Fun and entertainment California

An LGBTQI+ friendly institution in Palm Springs, the Chill Bar is made up of two distinct spaces, offering several options for a great evening out. With its large picture windows and superb views of the San Jacinto Mountains, the first bar lends itself to cocktails. The dancefloor at the far end is the perfect place to party; on certain evenings, internationally renowned DJs perform here. Finally, the restaurant is open during the day, serving sandwiches, tacos and pizzas.

Behind the saloon doors is a friendly gay bar with pool tables, strong drinks and a relaxed atmosphere that flirts with the half-century. The average age here is slightly higher than most San Francisco gay bars, but it's a breath of fresh air for those who are tired of the Castro. Look up to the ceiling, which features colorful paper fliers. Mondays are happy hour all night long while Fridays are reserved for drag shows, which we highly recommend of course.

Opened in 1940, this venue built in the Art Deco style has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2016. While the Palladium today hosts fairly large concerts with an eclectic program, it also hosted radio shows in its early decades of operation. In addition, swing, jazz, mambo, and cha-cha-cha, which was very popular in the mid-1950s, were played there. Finally, several important political moments took place there, such as a speech by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965.

This is the leading destination for drag shows: the artists have been on the scene for decades, and you can trust them, because when it comes to showmanship, they know their stuff! Thursday evenings feature the Tubesteak Connection, a night of 1980s disco music for young and old (free before 10pm). But the house is most famous for its Hot Boxxx Girls, a show initiated by Vicki Marlane (1934-2011),and held every Friday and Saturday evening. Unforgettable!

Craft beer lovers won't want to miss a visit to this remarkable Santa Monica brewery. The decor is perfectly suited to the theme: you sit on large wooden barrels, surrounded by gleaming stainless steel tanks. A total of five beers are brewed on site, to be drunk here on draught, or taken away in cans. To accompany all this, food trucks are invited every evening of the week, according to a schedule posted on the establishment's website. On the menu: tacos, poutine and burgers.

Built in 1936 from the plans of architect Clifford Balch, this former Art Deco landmark movie theater is located in the heart of Miracle Mile, less than a fifteen minute walk from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. After fifty years of showing movies, El Rey was finally converted into a concert hall in 1994. Its grand staircase, its Art Deco hall, its VIP balcony lounge and its large ballroom equipped with an imposing stage make it a particularly enjoyable place. One listens to an eclectic selection, from jazz to pop.

This is probably one of the most popular venues in the Echo Park area. Every week, events are held at The Echo and Echo Plex, two venues located in the same building. On the program: instrumental music, rap, emo punk, pop, post-hardcore, alternative RnB... In short, a selection as sharp and as eclectic as possible. Attention, even if it is also a club, the doors open only for the concerts and DJ sets, whose schedules are indicated on the tickets.

This temple of stand-up comedy has existedsince 1974. It grew out of the informal meeting of a group of performers two years earlier, whose sole aim was to improvise scenes, characters, songs, dialogue, monologues and dances. Today, The Groundlings combines hilarious programming with a drama school that has seen the likes of Phil Hartman and Will Ferrel come and go. We loved it!

Hidden in a restaurant, Noble Experiment is a speakeasy as we like them, in the image of the famous bars of the Prohibition. Subdued light, chandelier hanging from the ceiling and candles on the tables: the atmosphere is intimate and muffled, while a wall made of skulls attracts curiosity. Once installed, there are two options: choose one of the excellent cocktails on the menu, or share your tastes with the chef, then let your talent express itself. Be careful, the room being relatively small, it is better to book online before coming.

One hundred percent pirate-style decoration for this unique themed bar, which plunges us immediately into the bowels of an old galleon where we willingly let ourselves be carried by the waves of the Caribbean Sea! Behind the counter, more than 200 types of rums from all over the world, as well as a menu of 70 cocktails, many of which come straight from the Caribbean. This bar also produces its own rum, 100% Californian... Expect to see Johnny Deep in full dress, he is not hidden far away! A must see!

