2010 - The Sunset Strip

Tweeps Brave The Rain For Festive TweetCrawl IV

Despite the weather outside being quite frightful, TweetCrawl VI took over The Sunset Strip on Saturday, Dec. 18. Tweeps, dawned with their tackiest Holiday sweaters, started the evening’s events at XIV, with half-priced cocktails and a wonderful array of giveaways (including having one of those cocktails named after you)! They then hoofed their way up The Strip to the next stops, including The Den of Hollywood, The Standard, RH Bar at the Andaz hotel and culminating at The Comedy Store, tweeting with delight along the way.

The Cat Club, Viper Room and Key Club hosted after parties, where free entrance and libations awaited the late night celebrations.

A big thank you to all of the participating businesses, as well as the die-hard Twitter-verse who braved rainpocalypse 2010 to attend The Strip’s holiday party.

–Kika Davis

Photos: Brent X Mendoza

Happy New Year! Your Guide To The Strip’s Events

Before you make resolutions you know you won’t keep, venture to The Sunset Strip for a night of champagne-popping good fun as we ring in 2011!

MUSIC, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT & PARTIES

The Raveonettes + Autoluxe at The Standard, Hollywood
KCRW presents Danish duo The Raveonettes and Autoluxe. Doors open at 8 p.m. and pre-sale tickets are $50. Need more info?

Neon New Years at Skybar
Skybar hosts ultimate New Wave ’80s rockers the Spazmatics on New Year’s Eve. Guests can also enjoy an open bar from 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. Entrance is $175 ($125 for Mondrian hotel guests). For reservations, call 323.848.6025. www.mondrianhotel.com

Up The Drunx @ Viper Room

Sunset Strip tastemaker extraordinaire Sarah Berkowitz unleashed an unparallel lineup of punk rock mayhem on the Viper Room on Dec. 12. As part of her newly launched Up The Drunx showcase, the night included cheap drinks and a full lineup of anti-establishment fun from Sex N Violence, The Bombpops, Murderland, Toys That Kill and Neutralboy.
Sunset Strip photo-reporter Brent X Mendoza was on the scene to capture the night for all to see.

Holiday Shopping: Mall-Ternatives at Nicole Miller and Dan Deutsch Optical

We attended events at two high-profile Sunset Strip boutiques this month that proved you can find holiday gifts without the shopping drama.

We visited Nicole Miller Boutique in Sunset Plaza on Dec. 15 for an event that allowed guests to shop while supporting philanthropy all at once. The Nicole Miller Indego Africa opening reception included complimentary wine from Naked Grape, hors d’oeuvres from Sunset Strip staple Cravings and a live band that set the mood for an already festive and lively evening, but the real star of the show was the collection of special hand-woven bracelets created as part of Nicole Miller’s partnership with Indego Africa, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Rwandan women achieve literacy and business skills.

The London West Hollywood Brings Year-round Cheer To The Strip

We recently stopped by The London Bar to partake in their “London After Five” happy hour, which takes place every Monday through Friday from 5-7 p.m. You can enjoy a menu of $5 cocktails and appetizers, which rotates monthly. The current cocktails include holiday-inspired libations with tastes for the sweet tooth, such as a pecan pie martini (Absolut Vodka Vanilla, Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, crushed toasted pecan), eggnog Alexander (eggnog, Xanté cognac) and a BBC (Captain Morgan rum, basil, raspberries and a splash of champagne).

Sunset Strip Picks Holiday Edition: Dec. 20-26

Anyone looking to entertain holiday house guests should search no further than the Key Club for their monday night staple: Steel Panther. It is thee must see show for locals and visitors alike. Tonight, Monday, Dec. 20, the naughty boys of The Sunset Strip return with special guests The Disowned. You know the show. You know the songs. You know the drill. Doors open 8:30 p.m. and tickets are $18 – $20. www.keyclub.com

8 Questions With 8mm

‘Tis the season tonight at the Viper Room when 8mm hits the stage for their Third Annual Holiday Show. Promising “candy, balloons and holiday cheer,” the trip-hop duo comprised of A-list producer/engineer Sean Beavan (GNR, Marilyn Manson, NIN, No Doubt) and wife Juliette Beavan will deliver a sleigh full of sexy carols to the masses. Before they take the stage, learn about the holiday movie quotes and albums that inspire their sultry seasonal spectacular.

Your first LP was titled Songs to Love and Die By. What’s your favorite song to make love to?

Juliette: Anything off of Blackjazz by Shining!

And on the other hand… what’s your first choice for a swan song?

Juliette: “In The Lap Of The Gods” by Queen. It’s the appropriate mix of grandiosity and resignation.

Give Your Wallet A Break: Affordable Holiday Gift Guide

The countdown is officially on, and you haven’t started to conquer your ever-growing holiday shopping list. Fear not. We’ve got a list of affordable options on The Sunset Strip that will make your wallet happy and those near and dear to you sing your praises. And to help get you into the holiday spirit, those shopping this weekend can enjoy carolers roaming Sunset Plaza Friday and Saturday nights from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. (Dec. 17 and 18), and warm cocktails served by the fire on The London West Hollywood’s rooftop from 5-9 p.m. Now, back to your list…

TweetCrawl VI: Sleigh Bells On Sunset – Guaranteed To Be More Fun Than Watching FOX News With Your Grandparents

You’ve decked the halls and spiced the cider, now it’s time to walk in a not so wintery wonderland as The Sunset Strip’s restaurants and bars host TweetCrawl VI: Sleigh Bells on Sunset! The signature venue-crawl-meets-social-networking event is taking over the boulevard – jingle bells and all – on Dec. 18.

Participants are encouraged to don their tackiest, most festive holiday sweater as the group carols down The Strip spreading cheer and visiting some favorite spots. Indulge in very merry libations, food and goodies – not to mention a chance to win a bounty of awesome prizes from participating businesses as well as The Roxy Theatre (@theroxy) and Dan Deutsch Optical (@dandeutschoo). (Be sure to follow them all for chances to win.)

Night + Market Lets You Discover Thailand, Without The Checked Bag Fees

Last Thursday, Dec. 2, Night + Market debuted on The Sunset Strip to a packed, and very vibrant, crowd. The newly opened Thai street food restaurant from owner and chef Kris Yenbamroong is the sister to an already standing Talesai, which opened in 1982 by his parents. Yenbamroong took the helm of the Sunset Strip staple a few years ago, and when the space next door to Talesai became available, he knew it would be the ideal location for a new venture.

Night + Market is a late night communal dining spot boasting tapas style plates based on Thai street food items. The menu features favorites like crispy catfish, pork stew and fried chicken wings, all accompanied by a selection of beers from Southeast Asia and wine that can be ordered in “taste” size as well as by the glass or bottle.