West Hollywood constantly reframes and redefines what’s acceptable (even in places like Los Angeles and Southern California). So, weekend mornings are different here. In WeHo, hair-of-the-dog cocktails and boozy brunches aren’t just acceptable, they’re a super-charged Olympic sport. Flex your animal spirit with house-infused spirits and bubbly-laced juice potions at these choice spots.
Some visitors plan trips around destination hotels or special events, others around chic eats or one-off shops. All good. In-the-know denizens, though, arrange their priorities differently: bar and club hopping rule their itinerary impulses.
West Hollywood has an inordinate number of rooftop bars, most with seductive pools and sublime views. WeHo also has more restaurant and bar liquor licenses per square mile than anywhere else in California. (Good thing it’s only 1.9 miles square, eminently walkable, and easily navigable via Uber.) Santa Monica Boulevard, as it passes through WeHo, is ground zero for L.A.’s LGBTQ nightlife scene, while WeHo’s stake of the infamous Sunset Strip pulses with live music. No wonder West Hollywood’s population almost doubles on weekends.
Two issues remain unanswered but they’re personal: where to begin and when to end?
kitchen 24, Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA, USA
Hugo's Restaurant, Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA, USA
1 Hotel West Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA, USA
The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills, North San Vicente Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA, USA
Troubadour, North Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA, USA
The Viper Room, Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA, USA
Best Places for Lunch in West Hollywood
You’ll notice I’m talking brunch not breakfast here. Breakfast is far too early after these nights… For dining, also check out Gracias Madre, Catch LA, Marco’s, kitchen24, and Hugo’s included in my other great days in WeHo.
kitchen24
kitchen24 is a welcome scene with their bottomless bloodies and morning-after mimosas. Yessiree, heaven indeed. Open around-the-clock, this place is as much a scene at 3 a.m. (when people of all stripes, colors, and shapes pour in after a sweaty night of carousing, conversing, dancing, and drinking) as it is for brunch. The neighborhood joint excels in everything from smoothies to soups, mac-and-cheese to fried chicken sandwiches, and too many egg dishes to name.
Hugo's
Healthy never tasted so decadent at Hugo’s, a casual institution that’s had staying power since the early 1980s. They help you feel good about yourself by serving “stealthy healthy” meals. In fact, they were serving organic and vegan dishes long before everyone else caught on, before “gluten-free ever existed,” as LA Weekly said. Their deservedly popular brunches are worth waiting in line for, partly because of the excellent service. As for their choice elixirs, we recommend their Very Berry Sangria, a Smashed Cucumber (gin, cucumber, lime juice, organic cane sugar, and soda), and an Orange Mint Julep (Bourbon, muddled orange peel and mint, house-made organic cane syrup.)
Best Places to Stay in West Hollywood
1 Hotel West Hollywood
1 West Hollywood, part of Starwood Capital’s mission-driven “eco-conscious luxury sustainable” brand, is perfectly perched with stunning panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills and Los Angeles basin. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a private wrap-around terrace (overlooking the rooftop bar) make life worth living. The oversized marble bathrooms do, too. The suites and residential-style rooms evoke a cool, crisp, California feel – sleek while being quiet and natural, trying not to impress, which of, course, is impressive.
The London West Hollywood
Experience luxury and elegance at The London West Hollywood, a stylish, upscale hotel located in the heart of West Hollywood. Boasting lavish suites with sophisticated decor and private balconies, The London provides amazing panoramic views of the L.A. skyline. Every detail, from the marble bathrooms to the chic, comfortable furnishings, exudes comfort and style. Their rooftop pool and terrace offer a sublime retreat, while the on-site restaurant, led by a world-renowned chef, serves exquisite gourmet fare. Service is top-notch, as you’d expect.
After Dark in West Hollywood
After dark, also check out The Abbey, The Nice Guy, and The Tower Bar included in my other great days in WeHo.
Consider returning to kitchen24 to soak up some booze before hitting the bed. Open around the clock, this place is a scene at 3 a.m. when people of all stripes, colors, and shapes pour in after a sweaty night of carousing, conversing, dancing, and drinking. The neighborhood joint excels in everything from smoothies to soups, mac-and-cheese to fried chicken sandwiches, and too many egg dishes to name. It’s also heaven for a morning-after bloody mary or mimosa.
Troubadour
The iconic Troubadour is a small club with a big reputation, and the venue lives up to its historic reputation. This intimate live music space has a second-floor balcony, a great sound system, and a stage close to the audience. It has played an important role in the careers of hundreds of artists, including Elton John, Guns N’ Roses, Coldplay, and just about any band with gigs in L.A. At any performance on any given night, the crowd is likely peppered with more than a few famous faces. If these walls could talk, they’d whisper that the hype is real here.
Viper Room
Many entertainers got their start on the Sunset Strip, the name given to the mile-and-a-half stretch of Sunset Boulevard that passes through West Hollywood. We’re talking legends like The Doors, The Byrds, Van Halen, and Guns N’ Roses playing in renowned venues like Whiskey-a-Go-Go, The Viper Room, The Roxy, and more. Live music lovers continue to visit the area for its history and current offerings, spanning from the ’20s to today. The Viper Room is a deservedly renowned and intimate club-bar-music venue. It’s over-the-top chill with great bands, superb sound quality, cool bartenders, and luckily, no snake pit (or mosh pit for that matter).
West Hollywood: Walk this Way, a Day of Gay