From the driving, to the parking, to the not knowing where to drive or park, dinner in L.A. is harder than it should be. That’s why we created Dinner Plan — your itinerary to a damn good time.
Get Fed: Gusto
Beverly Grove
InsideHook favorite Gusto just reopened in a much larger space down the street from its former location. The new venue is an adult pizzeria with a giant bar and a convivial atmosphere. They’re serving their classics — a rich bucatini carbonara, savory meatballs, the spicy octopus with beans — alongside wood-fired pizzas made with a 48-hour mother dough. Though we stuck to a nice bottle of Dolcetto, the bar scene here is solid, with a list of mixologized cocktails that’ll please any tippler (gin with grilled peaches, mezcal with blood orange).
Get Loose: Wild Beast
Beverly Hills
There’s a new cocktail lounge inside Verlaine that’s modeled after a Parisian lounge. It’s called Wild Beast, and the drinks are summery and strong. But on a night of dancing, we stick to straight mezcal, of which they have ample options to choose from. It’s a tiny space, but lively nonetheless, and if you see the doorman turning folks away, that means it’s at capacity. Best move on to the dancing next door at …
8715 Beverly Blvd. (map)
More info
Just Dance: Peppermint Club
Beverly Hills
What was once Hooray Harry’s is now a swanky music venue with a nice little dancing area and a booming sound system. It’s run by the h.wood group (Nice Guy, Delilah’s) along with Interscope Records, and books everyone from solid cover bands to emerging artists to big names who just drop in for surprise shows (Aloe Blacc, Cody Simpson, Seth MacFarlane). You can check the schedule before you go, and there are no reservations required.
8713 Beverly Blvd. (map)
Website
Main image and Peppermint Club image credit: Elizabeth Daniels
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