingo are just a blast.

A different DJ adds great music to the already awesome atmosphere every night. Wednesday night you can listen to old English tunes and Thursdays the DJ plays anything from classic Rockabilly to old school Punk. Tuesday nights you can bring your own I pod. You also have to meet the Bigfoot Lodge movie-guy. He shows fun and bizarre movies in the fireplace area.

The Bigfoot Lodge crew is super friendly. Some of the Bartenders have been there for many years and mix some excellent drinks. The girl’s favorites have been the “pink drink specials” which you must surly give a try. (On different nights drink specials are offered, depending on the theme of the night. )

With the variety of music and activities the Bar has to offer, it attracts a great range of friendly people. It’s a bar for everybody who just likes to have a good time, no matter if you are an artist with lots of tattoos, or a business guy in a grey flannel suit.

You’ll never get bored at the Bigfoot Lodge and it is super easy to meet some fun people. So get some girlfriends together, have a great time and I’ll see you there.

The Bigfoot Lodge is a great neighborhood bar. Conv. Located on Los Feliz Blvd just east of the 5 Fwy. It’s easy to get to and parking is never a problem.

My first impression of the world famous Derby club in Los Feliz was a good one. The inside décor offers a comfortable atmosphere, even if the club fills up (which happens more often than not). It also offers some of the best live performance sound of all the Hollywood music clubs. Yet, from a performance standpoint, the on stage sound, and sound crew leave a lot to be desired. Of course, the majority of you will be there to enjoy the music, and I’m here to tell you, you will.

As you walk through the front door you are presented with a choice. To the left is a small acoustic room for solo performers and singer-songwriters, and to your right is the main live room where the bands tear the roof off! There are way too many acoustic rooms in Hollywood, so make your way to the right.

Upon entry you will be greeted by the martini bar stuck very inconveniently in the center of the room. I only say this because when things are busy and packed, it makes it very difficult to get a drink. To the right of the bar you’ll find several tall bar tables with comfortable chairs. These also offer the best view of the stage (granted they are also closest to the speakers so if you like it loud, than go ahead!). On the other side of the bar are a collection of well designed, but unpractical booths. Though they offer supreme comfort, the visual element is supremely lacking.

So once you’ve positioned yourself it will be time to listen to the music. Caddy corner from the booths is the stage – with enough room to fit a four member group comfortably. For those bands who have pianists (such as mine), the Derby has a great sounding baby grand already miked up (a huge plus for us who have to move our own equipment). Though the onstage monitor system lacks the punch of most other clubs, the balance of the instruments is surprisingly good, and the sound from the crowd is excellent.

So bring your friends down to the corner of Hillhurst and Los Feliz to see some of the best bands in Los Angeles (not just any band can play the Derby). The Derby is sure please!

Set amongst the scenic beauty of Hollywood’s Griffith Park, the Greek Theatre is one of the premier concert venues in Los Angeles. Its size and layout make for a comfortable, almost intimate concert going experience, and its sound will leave you wondering what all the other theatres in town are doing. The Greek also has one of the best backstage areas I’ve been to in my career. All in all, The Greek offers concert goers a unique view of Hollywood and a damn fine concert (well I guess that depends on who you see).

My first experience at the Greek was seeing Oingo Boingo’s Halloween spectacular in 2006. Besides a fabulous performance, the night was made all the more enjoyable by the appearance of my friend Paul, who just so happened to be playing with the band. He was able to get me and my friends backstage passes for the show. So we partied like rock stars, with the rock stars in the backstage. Free beer, and fun, what more could you ask for?

The Greek also offer a number of meal packages and a fantastic picnic environment. Since it’s located in the middle of the vast Griffith Park, you know you’re going to be surrounded by natural beauty. I would even suggest making a day of it by spending some time in the park before the show.

But let’s get back to venue. I’ve sat in a few different sections and I’m here to say that the sound does not diminish anywhere in the venue. It’s built to make every seat as enjoyable an experience as the next, a rarity amongst venues these days (most music venues choose size over comfort; the more the merrier mentality). The stage is the perfect size for any band, and the caliber of artists who choose the Greek as their Los Angeles tour stop cannot be ignored. Anyone from George Clinton to The Fray, The Greek has it all.

So with that being said, if your favorite artist comes to the Greek, you know you’re in for a good show. So keep your eyes peeled!

There are good things to say about the Verity Room, a small performance hall located in Simi Valley, but majority rules for the bad. This small room, located in the back of a low budget music store (don’t get your hopes up, I wouldn’t look for Fender or Gibson here), is supposed to be a haven for young singer songwriters, and artists. Instead, The Verity Room is an overpriced sweat shop family oriented performance space.

Let’s start at the beginning. Upon entry to Guitar Merchant (located, but well hidden on Topanga Canyon Blvd) you’re charged seven dollars for admission to the back room. You walk through the small hallway and are at once greeted with a very pleasant sight. The first good thing I’ll say about the Verity Room is that its image is top notch. It’s visually pleasing to the eye, but comfort is a problem. Though there are plenty of seats, very few of them are actually comfortable. I think it’s safe to say that the tables are from the outdoor section, and the lonely pillows on the ground are missing their couches.