At the foot of Griffith Park, near Griffith Observatory, lies this beautiful amphitheatre built in the Greek style, as its name suggests. Imagine: when the first show took place here in 1931, seats in the first two rows cost a dollar, while the rest were free. From jazz to alternative rock, the stage now plays host to some of today's greatest artists. Avoid paid parking: you can find a free space on Vista del Valle Drive, a small street perpendicular to North Vermont Canyon Road.

Jim Carrey, Dave Chappelle, Dane Cook, Rodney Dangerfield, Ellen DeGeneres, Phyliss Diller, Jeff Dunham, David Letterman... These are just some of the big names who have taken to the stage at the Laugh Factory. The Laugh Factory is a stand-up comedy chain that opened its doors in 1979, with the inauguration of the establishment that can still be found today on Sunset Boulevard. The house quickly gained a reputation and expanded across the country: to Chicago, Las Vegas, Reno, Long Beach and San Diego. A great night out guaranteed!

Straight out of a Prohibition movie, this beautiful, dark and authentic establishment is a Downtown institution; here, the bartenders themselves don't skimp on the 1920s look. A young and hip clientele comes here to enjoy excellent cocktails and fresh juices against the backdrop of live jazz played by talented musicians every weekday. If you can't decide which combination to choose, just tell the bartender which alcohol or flavor you prefer, he'll surprise you.

It's not necessarily for the restaurant part of this Ocean Beach landmark that we recommend you visit, but for its trendy, convivial bar, with DJs and live bands. There's also a fine cocktail menu, with Margarita "rounds" alongside house specialties such as the La La Land, made with coconut rum, lemon, guava and syrup - among others. The icing on the cake: a pleasant rooftop on warm summer evenings.

This center dedicated to culture - the performing arts in particular - was inaugurated in 2013, having been built on the premises of the old Beverly Hills post office, dating from 1933. People come here to see and hear the world's greatest artists: no wonder that more than 50 plays, dance performances, classical music concerts and operas programmed by The Wallis have been nominated for Ovation Awards and seven for L.A. Drama Critic's Circle Awards.

Self-described as "the oldest, darkest bar in Hollywood," this friendly, rootsy, rock'n'roll, unpretentious establishment caters to a fairly gothic crowd. With the bar covering half the space, you'll have to squeeze in close together - if only to hear each other - before continuing the conversation in the only alcove, lit by the dim light of a small candle conducive to confidences. Burgundy Room often organizes events, such as Bring back the 90's and Emo Night.

Housed in a former red-brick warehouse in the trendy Arts District, this huge brewery offers a delightful selection of craft beers. On the mezzanine floor, comfortable sofas invite conversation with friends before challenging each other to a game of darts or cornhole - each player in turn throws bags of corn onto the opposite inclined platform, pierced by a hole - to the sound of indie rock. Angel City Brewery also organizes events such as yoga sessions, taco nights and DJ sets.

Since it hosted its first show in 2007, the former Microsoft Theater has been the venue for numerous major events, including the Emmy Awards and the American Music Awards. With over 7,000 seats, the Peacock Theater is located in Downtown, in the vast L.A. complex. Live complex, which includes Xbox Plaza - formerly Microsoft Square - the Regal cinema, the Conga Room, the Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge bowling alley, the Grammy Museum and the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels. The area is also home to numerous restaurants.

Mayberry IPA, Viking Blonde, Strand Throwback Lager, Dead Cowboy, Allagash White, Pranqster, Chronic Amber Ale... Here's a real brewery offering no less than thirty different beers, most of them local. To top it all off, The Library Alehouse also offers a selection of sandwiches, salads and burgers, particularly popular with locals. Special mention must be made of the old-fashioned style of the premises, as well as the outdoor patio, which is pleasant at any time of day. A little corner of paradise for bon vivants!

Established in 1926, it is one of the oldest theaters in Los Angeles. It originally specialized in vaudeville - a light comedy based on situational comedy - and then turned to silent films and, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, to Oscar-winning productions. Badly affected by the 1994 earthquake, El Portal reopened in 2000. Today, it embodies the new life of the NoHo Arts District by programming a wide variety of plays, from one-man shows to musicals.

