The Virgil

The Virgil sits at 4519 Santa Monica Blvd, on the corner of Virgil Avenue, and its own site puts it "on the edge of Silver Lake". The city's map calls the block East Hollywood, so search either name and you'll land in the same place. It's a family-owned cocktail bar and entertainment venue, and the same family runs Los Globos, El Cid, Don Quixote and Catch One, so the booking habits will feel familiar if you've been to any of those.

There are two rooms. The Stage Side hosts live music, DJs, dancing, comedy and special events on select nights. The B Side runs DJs and dancing every weekend. The calendar mixes comedy shows, drag nights, birthdays and DJ parties, which is how a hyperpop rave and a stand-up set end up in the same week. Condé Nast Traveler's line, quoted on the venue's news page, is that you can dance here without worrying about a dress code. The room has also doubled as a film set, in A Star Is Born (2018) and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.

The bar is 21+ only, and you'll need a valid ID. It opens only on nights with an event, so check the calendar for the opening time rather than turning up on spec. Drinks lean on cocktails and a long spirits list, with beer in cans, bottles and on tap. Groups can book a table: the venue offers up to five tables for 25 people, with your own server, no wait at the door for up to 25 guests, and free entry to most ticketed events. Bookings go through email.

The venue's own advice on getting there is to take a rideshare. If you'd rather ride the train, the Vermont/Santa Monica B Line station is about a quarter mile west along Santa Monica Boulevard, a five-minute walk.