Miranda Banks
Old-school spots
Hollywood’s 15 minutes of fame aren't just for people—restaurants and bars in this city are equally ephemeral. Gone are old favorites like the Brown Derby, Ciros, Romanoff’s, Scandia, Perino’s, Le Dôme and Chasen’s. In the past month, Los Angeles lost Trader Vics in the Beverly Hilton, and Morton’s—the famous home of the Oscar night Vanity Fair party—will soon be converted into, horror of horrors, a private club.
But as adventurous newcomers and well-traveled denizens have found, there are a few classic spots in Los Angeles where old memories lounge in dark corners, and where patrons can relax and enjoy a taste of Hollywood history.
“There’s a generational difference that’s happened in the past thirty years,” says Frank Mulvey, author of 101 Best Bars of Los Angeles. “Bars didn’t differentiate between the old and the young. People used to go to neighborhood hangouts and then suddenly everyone was going to places they called ‘meat markets.’ Now, I guess people are looking for places to ‘meet and greet.’ Me, I like the history of these older hangouts.”...
Old-school spots
Hollywood’s 15 minutes of fame aren't just for people—restaurants and bars in this city are equally ephemeral. Gone are old favorites like the Brown Derby, Ciros, Romanoff’s, Scandia, Perino’s, Le Dôme and Chasen’s. In the past month, Los Angeles lost Trader Vics in the Beverly Hilton, and Morton’s—the famous home of the Oscar night Vanity Fair party—will soon be converted into, horror of horrors, a private club.
But as adventurous newcomers and well-traveled denizens have found, there are a few classic spots in Los Angeles where old memories lounge in dark corners, and where patrons can relax and enjoy a taste of Hollywood history.
“There’s a generational difference that’s happened in the past thirty years,” says Frank Mulvey, author of 101 Best Bars of Los Angeles. “Bars didn’t differentiate between the old and the young. People used to go to neighborhood hangouts and then suddenly everyone was going to places they called ‘meat markets.’ Now, I guess people are looking for places to ‘meet and greet.’ Me, I like the history of these older hangouts.”...
Miranda Banks Old-school spots Hollywood’s 15 minutes of fame aren't just for people—restaurants and bars in this city are equally ephemeral. Gone are ... more
354
CURRENT RANK
CURRENT SCORE
less stats more stats7.11
Rank (best ever) 19
Score (all time) 6249.00
Created 07/29/08
Views 6199
Votes [disabled]
1
Musso & Frank Grill
The oldest restaurant in Hollywood, Musso & Frank has been catering to the city’s denizens since 1919. The old-style grill room, red-coated waiters, long counter and bone-dry martinis served up for almost 40 years by longtime bartender Ruben Rueda are just what you expect. A favorite of William Faulkner, Charlie Chaplin and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
2
Boardner's
There is a side street noirish feel to Boardner's. Sitting just south of Hollywood Boulevard, the bar has a sheen of class in its dive bar history. The newly remodeled deep black deco-meets-harem look, high-backed booths, and long winding bar create an atmosphere designed to pull patrons out of the everyday. An outdoor bar, accessed through another entrance, hosts DJs and themed events.
3
Canter's Deli
Pass through the double set of doors: on your right a feast of deli delights, on your left, enough sugary desserts to make you diabetic just from a glance. Every seat at Canter’s is a booth, ensuring that patrons will always be relaxed and comfortably able to swing around to see who will be walking through the main dining room or picking up a dozen chocolate chip rugula or macaroons. Open 24 hours a day and with a immense menu, Canter’s caters to every patron’s craving, from green tea to gefilte fish.
4
Dan Tana’s
Three dollar Chianti bottles hang from the ceiling as signed sports memorabilia and photographs of beloved and famed customers line the walls at this West Hollywood establishment, which is now in its 43rd year. Patrons, though they may not enter knowing anyone, rarely leave the restaurant or its cozy bar without having had a friendly chat their neighbors.
5
The Dresden Restaurant
Skip the white leather booths of the dining room and head directly to the darker piano bar for a night of music, laughter and matching black sequined tops with Dresden’s beloved musical duo for the past 25 years, Marty and Elayne.
6
The Formosa Cafe
A sign over the bar at this historic landmark declares this establishment the place “where stars dine.” And they did: Gable, Monroe, Sinatra, etc. In fact, Elvis Presley was so pleased with having his own booth and the impeccable service he got from his regular waitress, Dora, that he bought her a Cadillac. Nowadays, patrons would recommend to dine elsewhere—perhaps across the street at local favorite Jones—and then come to the Formosa for drinks and people-watching.
7
Fountain Coffee Shop at the Beverly Hills Hotel
The Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel would seem like an obvious choice for this list, but the room itself is more reserved than loungy. If you are looking for a cheaper and quicker bite, head down the stairs to the windowless Fountain Coffee Shop. The twenty-seat curving counter allows patrons to casually check each other out while reminding the short order cook about the specific restrictions of their Beverly Hills diet. If the space weren’t too small for a television crew to shoot in, this is where the guys of Entourage would be having their breakfast.
8
The Smoke House
Situated between Warner Brothers Studios and Burbank’s Lakeside Golf Course, the Smoke House perfectly blends industry caché with country club gentrified leisure. Its well-seasoned staff has been serving steaks and strong drinks to young and old Hollywood for over 60 years. A favorite spot for Bing Crosby, the Rat Pack and even Gary Shandling during the Larry Sanders Show years.
9
Dominick’s Restaurant
Once a Rat Pack hangout dating back to 1948, Dominick’s now caters to young Hollywood in a brightly light, beautifully old-school setting. On summer nights, head past the black and white tile floor, leather booths and wood bar in front room to the beautifully situated outdoor seating area, complete with brick patio, candlelit tables and fireplace.
10
The Prince
Walk down the steps and into the rich, if musty, interior of the Prince. Formally the Windsor, an elegant restaurant and industry favorite from the 1950s into the 1980s, when the new owners took over the building they had the wisdom not to change the British décor—though they now serve Korean food. The scene in Roman Polanski's film Chinatown when Jake meets Evelyn Mulway at a restaurant was filmed in one of the Prince's red leather booths. While you are in the neighborhood, be sure to stop in at another classic, the H.M.S. Bounty.
[source: https://www.forbestraveler.com/luxury/classic-hollywood-hangouts-story.html ]
Not watching this list (get updates on this list).
(all people watching this list)
).
MORE LISTS
RECOMMENDED LISTS
COMMENTS