Within the luxury hotel Clift, this sumptuous bar has kept its 1930s decoration. The woodwork is original and the walls are decorated with paintings by Klimt's students which are absolutely magnificent. Probably the most popular place in the city, and in particular for the celebrities, the designer Philip Starck had renovated the whole hotel in the 80's, but under the pressure of the regulars he could not touch this little treasure miraculously preserved since the interwar period. Inventive cocktails around twenty US$.

Tiny bar in the Tenderloin hidden behind a brick wall, you'll have to elbow your way to the zinc on weekend nights. Beer in hand, you can enjoy a relaxed evening among a crowd of thirty-somethings happy to meet here with friends while keeping an eye on the US soccer or basketball games on the screen. The small, simple and warm neighborhood bar that you like to have downstairs. And if you like vintage video games, there are even arcade terminals at the back of the bar.

In the heart of the Financial District, Rickhouse opens its heavy wooden door on a majestic bar. Brick wall on one side, huge bottle cupboard behind the bartender, wooden lamps on the ceiling that look like astrolabes... The cocktails are fresh and without fructose, the wines come from small producers, the beers are also local! And the bar is also specialized in its very imposing whisky list.... Live music on Saturdays, from 10 pm to 1 am. A nice typically American address, we recommend it to you.

A space designed by young interior architects, exhibitions by emerging and established artists, Madrone Lounge is a contemporary art bar/gallery. You can drink vodka distilled on the spot, listen to trendy live bands and dance to the wild mixes of DJs. Events are organized every night, whether they are sporting, musical or culinary! Every Monday, for example, we go wild on the good vibes of Motown. A really nice trendy address. Check out their website for the program.

If you'd like to step back in time and find yourself in the middle of the 1930s, in a speakeasy atmosphere that's as good as it gets, but with oddly pop electric blue touches. Then Stookey's Club is the place for you. The very Art Deco decor immediately transports you to another world, thanks in particular to the magnificent period furniture, just like the bar, and the deliciously retro lettering. And the cocktails of yesteryear take you on a journey to equally successful taste worlds. Delicious!

This speakeasy-style bar is one of our favorites in the neighborhood. After a secretly staged entrance, you'll arrive in a huge early ^20th-century house. Dotted with fireplaces, the large patio is pleasant and full of charm. To get the most out of the place, it's best to arrive before 10pm. Finally, to get out, it's up to you to find the secret access, different from the one by which you arrived. One last tip: follow No Vacancy on Facebook or Instagram to see several stars having their photo taken there.

Nice cocktail bar all in brick, rough concrete and wood with subdued lights. Small candles on the bar, big trays with bottles. Smokers will be delighted to know that there is a very elegant smokers lounge here, which is increasingly rare in San Francisco where cigarettes are not really welcome anywhere, not even on the terrace. The specialty? The cocktails, each one as good as the other. A must? The Basil Gimlet with gin and basil or The Flash with cucumber and kiwi.

Renowned address in the Haight district, where the bartenders master the preparation of cocktails. They guide you in the choice of whiskies, bourbons and scotches. And the decor is up for auction, with fleecy leather sofas, prices chalked on large blackboards and an incredible selection of bottles. The bar is very busy on weekends, so you'll have to be patient to sit there or come back during the week to enjoy a less hectic atmosphere!

Historical bar of North Beach where the beatniks, but also the musicians Theolonius Monk, the poet Jack Hirschman and the journalist Warren Hinckle, spent their evenings chatting around a beer or a whisky, the Specs' has kept an artistic and bohemian atmosphere, without really changing its decor since its opening in 1968. The frontage is a bit old-fashioned, but give it a chance, once installed at the counter, the welcome is warm and the meetings very nice! Moreover, the glasses are rather cheap for the district.

Hidden in a small alley in the Financial District, this cocktail bar recreates the speakeasy atmosphere of the bars of the 1930s and 1940s. Large space, dim lights, live jazz band and bartenders in white contribute to this very dandy atmosphere that appeals to the 35-55 year olds. Trust the bartenders who concoct delicious cocktails that are famous throughout the city. The dining experience is also very good, with Chef Bruce Hill receiving three stars from the local SF Chronicle newspaper. An excellent address for a dinner for two.

