Nightlife

Party in the Back

The Hot List: 2011 Holiday Parties

You’re making a list. Checking it twice. Gonna find out who’s lucky enough to get invited to your holiday party. Here are LA’s best new places to throw it.

FOR THE 1%

The Rooftop Ballroom at Mr. C

You want: Nothing less than stunning, 360-degree views of Beverly Hills.
You’ll get: That, plus crystal chandeliers, plenty of nice hotel rooms downstairs if you need them, and a whiff of elegant Mad Men mystique—this is where the show threw its last Emmy party.

FOR A FOOSBALL TOURNEY

The Game Room at the Wellesbourne

You want: A classy English library, but with booze and games.
You’ll get: The Wellesbourne’s curtained-off game room, which holds about 75 friends, a foosball table, shuffleboard and whatever games you want to bring in. Nothing says “wild holiday blowout” like some chess.

FOR EASTSIDE UNCORKING

The Private Party Room at Covell

You want: Little fuss. Lots of wine.
You’ll get: A wine bar with a secret bookcase, which opens into a room with a bartender, a bar and a free-flowing beer tap on the wall. There’s no booking fee if everybody puts away their share of wine... which shouldn’t be a problem.

FOR THE BURGER-AND-WHISKEY CROWD

The Churchill’s Upstairs Hideout

You want: Drinks with friends at Third Street’s packed new gastropub—but less packed, please.
You’ll get: A classy room just off the upstairs balcony, heavy on the wainscoting and filled with hefty burgers, duck-fat fries and whiskey. There’s also a good-sized film screen, if you want to play A Christmas Story. Or Into the Storm.

FOR THE LOFT-DWELLERS

The Roof Above the Roof at Perch

You want: Alfresco cocktails.
You’ll get: Your own outdoor spread with fire pits and a private bar at Perch, the new indoor-outdoor rooftop hideaway with stunning views of the Downtown skyline. And there’s even a private roof above the roof—a balcony situated above the indoor part of the bar.

FOR WESTSIDE SPORTS FANS

The Screening Room at SmithHouse

You want: 120 beers and a giant flat-screen.
You’ll get: An easy blowout that won’t conflict with the big game. In the back corner of SmithHouse, the Screening Room has several TVs—including a 110-incher—and access to one of the Westside’s biggest beer lists. Finally, Santa heard you.