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12.10.05
It doesn't get any more punk rock than Swingers. Where else can you hang out at 3am in your hot clubbing clothes while stalking your favorite musicians and still pig out?
Despite its cheesy name, this late night diner is the place to see and be seen after you've been kicked out of the clubs. On Beverly in Hollywood, this restaurant's opening hours are 6:30am to 4am. On any given night, but especially the weekends, the place is packed with club kids, scene kids, goth kids, punk kids, the occasional B movie star, and our personal favorite, rock band members. There is no finer place for people watching.
The décor is severely retro, and its Andy Warhol-inspired cow wallpaper is semi-famous. But the menu is surprisingly modern, offering vegan and vegetarian entrees among the usual burgers you'd expect.
Whether it's the scene or the menu, this place is always packed. At 2:30 am, we had a ten minute wait for a table. But once you're in, the staff is efficient and friendly. Our waitress remembered us the second time we were there, and what we'd ordered.
The place is L shaped, and if you're not into being seen there are big booths tucked away in the shadowy corners. There's a jukebox that plays so loud that you really can't overhear anyone else's conversation, though everyone does anyway. There's an undercurrent of energy here, that's unique to Hollywood. It's sort of, 'who are you, are you anyone, are you gonna be anyone so should I suck your cock?'
Or maybe that's just me.
So, to sum up: If you're in Hollywood, after you rock the clubs, go rock Swingers. You might see someone cool. And at the very least, their hummus and pita hella rules.
