OK, I’ve never done this before (repost something) but when I had originally posted this, the heat wave only lasted a couple of days. But now that it’s friggin’ hot out there with no end in sight, I figure it’s the best time to revisit how we, Angelenos, can stay cool.
Take a Plunge: Don’t have your own swimming pool or any friends with a backyard pool? For $3 you can borrow Culver City’s 50-meter outdoor pool for a recreation swim. Hours: Monday-Sunday 12:15-2pm; Mon/Wed/Fri 7:55-9pm.
4175 Overland Avenue
Culver City, California
(310) 253-6680
Enjoy Iced Tea on a Porch: Grab a refreshing iced tea or fizzy tonic drink at Elixir Tonics & Teas and stake out a seat on the shaded back porch. There you can escape the sun and just relax amid the bamboo and buddha statues. You can even get your fortune read by the in-house psychic to find out if you’re going to survive this heat.
8612 Melrose Avenue
West Hollywood, California 90069
(310) 657-9300
Lick an Ice Cream Cone at the Beach: A favorite summer pastime? Getting a mint chocolate chip ice cream cone from Charly Temmel‘s, be it from Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade or the Venice Boardwalk, and enjoying it on the beach.
1313 Ocean Front Walk
Venice, California 90291
(310) 664-9564
Santa Monica Mall
1241 Third Street Promenade
Santa Monica, California 90401
(310) 394-7253
Sip a Cool Cocktail: Nothing is more refreshing on a hot summer day than an ice-cold minty mojito. Enjoy the tastiest mojito outside of Cuba at Xiomara, either the Pasadena or Melrose location. This French Cuban restaurant’s refreshing concoction has a cult following with people coming from all over the Southland for a taste.
…a bartender makes mojitos to Xiomara [Ardolina’s] recipe. The secret is freshly squeezed sugar cane juice, which adds its special lilt to the classic Cuban cocktail. She uses plenty of mint and gets the balance of lime to sweet just right.
6101 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, California
(323) 461-0601
Hit a Patio Party: How to have a hot night but still keep your cool? Check out Katana. This Sunset sushi restaurant’s patio party goes off on Sunday nights 5-11:30pm with industry folk and Hollywood hipsters enjoying tunes and the warm summer evening.
From LA.com:
The patio becomes the Red Sun BBQ Garden, complete with Red Sun beer, scorpion bowls, a special menu of robata-grilled fare and beats from KCRW DJ Cathy Tamkin.
8439 W. Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, California 90069
(323) 650-8585
Lounge by the Pool Bar: For the ultimate urban pool party, Angelenos flock to the Roof Bar at the Standard for the swimming pool and lounge scene and the killer city view. The hottest time can be had all day on Sundays where the young and beautiful soak up the attention and the sun by the pool. Cover: $20.
550 S. Flower Street
Los Angeles, California 90071
(213) 892-8080
Cool Down with Cabana Cocktails: Last summer it was all about cabana clubbing and this summer it’s still the best way to cool down when you’re hot and bothered by the heat. The Cameo Bar at the Viceroy and the Cabana Club still reign supreme for the ultimate cabana cocktailing experience.