Going to LA for a week next month, a few questions

TrooperFarva · #1 08-10-2009, 04:20 PM

I'm heading out to LA for a week. I already plan to catch Dredg at the start of the month.

I'm going to be staying in West Hollywood, on Sunset. Any good bars in the area? Something laid back, not loud, good people.

What venues are good for catching good local rock bands?

Anything I have to see? I've been to LA a few times before, but it was always for work, and I didn't have too much time to look around.

Lastly, does anyone know where I can rent a reasonable car with a manual transmission? I know there's places that rent exotic cars for $3000 a day, but like I said, I'm looking for something reasonable.

Thanks.

L-A · #2 08-10-2009, 04:49 PM

You have to tell me first before telling TB, you know.

Trevorus · #3 08-10-2009, 04:53 PM

You will not see a lot of rental cars with manual transmissions anywhere as they are too easy to incur large mechanical expenses because of someone who can't drive a stick.

As far as what to do, going to see dredg is a FANTASTIC idea. They are a great band. I saw them when El Cielo was a new album, and they blew my mind.

TrooperFarva · #4 08-10-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevorus

You will not see a lot of rental cars with manual transmissions anywhere as they are too easy to incur large mechanical expenses because of someone who can't drive a stick.

As far as what to do, going to see dredg is a FANTASTIC idea. They are a great band. I saw them when El Cielo was a new album, and they blew my mind.

Yeah, I've seen them 3 times already, they're great live. I'm not planning the trip around them or anything, I had the dates set already, and I looked to see who was playing in LA at the time, and they happened to be be there.

And I haven't turned up much in my search for manual transmission cars, but it's LA, there's gotta be something. I mean, I found a Miata with a 6 speed for $330 a week, which is a good price, but it's a Miata.

EricF · #5 08-10-2009, 05:25 PM

There's lots of music in lots of places. What kind of music are you looking for? Some places to check the website to see whos playing - The Mint, Molly Malones, The Knitting Factory, The Viper Room, and a million others I can't think of. Google is your friend.

One place that is definintley worth checking out is the Rainbow Bar & Grill. It's a legendary rock 'n' roll bar on Sunset Blvd.

Also, I don't know if you're aware or not, but West Hollywood has a very large gay population, and there are plenty of drinking establishments in the area that cater to the local clientele (if ya know what I'm saying). Choose wisely - depending on your personal preferences, of course.

TrooperFarva · #6 08-10-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricF

There's lots of music in lots of places. What kind of music are you looking for? Some places to check the website to see whos playing - The Mint, Molly Malones, The Knitting Factory, The Viper Room, and a million others I can't think of. Google is your friend.

One place that is definintley worth checking out is the Rainbow Bar & Grill. It's a legendary rock 'n' roll bar on Sunset Blvd.

Anything rock is good. I'll check those places out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricF

Also, I don't know if you're aware or not, but West Hollywood has a very large gay population, and there are plenty of drinking establishments in the area that cater to the local clientele (if ya know what I'm saying). Choose wisely - depending on your personal preferences, of course.

Didn't know that. Not my thing, but to each their own. As long as there's some bars in the area that have cute girls in their 20s, I'll be okay.

6jase5 · #7 08-11-2009, 04:54 PM

Eric F called it for the best bars to see bands and I love the Rainbow to hang out as drink prices are very reasonable (versus Viper). Last time I was there Tom Morello, CC Deville and Ron Jeremy were there. Just one of those places. Not fun to go by yourself. I used to like Dragonfly as well.

Ziltoid · #8 08-11-2009, 05:09 PM

Cirque du soleil, if u have a chance, it's awesome

MakiSupaStar · #9 08-11-2009, 07:57 PM

Eric has given you a good start. Also check out the LAWeekly. It's s free weekly magazine you can get at most coffee shops or music stores. It has pretty much every show going on in town at the time. Everything from small venues to the bigger venues like house of blues on sunset. West Hollywood is a gay part of town, but it's clean, safe, and people are friendly, but you're not going to find a whole lot of places to go drinking with the ladies there. Although with that said, I have stumbled into a few bars around there during basketball season and found a pretty healthy mixed crowd. I can't remember the names of the places, it from when I worked in LA years back. Car Rental joints can be found near LAX. Most places will pick you up at airport and take you there in a shuttle. Mostly typical big name places. If that's not what you're looking for, you'll have to dig deeper. Hit me with a PM when you're getting close to arriving and I'll see if I can manage to cruise up for a beer or three.

TOOL460002 · #10 08-11-2009, 09:16 PM

dedg... good call...

i forget how far out they book, but id look into going to a conan/kimmel taping (i bet tosh shoots out there too). a few years ago with kimmel, you could see the acts before you got a ticket, so i got to see killswitch engage (2 songs, redid one, then played fixation on the darkness just for the fans!!!!). i know its a crap shoot, but might be worth looking into. (also, technically the first stand up act i ever saw was the late great mitch hedberg on a letterman taping... im so cool.) i know daily/colbert tickets are hard to get, but i bet conan has a big studio.

TrooperFarva · #11 08-11-2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

it's clean, safe, and people are friendly, but you're not going to find a whole lot of places to go drinking with the ladies there.

Where would you suggest then? Plans are still pretty up in the air, so if there's better places to stay, let me know.

knarleybass · #12 08-11-2009, 11:09 PM

good thread, I live in LA and I never know what to do or where to go...

TOOL460002 · #13 08-12-2009, 06:37 PM

a couple museums i found fun at the time:

http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/

they had that exhibit there with the people infused with various plastics, so you could see the nerves/veins/other major organ systems. the rest was cool, too. if memory serves its near usc.

the getty is nice as well:

http://www.getty.edu/

cool art, and probably the most awesome cactus garden ive ever seen.

6jase5 · #14 08-12-2009, 10:50 PM

Go to the Getty for sure, it's great, also Griffith Observatory. If you want to hang out with all of my tall volleyball friends and other fun people in their 20's and 30's, head down to Hermosa or Manhattan beach. Live original bands, no, but plenty of fun to be had. I lived in LA for 12 years before heading to San Diego and if you want original music you usually have to stay away from the beach. Be sure to walk around Melrose, go to the Sunset GCenter and head to the vintage room,eat at the Apple Pan, go to Venice/Santa Monica and have a drink at OBriens or the Good Hurt, I'm sure I'll think of more.

I may be in LA next week for work, let us know your schedule.

MakiSupaStar · #15 08-13-2009, 10:42 AM

^yeah I've played a few gigs at the good hurt. The barkeeps are big breasted beauties wearing nurses outfits. Fun place. Music is hit or miss. There are a lot of local bands cycling through there. It's a little drive away from the beach, but it's still in Venice. Not necessarily a place where the chicks go though. Troopa, if you stay in the Santa Monica area, the Getty is pretty close. You'll still be driving up to Hollywood for music most likely. I know I mentioned Santa Monica, but check out their summer concert series. Free shows on the pier. One year is saw Burning Spear on the pier. For FREE! It was a two hour show with a full band. Back up singers, percussion section and horns for free. Look up Santa Monica's website for a schedule.