For over twenty years, The Blue Light has been a popular gathering place on Union Street in San Francisco. Warm and welcoming, the bar's atmosphere attracts locals and visitors alike. A very student bar where people come to drink cheap beer, dance and play pool, while watching soccer and basketball games on one of the 19 high definition screens in the house. All in a very relaxed atmosphere for the neighborhood... And if you like to sing at the top of your lungs, they organize karaoke nights on Thursday nights.

Perry's is a restaurant, a bar and a coffee shop, all in one, made legendary by Armistead Maupin's San Francisco Chronicles. In the 1980s, it was a place to pick up girls. Today, fans of the Chronicles come there as a pilgrimage. For holiday makers, you can also come and enjoy its happy hour, every weekday from 3 to 6 pm. Copious food and seafood menu with lots of lobsters and crabs, slightly greasy fries but very good onion soup. You will leave the table full!

This pub offers typical American dishes with a touch of California influences. More than a hundred local and international beers on the menu, including a nice selection of IPAs. In the evening, this sportsbar comes alive with game tables like the shuffle board, or in front of the twenty or so giant screens set up in the bar to follow the games... You can also nibble on typical Californian pub snacks(nachos, quesadilla, chicken wings, sandwiches...).

Aloha! Pagan Idol is a huge, spectacular Hawaiian tiki bar. Colored lights highlight the decor, which combines tiki elements such as totem poles, aquariums and gigantic plants behind glass canopies... It's almost an attraction in itself. Lean against the counter in one of the bars, or simply stand on weekend evenings when the bar is full, to sample fabulous cocktails where rum is king, including the famous zombie of course. Some are flambéed for added spectacle.

Tucked away on a side street in Union Square, this little vintage neighborhood bar is warm and inviting because music is at the^{heart of}the project. DJs who are friends of the bartenders and the owner play vinyls from their collection on turntables on the mezzanine floor of a small dancefloor. The atmosphere is rather groovy and calm during the week, but livens up at the end of the evening on weekends. On Wednesdays, a small band plays at the beginning of the evening, creating a really nice atmosphere: either jazz (but not daddy-style jazz) or reggae.... The cocktails are delicious.

Perfect for hikers strolling through Griffith Park, The Trails Café has been designed to enhance picnic baskets with fresh, gourmet products. On tables in the shade of the pines or to take away, you can enjoy an avocado or chickpea salad sandwich, a hot dog, a frittata - an Italian dish similar to an omelette - a quiche, or an egg in a basket, all homemade. Also on the menu: desserts such as cookies, granola, vegan apple pie and lavender shortbread.

In addition to its relaxed atmosphere and cutting-edge music, Go Get Em Tiger is famous for its coffee. It also serves good desserts, such as the dark chocolate cookie with fleur de sel and the banana bread with walnuts. A plus: the establishment displays a list of its suppliers. We know that the bread comes from the excellent Cadoro Bakery in Inglewood, that some of the produce is bought weekly from the Santa Monica Farmers Market, and that the coffee is imported from Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras.

Opened in October 2023, this friendly café with its impeccable aesthetics and music is the perfect place to start your day. Don't forget the pancakes: they're without doubt the best we've tasted on our trip. Very fragrant, cooked with a little extra "je ne sais quoi"... We loved them! You'll also find a number of pastries - chocolate croissant, blueberry muffin, chocolate cookie and vegan spice tea cake - salads and sandwiches, which you can order all day long.

In the heart of Hollywoodland, Beachwood Cafe boasts a cosy interior, with patterned wallpaper and wooden tables. From salads and sandwiches to pizzas and meat and fish dishes, the place is perfect for lunch. Nevertheless, we recommend it for a sweet break in the afternoon. You'll understand why when you see the tempting array of cakes on display... Fruit tarts, carrot cake, brownies, peanut butter cookies and, above all, mouth-watering cheesecakes. A real treat!

