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Single in the season of love? Our writers name the best Singles Scenes (with couples cordially invited) in the world’s coolest cities—think of it as romance with a buzz, on Valentine’s Day or any day.
Best Singles Scenes in....
Best Singles Scenes
Los Angeles
Circle Bar
2926 Main Street, Santa Monica, 310-450-0508 thecirclebar.com
The Draw: Taking that non-special someone home from this notorious Westside meet market is a virtual rite of passage for any would-be pick-up artist. The Draw: Faux Far East-inspired décor spices up a kitschy, dimly lit, oval-shaped interior conducive to getting up close and personal. Played-out party tunes blast as top-heavy bartenders serve stiffies to a roomful of sweaty 20- and 30-somethings thirsting for some cheap, guiltless fun. Hot Tip: The lines extend around the block on the weekends, making it overcrowded, and furthermore, the girl-to-guy ratio is much better during the week (Sunday–Tuesday, 8:30-10:30pm).
Crown Bar
7321 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, 323-882-6774 crownbarla.com
The Draw: If your idea of a fairy tale romance is something from, say, “The Hills,” then this crowning achievement in hook-ups and heartbreaks is the place for you. The Scene: Getting past the prickly doorman can be a royal pain in the arse, but that’s the price you pay for partying with Lauren Conrad, Rachel Bilson, and Kevin Connollly. Speaking of “E,” the faux-industry scene plays out like a scene from “Entourage,” with name-dropping millionaires acting out their A-list fantasies for the benefit of dressed-to-spill divas looking to add to their imdb credits. Hot Tip: Impress a date or your wingmen by making a dinner reservation. It will ensure your entry, the food is decent, and it will cost considerably less than bottle service, which starts at $350.
The Draw: Unchained cubicle cuties flock to this downtown power plant turned metropolitan singles scene to see if they can find some “electric” chemistry. The Scene: Anyone with Microsoft Word can flash a “producer card” to an aspiring starlet, but this more mature scene favors those with the gift of gab. The well-heeled crowd conversing throughout the classic LA interior is more yuppie than maw (model-actress-whatever). Luckily, there’s a lot to talk about: retro dinosaur-sized machinery, lavender- and honey-infused bourbon cocktails, and the steamy burlesque and cabaret shows. Hot Tip: A 1910 martini at a 1910 price? This recession-proof deal happens every Thursday from 5–7pm when the bar serves classic gin martinis for $0.35. More social mixer than happy hour, the “electric” evenings draw suited types looking to mix a little business with pleasure.
