The Native L.A. Tourist

Skate & DIY! NoHo’s NE1 Skate Shop Helps Local Artists

Danielle — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:00:42 +0000

Inside NE1 Skate Shop in the NoHo Arts District

The sign-less door to NE1 Skate Shop is easy to miss the first time you walk by. The store occupies the same concrete Art Deco-style building as Republic of Pie, and were it not for the walls decked out with skateboards, I’d have mistook NE1′s front door for a third entrance to the pie and coffee spot.

I stopped in and learned how they rolled head-first into the local artist community — everything there is made by locals. I wrote about the experience for my About Town column in North Hollywood-Toluca Lake Patch:

Devon Mix, who’s one-third of the NE1 team, peeks his head out from behind the counter to welcome me into the store. We start talking, and he tells me they’ve been open since mid-December of 2011 but didn’t get the wheels fully rolling until this January.

Everything in the store is locally made, Mix tells me. He and the store’s co-owners, David Babin and Nate Childress, reached out to local indie designers and artists to showcase their work in the shop. They also offers apparel printing, graphic design services and more. Mix says he, Babin and Childress are committed to offering the space to anyone (hence the shop’s name, “NE1″) – DJs, graffiti artists, fashion designers, etc. – who needs help getting exposure.

“We try to support the (NoHo Arts) District as much a we can,” he says. Customers who show a receipt from a local business will get 10 percent off their purchase, and the store regularly hosts music and art events every weekend.

You can read the entire article at here.

Check out my other recent NoHo-TolucaLake Patch articles:

Fight for Angels Flight continues

The new market in town

Memories of Italy

Republic of Pie, Brick Yard Pub, Cahuenga General Store and More from NoHo

Danielle — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:56:31 +0000

The NoHo Arts District has been booming with new businesses as of late, and ever since the Laemmle NoHo 7 theatres opened at Lankershim and Magnolia Boulevards, the area continues to stake its claim as the Valley’s burgeoning hot-spot.

Here are a few places (old and new) I’ve added to my list of favorites, as profiled for my column About Town on North Hollywood-Toluca Lake Patch.

The NoHo Arts District's new Republic of Pie serves up sweet & savory pies with Handsome coffee. Photo originally appeared on North Hollywood-Toluca Lake Patch.

Republic of Pie: The Hot New Slice in Town. If Four ‘N 20 had a hipper, younger sibling, this place is it. It’s got a San Francisco-meets-Silver Lake feel and their Handsome coffee easily knocks Starbucks off the block. From NoHo Patch:

Republic of Pie reflects (owner and chef Jon) Stocking’s personal and business philosophy — It’s evident in the space that he believes in creating a sense of community and maintaining a commitment to the planet’s well-being. The chef-slash-businessman wants his restaurant to be all about serving its customers, whether its through exceeding their expectations with great service or feeding them quality food and coffee from local sources at a price better than those major coffee places. He adds that customers will be able text their order for pick-up, and that he’s petitioning the city to remove the parking meters in front of the shop to create a loading zone.

The Brick Yard Pub in North Hollywood serves over 70 different bottled beers. Photo originally appeared on North Hollywood-Toluca Lake Patch.

Billiards is Back at Brick Yard Pub. Taking over the beloved but run-down North Hollywood Billiards is the Brick Yard Pub. The new bar offers over 70 different bottled beers (unfortunately, none on tap…yet?) and features pool tables, darts, shuffle boards and “ball & cup” tables. From NoHo Patch:

It’s a beer connoisseur’s dream: I counted at least 80 different beers on the menu ranging from the usual lagers (think sports bar faves Bud, Miller, Corona, PBR) and the entire spectrum of ales (from Blue Moon, Fat Tire, Boddingtons, Chimay and everything in between) to ciders, IPAs, California craft, and my personal favorite, stouts and bocks.

After ordering a $5 pint of Magic Hat #9 to share, we wander behind a wood wall that separates the bar area from the pool room. In addition to the shuffleboards and dartboards in the front room, there are eight billiard tables and a couple of cups & balls tables (read: beer pong) in the back. One might miss the back room entirely if it weren’t for the neon “Pool Tables” signs at the rear doorways.

