Top 10 Pre and Post-Show Eats in Los Angeles

While there is a vast and endless list of foodie haunts all over the great city of Los Angeles, a few stand out amongst the crowd as go-to spots for delicious post and pre-show eats. Because parking twice is a pain in the arse and we want to cater to all ye drunken concert heathens, all food joints on this list are within one mile walking distance of a venue, and they’re some serious tasty goods!

1. Blue Palms Brewhouse – Hollywood – This establishment has been crafting tastebuds since 2008 and it’s no surprise with fine specialties like the Truffle Burger and the Liars Fuego Steak Melt on the menu. This cozy, classy restaurant is a mere hop, skip and jump from the Fonda Theatre and the Hollywood Palladium. Aside from the mouthwatering eats, Blue Palms also has a fine rotating list of craft beers. More info!
Prices: Starters/Sides $4-13, Entrees $8-29
Hours: Kitchen open until 10:30pm Sun-Mon, 11:30pm Tues-Thurs, 12:30am Fri-Sat.

2. Two Boots – Echo Park – A NY pizza transplant in the heart of Echo Park. The pizza is thin and crispy in true NY tradition and a magnet for the hipster crowd. Quirky (and musical) topping combos, names to match (“The Dude,” “Night Tripper”), and vegan options (“Vegan in Furs”) are available too but what makes this place most attractive is that it’s attached to the LA venue that is know for breaking all the great indie bands, The Echo. Lest you forget to eat before entering, no worries, you can order their pizza from inside The Echo (cue: jaw drop). More info!
Prices: Whole pies $7.50-23.95, Calzones, Sandwiches, etc/$5.95-7.95
Hours: Open until 12am Mon-Wed, 2am Thurs, 2:30am Fri-Sat, 12am Sun.

3. Taix – Echo Park – Established in 1927 with staffers who may have been there just as long, slip into the low-key lounge vibes of old school French establishment Taix. Pre-game with rustic french cuisine and a solid happy hour or pop in the 321 Lounge for libations and late night bites, from simple pomme frites to fancy braised short ribs. It’s a perfect pit stop to sober up (or keep drinking) if you’re stumbling out of The Echo/Echoplex, Short Stop, Gold Room, etc.  More info!
Prices: Sides/Starters $3.75 and up, Entrees $12.95 and up
Hours: Open until 10pm Sun-Tues, 1am Wed-Sat

4. Stout – Hollywood – I can practically hear Samuel L. Jackson exclaiming it now: Juicy. Motherfuckin’. Burger. The Goombah is my personal fave on the menu but they are all good and there is no losing. Stout is a top notch, exemplary burger joint that proves to be consistently good time and time again. They even handle the hard work of helping you decide which beer to pair with your burger, thanks to the craft beer recommendations that are printed right on the menu. I once thought being an adult and feeding myself was hard, but not at Stout, Open until 4am and close neighbors with Hotel Cafe, Piano Bar, Space 15 Twenty and King King. More info!
Prices: Sides/Starters $4, Burgers $10
Hours: 11:30am – 4:00am every day, Happy Hour 4-6pm.

5. The Rookery – Pomona – The Rookery Alehouse and Grill is a short jaunt from the Fox Theater Pomona, The Glass House, Acerogami and Characters Sports Bar. So when you’re in need of a system boost before raging all night to Porter Robinson at Fox Theater, a post show buzz enhancer from tripping out to Temples at the Glass House or a cure for your ailing limbs after climbing your way out of the circle pit at The Vibrators — The Rookery has got you covered. Their burger list will leave you salivating for days and they know how to make vegetables consumable – IPA battered onion rings, asparagus and pickle spears, BECAUSE BEER goes good with everything. Bonus: Tuesday – Thursday Happy Hour will get you half off appetizers and $1 off beer, wine and cider. Rejoice rock n’ rollers! More info!
Prices: Starters $6, Entrees $7-12
Hours: Open until 10pm Tues-Thurs, 12am Fri-Sat, and 8pm Sun

6. Beer Belly – Koreatown – There is a reason Beer Belly is often packed to the gills, because their craft beer and crafty food is an indulgence worthy of the gods. I dare you to check out their Facebook page and try to resist – trust me, you can’t. Phrases like ooey gooey, mouthwatering and food porn will immediately come to mind.  The Wiltern is a mere four minute walk down the street from this food heaven, so next time you’re headed to a show there don’t be a dummy, make a reservation! Happy Hour is 5-7pm every day and Monday nights are New Order Mondays where they showcase specialty food items and play ’80s music. What’s not to love? More info!
Prices: Sides/Starters $4-9, Entrees $11-21
Hours: Open until 11pm Mon-Tues, 12am Wed-Thurs, 1am Fri-Sat, and 11pm Sun.

