9 things you have to do in West Hollywood

West Hollywood is one of LA’s most fabled neighbourhoods, but to get the most out of it, you’ve got to know where to go. 

Pendry West Hollywood has a rooftop pool with sweeping city views and 149 stylish guest rooms.

A vibrant city within a city, West Hollywood is less than five square kilometres in size, but it packs multitudes into its city limits. Leave the car behind and stretch your legs in some of Los Angeles’ most walkable neighbourhoods as you follow in the footsteps of legends on the Sunset Strip, feel the buzz along Santa Monica Boulevard and see what’s new in the Design District.

Best bed

A sculpted tree shimmering with Swarovski crystals and a vending machine full of mini Moët & Chandon bubbles are among the first things you see at the Pendry West Hollywood. Built on the former site of the Sunset Strip’s House of Blues, the hotel has a 100-seat live music venue and the luxurious Spa Pendry downstairs, two Wolfgang Puck restaurants (on the third floor and roof), a rooftop pool with sweeping city views, and 149 stylish guest rooms and suites in between.

Best vegan food

Plant-based fare is big in West Hollywood and, at Gracias Madre, the delicious dishes come under old shade trees on the patio outside or inside beside a long bar with more than 60 tequilas and 70 mezcals. Here, all of the traditional Mexican dishes are animal-free and made from scratch with local organic ingredients – the tacos are so good they made the Michelin Guide for LA’s best tacos.

Best spa treatment

In the historic Sunset Tower Hotel, Joanna Vargas is known for modernising facials and body treatments that have celebrities coming back for more. Try the Supernova Facial, an awards-season favourite that combines collagen, cryotherapy and microcurrent contouring, or a full-body diamond-tipped microdermabrasion followed by an oxygen serum for those Hollywood skin feels.

At Gracias Madre all of the traditional Mexican dishes are animal-free and made from scratch with local organic ingredients.

Best drag shows

More than 40 per cent of West Hollywood residents identify as LGBTIQ+ and Santa Monica Boulevard is one of the most out-and-proud streets in the world. Monday nights are the best time to see showgirls take the stage at Micky’s, while on Saturdays the Mimosas flow at its drag brunch. mi

Best coffee

Help for Australian coffee snobs is here: you can now drink flat whites in an Australian-style all-day cafe in West Hollywood. A recent addition to the neighbourhood, Great White on Melrose Avenue is the third LA cafe by Aussies Sam Trude and Sam Cooper, serving organic Vittoria Coffee and avocado toast along with casual dishes inspired by Australia, Mexico and Europe.

The Comedy Store has three separate stages where you might catch a comedy star, an up-and-comer or possibly a first-timer on an open mic.

Best cocktails

At Harlowe there are three house rules: drink tasty cocktails, meet good people and have the night of your life. Inspired by a painting of a 1930s socialite, Harlowe embraces Hollywood’s golden era and the cocktails range from Old Fashioneds and other classics to seasonal specials such as Chase the Sun, mixing Copalli cacao rum, Amaro Montenegro, cold brew and chai tea with lemon and tonic.

Best workout

Hugh Jackman, Taylor Swift, Christy Turlington, Marc Jacobs and Justin Bieber are just a few of the celebrities who have got their blood pumping at the Dogpound, where you can opt for one-on-one training sessions or group classes including boxing, basketball and dance cardio.

Famous nightclub and live music venue The Viper Room, on the Sunset Strip.

Best tour

Join a Rock ’n Walk Sunset Strip Walking Tour to get the inside scoop on West Hollywood’s rock and roll playground. Between playing on Sunset Strip stages in punk bands and being the stage manager for Guns N’ Roses, Alice in Chains and more, your guide, Jon D’Amico, has many tales to tell about the Strip’s bars, clubs, hotels and secret places. He can also share tips on the best places to eat, drink and party while you’re in town.

Best comedy

Take a seat in the comedy club that has seen Robin Williams, Richard Pryor, Andy Kaufman, Jim Carrey, and thousands more light up the room since it opened its doors back in 1972. The Comedy Store has three separate stages where you might catch a comedy star, an up-and-comer or possibly a first-timer on an open mic. That’s how Roseanne Barr started at the Comedy Store, so you never know what the night has in store.

The writer travelled as a guest of Qantas.

Originally published as 9 things you have to do in West Hollywood