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Party Earth Review Once the center of LA’s underground and counterculture scene, Melrose Avenue may have lost a bit of its edge in recent years, but it’s still a vibrant destination for an oddly mixed, hyper-eclectic crowd. Although the... ... read full review
Melrose Avenue between Fairfax Avenue and La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046
24/7; Hours vary for restaurants, bars, and retail stores
Melrose, Los Angeles –
Once the center of LA’s underground and counterculture scene, Melrose Avenue may have lost a bit of its edge in recent years, but it’s still a vibrant destination for an oddly mixed, hyper-eclectic crowd.
Although the brightly-painted head shops, thrift shops, sex shops, comic book stores, and tattoo parlors still thrive along the avenue, they now reside politely beside flashy clothing boutiques like Ed Hardy, making it easy for curious tourists to mingle with the area’s hipsters and mohawked denizens.
Plenty of shopping options draw fashionistas on the hunt for everything from vintage duds at Wasteland and trendy sneakers at Sportie LA to street wear and outlandish club gear.
During the day, local teens share the sidewalks with window shoppers as funky-styled locals hit up lunch spots like M Café de Chaya for macrobiotic cuisine, but after dark, the street is overtaken by laid-back hipsters and young professionals who flock to the gastropubs and dive bars like The Village Idiot and Snake Pit Ale House (which is temporarily closed).
Having traded in a bit of its attitude in favor of a broader appeal, Melrose still maintains its reputation for being the edgiest shopping area in town for the artsier rock and roll set looking for a day and nighttime area to call their own.
All types from all walks of life.
The Groundlings Theatre (7307 Melrose Avenue) features high-level improv comedy. The Foundry restaurant (7463 Melrose Avenue) has a live jazz band on Thursday nights.
M Café de Chaya (7119 Melrose Avenue) features an organic menu. Gastropub The Village Idiot (7383 Melrose Avenue) offers more casual fare. Blu Jam Café (7371 Melrose Avenue) has a popular weekend brunch.
All price ranges.
Anything goes: business attire, vintage, khakis, button-downs, floral dresses, pink mohawks, dog collars, piercings, anything original.
Any time, though weekends are best for people-watching.
The Darkroom (7302 Melrose Avenue) offer good Happy Hour specials. Vinoteque (7469 Melrose Avenue) features French appetizers and a wide selection of wines. Sports bar The Parlor Hollywood (7250 Melrose Avenue) is a good spot to watch the big game.
Melrose Avenue User Reviews