A Proper Night Out in West Hollywood | The Roger Room

Good morning, Los Angeles. You’re reading Obsessed LA, your insider guide to what’s actually worth being obsessed with in the city. Each week, we highlight the restaurants, events, and hidden gems that capture LA’s best energy.

The first Obsessed LA event happened this past weekend, and we just want to say thank you. What started as a weekly email is quickly turning into a genuine community, and we’re incredibly grateful for everyone who came out and supported it.

Which brings us to this week’s theme. There’s something timeless about the places that that get it right by doing the basics well. Places that have rooms with history and nothing feels accidental. This week, we’re spotlighting old-school, classy LA and the places that have always understood the assignment.

With that, let’s turn to this week’s obsessions.

The Roger Room is one of those spots on La Cienega you pass all the time. It’s a bar that’s ignored every trend, and in the process, become a proper bar. It’s been consistent for a long time, and that becomes obvious almost immediately.

Dark and contained, everything here feels deliberate. The crowd is composed, and you don’t feel any pressure to leave too quickly. The staff is not in a rush to turn tables or chase attention. It’s a place built for sitting comfortably and ordering well, and we felt like we were just happy to let the night go wherever it goes.

Behind the bar, the word that came to my mind is classic. The menu favors spirit-forward cocktails done cleanly and consistently, with staples like the Black Dahlia giving you a good sense of what the place is about. Nothing is overworked, nothing is there just to be clever. It’s all about balance, familiarity, and drinks you’ll actually order again.

It’s really easy to appreciate a spot where there’s no showmanship. The Roger Room is not trying to reinvent anything. There’s no chasing trends or overcomplicating the menu, just a clear focus on doing the fundamentals right. Dress up and just go enjoy the moment. Have a proper night out.

J. Trani’s Ristorante feels built to last in a way that most places don’t. Right off of Gaffey Street in San Pedro, it’s an Italian eatery that has never felt the need to change much. Think warm brick, low light, and a scene that feels natural and welcoming.

What really stands out is how lived-in it feels. Families, regulars, and longtime locals were chatting it up on the evening we visited. There are no reservation games here, just a dining room that runs on loyalty and familiarity. It feels like the neighborhood’s go-to in the truest sense, and clearly has people coming back without thinking twice.

The food follows the same philosophy. Red sauce classics done properly, portions meant to be shared, and bottles ordered with the expectation they’ll be finished. Nothing feels overthought. You order with confidence, find your favorite, and tend to stick with it. J. Trani’s isn’t trying to impress you in one night. It’s been earning trust over decades. Go join the locals.

Stanley’s Wet Goods is the kind of wine shop you’re glad exists in your neighborhood. It’s super small and unassuming. It feels less like a retail space and more like a well-kept secret passed around locally.

Stanley’s is a wine shop, but what makes it special is how personal it feels. The shelves are tight, the selection is thoughtful, and nothing is there by accident. The selection is natural and curated without being intimidating to folks like myself who don’t drink wine often. I didn’t feel upsold or lectured, just guided toward something good that fits the moment.

It’s a place you stop into on the way home and leave with a bottle you’re excited about, even if you didn’t plan on buying one. Reliable, neighborly, and quietly excellent, Stanley’s Wet Goods proves that the best wine shops don’t need size to or flash, just good taste and consistency. Get wine buzzed at Stanley’s.

Montecito Heights
A cozy outdoor movie night at Heritage Square with holiday lights, food trucks, cocktails, and a festive double feature under the stars. Come early, grab dinner, and settle in.
Tickets →

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Hollywood
An immersive cabaret experience hidden inside the Roosevelt, blending Old Hollywood glamour with surreal performances inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Strange, stylish, and very LA.
Tickets →

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Arts District
A late-night disco and funk party with DJ Seano (KPFK) spinning feel-good grooves in a tight, energetic room built for dancing.
Details →

You don’t come to Rutt’s Hawaiian cafe for a single dish. You come here to eat properly. Plates are huge, flavors are direct, and the great thing is that you don’t have to overthink anything here.

We ordered the Hawaiian Royale, and it told us everything we needed to know. Expect Portuguese sausage, eggs and rice, all savory, filling and truly satisfying. It’s the kind of order that makes the rest of the menu feel optional.

Fellow diners were all moving through the room the same way, with staff keeping things friendly and efficient. Plates were hitting tables at a steady pace. Rutt’s isn’t trying to be photogenic. It’s trying to feed you, send you happily on your way, and earn your repeat visits. And it does.

This is a place you start thinking about randomly a few days later. That’s how you know it worked. Go get comfortable at Rutt’s.

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