7. Original Pantry – Downtown LA – Bad news: there might be a line to get in and it is cash only (so mentally and physically prepare yourself). Good news: they make up for that with speedy service and you will have a newfound respect and admiration for simple yet gorge-worthy breakfast food. French toast so eggy, fluffy and as big as your head, it could knock you dead … and hashbrowns, gravy, eggs … ok, I’m feeling woozy just thinking about all this goodness. Original Pantry is also open 24hrs and has never closed since 1924 so go literally anytime, pre or post-show at any of the nearby L.A. Live venues Club Nokia, Staples Center, Nokia Theatre and The Grammy Museum are just around the corner. More info!
Prices: Breakfast Items $4-16, Entrees $10-29
Hours: Open 24hrs

7. Guisados – Downtown LA – Holy tacos Batman! From Boyle Heights to Downtown with love, the recent hype around Guisados’ new Spring Street location is well deserved because these eclectic tacos, made with warm homemade tortillas are perfect bite size treats. They’ll fill you up but won’t weigh you down and at $2.50/pop or a $7 sampler option (because you’ll probably have to try them all) it won’t break the bank either. Also, the quesadilla with chorizo, made with queso panela and mild chipotle sour cream is to die for. Eat it now, thank me later. Their late hours make it a perfect post-show haunt after rocking out at The Theatre at Ace Hotel, The Belasco, The Mayan, The Smell, Redwood Bar, and the upcoming Regent! More info!
Prices: $2.50/taco, $7 sampler
Hours: Open until 11pm Mon-Wed, 1:30am Fri-Sat, 5pm Sun

8. Leela Thai VS. L&E Oyster Bar – Silverlake – It’s a showdown between these two to win over the hearts and stomachs of Satellite concert-goers. On one end we have the family owned and operated Leela Thai: cheap Thai food, with vegan options available and a recommendation from the Satellite’s Website, giving the yellow curry a thumbs up. On the other end we have the pricy but prideful L&E Oyster Bar, which seems to pour it’s heart and soul into providing a fun atmosphere where the freshest oysters and primo beer selection are readily available for lucky Los Angeles foodies. Jump in the ring, try ’em both and decide for yourself who is the food champ of your heart (and/or wallet). More info – Leela Thai & L&E Oyster Bar!
Prices for Leela Thai: Sides/Starters $1.50-12, Entrees $7-14
Hours: Open until 10pm Sun-Thurs, Open until 11pm Fri-Sat
Prices for L&E Oyster Bar: $4-29
Hours: Happy Hour 5-7pm Mon-Fri. Upstairs Hours, Open until 11pm Mon-Thurs, Open until 12am Fri-Sat (*downstairs closes 1 hour earlier)

9. FoodLab – Silverlake – The mother and son owned Foodlab boasts a positive philosophy on food and life, as proudly posted on their website and even on their paper bags: Love. Eat. Drink. Smile. Foodlab. This simple yet thoughtful approach is easy to get on board with. The healthy yet hearty pre-made and made to order organic salads and sandwiches are great for quick pre-show eats before dancing it up at nearby Los Globos or Silver Lake Lounge. Bonus points for the viennese coffee and variety picnic boxes you can pick up in advance of a Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Forever show (or any other outdoor venue that allows outside food.) More info!
Prices: Sides/Starters $4.50-5.50, Entrees $8-15
Hours: Open until 9pm everyday.

10. Dough – West Hollywood – Dough Pizzeria and bar is open late and just steps away from the slew of famous Sunset Strip venues: The Roxy, The Viper Room, The Whiskey, etc., but don’t expect any pretentious douchebaggery at this surprisingly low key, friendly neighborhood joint. Two can easily satisfy their hunger by sharing a starter (throw your hands up for truffle fries) and pizza (deftly airy, with a bubbly, crispy crust). And don’t be shy if you wanna know more about their specialty cocktails and beers on tap! Get high on food, brews and good tunes! More info!
Prices: Starters $5-11, Entrees $9-29
Hours: Open until 12am Sun-Wed, 2am Thurs-Sat.

Our Twitter and Facebook friends also share some insight and guidance on getting their grub on pre and post-show:
@saradunaj tells it like it is…“The best El Rey Theatre pre-show ritual is Milk (@milkjarcookies), straight from the oven. Honestly better than most opening bands.”

@rufusslim chimes in… “Astro Burger around Palladium shows, Blossom around Smell shows, Bright Spot for Echo shows.”

Eddie Hernandez dishes…“Probably Rounds in WeHo if it’s a Troubadour show or The Melt if it’s a Fonda show!”

Kevin Campos gets down with some kick ass Mexican food…“Dos Burritos!! I usually order the #8, favorite burrito place in Hollywood. Perfect if you’re headed to the Fonda, Palladium, Amoeba, or any surrounding venue off of Hollywood Blvd, between Ivar and Vine.”

Dimitri Walker Marantos Smith reminds us to never forget our neighborhood taco truck… “TacoZone in the Ralphs parking lot and Gold Room when I’m heading to the Echo. Every. Time.”
Patrick August White pipes in…“Two Boots at Echo and the Cheeseburger guy at Troub for DURING show eats!”

What are you favorite pre and post-show eats? Let us know in a comment below.