Go Fish!

GO FISH, GO!

Good for double dates, good for first dates, and certainly no  shortage of items for conversation,
the Aquarium of the Pacific offers a good time for everyone. Opened in 1998, The Aquarium grows
every year, always introducing new and exciting exhibits, like the shark petting pool; as well as
old standards like- otters(Note: if you’re date doesn’t like otters, you may be dating an alien).

The Aquarium offers indoor and outdoor exhibits as well as coolpresentations from scuba divers
in the two-story aquarium tank in the  front lobby. It’s different than a museum because
fish tend to be  less subjective than Magritte, and unlike a movie, you are encouraged
to engage your date in healthy communication(read: flirting).

The Aquarium of the Pacific is located next to The Pike megaplex, which offers numerous options to continue
your date, however, we  wouldn’t lead you astray(Chili’s) just yet, so we’re going to take a  short trip
south east to Fourth St. Nestled just west of a hip strip  of vintage clothing stores and tchotchklea shops
is our food stop-  The Pike Bar & Grill. Not to be confused with the Pike megaplex thing that we mentioned
a few sentences ago!

Rockabilly fish and chips, good food, full bar, great jukebox, nice staff, and  a kick back environment
covered in Long Beach nautical paraphernalia,  which is a perfect place to continue your date. You can enjoy
the atmosphere, a  cold beer and whatever entertainment is up that night.

It’s standard fish and chips fare(a good bet), with a few surprises (lobster tacos), but their fish
sandwiches aren’t too shabby either.  Make sure you have some money for the jukebox and feel free to call
ahead to find out the entertainment for that night. If you’re lucky,  you may end up there on “indie film night”
which, the night we attended involved two  projection screens and videos of topless women in hot tubs.

Here's some rock n'roll street cred for those of you who aren't yet convinced of the Pike's complete and total
awesomess. This is from their myspace page.

"DRUMMER CHRIS REECE OF SOCIAL DISTORTION FAME OWNS AND OPERATES THE
PIKE RESTAURANT AND BAR IN LONG BEACH, CA. A 50s DINER TURNED INTO A
NEIGHBOORHOOD FISH JOINT. NAMED AFTER THE ABANDONED LONG BEACH
AMUSEMENT PARK, "THE PIKE", IT IS A RESTURAUNT BY DAY AND A KICK ASS
LIVE MUSIC VENUE BY NIGHT. THE MENU HAS FOOD FAVORITES FROM YEARS
TOURING THE U.S. IN A PUNK ROCK BAND. COME CHECK IT OUT!!"

This date works great Summer or Winter, morning or evening; the shops on Fourth St. are fun to walk through,
or if they are closed the Long Beach Art movie theater is always showing something interesting
(bonus  theme points if it’s Creature From the Black Lagoon, The Little Mermaid, or A Fish Called Wanda).

What’s more romantic than enjoying a day at the aquarium, where you  admire the beauty of ocean life,
and then devouring it with delicious  tartar sauce? The answer, absolutely nothing.

Have fun! Be safe! Date well!

Long Beach Aquarium of Pacific
map

100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802

(562) 590-3100

Pike Bar & Fish Grill
map

1836 E 4th St
Long Beach, CA 90802

(562) 437-4453 close

Coming up: Little Tokyo West

Get Drunk!

AVPC: The Atwater Village Pub Crawl

Atwater Village, across the LA River from Los Feliz and Silverlake, on your way to Glendale, is awesome. That is why Lady Date maven calls it her home. In addition to the plentiful parking and adorable bungalows, Atwater is home to what we like to call the “cocktail quadrant”: four different bars each offering their own unique brand of debauchery. Each walking distance from the other- a rarity in LA proper. Ready for a liquid date? We always are.

TAM O’ SHANTER
If we’re going to be walking, we’ll need some fuel in our tanks. Meat Fuel. So let’s start our adventure at the Tam o’ Shanter- one of the greatest pubs in town. While you could order a five-course steak dinner at this expensive LA landmark, the real fun is at the somewhat less expensive heavenly Ale and Sandwich Bar.

Once inside the Tudor style storybook cottage, don’t get too distracted by all the crazy old Scottish memorabilia, you are on a mission. The smiling sandwich master is waiting for you to choose your meat and bread, and will hand it over to you hot, fresh and ready for you to slather as much mustard or horseradish as you could dream of. There is also a selection of delectable sides, include creamed corn or spinach, and some tasty-ass potato salad.

Don’t forget to get a drink! The drinking starts now!

