Posts Tagged ‘erin darling’

Do you like hanging out in dark bars with extensive beer menus while standing shoulder to shoulder with a ton of Venice hippies and Silverlake hipsters who’ve somehow ended up on the Westside? Then man-oh-man have I found the place for you. It’s called The Otheroom.

The Otheroom. 1201 Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Los Angeles, CA 90291

There is a reason why you’ll inevitably encounter crowds here on a Saturday night, because The Otheroom is a pretty cool find. It’s one of the few bars in LA where you can actually sit (music to the ears of every stiletto-wearing fashionista, right?), and walking around in a dark, candle lit bar can be pretty sexy. As if it couldn’t get any cooler, there’s easy street parking and valet. Huge plus.

It all sounds too good to be true, except when you make your way to the bar for a drink. The drink menu can be just as expensive as it extensive. In this bar, $9.00 is pretty reasonable for half a pint of beer. Not the best choice for you classy individuals who are on a mission to get hammered. You’ll wake up the next morning hungover and poor.

Truth be told, I didn’t care about spending the $9.00. I’ve paid more for many a ridiculous cocktail. It’s just that when I traded in my VISA for the drinks, I thought they’d be served in a big glass. Momentary disappointment.

The Otheroom is fun, the crowd is young, but it’s also small and crowded. Just try making your way to the bar without accidentally touching someone in an semi-inappropriate way, it’s nearly impossible. Keep in mind, it can also be a loud place, and not exactly the best destination for a conversation.

Between appearances, red carpets, grueling shoot schedules, and trying to balance a family/social life, it’s no wonder celebs are always spotted in places where they can get their caffeine fix!

But with a Starbucks and/or Coffee Bean on every corner, ever wonder which mega-chain your favorite stars prefer? For comedian and late-night TV host George Lopez, it’s Coffee Bean!

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. 300 S. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, CA. 90048

George Lopez was spotted chatting up the friendly staff at the Coffee Bean located on 3rd and La Cienega, joking that they could write “Jorge” on his cup of joe to-go!

Tucked away in a Hollywood corner near Sunset and Cahuenga, you’ll find Big Wangs — a bar that can best be described as half biker hangout, half Pizza Hut. The red and white checkered tablecloths bring me back to a time where I bonded with my little league team (and yes, I was the only girl) over video games and greasy grub.

Fast forward fifteen years and if you see me at a local bar surrounded by dudes, food, sports and beer, it’s probably because you walked into the Hollywood Big Wangs.

It’s casual, it’s fun, it’s cheap. Big Wangs isn’t exactly where you’d bring a date, but rather roll in with a big group of friends to share some spicy chicken wangs and cold pitchers of beer.

With at least three different sports playing on the TVs surrounding the bar, you’re sure to find a team you an cheer on. Like most sport bars, Big Wangs is loud and can get crowded depending on the night you visit. Be sure to steak out a table (and a spot for beer pong, if you’ve got the skills) early.

When to visit? Try Wednesday evening, where recession-friendly $0.25 cent chicken wings and $2.50 pint specials are easy on the wallet. But the real fun began at 10 PM when drunken guests take the “stage” (more like a corner) to sing their favorite tunes karaoke-style.

Advice: Check the Big Wangs website before you go to check what’s going on, the specials are so good, it’s worth it! To avoid the $6.00 parking  in the bar’s lot, look for metered parking on he surrounding streets. If you choose to try your hand at karaoke, bring your A-game…some of those Wangs waitresses can really belt it.

And, as always, be sure to check back to Positively Celebrity for more of the latest celebrity hot spots from Erin Darling!

The Village Idiot is a watering hole for LA residents and for tourists who desperately wish they were one.

If you’re craving a hearty meat pie and a pint of Guinness, you’d probably find sanctuary in this Melrose Avenue pub. One step inside The Village Idiot and you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to the local Oxfordshire restaurant/pub/bar (well, with much better food, and more trendy clientele).

This pub is home to an interesting crowd. On a short trip to the bathroom, don’t be surprised if you pass by conversations in three different languages. My Village Idiot dining companion explained it best, “It’s like foreigners purposely seek this place out, or something.” I couldn’t agree more. If I were a traveling resident of the EU, I’d probably stop by too.

The Village Idiot is a relaxed hangout perfect for those who want to avoid fussy dining, uber trendy bar settings, and for those who wish they could spend a summer in the English countryside…but then again, don’t we all?

Oh…and the food is so unbelievably fabulous…you’ll have a hard time saving room for another pint.  For more info check out http://www.villageidiotla.com.