Though I’d never been to the space’s predecessor, North Hollywood Billiards, which had been at the location for 42 years, the bar’s feel appeared to be a far cry from the old pool hall. I never truly made time to visit the pool hall when I still lived in the Arts District, and part of me feels guilty that I didn’t give the old neighborhood hangout a chance. I’m one who can always find something to love underneath the dirt and grime of a place, but I couldn’t see past its seemingly-dingy charm and wary-looking patrons when I passed by on my evening dog walks.

Cahuenga General Store sells cappuccinos, lattes, sandwiches and vintage-inspired knick-knacks in North Hollywood. Photo originally appeared on North Hollywood-Toluca Lake Patch.

Cahuenga General Store: From Prop House to Coffee House. Recently voted by local Patch readers as the area’s best coffee, CGS has been serving North Hollywood coffee, sandwiches and live music since 1996. Tucked away on Cahuenga Boulvard by Chandler (just past the Iliad Bookstore), it might be considered a hidden gem by those how dismiss the industrial area. From NoHo Patch:

To an undiscerning eye, Cahuenga General Store looks as if it’s been serving food and dry goods to North Hollywood’s residents since the turn of the 19th century.

Look up, and you’ll see collections of antique bistro chairs, blue enamel pots and mason jars hung on the ceiling. On the shelves, there are old-fashioned soaps, candles and paper ephemera. The floor is worn and creaky, as if it’s lived through generations of customers who traveled by horse & carriage, then by horseless carriage to get their goods.

When I visit for a cappuccino and breakfast one morning, I’m not surprised when Frank, the man behind the counter, tells me the store is the work of a Hollywood set decorator. In fact, Cahuenga General Store began as a movie props rental house, he says when I ask about all the old-timey décor.

Read more about these businesses on Patch:

Check out more of my recent About Town articles for North Hollywood-Toluca Lake Patch:

North Hollywood gets its own gateway

A New Day, A New Flight

Virtual Road Trip with Up and Down California: The Whitney Survey, 150 years later

Found in Valley Village: Lost Dog

Danielle — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:16:30 +0000

There's a strange-looking dog roaming around Valley Village.

A few weeks ago I spotted a middle-aged couple walking their dog put this sign up. I saw “LOST DOG” in giant capital letters and my heart immediately sank for them.

It didn’t look like they left any contact info, so I walked up to get a closer look at their flyer. Turns out the couple was just out to put a smile on a few faces. It makes me grateful there are still people out there with a silly sense of humor who are willing to share it with others!

In the meantime, a couple of reposts while the gears start working

Guerrilla Health Warning

From NoHo Patch: Valley Village's The Fifth is Guilty of Being a Fancy Dive Bar

Monday News Round-Up

Danielle — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:40:07 +0000

Here are my news picks from last week. Happy reading!

Experience an alternative Los Angeles [London Evening Standard via HighlandParkPatch]
SurveyLA’s Findings in Southeast Los Angles (Slideshow) [SurveyLA WordPress Blog]
So Close, Yet So Far: Anacapa Island Provides Dramatic Scenery Just Off the Coast of SoCal [LAist]
‘A’ is for Arts District: Hand-designed signs installed to identify DTLA neighborhood [BlogDowntown]
Five Places to Visit Right Now (Feb. 2012 Edition) [TreasureLA]
Polka-Dot Painting Begins at 6 a.m. Sunday at Triangle Plaza [EchoParkPatch]
Depression-era work of art comes to Huntington Library [Pasadena Sun]
Los Angeles Times Launches New Membership Program [L.A. Times]

Rain 101: Car-less destinations for a not-so-sunny day

Looking to lend a hand? This Big Sunday is your chance

Republic of Pie, Brick Yard Pub, Cahuenga General Store and More from NoHo

MyHistoricLA.org Reaches Out To Angelenos In Finding New Historical Landmarks

Danielle — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:04:42 +0000

Orcutt Ranch Horticulture Center (Rancho Sombra del Roble) was designated as a historic-cultural monument by the city in 1965.

I’ve written about the city’s efforts to preserve historical landmarks in the past with their SurveyLA project. I recently spoke to Office of Historic Resources Manager Ken Bernstein again, this time for LAist, about the new MyHistoricLA.org, where Angelenos can submit their local neighborhood places for consideration of historical landmark status.

