Tag: nightclub

Circus Style at the California Institute of AbnormalArts

k150_28Stiletto_City_heel_iconSZDStep right up folks, you’ll see things beyond your imagination! On a quiet little strip of Burbank Boulevard in North Hollywood is a nightclub where the atmosphere is just as entertaining as the acts on its stage. California Institute of AbnormalArts (C.I.A.) is where the circus comes to town every night.

Califorina Institute of AbnormalArts

Run by ever-eccentric, purveyor of the unusual, Carl Crew, the venue features a wide array of oddities such as severed heads and mummified clowns to Chinatown-themed lanterns and signage. Part museum and part live music venue, the place also feature sideshow-type events, freak shows, burlesque performances and puppetry acts. The walls are adorned with vintage-style circus murals. Even the box office, where you’ll likely find Crew greeting his guests, is a huge half face, half skeleton head.

Carl Crew Kastle Waserman Califorina Institute of AbnormalArts

I first discovered this venue a few years ago and did on article on it for the LA Times, which you can read here. On a recent night, I was able to catch an unusual billing of the ‘80s goth/glam band Gene Loves Jezebel featuring Michael Aston, along with a sword swallower act.

Gene Loves Jezebel Michael Aston

 

cia sword swallower

Not a place for the faint of heart, it is a place where you’ll find something unique and literally off the beaten track.

What I Wore

Pulling out the biggest hat in my wardrobe, my bright pink pillbox felt fit for a retro ringleader. I paired it with a matching pink purse and black wiggle dress with keyhole detail. Some pink vintage, lobe-climbing, clip-on earrings and silver brooch completed my nightclub look.

OOTD Retro Look

OOTD Retro Look

 

Let Your Freak Flag Fly Circus Style

If you’re feeling ready to witness the wild or bizarre on your nightclub outting, incorporate a little retro circus style in your wardrobe with this fun Under the Big Top print skirt featuring clowns, circus tents and animal acts. Pair it with a cut-out top and scallop-trimmed heels. A shiny, retro handbag puts a big bow on the complete look! Click the links to shop* this look!

Circus Theme Retro Look

 

CIA is located at 11334 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

It’s the greatest show on earth,
Kastle

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Tag: nightclub

Retro Glam Style at General Lee’s

k150_28Stiletto_City_heel_iconSZDLooking like one of those bars you have to be in-the-know about, General Lee’s is subtly tucked into Chinatown Plaza, with a tiny neon sign above the doorway. Enter and you’ll find two floors to explore. Tiki-style palm frond upholstery jazzes up the conversation-inducing seating arrangements as part of the Asian-influenced interior design by William Edwards. Expert mixologists behind the venue’s two bars will keep you enticed with creative libations crafted with clever ingredients.

General Lee Bar

The bar itself has quite a history, its name pays homage to General Lee’s Chinese restaurant, which occupied the space from 1878 to 1985, which was a favorite spot of Frank Sinatra, Gary Cooper and Judy Garland.

It’s now known as a favorite watering hole for those seeking interesting cocktails and an old school vibe. The venue also hosts occasional live DJs.

What I Wore

The night I went, the world was still reeling from the passing of David Bowie, so I decided to put together an outfit to pay tribute the best way I knew how – with fashion. Drawing from one of my favorite films, “The Hunger,” I channeled Bowie’s immortal lover Miriam (played by Catherine Deneuve) with a mix of seductive retro glamour and sophistication. A sparkly, low cut , three-quarter sleeve wiggle dress provided some sexy retro glam style with spiky stilettos and fishnet stockings. I added a vintage purse with a bit of fringe trim, and the look was completed with a black pillbox hat and veil that Miriam would surely favor, and marked my mourning for the great Starman.

ootd retro glam style

retro glam style accessories

Dressing Retro Glam

To bring some retro glam style to your look, think bling and sophistication. A little sparkle in your outfit or accessories, such as this bedazzled retro style evening bag, helps you get your glam on without overdoing it. A sleek silhouette, such as this cap sleeve wiggle dress in a deep green hue, will up your game. Fishnet stockings bring just the right amount of sexy. Then top it off with a veiled hat or fascinator for just the right amount of drama. Click the links to shop* this look.

Retro Glam Style

 

Now go out and be glamorous!

General Lee’s is located at 475 Gin Ling Way, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Style on,
Kastle

Shag Store photos courtesy of the Shag Store.

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Tag: nightclub

Swing Dress Style to Heart Clifton’s Cafeteria

k150_28Stiletto_City_heel_iconSZDWe waited for it. Word spread throughout Los Angeles a few years ago that Clifton’s Cafeteria would be undergoing a massive renovation and reopening.  Finally, in the fall of last year, Clifton’s double doors ushered in a new era – and it did not disappoint! With it’s all encompassing design full of intrigue and whimsy, it’s a place to be whether you are out for a casual meal or fancy cocktails. It quickly became the largest jewel in the crown of a revitalization-in-progress in Downtown LA’s Historic Core.

Clifton's Los Angeles

Originally opening in 1935 and decorated in the style of the Brookdale Lodge, where founder Clifford Clinton spent much of his childhood, Clifton’s was known as the world’s largest cafeteria and attracted everyone from luminaries such as Walt Disney, to blue collar workers, to the depression era’s down ‘n’ out who were welcomed with the policy of, “pay as you wish.”

