Los Angeles Times - 16.11.2019

L.A. Live has replaced Holly-

wood Boulevard as the bejeweled bellybutton of Los An-

geles. ¶ What’s your pleasure? High-stakes basketball?

Red-carpet concerts? Stunning views? This downtown

destination has them all. Maybe I’m biased, but I’d say it

rivals New York’s Times Square for things to do, places to

go, celebrities to see. ¶ Jack Nicholson is its honorary

king, LeBron James its court jester, and Beyoncé and Ar-

iana Grande its wild-child courtiers. ¶ All because Sta-

ples Center 20 years ago transformed a drab part of town

into an entertainment vortex. ¶ Like the city itself, L.A.

Live can seem impenetrable. But not with this list of 20

attractions — some loud and obvious, others off the beat-

en track. ¶ (All within L.A. Live, unless address is listed.)

WP24: A soft spot in a brittle city, Wolfgang Puck’s place

on the 24th floor of the Ritz-Carlton is a great vantage

point to overlook the skyline at sunset. A festive meet-up

spot or a dark, quiet place to unwind. The food is always

fine — get the scallops ($39) — but I prefer the bar to the

restaurant. wolfgangpuck.com

Hotel Figueroa: Tell your friends: “Meet me by the fire-

place in the front lounge.” They’ll figure it out. Kind of

clubby, with rich architectural touches. The 100-year-old

Fig will quickly become your go-to spot. Taco Tuesday by

the pool is a worthwhile stop too. hotelfigueroa.com

Grammy Museum: I suspect many folks think this will

be a glorified gift shop, à la Hollywood Boulevard. No

way. This is a first-rate, hands-on museum that cele-

brates music. Kids love it. And you can even take a drum

lesson from Ringo. Admission $12. grammymuseum.org

The Original Pantry:A landmark ... a great nosh ... the

greasy spoon of greasy spoons. This cash-only monu-

ment to late-night binging will be here long after Staples

is gone. Look for legendary Grammy producer Ken

Ehrlich sneaking a midnight bite. 817 S. Figueroa St.

pantrycafe.com

Conga Room: L.A. Live is remarkably light on late-night

music options. That’s what makes the Conga so popular

on weekends. Sometimes live bands, sometimes DJs,

sometimes salsa, sometimes EDM. But always a party.

Covers vary. congaroom.com

Fleming’s: A proper martini is your revenge on the

world. It should come with a skin of ice across the top

that sparkles like a skating rink. You can get that here,

along with a sizzling chunk of prime cow that you’ll be

reliving a week later. Steaks from $49.

flemingssteakhouse.com

The rink and the tree: Speaking of rinks, there’s a great

one here during the holidays. A destination all its own,

this is a selfie or a Christmas card waiting to happen. It’s

also a first-date venue right out of a Hallmark movie.

Nov. 30-Jan. 12. Adults $22, 6 and under $17 (includes

skate rental). lalive.com

Ace Hotel:Well worth the six-block schlep, the old

United Artists building is noted for concerts and a bar

beneath the stars. Small plates won’t break your budget

— street tacos ($3) and a robust stack of nachos ($10) —

along with an eclectic list of cocktails from $12 to $14. To

get to the rooftop, look for the street entrance labeled

“Upstairs.” 929 S. Broadway.acehotel.com

Lucky Strike: Not exactly the ma-and-pa bowling alley

of your youth. It’s a nightclub, with bowling as an option.

Great for birthdays or groups. Also great for people-

watching, including — if you hit it right — athletes kick-

ing back after their games. Hourly rates, up to eight

bowlers per lane. Beware of food and drink minimums

after 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.bowlluckystrike.com

Shaquille’s:Shaquille O’Neal’s upscale restaurant adds

some welcome Southern flair to the dining choices.

Noted for the fried chicken and biscuits. If you’re a true

Southerner, you’ll probably opt for the shrimp and

creamy grits. Dinner entrees in the $30s. shaquilles.com

The Palm:They pour a good drink at this pre-game hot

spot, and add the Gigi salad ($17) or crabmeat cocktail

($26). This handsome old place, in a former toy factory,

almost always impresses. 1100 S. Flower St.thepalm.com

Broken Spanish:What contemporary high-end Mexican

cuisine looks like. “There’s a playfulness that permeates

the cooking, along with all the guajillo chiles and green

garlic and epazote,” Times writer Amy Scattergood says.

Entrees from $39. 1050 S. Flower St. brokenspanish.com

Red Mango: Grab a seat at a sidewalk table and watch

the world rush by while you calmly treat yourself to a

berry-laden smoothie or yogurt. Yogurt from about $5.

Smoothies about $7. (213) 746-2646. redmangousa.com

Regal L.A. Live:Big as a presidential palace, this movie

house now hosts occasional Hollywood premieres. If a

major release is in theaters you’ll find it here, with shows

that start mid-morning and go late into the night. Check

out $9 Tuesdays.regmovies.com

The Novo: Leave the major pop stars and awards shows

to Staples and Microsoft Theater — you’re probably too

cool for that. This music venue focuses on edgier up-and-

coming artists. Prices vary. thenovodtla.com

JW Marriott lobby: I shouldn’t like this chain hotel, but

the lobby bar always outperforms expectations. Live

music helps, and the roomy lounge areas are casual and

comfortable. A touch of class without feeling stuffy.

marriott.com

Smashburger: Admit it, you usually just want a burger

most of the time anyway. Smashburger proves that not

every meal at L.A. Live is 30 bucks. These delicious,

loose-packed burgers drip with flavor. From $6.

smashburger.com

Rock’N Fish: The sourdough bread ($2.95), among the

best in the city, alone is worth a stop. I like the bar here

for the rum cocktails. But the place is usually packed for

blackened fish ($25.95) and a relatively affordable chow-

der and salad combo ($16).la.rocknfish.com

Tom’s Watch Bar:Everyone swears by the Yardhouse,

but I prefer this sprawling sports bar that is about to

renovate and get a video upgrade. Friendly wait staff

hustles like a sixth man off the bench. Burgers from

about $15. tomswatchbar.com

Rosa Mexicano: Great selection of sipping tequilas and a

guac ($16.50) made at your table. Regulars also pounce

on the queso fundido ($12.50). rosamexicano.com

NIGHTTIMEguests stroll through L.A. Live downtown, which has become the city’s answer to Times Square.

Photographs by Luis Sinco

FRIED CHICKEN is a favorite dish at Shaquille’s,

Shaquille O’Neal’s restaurant with Southern flair.

DINEwith a view of downtown Los Angeles at WP24

by Wolfgang Puck in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

BYCHRISERSKINE>>>

20 things to do near Staples

POSTCARD FROM L.A.

F4 WSCE LATIMES.COM

Ski resort maps:A Nov. 9 story about ski resort map-

maker James Niehues gave the incorrect price of the book

of his maps and the incorrect date for an upcoming sign-

ing appearance. “James Niehues: The Man Behind the

Map” costs $90. Niehues will appear Dec. 7 at the Ski Daz-

zle Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

FOR THE RECORD