No Vacancy

Leave it to Mark and Jonnie Houston, the twins behind Harvard & Stone, La Descarga and Pour Vous, to conjure up another uniquely L.A. affair involving craft cocktails, performances (burlesque acts, tightrope walkers) and live music. Once past the smartly-dressed chaps holding court over the door (and behind door number 1902), prepare to be enamored as you descend into old Hollywood. The impressively restored Victorian home is outfitted with elegant dark wood paneling, red velvet tufted banquets, café seating and ample space that spills out onto a garden-style courtyard illuminated by two positively baroque fireplaces, which burn even in the thick of summer. And appearances are everything here, so patrons should adhere to a classy dress code. Just be warned here that the doormen play favorites—you might be waiting over an hour or more to get into No Vacancy.