The new Clifton’s retains much of the quirky charm of the original, including a forest theme featuring a five-story redwood tree sprouting right through the middle of the venue, as well as waterfalls and charming bridges, and winding, cavernous paths dotted with taxidermy wild animals – a tribute to founder Clinton’s love of hunting (though if you hold your phone over the nearby plaques, you’ll hear about wildlife conservation efforts.)

Clifton's Los Angeles

Under the carefully guided vision of its latest owner, Andrew Meieran (known for his stunning creation of the Edison Bar), the new Clifton’s has three floors to explore with a bevy of treats for the eyes and belly. The Cafeteria is located on the first floor with classic foods from pizza to pie to Jell-O. On the second floor is the Monarch Bar where you can socialize in elegant style under the giant redwood tree and take your trays of food up to the many tables and chairs and nooks and crannies to dine with your peeps. On the third floor is a Gothic Bar, which offers dramatic style. More rooms and bars are expected to open in the near future including a Tiki Bar, which my little circle of friends are quite excited about! 

What I Wore

I went to meet friends for Valentine’s weekend cocktails so I felt a frothy, feminine vintage-style swing dress was in order. I’ve always considered myself a pencil skirt, wiggle dress kind of girl but with some recent purchases of a full circle skirts and dresses, I’ve been enjoying the new silhouette. Pair it with a voluminous petticoat and you have a classic ‘50s heartbreaker, such as this look I put together with a red, floral swing dress and black petticoat peeking out to accent the pattern. Some delicate, vintage-inspired earrings and black pumps completed the look – and a rose from my sweetie!

OOTD valentine swing dress style

 

How to Have Swing Dress Style

You’ll feel like the belle of the bar in a swing dress with a fun print and a frothy petticoat underneath like this dress in hot pink with white polka dots. Add a white petticoat to compliment the print and you won’t be able to help but sway bath and forth like sweet Sandra D. in “Grease.” Some classic pumps will take you higher and balance the look with ultra girl appeal. Click the links to shop* this look.

 

swing dress style

If you’re in LA, you simply must check out Clifton’s Cafeteria, have a drink and enjoy their “cabinet of curiosities!”

Clifton’s is located at 648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014

We heart you Clifton’s!
Kastle

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Tag: nightclub

Rock out at the Harvard & Stone

k150_28Stiletto_City_heel_iconSZDAround Hollywood, there is no shortage of cool bars and cool bands to play in them. Recently I’ve been itching to get out more in the late night hours and explore what’s happening on the rock scene.

There’s nothing like the energy of a cool local band and that feeling of being one of the first to discover them. I had a night like that when I went to rock out to Mid Coitus at the Harvard and Stone.

The night was hosted by indie rock online TV show Dirty Laundry TV and featured Mike Watt. But it was Mid Coitus who I came to see, a two-piece who sounds like a full band of four. Singer Sailor Alexander has the looks of a young Dave Navarro, plays both guitar and bass from his instrument and works the stage like master showman. Not bad considering this was the band’s third show.

Midcoitus Band

Harvard and Stone is a great local bar to see gigs, with lots of cool industrial details, as well as lounge space and nooks in the back to escape the crush of the stage area when it gets crowded.

Harvard and Stone Bar

Harvard and Stone Bar

What I Wore

To go rock out in the night, you can’t go wrong in a good, music-related T-shirt like my Sun Records tee here. A pencil skirt slinks it up a bit, along with classic fishnet stockings and moto jacket. Then I added a pop of red in my hair scarf, purse and heels.

Rock out style

Rock Out in Style

Headed out to see a cool band? Grab your moto jacket and your favorite band graphic tee, like this one featuring The Who. Pair it with a pencil skirt and some fishnet stockings to add a little sex appeal. Add some bright, creeper shoes like these shiny red ones, and a fun purse like this racecar clutch to show you’re living life in the fast lane! Click the links to shop* this look!

Rock Out Look

 

Harvard and Stone is located at 5221 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Rock on!
Kastle

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Tag: nightclub

Make It Funky!

k150_17heel iconAs they say, “the girl can’t help it” and sometimes I just have to blow off some steam and DANCE. I finally found a place that offers a night full of great music, a huge dancefloor, and laid back cool people where I can get my groove on. Funky Sole at The Echo offers a heaping dose of late ‘60s and ‘70s-era music every Saturday night. I recently met up with my gal pals, Fabby and Barni, and we claimed our corner of the dance floor to shimmy and undulate.

If you need a little inspiration on your footwork, the club projects old episodes of  the TV show, “Soul Train” on the stage’s big screen. The crowd is friendly and gives you space to do your thang without bumping into you. There is a mix of styles there from casual Silver Lake scenesters to funkiphiles flashing some serious fashion sense to more edgy alt rockers.

For a sampling of the music played, check out the playlist on the club’s MySpace page.

I can’t think of a better way to shake off the rest of the world and just have a good time! Check out the pix:

girlsNightOut3

crowd
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AK7sH4fltI]

Soul Train

Shake your moneymaker,
Kastle

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