Nightlife

Zelda_Fitzgerald
Sat, 06 Aug 2011 18:46:08 +0000

I’m coming in to give a less “belligerent” point of view on nightlife and entertainment in the USC area. Contrary to the previous posters, many students never go to the 9-0, La Barca, Chanos, etc and “rage all night” and get “wasted” at the neighborhood restaurants. I’m actually quite proud (?) that I never went to La Barca or the 9-0 during my USC UG career!

In recent years, a lot of really nice, “classy” restaurants that serve alcohol have opened in the USC area, and they’re great places for 21+ students to eat, socialize and drink in a non-party environment. Yes, you can go out and drink/eat by USC without puking in the street at 1am like a responsible adult. Who knew!?

My personal favorite place is Bacaro, a small wine bar on Hoover and 23rd St. They serve small plates, too – but it can get crowded during peak hours since the place is very small.

The Lab is a USC-operated gastropub across from campus that’s also really nice. Good beer selection, OK food, a bit pricey – but you can use your USC card to pay from discresh.

Traddies (on campus pub) has reopened in the new student center. Can’t really tell you how the new version is – but I’m interested to check it out once the school year starts.

The 2-9 Cafe on 29th and Hoover is more laid back and casual, but has pretty decent food and a nice beer selection as well.

USC offers trams on the weekend to LA Live downtown, and there are lots of bars and restaurants there you should take advantage of. Downtown LA is also a really nice place to go out – lots of great restaurants, cool bars and generally great places to see. I recommend Wurstkuche! Downtown is really only fun if you’re 21, especially since many places close down to the younger crowds in the evenings.