The Speakeasy Society’s episodic adventure The Kansas Collection has been developing quite the following. With the remounts of the first four episodes here and the fifth chapter on it’s way one question remains: what to do after the show?
Each of the Kansas first four chapters runs between 15 minutes and a half and hour, taking up just a fraction of a night. With that in mind, and knowing that the show so far has been tailored for pairs and small groups No Proscenium is revamping our original “Make A Night Of It” guide.
What follows is some picks and tips for turning your encounter with the denizens of Oz into a night you won’t forget.
Chapters One & Four: The Key & The Invitation
Location: Atwater Village, a bit off Los Feliz Blvd.
Travel Tips: The first and fourth parts of The Kansas Collection currently takes part in a residential neighborhood. The good news being that the density isn’t so bad that you should be able to find parking without too much effort. Give yourself a little time, just to be sure. And do be mindful of the neighbors, this is a residential neighborhood, and we don’t want to go attracting the wrong kind of attention now, do we?
No matter where you end up before or after, you’ll be re-parking if you feel like hitting up a spot. If you’re using a ride-sharing service you’ve got the option of hoofing if back to Los Feliz Blvd. after the show and taking advantage of the options there.
If you decide to meet up with people/make a reservation give yourself about an hour after your ticket time. That should give you the time you need to take the show in. And be mindful of Los Feliz Blvd.: it can randomly be a pain.
Dinner: The wonderful thing about Atwater is that you have options. If you’ve got an early slot and feel like getting a jump on your night Dune is a great choice if you dig Mediterranean food. It’s a little spot on Glendale Blvd., so a bit further out than other options. It’s also the best damn falafel I’ve ever had. So there’s that. Open till 9PM. No reservations.
If you want to hold out until afterwards and have a really traditional Atwater experience then you’re going to want the Tam. That’s the Tam O’Shanter, one of the oldest restaurants in L.A., having opened in 1922. It’s owned by the same family that owns Lawry’s, and the menu has a lot of crossover, although the Tam is a bit less pricey than Lawry’s proper. The Tam is set up to look like a Scottish pub inside and out, and was once a favorite haunt of Walt Disney and his Imagineers. (But you probably knew that part.) The Prime Rib is the star, but the burger and fries are beyond reproach if you’re watching your wallet (but not your waistline). Reservations are available, and the front of the pub — the Ale & Sandwich Bar — is your best bet if you like to leave your options open. Restaurant open till 9/10PM, the bar kitchen closes at 11PM.
Deserts are classics, with the Hot Fudge Sundae being the Platonic ideal of that All-American staple.
Other dinner options: All’acqua, Golden Road Brewery,
Drinks: Directly across from the Tam is The Griffin, which has a dark atmosphere and tends to attract a late-20s to 30s crowd. I’ve always had a good run at The Griffin, which also has food, but word on the street is that one of the bartenders is a little “eh” these days. Who knows? Could be that folks are coping the wrong attitude. When you can get a table and hunker down with a quartet of pals The Griffin can be a lot of fun.
A little further down the way is The Bigfoot Lodge, which is part of The 1933 Group, which owns more than one of my favorite bars. Bigfoot is themed up, and you know how us immersive nerds like our theming. Confession time: I still haven’t been to the original Bigfoot — because my friends are always dragging me to The Griffin — but Bigfoot West in Culver, The Thirsty Crow in Silver Lake, and Sassafras in Hollywood are all part of the same team. I’d be shocked if they did us wrong here.
Chapter Two: The Axe
Location: Western and Santa Monica, East Hollywood
Travel Tips: the parking options around here aren’t that fantastic, but I usually have luck right on Western itself. Keep an eye on the street signs on the side streets. Ride share isn’t the worst idea here, but since Western and Santa Monica is a major intersection it can be a bit of a pain in and of itself. The earlier in the evening you go, the easier parking will be but traffic will be more annoying.
Dinner: There’s actually a spot nearby that I’ve been trying to remind myself to go to: Tlayuda LA. This place specialize in tlayuda, which some folks refer to as “Oaxacan pizza.” As someone who loves the Oaxacan flavor palate, the idea itself is heaven. Tlayuda LA made the LA Times’ list of where to find tlayuda in Los Angeles. (I mean, you have to hope they do with that name.) It’s also just across the street and about a block away from the venue. Just writing these words are my own excuse to go check it out. They’re open until 9PM.
If the idea of a Tlayuda doesn’t do it for you, but a real pizza does, you’re a short drive from DeSano Pizza Bakery a little way’s east on Santa Monica. This place is a mecca for ‘za heads. I’ve watched one too many people devour some DeSano on Snapchat while I was on carb restriction. Don’t go expecting a full Italian joint: this place does pizza and calzones. Okay, and salads and meatballs. Open till 10PM.
Finally, if pizza of any kind really isn’t your thing you can slip on up (or drop on by before the show) to Thai Town. There’s plenty of great options up this way, but if you love Thai food and you’ve never been to Jitlada you are missing out. This place is legendary, is one of Jonathan Gold’s favorites, and is where I like to take people who say they love Thai food to really knock their socks off. Open till 10:30PM.
Drinks: There’s a gem in this neighborhood: La Descarga, the first of the Houston Brothers’ bars to embrace the idea of themes and speakeasies. If you’ve been to La Descarga before you know that it’s a rum and cigar bar with some secrets, and a penchant for live music and burlesque. If you haven’t been before — indeed if you’ve never stepped foot in a Houston Brothers joint (No Vacancy, Good Time At Davey Wayne’s, Pour Vous) — then you’re in for some fun.
Chapter Three: The Door
Location: Chinatown, DTLA
Travel Tips: C’mon, Jake, you know how to get there. Parking can be tricky. And there’s always the Metro — just steps away.
Chinatown offers all kinds of options for those wanting to play tourist.
There’s the Melody Lounge for the beerventerous amongst you with a Happy Hour that apparently goes on till 9, and General Lee’s for those who prefer cocktails. That, of course, is just scratching the surface.
If you’re looking for food your options are actually far wider than you think. We’re going to avoid making Chinese food rec’s because it’s just not our forte…we dig it, but are no experts. You’re on your own, but at least you’re in the right place.
If Chinese food isn’t your thing we do have a couple of fun tips.
A quick burder bite can be had at Burgerlords, which is owned by the sons of the founder of The Oinkster. If you ever wondered what a classic California burger shack run by a second generation of patty wizards would look like: it’s Burgerlords. This isn’t fancy in the least: but it is satisfying if you’re watching your wallet but not your waist.
If pain is your game: Howlin’ Ray’s hot chicken is the name. It’s high on my personal list of “things to do once I’m not on the Whole 30 anymore.”
And if for some reason — other than, say, being vegetarian and their being no point — if you haven’t been to Phillippe’s: The Original and had the french dip I don’t know if you can call yourself an Angelino. (Even if, like us, you prefer Cole’s. You just gotta go do it.)
Beyond all that: the space right around the venue is AWESOME. Even if you’ve been there before there’s always some little detail that you may have missed… and there are few better places in LA to do a little night photography in. Your Instagram is going to get flooded with likes.
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