For music aficionados of big-name acts to those of the smaller, more-selective variety, West Hollywood’s Troubadour is as good as it gets. Founded in 1957, the night club brings an enduring, historic touch to L.A.’s otherwise flash-in-the-pan entertainment scene. Sometimes, it pays to just leave it to the legends. Troubadour is where some of the world’s most-famous names launched their careers—from James Taylor to Tom Waits—and the locale continues to magnetize world-class performances.

One might locate Seven Grand at a fork in the road where gentleman’s bar meets hinterland watering hole. The quiet exuberance of the glazed black walnut that frames and accents every corner of this whiskey bar is completed with boisterous pool table stations and kitschy wall taxidermy. Distinction, however, becomes muddled in its dim interior lighting. Splashes of light emanate from various display cases showcasing shrines of whiskey bottles and paraphernalia. Here, whiskey is king, and mixologists are ready to give patrons the liquid courage to tackle a game of billiards at their prized 150-year-old pool table.

[Images courtesy of Kenn Wilson]

Wedged in an unmarked alleyway, the basement nightclub The Edison has helped spearhead the central core’s resurgence, aided in part, by reintroducing absinthe to the city via festive, enabling absinthe fairies. Affiliation with its namesake inventor dissolves as one proceeds downstairs and encounters a chamber awash in a copper glow that feels like the engine room of an art deco cruise-liner, yet looks like the vault of a Gothic cathedral. Arrive early enough, and a 35 cent coin (redeemable for a drink-of-the-day) might be in store; stay long enough, and catch a troupe of flapper dancers supplementing the period mood.

This winsome watering hole is a proper venue for both "good" and "bad" guys to enjoy a tipple or two. The bar doubles as a venue for live music and caters to the harmonic melodies of American bluegrass, country and rock’n’roll. Its menu of small plates of vegetable farro salad and grilled cheese, oozing with cave-aged cheddar, pair nicely with its tantalizing drink list such as its Poison Apple, a blend of tart green apple juice, or its Sno-Cone Fix topped with a strawberry. Though for the beer belly, there’s a plentiful selection of 28 beers on tap. Once a doddering sandwich shop, this laid-back bar has since transformed to one of Silver Lake’s "baddest" saloons.

Frolic Room is one of L.A.‘s most beloved dive bars. Located next to the Portuguese Theater on Hollywood Drive, this aspiring-to-be-seedy lounge attracts an eclectic clientele of Beverly Hills fashionistas, neighborhood veterans and, even, Kevin Spacey. The drinks are potent and the smoke-stained walls and torn bar stools only add to the notorious watering hole’s charm. The bartenders are always friendly and if you fancy star gazing or, simply, guzzling a good brew in a classic Hollywood bar, Frolic Room’s for you.

Located in downtown L.A., the Smell’s name could not be more apropos with its guest roster of bands, such as “The Pukers” or “Vomit Band.” Yet the sounds emitted from this odorous namesake of a venue could not be further from repulsive. The intimate space is housed in a funky storefront, and doubles as a music venue and non-profit organization dedicated to exposing LA’s burgeoning creative community. On a typical night, cover charges never exceed a few dollars, which is in sync with the owners’ DIY philosophy. Just beware that, because of the all-ages policy, there’s no booze allowed on the premises.