Sunset Strip Stay in May-What to do?
 

We're staying at the Hyatt on Sunset in West Hollywood for three nights (on our way to Maui) and would like to experience as much as we can in our brief stay. Can anyone tell me some things to do (clubs, restaurants, shopping) within walking distance of the hotel? I know it's tacky, but I'd really like to take one of those tours that show you where the stars live - is there a good one? And what about a movie studio tour? Is it difficult to get into the well-known clubs (Skyy bar, Whisky, HOB, Viper Room)and how expensive are they? Can anyone suggest some clubs where you don't have to wait in line or be inspected, but can hear some great music? It would also be cool to see rock stars out and about - does that ever actually happen??

I'll comment on a couple of your requests:

-- The "stars' homes" tours are a waste of money, unless you get someone who REALLY knows Hollywood history, especially the sordid, scandalous, good 'n' dirty stuff. Many of those grand homes are either demolished or heavily remodeled (Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball's home on Roxbury is unrecognizable thanks to a bad redo) and/or behind gates so you never see anything (i.e., Aaron Spelling's home, David Geffen's place).

-- Warner Brothers has a great movie tour. You should only do Universal Studios if you like theme park rides, OR if you pay extra to get the VIP tour.

-- House of Blues is basically a chain restaurant with "big"-name acts. Not too hard to get into, although it can be pricey if it's a popular artist. SkyBar IS hard to get into, but it's easier if you have dinner at the eatery next door, Asia de Cuba. The Whisky never struck me as being all that hard to get into. The Viper Room-- on most nights, I imagine you could waltz right in.

-- You should check the <b>LA Weekly</b> online (www.laweekly.com) to get a feeling for the LA scene. There are incredible music venues all over, and a lot of talent.

-- As far as seeing rock stars &quot;out and about&quot;-- hang out at the Guitar Center on Sunset in Hollywood for a couple of hours, you should see a few famous ones. Oh, and also Fred Segal in WeHo or Santa Monica.

The Gospel Brunch at House of Blues is really a lot of fun, with a nice &quot;Creole&quot; buffet. I guarantee they'll have you clapping in rhythm.

Oh, you can just go to the Hyatt's new eatery &quot;chi on sunset&quot;-- part-owned by that wispy-voiced Justin Timberlake, aka &quot;Cameron D&iacute;az's squeeze toy&quot;. You might get a star sighting there, since it's new.

The Comedy Store is down the road a bit, and you can also find a bite to eat at the shopping center across the street (there's a Wolfgang Puck Caf&eacute; there), and catty-corner from the Comedy Store is an Argentinian place called Gaucho Grill, which I happen to like a lot. Heading the other way on Sunset, toward Beverly Hills, you'll hit some ritzy boutiques after a 15-minute walk or so. And (unless they've closed it) a Chin-Chin outpost-- where, they say, the Chinese Chicken Salad was invented (or at least perfected).

And duuuhhhh, I forgot about the Standard, in the next block east from your hotel. A bit past its &quot;Use By&quot; date, but still retro-cool and hip, and there's a very self-aware diner where your meatloaf comes with a generous dollop of Ironic Postmodern Nostalgia on the side. There's plenty in your immediate area, so enjoy!

The Hyatt is directly across the street from the HOB, so an easy walk across the street (advise using the light, however). Admission to shows runs from $25 - $35 unless someone REALLY good and famous is playing. Best to get tickets at the box office than tickemaster which charges in &quot;convenience&quot; charges almost as much as the ticket.

Other venues on the strip are Viper room (20 min. walk), prices and entry vary, but the earlier you get there, the better shot of getting in.

Whiskey (now mostly metal, but sometimes you get a decent band) is easy to get into, anywhere from $10 to $20 plus drink minimum. A 10 min. walk.

The Roxy is mostly metal, but occasionally has other really interesting bands, and also hosts famous bands or performers doing rehearsal performances for tours (Ian McCulloch, Brian Wilson, etc. have performed there in the last year). Price $10 - $25 depending on the act. No ins and outs (once you are in, you are stuck inside. This can be a drag is you want to head next door for a quick drink at the Rainbow).

Key Club -- runs the gamut on music -- everyone from cover bands to 80's throwbacks, to punk, to metal. Great accoustics at this club, and surprisingly good food upstairs at a very reasonable price. Upstairs is a great place to hang out to watch the show and not be stuck in the throng below.

Rainbow. Well, this place should win an award for the way things used to be after they tore down Pandora's Box in the late 60's. The owner still looks like a throw back to the Elvis era, but it still brings in the crowds, still serves great pizza, still has the postage stamp dance floor on the second level, but they added an outdoor bar about 10 years ago for the smoking crowd.

Skyybar --too many posers, hard to get into, and who cares?

More metal: Troubadour Club.

Barney's Beanery: great for cheap food, crowds and playing pool.

Go to the top of the Hyatt. Some of the best views in town.

THANK you all so much! Excellent information; huge help. I will print this all out to take with us for reference. Just the kind of stuff I wanted to know. Much appreciation. If anyone thinks of anything to add, please feel free!

The Comedy Store and the Laugh Factory are fun, and not far from your hotel.

A little trivia on the Hyatt: you'll see it in the movie Spinal Tap, as well as a digitalized version in Almost Famous. An exterior scene from one of the Godfathers (II, I think) was also shot there.

This was THE hotel for visiting big name bands way back when. The Who, Led Zeppelin, Jim Morrison, Little Richard. It looks a lot better these days.

How about Rika's?
8590 Sunset Blvd