Two of my very good friends just returned from Spain and called me on Saturday night to hang out in LA. I asked if they had any special requests and they said that they simply wanted to go to a club, get drunk and dance their booties away. Luckily, I had been put on the list for the Shane West B-day party at newly opened Ritual restaurant and club, so I took my babes.

Now for those of you that don't know, Ritual used to be White Lotus, the former Hollywood hot spot back in 2003. Having lost its original luster, the owners recreated their restaurant and club by installing four full bars, a lounge area for smoking, and wider, indoor dance floor. Ritual definitely has much more open space than it's predecessor, which allowed for a more relax and chill environment, free of "excuse me" and "what a bitch, I can't believe she nudged me."

When we first got to Ritual, the girls and I hung out in the outside bar, smoking cigs and slinging back drinks from the open bar. In the midst of people watching, I was able to spot Benjamin McKenzie of The OC (he's shorter in person), Miz from MTV (what is he doing with his life? According to IMDB, nothing.), some other C list actors, but no Shane West (weird?). Although I can't report of too many other celebs, I can say that there were a many hot dude in the building. But with the men came the fake-tittied, slut bags. Ugh! So after the girls and I decided we were done people watching, we went inside the club to get down with our bad selves.

And that we did. The DJ was better than I expected and played all the rap songs I wanted to hear. While dancing I saw Shanna Moakler in all her fake eyelash glory, texting away on her PDA, but no Travis Barker in sight. After a few more dirty rap songs, and old men offering us boob jobs, we decided to head back to the bar for more booze. By this time the club really started to fill with enough pretty people to make my head explode. Although it was still early, the girls and I decided that we'd rather chow down on some chicken n' waffles, instead of rub elbows with Hollywood types. So we left Ritual, drunk, happy and fulfilled with our experience. The atmosphere was pleasant, people weren't too snobby, and the bartenders poured drinks with a heavy hand. Just the way I like it.

Ritual - 1743 North Cahuenga Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028

Dinner Reservations - 323.463.0060

Photo by Sarah Ardalani