The Aesthetics of L.A.: Cool Club Settings
By Nicolas Rabinovitch, Citysearch Contributor
You are never too drunk to realize a beautiful interior. And in the volatile L.A. nightlife game, looks can make or break a hot spot. Celebrities and those annoying "Hills" girls like their posh surroundings and so should you. Check out our list of the most spectacular club settings in Los Angeles. 'Cause let's face it--there's no guarantee you're actually getting into these clubs any time soon.
Goa
Design rock star Kristofer Keith evokes the tropical decadence of India's Goa beachfront. Reaching back to the club lavishness of Studio 54, this modern day hot spot features a marble bar, mosaic flooring and--to top it all off--over 8 miles of imported gold chain links hanging from the ceiling. Sorry, Paris, they aren't for swinging.
Goa
1615 Cahuenga Blvd,
Hollywood,
CA
S Bar
Designer Philippe Starck (Katsuya) takes the trendy atmosphere of yet another SBE club to the sophisticated and unpretentious setting of a bar. The small space features a hodgepodge of chic couches and upside-down lamps, a plus since "The Hills" camera crew can't fit inside. (Yes! No Heidi.)
S Bar
6304 Hollywood Blvd,
Hollywood,
CA
Green Door
Forget L.A.--behind this door is another decade (and city) entirely. Red velvet couches, wall-mounted portraits and chandeliers create a turn-of-the-century vibe that would make Louis the XIV proud. Be sure not to dress like a French maid, however. The strict door policy means only the beautiful make it inside. (Hey, you can't escape L.A. completely.)
Green Door
1429 Ivar Ave,
Los Angeles,
CA
Opera
Who knew Hollywood loved opera so much? Owner Davis Judaken transformed his old Mood into a dark and intimate space complete with curved wooden tiles to optimize acoustics. The outdoor area features oversized booths filled with young Hollywood pretending to be 21. Miley, is that you?
Opera
1650 N Schraeder Blvd,
Los Angeles,
CA
Edison
Sure, we love vintage clothes, but a vintage club? This historic, early 1900's boiler room in the Higgins Building has been refurbished into the coolest, most stunning Downtown lounge. Merging industrial chic with 40's deco, L.A.'s first power plant now brings power back to the people in the form of martini glasses.
The Edison
| Website
108 W Second Street,
Los Angeles,
CA
Bar Chloe
Following in the trend of bringing old-fashioned European style to modern L.A., this spot distinguishes itself by incorporating the laidback beach crowd found west of the 405. The tiny Parisian saloon offers elegance without snobbery featuring a sexy wood bar, low banquettes, chandeliers and that guy in the corner wearing sandals.
Bar Chloe
1449 2nd St,
Santa Monica,
CA
Bar Noir
The exterior of Maison 140's bar has shades of a 19th century Parisian inn, while inside, designer Kelly Wearstler's (Viceroy) decor is an eclectic mix of Asian influences topped with a French twist. Mainly designed as an after-work martini lounge, the small room underscores the over-the-top whimsical sensibility headed by Jonathon Adler and Wearstler herself.
Bar Noir at Maison 140
140 S Lasky Dr,
Beverly Hills,
CA
The Bowery
Kris Keith (Goa, Ortolan) utilizes a lack of design in this incarnation of a Lower East Side bar and bistro. The neighborhood vibe is perfected through the tin ceiling, wall-mounted loveseats and floor-to-ceiling black-tiled walls. Now if only you could catch a cab on Sunset.
The Bowery
6268 Sunset Blvd,
Hollywood,
CA