If you were in middle school at any point between the years of 1998-2002, you know all the words (and probably corresponding dance moves) to “Tearin’ Up My Heart,” “I Want You Back,”or anything else that a curly-haired Justin Timberlake sang as the heart throb of N’SYNC.

Although every 13-year-old girl and/or sexually confused boy knew he was clearly the cutest, sometimes one had to pretend that they liked one of the other band members in order to preserve fickle friendships. For those of you who had to feign interest in Joey Fatone, I dedicate this story to you.

It’s hard enough for me to hold in my urge to burst into song while bunching with my friends on a beautiful Sunday morning , especially when there are mimosas involved. But, when you’re sitting two feet away from a former boy band member it’s that much harder. Trust me.

When my friends and I were seated next to Joey Fatone’s table during our visit to Saddle Ranch, we all looked at each other with, “is that who I think that is,” stares. Our mild confusion then turned to excitement as we all exchanged our favorite and most embarrassing N’SYNC obsession stories which won’t be documented here in order to protect the innocent.

Needless to say, it was quite the blast from the past.

Check out Saddle Ranch for food, drinks, a ride on the bull, or maybe even a random celebrity sighting.

Saddle Ranch Chop House. 8371 West Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90069

It’s been said that, “There are only two kinds of people in the world. The Irish and those who wish they were.”

Luckily for those of you who fall into the latter category, St. Patrick’s Day is rapidly approaching, a day where anyone with a high enough alcohol tolerance can be universally accepted as “Irish.”

That said, ‘tis the season to either stock your shelves with Jameson, or figure out which Irish pubs to visit as you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2011. The following are some of my all time Los Angeles favorites.

Dillon’s Irish Pub. 6263 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028

For those who haven’t been there, Dillon’s = dirt cheap drinks in the heart of Hollywood. It’s a huge bar with two levels and an interesting crowd. But head’s up ladies, your odds of getting hit on at this locale are pretty high so if that’s not your scene, I suggest you drink elsewhere.

Little Bar. 757 S La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036

Okay so it’s not technically Irish, but it is Bostonian, so close enough. Some of Little Bar’s perks are the laid back scene, mixed crowd, and the jukebox (bring extra change). But, if it wasn’t painfully obvious by the name of the establishment, it is a little bar so if you’re looking for a crazy crowd, this may not be the pub for you…

Brennan’s Pub. 4089 Lincoln Blvd. Marina del Rey, CA 90292

If you are looking for the aforementioned crazy crowd, don’t forget to hit up Brennan’s. Get up early for green beer, corned beef and turtle races. This pub opens at 6 AM on St. Patrick’s Day, so all Westside residents dedicated to the sport of competitive drinking usually start here. You’ve been warned.

Hennessey’s Tavern. 313 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

This pub by the Pacific is frequented by South Bay locals. Stop in if your St. Patty’s Day plans involve the beach!

Coffee? Outlets? Free Wi-Fi? What more could a girl ask for in local coffee shop? Well, maybe a warm poppyseed scone too, but if that craving strikes while you’re hanging out at Bricks & Scones, they’ve got you covered!

Bricks & Scones. 403 N Larchmont Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90004

Tucked away in the uber-quaint Larchmont neighborhood of Los Angeles, you’ll find Bricks & Scones, a family run coffee shop with heart! While the exterior may look like a house, walk inside and you’ll see that the interior is reminiscent of an upscale library complete with desks and people typing away on their MacBooks.

Bricks & Scones will charm you from the adorable outdoor patio, to the atrium and quiet study rooms inside. Make yourself comfortable on a couch and cuddle up with your latte, laptop, or both!

With an overabundance of Starbucks and Coffee Bean locations on every corner, I’m always looking for unique alternatives. While it’s not home to the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had, Bricks & Scones is the perfect location for the person looking for a temporary escape, a tranquil place to concentrate, or an aforementioned poppyseed scone…which really is a must try!

Wanna get your sweat on with some of Hollywood’s finest? Join a gym that’s almost as elite as the celebs you’ll see running on the treadmills. Although a membership at Equinox Fitness isn’t exactly recession friendly (expect to spend around $150.00/month) it does get you access to a gym with studios for yoga and pilates, a steam room, a full service spa, and even a juice bar if you’re craving a post-workout treat.

With locations around the nation, you’ll be able to get your work out in whether you’re visiting Los Angeles, New York, D.C. or Boston. If you’re looking for a celebrity sighting, check out the West Hollywood location. Cameron Diaz, Ashley Tisdale and Paris Hilton have been spotted here. Keep your eyes peeled, you never know who’ll get on to the elliptical machine next to you!

