Donita Sparks
Lists
Donita Sparks' favorite bars/live venues
Former L7 ringleader Donita Sparks knows a thing or two about bars and live music venues in L.A. After all, she has played most of the clubs in town, either as a member of the influential 1990s rock band L7 or with her latest group, the Stellar Moments.
As a longtime Eastsider, Sparks also knows where the best hangs in the city are (and where to score the cheapest beers). You are likely to see Sparks out in the Silverlake/Echo Park area at smaller dives like the Short Stop, but her picks below also proves the guitarist/songwriter has a bit of a soft spot for larger venues like the Hollywood Bowl and even the Palladium.
L.A. lounge institutions (and icons) Marty and Elaine play here every Mon. through Sat., and they never disappoint. They play jazz, standards and pop in a smooth yet lively way. Elaine even gets a little wild with her voice sometimes which brings the lounge crowd to their feet. Admission is (unbelievably) free.
I love the nightlife, I got to boogie… and the Short Stop is a good place to do it. No live music, but DJs keep the dancing going most nights on the perfect-sized floor.
A hip, trendy bar with great funky art, ambiance, and recorded music playing. Avoid the weekends because it can be a mad house.
This is my favorite place to see a rock concert in LA. A big, old, down on its heels ballroom--just the way I like it. The sound is usually bad, but drink one of the enormous beers they sell and you don’t really care. Brave the crowd on the main floor or watch the occasional, swirling pit from the balcony.
This location has different clubs every night of the week, but Saturday and Sunday's club (Hacienda Nights) is my favorite. Dance your ass off on the packed floor with live regional Mexican music provided by Banda Navajo. The band jams. Cheep beers, too!
The most famous of the Silver Lake live band venues, Spaceland also has monthly band residencies every Monday night and it’s free to go and check them out. I love the stage with the silver and blue metallic backdrop. My new band The Stellar Moments made our debut here.
A summer night at The Bowl is about as dreamy as you can get. I was fortunate enough to see Brian Wilson there twice for Pet Sounds and Smile, two of my favorite concerts ever. Splurge on a box, sit mid way up, or nose-bleed it, anywhere at The Bowl is magical.