Taking cues from social media sites like Facebook and Foursquare, the city partnered with MindMixer, a web developer, to engage residents through the Internet. Users can submit ideas, vote for other ones they like and comment on ideas — All while getting points for their participation. Points land you on the leaderboard, and users who participate the most have a chance at winning free tickets to tours, events and more.

“We’re crowd-sourcing,” said Bernstein, who added the city considers the website “a virtual town hall…about places that matter to Angelenos. Often, it’s difficult to reach a full cross-section (of people) across all ages and backgrounds.” Social media encourages people to voice their opinions and share their ideas, and the city is looking to community members for help in their ongoing efforts to preserve places that are important to L.A.

From LAist:

The website will track the locations of places suggested by users, allowing his staff to see what areas and communities are the most active, as well as where they need to improve outreach.

The city is not only looking for buildings of architectural significance, but that of social and historical importance as well, said Bernstein. Meeting places of women’s clubs, labor union halls, Freemasons and other organizations “are so part of the social fabric of the city,” said Bernstein.

You can read the story in its entirety at LAist here.

Right now, MyHistoricLA.org is reaching out to members of the Boyle Heights and Eagle Rock communities. Check out the latest submissions: The Eagle Rock and Boyle Hotel.

Fight for Angels Flight continues

SurveyLA's head discusses technology, methodology for preservation project

Looking to lend a hand? This Big Sunday is your chance

Monday News Round-Up

Danielle — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:00:21 +0000

The Carthay Circle Theater at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim (left) was inspired by the now-demoshed original theater in Los Angeles (right). | Photos courtesy Disney (left) and Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection (right). Via KCET SoCal Focus.

Happy Monday! In an effort to be more informative, I’m rolling out this new weekly “Monday News Round-Up” series. Here’s some tidbits from around the web this weekend that I found interesting. Enjoy!

How Disney Imagineers Recreated ’20s and ’30s L.A. in 21st-Century Anaheim [KCET SoCal Focus]
Community Redevelopment Agency’s Demise Ends Chinatown Grants [L.A. Downtown News]
101 Freeway Park Project Discussed Last Thursday [Curbed L.A.]
Restoring A Sanctuary in Griffith Park:A non-profit group has pledged to restore the 20-acre Fern Dell urban park near Los Feliz Boulevard and Western Avenue [L.A. Times]
Recorded in NoHo: Whitney Houston’s Final Song Days Before Her Death [North Hollywood Patch]
Overheard in L.A.: Electronic Music & Alien Robots [LAist]
A Botanical Garden Tour of the Streets of Santa Monica [L.A. Daily News]
Silverlake Pedestrian Plaza Pilot Project In The Works [Eastsider L.A.]

Tips for an adventure at the Rose Bowl flea market

Please be patient...

See the true tinsel town on the Hollywood History Tours

This Weekend: To Do For Free Or Cheap, Feb. 17 – 19

Danielle — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 02:30:00 +0000

Looking for something to keep you busy this weekend? Here are the goings-ons around town that are cheap or free for Friday, Feb. 17 to Sunday, Feb. 19.

Friday, February 17

LAconic Fest, Downtown Independent, 251 S. Main Street, 90012, Doors at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Watch the premiers of three local independent films, “Altair”, “Gabriel’s Kiss” and “Time Becomes You”, in addition to several other indie short films. FREE. [Website]
Indie rock tribute band Black Crystal Wolf Kids and Ween cover band Fat Lenny perform at the Federal Bar, 5303 Lankershim Blvd., North HOllywood, 91601. From 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. $7 [Website]
Not Too Shabby, Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre, 5919 Franklin Ave., Hollywood, 90028, Show starts at midnight, recommended line-up time 11 p.m. L.A.’s always-entertaining UCB sketch comedy group tries out their new material, perhaps at the expense of their audience. See their website for a full listing of shows. FREE. [Website]

