Few stretches of road carry as much music lore as the Sunset Strip. Here, on separate balconies of the hotel once nicknamed the Riot House, Robert Plant famously declared himself a “golden god” during Led Zeppelin’s rise, and Keith Richards once hurled a television in a drunken outburst. Down the street at Whisky a Go Go, house band The Doors was ultimately let go because of Jim Morrison’s unpredictable behavior. In its gritty heyday, the Strip epitomized rock and roll at its most raw, raucous and self-indulgent. Today it’s enjoying a modern revival that softens some of its rough edges while preserving the glamour and mythology that drew fans and musicians alike. Following in the footsteps of those icons—visiting old haunts and scouting nods to the past in new spots—remains a guilty pleasure for visitors and locals.
One of the newest additions is Bar Next Door. Housed in a building that once accommodated a 1940s-era talent management agency, the bar is a mellow neighborhood hangout fashioned from dark wood and rustic leather, evoking Old Hollywood elegance. The menu, printed on newsprint, nods to the Strip’s storied addresses: drinks named for landmarks such as Château Marmont and Tower Records, and tales woven into each entry. The neighborhood’s 1920s haute spot, the Garden of Allah, is honored in a cocktail that blends gin, green tea, peach and tonic, finished with rose petals for a delicate floral touch.
Kumquat Tart at Juniper © Kelly Magyarics
The old Riot House has been reborn as Andaz West Hollywood, one of several boutique hotels along the Strip. A large photograph of the “golden god” still dominates the lobby, and guests can book the very room tied to those rock-star memories. Across the street, The Sun Rose West Hollywood leans into music-driven hospitality with an intimate 100-seat venue for live acts. On its rooftop, Merois serves Island in the Sun, a fragrant, fruity cocktail of vodka, guava, Thai basil, bergamot and lemongrass that’s an ideal pre-show libation.
If your night includes a concert at the Whisky or the Roxy, start at Juniper inside 1 Hotel West Hollywood. Surrounded by lush foliage and warm wood, the bar offers a botanical, welcoming atmosphere. The gin-and-kumquat cocktail there delivers a tangy, mouthwatering sip that sets the tone for an evening on the Strip.
For a genuine throwback experience—sticky menu pages and all—settle into a booth at the legendary Rainbow Bar & Grill. Try to snag the corner seat once favored by Slash; you’ll know it by the Guns N’ Roses photos and gold records on the wall. Cocktails like the Paradise City spritz or the Kickstart My Heartini are straightforward and sweet. The Rainbow also houses memorable rock memorabilia, including a life-sized statue of Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister, giving visitors a photo-op that feels like a tangible connection to rock history.
Of all the artists who rose here, The Doors remain most closely associated with the Strip. While recording their final album, L.A. Woman, in 1971, Jim Morrison recorded vocals in the tile-covered bathroom of the band’s local studio because he loved its acoustics. The space later became a hot dog joint, and today a playful detail—a fake barrel of pickles—hides a phone that acts as the check-in to the new speakeasy, The Lucky Tiki.
Small and dimly lit, The Lucky Tiki is lined with rattan, bamboo and dried palm fronds. It’s a fitting little shrine to the Lizard King: a cocktail created in his honor pairs rum with a blackberry shrub and is served in a tall idol mug over ice, then finished with a flaming rosemary sprig. The aromatic smoke curls upward, a theatrical nod to Morrison’s lingering presence. The drink is both a toast and a bit of theater—proof that the spirit of rock endures and that the Sunset Strip still knows how to stage a memorable show.