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The tragically hip artsy crowd of Silver Lake like to relax in this informal bar with its long oblong bar and hanging tapestries. Black booths line one wall, while a bigger- than-life Buddha watches over the mixed crowd. Shuffle your way around the busy bar to the corner couches or back round to the jukebox, which is packed with everything from Billy Joel to Johnny Cash to the Velvet Underground.
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The bar within the Standard hotel is decked out in the same surreal retro- cyberspace décor. Frequented by a stylish crowd of the local beautiful people and Sunset Strip club kids, who lounge at the tables inside or the inflatable couches in the lobby, which carpeted floor to ceiling white shag pile. Like numerous hotels on this side of the strip you can enjoy panoramic views of LA from the unusual Astro Turfed pool deck.
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If staying in the Chateau is a little out of your budget, then make do with a martini in the Bar Marmont. Like the hotel, the bar’s decor is striking, bathed in red light, with fake butterflies meticulously applied to the ceiling. Just as the hotel attracts stars so does the bar – Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp and Edward Furlong have all spent evenings drinking here.
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If the need for a good old British pint grabs you whilst in LA, you could do worse than head for the Cat and Fiddle. A large outdoor patio makes it perfect place to enjoy LA’s warm summer evenings. British food is also served. Skip the Sunday dinners but the fish and chips; bangers and mash will make you feel at home.
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This cash only bar has all the glamour of a seedy Hollywood dive bar, in a good way with its dark interior, larger than life bar maid and small half booths. Sports fans can enjoy Monday night football here, although at the weekends sports make way for people just talking and drinking heavily. With strong cheap drinks, and an anything goes dress code, this Los Feliz bar is direct opposite of any of the Sunset Strip bars.
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Immortalised in Jay-Z’s 'Give It To Me’, this large and often rowdy sports bar is split into two leaves. Downstairs there are dozens of TVs, a dining area, a pool table, and bins of free peanuts. Where as upstairs is booth-lined and transforms in a moment’s notice from a can jumping nightclub, to karaoke bar or comedy showcase. The drinks are strong; is probably why it’s been known to attract Irish playboy Colin Farrell when he’s in town.
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Marilyn Monroe used to sit in the dark, Mandarin-themed train car booths here. The inside is so dark; it’s not surprising it used to be an old favourite for stars to sip a cocktail in relative peace. Since Marilyn’s days the bar has expanded with a bigger and better bar area and an upstairs level. Chinese cuisine is served.
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Tucked out the way on the corner where Sunset and Hollywood Blvds meet, at first glance, this bar looks like another dive bar. Step inside and you’ll feel transported back in time to a Chinese opium den complete with paper lanterns, carved- dragon ceiling panels and big mirrors. Although not as cheap as some of the other Los Feliz bars, the drinks are just as strong.
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Set inside the magnificent Gaylord apartments and just down the road from the Ambassador Hotel where Robert Kennedy was shot, there is nothing theme park or tacky about The Bounty as the name might suggest. An old favourite of those in the know, The Bounty features a solid wooden bar and dark red leather booths. Even the juke box is an original. Classic American food is available.
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With over 40 tables, everyone from the serious pool shark to the casual player should get a game here. If pool’s not your game, then football, darts, air hockey are all offered. Or you can just watch how the pros do it on one of the eight big-screen TV sets.
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Q’s is the kind of pool hall where how you look bending over matters more than whether or not you actually make the pocket. Plenty of TVs to watch any of the dozens of sporting events, or just head upstairs and relax in one of the pressed tin and velvet rooms
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Although getting past the notorious door staff can be hard (hotel guests are automatically granted entry) once inside it’s an illuminated poolside oasis with its oversized futons and panoramic view of LA. The main bar is a covered tin hut with sarong servers who pour expensive cocktails into plastic glasses – but you don’t come to the Skybar for the drinks, you come to people watch and say you’ve been.
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A bar fit for Imelda Marcos – at Star shoes you can buy a new pair of heels whilst sipping your favourite cocktail. When a shoe designer to the stars like Joan Crawford, Jayne Mansfield and Betty Grable died in 1999, he left behind a collection of thousands of fancy stilettos and handbags. Every pair is handmade and never been worn, and prices range from $130-$200. Those not in the market for a new footwear can simply get their current shoes shined for just $5.
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Eagles, Sixers, Flyers and Phillies memorabilia decorate this Philadelphia- themed bar while dozens of television sets are spread blaring out the latest sporting event. This is where former Philly residents come to root for their home teams and grab an infamous Philly cheese steak sandwich and a pitcher of beer. Not for the fainthearted.
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Frequented by many a rock star, this surprisingly mellow bar contains candles and long plush couches set to a mix of eclectic rock numbers. Set inside the legendary Sunset Marquis hotel, Aerosmith, Courtney Love, Neil Young and Motley Crue are just a number of rock legends that have been seen lounging in the bar.
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Millions of dollars were spent transforming one of LA’s decrepit dance clubs, Crush Bar, into a feng shuied architectural delight. Outside, enormous tents cover the patio. Inside, the Lady of White Lotus statue oversees a dressed up party-goers at either of the two bars or if they are lucky in the lavish VIP area.
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