It's been over a month since I've made the (temporary) move to Los Angeles for my last semester of college and let's just say I've been trying to keep an open mind about it. The famed "City of Dreams" is may not be as dreamy as one would imagine, even for a communications student like myself. To be fair, I've grown up entirely on the East Coast — living in New Jersey, occasionally working in New York — so naturally I am more accustomed to the fast-paced, loud-mouthed life that comes with the tri-state territory. Now mind you, I have been out to LA quite a few times before, but solely for family vacation or college searching purposes so I was never the one driving. What a culture shock it was to start acting like an adult and actually take the car to work IN THIS TRAFFIC. I am aware that some people might argue that traffic in NYC, especially Manhattan, is quite awful, and to that I say, how dare you. Whereas in NYC there is (relatively) fast and definitely frequent public transportation of all kinds, LA has four to five lanes on the freeways and still struggles to inch along not just in the morning, but almost every hour of the day. And unlike LA, you can actually walk to your destination in New York. It’s revolutionary. So to say that I wasn't prepared would be the understatement of the century.
However, I will give LA this: regardless of the agonizing traffic, everyone here is so nice. No, really. From the Uber drivers to the bar bouncers, the store clerks to construction workers, everyone I've encountered here genuinely has an awesome attitude. Perhaps it's only a matter of time until I meet an unpleasant someone but until then I reserve the right to say that the locals of Los Angeles are rays of sunshine except when they're on the road. Then they're all angry savages.
Either way, I thought I'd take a moment to write down some notices, notes, and general advice I would've liked to have before coming out here. Please enjoy :)
Cars & Parking
Photo by STANLEY NGUMA from Pexels
Get a car on the smaller side
If you are not a soccer mom, don't bother with the bigger cars; gas is ridiculously expensive out here — as is everything else — and it will make it way easier to find parking spots and fit into small spaces
However, I would not entirely suggest a compact car either because of safety reasons. Although cars are getting safer with newer models, it's still dangerous to be in a smaller, lighter car if caught in an accident
Make sure your car isn’t too low for bumps and stoppers. This is a general rule for everywhere but seriously, LA has a lot of bumps and divets that can scratch up the front corners of your car
Look for the red lines!! LA is great at marking up where you can or can't park if you're not sure
Sometimes you'll get lucky and not have to pay for 2 hr parking but other times it's a 2 hr limit and you still have to pay *sigh*. If you're not sure though, don't park, or ask one of the nice pedestrians
Crosswalks are your friend
Speaking of pedestrians, it is a huge pain in the neck — not to mention safety hazard — if you have to cross a mini highway so be aware of your parking location if you're on the opposite side of your destination!
By the by, they will actually ticket you for Jaywalking here
Always try and park in a corner or end spot (another general rule for everywhere since you’re chances of getting dented are automatically reduced by half)
I'm not kidding about people being terrible humans when they're driving, so in order to keep up, you have to be (cautiously) aggressive
Bars & Hangouts
Barney’s Beanery Burbank
Multiple locations around LA
Sports bar
Order cheesy fries with gravy on the side
Bring friends with a diverse range of knowledge for Wednesday Trivia Night
Really cool aesthetic
Open late in case you need a midnight food run (seriously came in clutch when my mom couldn’t get to dinner until late and ended up eating there at 11:30pm)
BLACK
There’s a variety of fashion but as a general rule so far I’ve seen people dress UP when they go there
Cons: dance floor gets stupidly crowded, drinks are $$$ (my shot of fireball cost me $9), but then again it’s LA
Pros: No cover charge, changing DJs, dance floor, inside bar and outside patio with another bar
Break Room 86
My favorite place so far
When you first get there, you have to wait to be escorted to the entrance (you'll see why) and once you enter the place is usually packed
The bar as an 80's-inspired interior and the DJ only plays music from that decade but it is a damn good time
The bathroom is small classy af
There are burlesque dancers who come dance on the bar
Dirty Laundry
Also one of my favorites
Bar and club made from an old speakeasy
Pro: their drinks are delicious and strong
Con: Line get really long so get there early!
What’s also great is that the bar and dance floor are distinctly separated in different rooms
People dress up a little more here
Howl at the Moon
Crazy talented piano players and singers
They play mainstream stuff but also timeless throwbacks
Con: $10 cover charge UNLESS you reserve a table ahead of time and get there before 9pm OR win a party at Howl What do you mean Kellie? How does one win a party? Well on there website you can enter to win a party (for you birthday, a party, special event, etc.) and if you win one, not only is your cover charge waived for you and up to 100 of your closest friends, but you get two drinks tickets — one per drink — each for only a whopping $1.65 and every drink after that is only $3.45. I know. It’s amazing. And because I’m awesome here’s the website:https://hubs.howlatthemoon.com/win-a-party
Dress code is casual
Sassafras Salon
Also down the block from BLACK and Three Clubs
Awesome old-western/ dive bar look
Second-floor stage for live bands
Cool cocktails
Three different rooms to sit down at a table or couch but it gets quite loud with the band so it's hard to talk
Stout
Crazy amazing gourmet burgers and beer
Musky aesthetic; wood tables, glass bottle chandeliers
Outside seating (with heaters for colder days)
Open until 4AM!!
Three Clubs
Dark-lit lounge aesthetic
Cool, chill place, mostly for older peeps (30s and up)
Right around the corner from BLACK
Awesome taco truck right outside for fast and fresh food
Kill Bill was playing on the tv last time
There's another set of doors where bands play and dancers perform, may be a cover charge sometimes though
The White Horse
Awesome, colorful set up
Pink, graffiti wall perfect for an Instagrammable moment when you walk in
Booths and high tops for sitting
Square dance floor with DJ in booth to request songs
Con: Dance floor can get a bit crowded since it’s on the smaller side
Attire is on the dressier side
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