Equinox. 8590 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069

My personal tip, ask one of the trainers on staff to show you their most challenging ab routine. I’ve found that if they’re in between clients, they’re usually more than happy to oblige. It only takes a few minutes, and you might just walk away with a new jogging buddy!

As part of my duties as PositivelyCelebrity.com’s resident Hot Spot expert, I decided to check out a new place in Pasadena that’s been getting a lot of buzz.

Noor. 260 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91101

Not only is Noor home to two indoor ballrooms and two outdoor spaces that can accommodate large parties and host events, but it’s also a plush bar with unique cocktails and tapas style food. Gracious owner, Robert Shahnazarian was my host of the evening and gave Positively Celebrity a tour of Noor, sharing all they have to offer.

“In addition to hosting large events such as corporate, social and non-profit events, we have an amazing Mediterranean fusion restaurant that features a revolving menu of small plate items to compliment or signature mixology drinks and wines. Our restaurant features a gorgeous terrace with city views along with weekly entertainment and a stellar Happy Hour,” said Shahnazarian.

Although the old Hollywood charm of Noor’s impressive ballrooms caught my eye, it was the Pineapple Jalapeno martini that really knocked me off my feet. It’s a menu must-try next time you find yourself in Pasadena.

The menu also currently features items like Mediterranean brochetta with tomatoes, olives and herbs, mushroom ravioli topped with a lemon butter chive sauce, ahi tuna cakes, and grilled beef brochettes. However, since the menu is based on fresh, seasonal food from local farmer’s markets, don’t be surprised if you see the food change from week to week.

Interested? Check our Noor for yourself at happy hour (Tuesdays-Sunday from 4 PM – 7 PM). For a live jazz band, visit on a Wednesday night and if you’re looking for a more lively scene, stop by on Thursday night which features a live DJ.  For more info, check out their website.

As a self proclaimed holiday enthusiast, I know how to celebrate. It’s a responsibility I take very seriously, especially when it comes to the months of November-December, a time of the year that I refer to as the “9th inning,” that final stretch of the year that’s packed with reunions, family events, and opportunities to get into your favorite cocktail dress.

Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas…you’ll see them all in my calendar. If there’s somebody to celebrate with, I don’t discriminate when it comes to holidays.

In my years of celebrating, I’ve been able to gather a good arsenal of activities for Angelenos to delve into if you need an extra dose of holiday spirit. So whether you’re looking for a holiday classic or an activity that’s new and unusual, you’ll find it all here in The Guide: Holiday Season Hot Spots!

Drink a Pumpkin Martini at The Thirsty Crow

2939 West Sunset Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90026

I’ll be honest, just seeing this on the drink menu almost gave me a cavity. I despise drinks with pink mixers, cutesy names, or unnecessary decorations. I’ll take an extra dirty Grey Goose martini, please. However, I’ll admit I was convinced into taking a sip of this seasonal cocktail after an enthusiastic friend sang it’s praises. I actually was pleasantly surprised. The Thirsty Crow’s pumpkin martini is the perfect after dinner treat for those of you who want a holiday sugar rush with your vodka.

Twelve Days Of Yultide Yummies at Yogurtland

5541 W. Sunset Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90028

If you’re a frozen yogurt fanatic, check out Yogurtland December 1-12 for a new holiday flavor every day! Sample flavors like gingerbread, egg nog, and snowflake mint.

Skate In Santa Monica

1324 5th Street

Santa Monica, CA 90407

When it’s 70 degrees outside, December in Los Angeles isn’t exactly a winter wonderland. But sometimes all you need to temporarily suspend reality is an over-sized block of ice and a lot of fake snow. Spend an evening skating in Santa Monica with somebody special this month. Don’t forget a pair of gloves and a scarf!

Jingle Brains Holiday Zombie Walk

Santa Monica Pier & 3rd Street

Santa Monica, CA 90401

Sick of the usual holiday activities? Tired of tinsel and tree-trimming? Ditch the Christmas sweater party you’re invited to this Saturday night and deck yourself in zombie trimming. Yes, you heard me. Dress in your goriest garb, and march through the streets in Santa Monica like the undead to get into the holiday spirit.

Disneyland Winter Wonderland

1313 South Harbor Avenue

Anaheim, CA 92803

Disneyland is the perfect holiday activity for friends, family, kids, and even the underage wannabe raver now that ElecTRONica (a techno fueled dance party) is a temporary attraction at California Adventure. During the holiday season it looks cute enough to convert the biggest Grinch into a holiday enthusiast. So grab a group of friends and spend the day wading through crowds and sipping on hot chocolate as you succumb to your inner child!

Be sure to check back for more hot spots from Erin Darling right here at Positively Celebrity!