For the past fifteen years, Kreation has been steadily expanding in and around Los Angeles. Marina del Rey, Venice, Beverly Hills, Downtown L.A., West Hollywood... We dare you to find a neighborhood where the brand isn't present! Wherever you buy them, these 100% fruit and vegetable juices are real shots of well-being. We tried the Serenity, with water, lemon, agave, ginger and cayenne pepper. Delicious! Special mention goes to the friendly Bryan, who you might bump into in one of the Los Angeles boutiques.

We love the concept of Mosaic Locale, a kind of condensation of excellent addresses: the place serves coffees from Old Town Coffee & Roasters, delicious empanadas from Buena Onda - an Argentinian restaurant - and beers from microbrewery Draughtsmen Aleworks. While it's possible to eat indoors, we highly recommend taking a seat in the charming little courtyard. Bonus: jazz concerts on some evenings and afternoons. Visit the restaurant's website to check the calendar.

This superb concert hall is historic, having been built in 1909 with the grandeur of the halls of the time. Featuring parquet flooring on stage and a horseshoe balcony, it's an example of Scottish architecture blending gilding, stucco and red velvet in neoclassical and beaux-arts styles. The musical program is one of San Francisco's most renowned, with major headliners in all styles performing here, from electro and American hip hop to rock, reggae and naija.

This little Jamaican juice bar has just the thing to get you back on track with its vitamin-packed juice cocktails! We particularly recommend the stamina punch (almonds, peanuts, matcha, pumpkin seeds, spirulina, ripe banana, almond milk, natural spices) and the guava tam (tamarind, guava, mango and kiwi). Around the corner, at 412 15th Street, you can enjoy a delicious, spicy Jamaican jerk chicken at Minto restaurant, owned by the same owner.

If you're staying in Ocean Beach, love good artisan coffee and travel while working, OB Beans Coffee Roasters is for you! Apart from the customers who come in to take their cups to go, you'll mainly come across digital nomads. It has to be said that the music, soft enough not to interfere with concentration or a call, the large, high tables that offer a degree of tranquillity, the numerous sockets and the good Wi-Fi connection are all parameters conducive to home office. Bonus: delicious acai bowls.

In the heart of Gaslamp, this lively address is renowned for the show it puts on every opening night: the Dueling Pianos. Two talented players take their places at the bar's two pianos and compete in a frenzied face-off. The program ranges from rock to rap to jazz, with customers selecting the tunes. The lively show, which involves participation, calls for dancing - on the tables or on the floor - and singing along. All washed down with a draught beer, glass of wine or cocktail.

This spacious warehouse has been refurbished into a cool place: today, it's a trendy address, popular with digital nomads... Despite the lack of plugs. In addition to the good Wifi connection, they come for the delicious coffee, roasted in a room adjacent to the main room. Espresso, mocha, americano, macchiato, cappuccino, latte... The selection is rich, complemented by a small menu that lends itself particularly well to brunch, whatever the day. Special mention goes to theavocado toast and the delicious Verve breakfast sandwich.

Bissap Baobab is a lively address with lots of live music on Mission Street, created by Marco, a friendly Senegalese who has lived here for many years. It's a place for concerts, DJ sets and get-togethers, offering world music (not necessarily African). The evening schedule is available on the website. On the menu are affordable and delicious West African specialties such as yassa chicken, mafé (with peanuts) and plantains (aloko)... as well as mixed salads and exotic cocktails.

Intimate, cosy, trendy and located at the foot of the hotel of the same name, this little bar will delight lovers of good wine and craft beer. The concept: if a customer has the slightest hesitation - or curiosity - when placing an order, the barman makes it his mission to find the beverage that will suit him perfectly, as if it had been designed for him. To do this, he'll ask the customer to choose an adjective; his or her answer will determine the drink he or she will be offered. Carefully selected music plays in the background. Special mention for the delicious orange wine.

Opened in 1924, this is Long Beach's oldest bar, as well as one of its most popular. Regulars come for the wide selection of beers and the famous pickled eggs served on a small mound of pretzels with chili peppers. Other menu favorites include Joe's Special, a delicious hot dog with Swiss cheese - and made with a sausage prepared with the house spices - and Marmion's Peanuts, freshly roasted peanuts, one of the establishment's signatures. A friendly atmosphere awaits you.