So grab a seat now. The performances are usually top notch, and places like this are always known for breeding the next wave of amazing talent. The room is also home to a very beautiful, and great sounding grand piano, an instant plus for piano playing performers. There’s enough room on the stage for a full band, and the sound system can handle just about as much as it needs.

There is one major problem that will always hurt the Verity Room. The one thing that always brings people to a performance in L.A. is Alcohol. The Verity Room, on the other hand, does not sell Alcohol or any other beverages at all. That lack of liquid equates to a lack of ticket sales. It’s really hard for young emerging bands to pack people in based on the music alone. And to top that of, when the room does fill up, it heats up, a major pain for those performing.

I will say that from a performers point of view (I have performed their on a few occasions), the help is really great, and they treat bands right. The sound is usually top notch for what they have, and performances are often quite spirited. All in all, their hearts are in the right place. With a little work, The Verity Room could be a great place to bring your friends and enjoy some local talent. Instead it’s a work in progress that warrants a visit, but it’s not a top priority.

If you’re into all things rock, and are looking for a drink before you hit the Whiskey or the Roxy, or if you’re looking for some good food, The Rainbow is where you need to be. Of course it doesn’t hurt that it’s a world famous bar where rock stars still hang out, and where the eighties are still alive and kicking. Known as THE hangout spot during the heyday of the Sunset Strip, The Rainbow still attracts the likes of Tom Morello and Lemmy on a regular basis.

One of the reasons that this place stood the test of time and why the stars still come back is the menu. The Rainbow’s menu is a top notch collection Italian and American favorites, perfect for curing hangovers with the band, or out on the town with the misses. My food recommendation would be the homemade Lasagna, but I must say everything I’ve eaten there has been good.

Now it wouldn’t be a rock club without live music. The upstairs portion of the bar offers live acoustic music by some of Hollywood’s finest emerging talent. Though I will say that the upstairs is not as roomy as the lower portion. As you would expect, the entire bar gets incredibly packed on Friday and Saturday nights and getting around is a little hard to do.

There is a bar located on the outside, but during busy hours it’s almost impossible to get to. You’d be much better off just getting a table and ordering all your drinks from there. It’s a much more proficient way to get your drinks while enjoying the amazing menu. Oh, and don’t be afraid to glance at the dessert menu.

The Rainbow is located right in the middle of such famous clubs as The Whiskey A Go-Go, The Roxy, and The Key Club, making it a real Mecca for musicians and music appreciators alike. Overall, The Rainbow is a great place to get a fresh taste of what the Sunset Strip is all about.

Ah, the Pig n' Whistle. I’ve got plenty of memories in that place. There was a time in my life where I spent every night at that place. Of course not only did I go to school next door (Musicians Institute), I used to live just down the road. But, there is just such an atmosphere inside that me and my buddies couldn’t help but not ask each other after class “we going to the pig?” Whether it’s the excellent drinks, wonderful food, or wild and often unpredictable entertainment, the Pig n’ Whistle delivers on all levels.

With it’s convenient location next to the Egyptian Theatre (Where the movie premieres happened during the Twenties and Thirties when the pig opened it’s doors), it’s not too uncommon to run across a who’s who of Hollywood. It’s also a major tourist attraction, so it’s pretty easy to say that there will always be a few out of place families sitting in the booth across the right wall.

To me, The Pig really comes alive when the sun goes down. Home to some of my favorite bar tenders, the Pig is THE place to drink with your buddies in downtown Hollywood. The low lights, and abundant television’s make it a great place to bring your whole crew. Almost every night of the week finds the Pig turning into the place to be, and one of the many places to be seen in the downtown area.

For all you karaoke fiends out there, The Pig’s Wednesday night karaoke is notorious. I used to spend every Wednesday night singing, dancing, and drinking at The Pig. I think I most enjoyed the fact that every week there was a great mix of friends and new people alike. You can always meet new people, and can always count on your friends waiting for you outside, or at the bar. Also, If you’ve got some single guys in your crew (or you yourself), The Pig is a great place to meet and pick up women of all shapes, sizes, and personalities.

If you make it before ten o’clock I would recommend you order something from the menu. No one wants to drink on an empty stomach, and no one should pass up these delectable dishes. Among the many amazing choices are pizza (the chicken and artichoke heart is the best), fish and chips, and some of the best calamari around. Top all that off with a hearty lager, or a nice cocktail. It’s good to get something in your stomach because your going to need it. The rest of the night will become a blur of fun and laughter just be safe. If you can walk, do it. I walked there every week, and despite what people say, Hollywood is a safe place to be even at night.

That being said, The Pig n’ Whistle is a fantastic place for you and your friends to spend a night on the town.

A local favorite that makes midtown Long Beach the place to be on a cold winter night. Located at the corner of Junipero and 4th St, Portfolio is the traditional coffeehouse you grew up with. In a world surrounded by franchise monsters like Starbucks and Coffee Bean, it’s nice to see a small place like this (though it is not necessarily small) thriving within the community.