A little History from the Tam’s Website “In 1922, you could crank up the engine of your Hupmobile, lurch through the dust and ruts of a country road, and arrive at a convivial old-world inn. Established by Lawrence Frank and Walter Van de Kamp, the restaurant offered hearty food and amiable service. Tom Mix, Fatty Arbuckle, Mary Pickford, John Wayne and Walt Disney and members of his studio were regulars in the early days of the "Tam." In fact, the Disney people had lunch here so often, some referred to it as the studio commissary. We are especially proud of our co-workers - some of whom have given us over four decades of service.”

Note: On Saturdays, the Sandwich bar closes early. Don’t set yourself up for hot beef related heartbreak. Call ahead and make sure they’re prepared to serve your needs.

980 Los Feliz Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90039
(323) 664-0228

Ale and Sandwich Bar:
Sun - Fri: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Saturday: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

CLUB TEE GEE
Heading south parallel to Los Feliz blvd. is Glendale Blvd is where you will find Club Tee Gee. Yes, we know the sign looks like “Club Tee Yee”. Yes, we know there are two entrances, and only on is the proper one. These are things that make a dive bar a dive bar. Add to this a glittered ceiling, dark, roomy booths and an almost exclusively local clientele and you have got yourself a sweet, simple place to get sloshed.

It isn’t the most unique bar on earth, but the fact that you feel like you could be anywhere makes Tee Gee a great escape.

The bar is cash only, but the jukebox takes plastic. Weird.

Drink Prices are very reasonable. Have a couple more drinks. That’s good, isn’t it? You’re starting to get flirty!

Club Tee Gee 3210 Glendale Blvd (Cross Street: Garden Avenue)
Los Angeles, CA 90039-1811 (323) 669-9631

THE BIGFOOT LODGE
Savor your newly found buzz as you stroll back towards Los Filez Boulevard. Enjoy the quiet, dark residential streets because your next stop could send you into sensory overload.

Welcome to the Bigfoot Lodge. A Hipster haven from the folks that brought you Cacao café in west LA, and Sinners and Saints in Culver City. As with all their bars, there is a theme- Bigfoot is decked out national park meets men’s lodge. It can feel delightfully Twin Peaksesque on a mellow night. Rockabilly kids and shaggy beck look-alikes intermingle amidst fantastic animatronic raccoons, authentic antler creations and adorable bear statues. You may go to Tee gee for the low budget beverages, but you go to Bigfoot for the atmosphere and the scene. Oh, and maybe to buy your gal a drink involving a flaming marshmallow. That’s tasty, right? You’re getting a little silly, but that’s ok. The Smokey the Bear statue won’t judge you. Neither will the friendly bartender and all his tattoos.

You can’t really go wrong with the entertainment at Bigfoot. DJs spin great eclectic mixes of vintage brit pop, punk and rockabilly, sometimes (I think Sundays) there’s a guy who projects old film reels on the wall. Monday is Rock N’ Roll Karaoke- this could be good or bad, depending on how many drinks you have had at this point. Check their website to see what you are getting yourself into.

This is not the best place to hit up later on a Friday or Saturday. If you get there early enough to get a booth, you should be fine, but the place is jam-packed with Betty Paige bangs and tattoo sleeves to the point of conversation stopping. Weekend =Not great for dates at the Bigfoot Lodge.

The Bigfoot Lodge
3172 Los Feliz Blvd (Cross Street: Glenfeliz Boulevard)
Los Angeles, CA 90039 (323) 662-9227

ROOST
The best. Free popcorn, dirt cheep drinks and the best jukebox in Atwater. Privacy if you want some back corner canoodeling, schmoozing possibilities, if you don’t. The atmosphere is a little rough-and-tumble, and the drinks are stiff, making the Roost a perfect place to end your night. Make yourself at home. Stay ‘till closing time. I mean, you’ve had a lot to drink, but the cocktails here are so ridiculously cheap. Have another. That’s right.

Cash Only!!

Roost
3100 Los Feliz Blvd (Cross Street: Edenhurst Avenue)
Los Angeles, CA 90039-1507 (323) 664-7272

REMEMBER:
• Bring plenty of cash so you aren’t tied down with a tab!
• Allow yourself plenty of time in case you discover other fun stops along the way, or decide to spend lots of time in one location.
• Wear comfy shoes!
•Pub-crawls make a great non-traditional double date!

other links:
Where it's Atwater!
Roost Reviews
Another fun Tam Fact
BIgfoot on Myspace
Aug. 30th- Happy Birthday, Tee Gee!
Get Home Safeley

Next Week: Something's Fishy!