El Cid

"El Cid is unknown to many, and that’s what makes it so special. Walk through the standalone door frame on Sunset in Silver Lake, down the steep staircase, and you’ll pop out on a patio you’ll never want to leave. With two separate levels, plenty of seating, and old black-and-white movies projected on the walls, this place works well for a quick nightcap after a date. There’s also a proscenium theater inside with a dinner-and-a-show setup that runs every Saturday and Sunday night, plus decent enough Spanish food that will keep your group happy. Once the show is over, grab another cocktail from the bar, and take the party outside." - brant cox, arden shore, sylvio martins, cathy park

"From the outside, El Cid appears as just a random door frame along Sunset Blvd. But walk down the staircase and you’ll find yourself in a hidden dinner theater featuring weekly live music and professional flamenco shows. The dinner-and-a-show setup runs Saturday and Sunday nights, with solid-enough Spanish food that will keep everybody in your group happy. Once the show is over, grab a  cocktail from the bar, and take it outside to one of our favorite patios in the city. " - brant cox, sylvio martins

"With an entrance that’s nothing more than a door frame on Sunset Blvd., El Cid is unknown to a lot of people and that’s what makes it so special. Walk through that door frame and down a steep staircase, and you’ll pop out on a patio you’ll never want to leave. With two separate levels, plenty of seating, and old black-and-white movies projected on the walls, this is the ideal spot to take a table over with friends for brunch or stop in for a quick nightcap and snacks after a date. " - brant cox

"“Hot Dog Sundays is at El Cid in [Silver Lake]. It's a party that's half outside, half inside, and it’s all gay people usually. [There’s] a lot of dangle earrings. There's a little art fair, vintage clothing, and a bookstore. I don't drink anymore, so it's a fun party to go to, because you can go outside, meet friends, and actually talk. Or you can go inside and dance.”" - brant cox

"I love El Cid on Sundays, specifically their party called Hot Dog. Hot Dog is so lovely because it is a space where I could go alone and run into 17 people that I know and hang out with. It is such a lovely day party. It's the best day party in LA. It's got great music. It's indoor and outdoor. The vibes are immaculate and its namesake is appropriate because you should get the hot dog at Hot Dog. Be the gay guy eating at the party! I don't know what it is or what they do...it's very humble. I don't think they do anything special, but the hot dogs there are great and I highly recommend them. You can get a great hot dog outside of Akbar most nights too but I would caution everyone to ask the price before you order the hot dog, because prices will vary. Depending on how f**ked up they think you are, the price will go up. But they are willing to haggle. Definitely a pro tip there." - brennan carley