On the visual side of things, Portfolio offers a fantastic indoor and outdoor atmosphere. Outside the doors there are plenty of places for you and your significant other to sit, sip, and feed off of each other’s warmth. There are also a wide variety of shops within walking distance, making late night that much more fun.

Once through the doors your eyes will typically be greeted by people and laptop computers. Portfolio’s free wireless internet, and limited amount of noise make it a Mecca for writers, and college students alike. There is hardly a person inside whose eyes aren’t glued to their screens, which makes for little, or no conversation (besides laptops, iPod’s are very popular here as well). I would say that there is a feeling that whatever conversation you have inside should be hushed and quiet.

If you are just popping in by yourself, it is a perfect atmosphere to get some thinking done. The walls are adorned with an interesting array of paintings, which I would assume are from local artists. They also sport a wide variety of magazines for sale (consisting of mainly music magazines, Rolling Stone, Mojo, Etc).

When you reach the counter, portfolio offers you typical coffee house fare. There’s coffee, mocha, tea’s, etc, all of which is good, and worth you four dollars. I would recommend anything from the mocha category, as well as the teas. For those who’ll be spending an extended amount of time there, Portfolio also offers a pretty extensive lunch menu.

Things then change on Friday and Saturday nights when Portfolio’s back room becomes a hot spot for weekend entertainment. At around nine o’clock, you should make your way to the back room where you can see the cream of the crop of local singer songwriters performing the best they got. I think that’s what really makes this place feel like the traditional coffeehouse I grew up. They are grooming house for the best talent that Los Angeles has to offer. To top that, amateur talent can show their stuff on Wednesday nights Open Mic, also starting at nine.

Portfolio is only a hop, skip, and a jump from my house, so I spend a good amount of time there. It’s a fantastic atmosphere that serves many purposes. So, whatever you’re feeling, Portfolio Coffeehouse is a good place to go to think about it, or not think about it.

The Knitting Factory is many things. On one hand it is a first rate concert facility stocked with three stages (all of which have their own sound and bars). On the other, it is a little small and barely manages to hold all of its occupants. Yet overall, the Knitting Factory is a fine place to spend an evening with friends and catch Hollywood’s finest local talent.

Being a musician myself, I’d like to begin by saying that playing the Knitting Factory has always been a pleasant and enjoyable experience. That being said, the quality of the music that graces the stages is usually as good as it gets. Because of the Knitting Factory’s relatively small size, most people get full view of everything that’s happening on stage. This intimate atmosphere adds major points to the appeal of the Knitting Factory.

Once you enter through the front door your eyes will be greeted by some very comfortable plush couches, and the first of three bars. Treat yourself first to one of many over priced drinks, that is if you can squeeze your way through the mob of people. If you make a right you’ll see the second stage. This is where the lesser bands, and touring indie bands play. This stage is nice, but there is not a lot of room to stand and it can get annoying if you find yourself in the path of traffic from the other rooms to the bars.

Next I would recommend making a quick stop by the Alterknit Lounge. This small little room is a haven for local singer songwriters looking to get their talent out there. If you need to, you can make your way to the second bar in the back of this room. Though it’s not as stocked as the one up front, you can still get an overpriced beer or two. This room doesn’t usually have as many people in it and is a nice place to get away and still enjoy the music.

If you leave this room, the only other place to go is the main stage. This is obviously where the larger bands come to play. The room is smaller than the House of Blues, but holds the same atmosphere. The visibility is pretty clear from all angles, and offers the same intimate feeling that the rest of the club has. Also, as with all the other rooms, the main stage room has a fully stocked bar. I would not recommend going to this bar due to the loud noise from the stage. It’s a lot easier to get what you want from the front room.

The Knitting Factory is even smoker friendly with the convenient exits in back of the room. Overall, I would say that the Knitting factory offers a good concert going experience, as well as just an old fashioned good time for everybody.

In the mood for a little magic?

Located in Santa Monica along 4th Street, Magicopolis first opened its door in March of 1998 with magicians Penn & Teller performing its very first show. The shows at Magicopolis aren't what you'd normally expect from a traditional magic show…you won't find tuxedos, top hats, and rabbits here. Instead, you'll enjoy a highly entertaining live performance featuring comedy, magic, music, illusions, and best of all – audience participation.

The shows at Magicopolis run about 90-minutes and public performances are held Friday through Sunday. Magicopolis also holds shows for private parties, events, and tapings on other days of the week.

Visit their website for up-to-date show time information and/or to purchase tickets.

Parking

Metered parking may be a little hard to come by in Santa Monica, but if you're lucky enough to find a spot, make sure to read the signs carefully. Alternatively, there is a parking structure (#5) between Broadway and Santa Monica Blvd (same block as Magicopolis). Parking is free for the first two hours if you're entering before 6pm, otherwise, there's a flat-rate of $3 if you enter after 6pm.