Saturday, February 18

Historic Broadway Walking Tour, 307 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, 90013. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Take a tour of the historic theatre and commercial district off Broadway in Downtown; stops include the Bradbury Building, Million Dollar Theatre, Orpheum Theatre and Clifton’s Cafeteria. $5 for LA Conservancy members & children under 12, $10 for non-members. RSVP required. [Website]
“Chinatown” movie screening, Clifton’s Cafeteria, 648 S. Broadway, 90014. Doors at 7 p.m., movie starts at 8 p.m. The first in The Masses’ Movie Screening Night at Clifton’s, this event will feature a pre-movie performance by Miguel Atwood Ferguson. After the movie, guest DJs Carlos Niño and Jesse Peterson spin until midnight. FREE. [Website]
The 11th Annual Zombie Joe Underground 50-Hour Drive-By Theatre Festival, ZJU Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, 91601. Zombie Joe’s premiers four all-new, full-production 15-min. plays with live music. Starts at 8:30 p.m. every night from Sat., Feb. 18 to Mon., Feb. 20. $15, RSVP at (818) 202-4120. [Website]
Lomography LA Turns 2, WeHo Lomo Store, 7998 Santa Monica Blvd., 90046. From 6 to 10 p.m. Enjoy music by LA Font and DJ HouseShoes, free tacos & drinks from Jarritos and live art by Septerhed and Destroy all Designs. FREE with RSVP. [Website]
Critters & People (and Things of That Sort) art show opening, WWA Gallery, 9517 Culver Blvd., Culver City, 90232. From 8 to 11 p.m. FREE. [Website]

Sunday, February 19

Glendale Community College Flea Market, GCC parking lot at Mountain Street off the 2 freeway. FREE; $2 preferred parking (recommended), otherwise park off Verdugo Road and walk up the hill to the college’s parking lot. [Website]
Biltmore Hotel Walking Tour, 2 p.m.Tour the 1920s-built downtown L.A. hotel, where stars of politics, Hollywood and high society stayed. Supposedly, it was the last place Elizabeth Short, a.k.a. the Black Dahlia, was seen alive. $5 for LA Conservancy members & children under 12, $10 for non-members. RSVP required. [Website]
11th Annual Zombie Joe Underground 50-Hour Drive-By Theatre Festival, see details above.

SurveyLA's head discusses technology, methodology for preservation project

Hi De Ho Comics draws in fans on Free Comic Book Day

North Hollywood gets its own gateway

Valentine’s Day in L.A. Round-Up: Where To Treat Your Sweetie or Sweet Tooth

Danielle — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:43:43 +0000

L.A. street art photo courtesy of How Lucky We Are via Flickr

Last week the L.A. Times reported Valentine’s Day spending will rise 8.5% to $17.6 billion this year, and that the average consumer will spend $126. Whether you’re a lover or hater, it is true that the Hallmark holiday is indeed upon us. I’ve never been one to embrace V-Day (why eat chocolate one day of the year when you can indulge on all 365?), but if you’re looking for last-minute places to treat your sweetie or your sweet tooth, here are some fun (and hopefully not too clichéd) spots to check out.

’Lette Them Eat Macarons. Get a sweet little sugar sandwich at ’Lette. The French macaron shop has locations in Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Hancock Park and downtown.

Brunch It At Porto’s Bakery. One of my favorite places to grab a sandwich and something sweet is Porto’s Bakery, where you’ll get banana chips served with your lunch. This family-owned Cuban cafe has a full bakery with all kinds of cookies, cakes, pastries and other desserts one could possibly want (try the guava strudel!). They’ve got locations in Glendale, Burbank and Downey.

Get Cheesy. Whether you’re into stinky or Swiss, get yourself (or your honey) something cheesy at a local fromagerie. Try Village Gourmet in Studio City, or find one close to you here on Yelp.

Think Outside of the (Chocolate) Box. Get a sweet slice of pie at the newly-opened Republic of Pie in North Hollywood, have something delivered straight to your door from I Heart Pies (or visit them every Saturday at the NoHo Farmer’s Market), or head downtown and stuff your mouth at The Pie Hole.

Stop And Smell The Roses. Ditch the $100 flower arrangement and check out the whole flowerbed instead at Descanso Gardens and Huntington Library.

Gift ’Em With Originality. Still looking for a last-minute gift, but want something a little different? Try Handmade in Sherman Oaks (located at 14556 Ventura Blvd.) for one-of-a-kind presents made by local artists, or quirky tchotchkes at my personal favorite, Wacko in Hollywood (4633 Hollywood Blvd.).

Hit The Haystack In Snuggly Style. Every standard V-Day gift list inevitably suggests naughty negligee for the ladies and silky boxer shorts for dudes. For those who don’t mind spending a pretty penny on snuggle-worthy pajamas, head over to Bedhead in West Hollywood (8336 W. Third St.) for PJs in cute prints. Who says bedtime button-downs aren’t sexy? If you’re really looking for a budget-friendly way to repel the opposite sex, try the anti-stylish Snuggie, found at your local Target, pharmacy/drugstore/gift shop (think Rite-Aid, CVS or Walgreens) or As-Seen-On-TV mall kiosk.

