The Dresden Restaurant & Lounge

"Patrons have been sipping martinis at the Dresden in Los Feliz since the Old Hollywood-esque bar and restaurant opened in 1954. The dim interior and timeless leather bar offer the ideal backdrop for a classic martini, ordered to one’s preference. Try the Vesper martini with gin, vodka, Lillet Blanc, and a burst of brightness from an expressed lemon peel. Those looking for a caffeine kick (and something a little sweet) may also enjoy the rum-based espresso martini. While Marty and Elayne may no longer be performing, the Dresden still offers excellent live entertainment the five days a week it's open." - Rebecca Roland

"Located on Vermont Ave. in the middle of Los Feliz, The Dresden is broken up into two distinct areas: the main dining room and the bar/lounge. And while you can have a decent enough prime rib dinner here, the real move is to skip the dining room altogether and head right to the lounge. Sadly, Marty Roberts—part of the iconic cabaret duo Marty & Elayne—passed in January 2022, after performing there weekly for nearly 40 years. Even so, the iconic lounge is still a great place to drink old-school cocktails like the rum-infused Blood & Sand, catch a live jazz show, and get a little weird along the way." - brant cox

" Located on Vermont Ave. in the middle of Los Feliz, The Dresden is broken up into two distinct areas: the main dining room and the bar/lounge. And while you can have a decent enough prime rib dinner here, the real move is to skip the dining room altogether and head right to the lounge. The iconic lounge is a great place to drink old-school cocktails like the rum-infused Blood & Sand and catch a live jazz show. " - brant cox, sylvio martins

"The Dresden in Los Feliz is broken up into two distinct areas—the main dining room and the bar/lounge. While you can certainly come to this Old Hollywood spot and have a fine prime rib, the real move is to skip dinner altogether and hang out with the ghosts in the lounge instead. Here you’ll probably catch a live music act of some kind (sadly, Marty Roberts of the iconic jazz duo Marty And Elayne passed in January 2022), drink too many Blood & Sand cocktails, and contemplate if the mysterious energy in the air is random paranormal activity or Marty's grand return. Be sure to get there early on show nights as the lounge fills up quickly—from both sides of the veil." - brant cox

"If you know about The Dresden, you almost certainly know about Marty and Elayne, the iconic jazz duo who had performed at this Los Feliz institution every week since the early ’80s. Sadly, Marty passed in January 2022, marking the end of an era for the city. However, you can still pay homage to the legendary act by showing up, getting a little rowdy, and drinking the best vesper martini in town. Perfectly balanced with gin, vodka, and a lemon twist garnish, this definitely isn’t a briny martini, but it is a fantastic one, served in a setting where smug looks are openly welcomed." - brant cox