Peacock Theater

Part of L.A. Live’s corporate regeneration of Downtown in the mid-aughts, this slick, 7,100-capacity hall opened in late 2007 as the Nokia Theatre (and later the Microsoft Theater). The sound system is crisp and the seating is plush, but it all looks a bit bland; that’s not really a dealbreaker for comedy and kids’ shows, but the general purpose auditorium aesthetic does rob some concerts of their atmosphere. (That said, it’s clear that blank canvas vibe is a huge pro for the many awards shows that set up here.) The drinks are pricey and parking can be tough if there’s an event at the Crypto.com Arena next door: It’s often quicker to park farther away, in the blocks east of Figueroa Street, or to take Metro to the Pico stop about two blocks away.