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Dear LAist;
I need a bar to take a date to while trying to stick within the Sherman Oaks/Encino area. It can't be over the top clubby. It can't be under the hood trashy. What are my options?
Signed,
I'm finally dating a Valley Girl
The Valley may not be like Hollywood where you can walk from bar to bar to bar to bar to bar to bar. But its got those sweet spots here and there.
What first comes to mind is Firefly in Studio City on Ventura Blvd. Question is, can you find it? Just look for the building that you'll pass five times before you realize, "oh! That's the building with the green ivy facade with a door hidden in it." We always think black attire works with this sleek and trendy bar. Jeffery Best, who owns Firefly, also has another visually clandestine club on Lankershim in NoHo called Match.
Sticking to the East Valley a little, Mexicali is a popular place to grab some Mexican food and drinks. But if you don't want to keep on saying "what did you say" over the loud crowd, we say head a little west down Ventura to Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks. Instead of being ultra loud, it's ultra dark. So if you are having a bad hair day or your date is really ugly, go here; no one will be the wiser. Also the drinks are friggin' huge! If you want something a bit normal, yet feels hip, try Senor Fred and get a private elevated booth.
We are a big fan of Charlie O's on Victory. Okay, so the Valley Glen neighborhood is not exactly like Sherman Oaks or Encino, but this place is hot; in it's own sense. Charlie O's is a jazz club and it's pretty much straight ahead jazz and bebop. You'll also be the youngest one in the crowd if you are in your twenties. There's also the Baked Potato in Studio City.
Now if things get a little heated and you need some late night/post make-out munchies, head up Coldwater Canyon and hang a left on Sherman Way to find Krua Thai. It stays open til 3:30 am and was rated Best of LA this past summer in Los Angeles Magazine. If she's a stoner, take the bad joke and go eat at Four & Twenty and grab the best Black Bean Burger (vegetarian) in town (4725 Laurel Canyon or 5530 Van Nuys Blvd).
LA.com also has some choices for you with their Valley Nightlife Guide.
Photo by Jody9 via Flickr. The photo was taken while driving on Ventura Blvd. The rest of her photos are amazing...
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Match = good idea
Firefly = good idea
Mexicali = overrated
Casa Vega = way better than Mexicali but be prepared to wait.
Don't forget Sapphire as well! :)
Oh! If you like Cajun food and Bayou music, try Stevie's on Ventura Blvd. in Encino. It's a little spendy for Cajun/po' folks food ($16 for a bowl of gumbo? COME ON) but the food is really excellent and they have live music on the weekends.
Plus, it's a very mixed crowd, with a few southern expats now and then. It has a full bar and valet and good lighting ... good lighting is VERY important on a date.