More V-Day Around The Web:

Which 5 Restaurants Are Among The “Most Romantic” in America? [LAist]
5 Least Romantic Valentine’s Day Dates [LA Weekly]
Los Angeles Valentine’s Day Ideas: Non-Restaurant Romance and Dates With A View [HuffPo]
Your Guide to A Romantic (Or Not) Valentine’s Day [L.A. Mag]

Did I miss anything? Feel free to share your V-Day in L.A. ideas too!

Please be patient...

In Cased You Missed It: L.A. Noire Then & Now, Maps & More

Skate & DIY! NoHo's NE1 Skate Shop Helps Local Artists

11 for 2011: My Favorite Visits, Eats & More

Danielle — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:31:30 +0000

Obviously, resolving to not procrastinate was not a strong point for me in 2011, and it looks like it’s off to a bad start in 2012. Oops! I’ve been working on a few posts that I’ve yet to publish, so in the meantime, here’s my late list of my top 11 favorite visits last year.

Cinque Terre, Italia

1. Italy

My husband and I jetted off to Italia for an amazing 16-day honeymoon last March/April. As two carb-loving people, we couldn’t find a better way to show our respects than to visit the motherland of spaghetti and pizza! Our trip’s highlights included fresh seafood plus the best seat in the house to watch a sunset at Trattoria Dal Billy in Manarola, Cinque Terre; exploring the abandoned Albergo Milano (Hotel Milan) in Brunate, Como; and eating the best pizza we’ve had in our entire lives at Antica Trattoria e Pizzeria Da Donato in Naples.

Read more: Memories of Italy, Bella Italia

Musée Mécanique, San Francisco

2. San Francisco

We’d gone up to S.F. in September for a friend’s wedding and got a chance to explore the city for a whole week — The only times I’d visited were weekends. I recommend checking out Straw for classic American food with a carnival twist, Musée Mécanique (seen at right) at Pier 45 for some cheap laughs (literally…it’s a museum of silly coin-operated arcade games & machines), Suppenküche for great German food & specialty beer, and the pirate-themed Smuggler’s Cove for a shipwreck-of-a-time.

3. Claremont Village & Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden

This charming college town is home to a relaxing botanical garden and plenty of boutique and mom-and-pop shops. Start the day off at Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden to see their collection of the native plants of California, then head over to the historic Claremont Village for lunch and shopping. Don’t forget to stop in at Rhino Records; you’re bound to find something you like at the independent, 6,000-square-foot record store.

4. Mission Galleria, Riverside

On the way back from Perris for a family event, I took the route home as an opportunity to check out Mission Galleria in Riverside. The antique mall is full of treasures , and I scored a cream and gold starburst clock, a three-tier wooden shelf and a sewing box/footstool (all mid-century, my obsession), for a steal of a price. Located at 3700 Main St., Riverside, CA 92501 [Map It]

5. Ojai, Ventura County

For May 21, 2011 (a.k.a. Harold Camping’s “Doomsday”), I went camping with some friends in Ojai for a relaxed weekend getaway far from L.A. Before we headed to the Middle Lion campgrounds, we took a stroll through the historic Arcade at downtown Ojai, where you can find something to eat and plenty of places to shop and browse local art. Check out Treasures of Ojai for antiques, grab some healthy snacks at organic grocery store Rainbow Bridge Natural Foods and relax at Libbey Park, home of the longest-running annual amateur tennis tournament in the U.S.

6. Joe Peep’s N.Y. Pizza, Valley Village

I’ve found my new local pizza place just around the corner from my abode in Valley Village. Sandwiched (yes, they make ‘em too) between Trilogy Hair Studio (also my new salon…ask for Jason!) and a hydroponics store, Joe Peep’s makes an awesome pizza pie. Take your pick between their 9,569-calorie pizzas or their Blue Collar pies. Their cheesy baked ziti is to die for (and probably not too heart-healthy) — their dinner option, including salad, serves two. Located at 12460 Magnolia Blvd., Valley Village, CA 91607 [Map It]

7. Galco’s Soda Pop Stop, Highland Park

My parents have been getting my husband quirky sodas as gifts for years, and I finally checked out this Highland Park soda shop last year. You can get sodas in every flavor from the usual (Coca Cola from Mexico) to the unique (Brain Wash in blue turns your teeth…well, blue!). Located at 5702 York Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90042 [Map It]

8. Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie, Agoura Hills

Though I am slightly allergic to alcohol, I can always appreciate a good ale (and a great Art Nouveau
logo design!). Their menu includes tasty pairing suggestions…Mac & Cheese with their Ladyface IPA? Yes, please! Located at 29281 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, CA, 91301 [Map It]

The Mac Daddy Dog at Otis Jackson's Soul Dog in North Hollywood

9. Otis Jackson’s Soul Dog, North Hollywood

No, their hot dogs are probably not cholesterol-free, but the Soul Dog peeps do make an attempt to be healthier than your average sausage. Their food is preservative-free, always fresh and never frozen. My personal favorites are the Veggie Apple Sage Sausage and the Mac Daddy Dog (mac & cheese, fried onions and diced bell peppers; seen above). Located at 5166 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601 [Map It]

10. Villain’s Tavern, Downtown L.A.

Hidden in an industrial area between the 4th and 6th Street Bridges east of the L.A. River is Villain’s Tavern, a steampunk-inspired bar where drinks are served in mason jars and menu offerings include deep-fried chick peas with chili-lemon sea salt. Located at 1356 Palmetto, Los Angeles, CA 90013 [Map It]

The Bradbury Building, Then & Now

11. Downtown Los Angeles, L.A. Noire-Style

I’m cheating a bit with this one, but through my addiction with the 1940s-set video game, L.A. Noire, I had a chance to rediscover downtown and its post-WWII communities. Check out the then-and-now post I did for LAist here, as well as a Google Map re-cap and self-guided tour of all the spots here.

Feel free to share your favorite 2o11 eats & visits!

Fight for Angels Flight continues

Coming in 1960: The monorail in L.A.

TripAdvisor's Dirtiest Hotels: The L.A. Edition

From NoHo Patch: Valley Village’s The Fifth is Guilty of Being a Fancy Dive Bar

Danielle — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:34:10 +0000

The Fifth's fancy exterior.

I might have the Asian Drinking Disease, but I know a good local hangout when I see one. Enter Valley Village’s The Fifth, another watering hole from the Vintage Bar Group (they’re the folks that brought us NoHo’s NoBar, Hollywood’s Parlour Room and other swanky, yet laid-back cocktail lounges). Here’s an excerpt from my column for Patch.com:

…On a windy Wednesday night, a friend and I find ourselves at The Fifth, a fancy dive bar tucked away in the corner of a strip mall off Whitsett and Riverside. The bar’s name is written in swanky white script on a black oval sign trimmed with bright globe lights, but it easily could have been a blinking marquee in capital letters exclaiming, “CLASSY COCKTAILS SERVED HERE.” Like any refined lady of class, The Fifth prefers a subtle hint of elegance over an extravagant, flashy show.

After walking a mile in the blustery cold (we opted for a car-less adventure), we’re standing in the dim-lit lounge, surprised to see only a handful of other people in their ’20s and ’30s. It’s the kind of place Don Draper might call his second home, but it’s also welcoming enough for Peggy Olson and her friends. One wall is covered with mid-century inspired avocado-green diamond-patterned wallpaper, and the seating area has wall-to-wall tufted black vinyl seats. Straight ahead there’s a pool table, but for the rest of us who lack motor skills (sober or otherwise), there are vintage arcade games that also serve as tables and conversation starters.

The seats at Ms. Pac-Man are miraculously empty, so we claim our spots and order our drinks. There’s no beer on tap, so we both get a bottle of Guinness for five dollars each.

The jukebox has a little something for everyone. For a dollar, you can start off with a track from Florence + the Machine, then get trashy with Guns N’ Roses and finish the set with NWA. If you’ve got another dollar, you can get glam-tastic with Bowie, dance to Depeche Mode and settle down with Stevie Nicks.

Read the whole story here!

Rain 101: Car-less destinations for a not-so-sunny day

Boyle Heights Paranormal Project holds first meeting at Linda Vista Hospital, plus a video from Loca...

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