Eat Out. 24/7 Restaurant.

Los Angeles isn't the best place to find good late night dining. The Standard hotel's coffee shop, 24/7 Restaurant, is one of the bright stars in a sea of dark "closed" signs. Don't let the velvet rope at the front door deter you, just tell the door person that you're headed to the restaurant and you'll be welcomed right in.

Centrally located in the heart of the Sunset strip, this round-the-clock diner-style restaurant is really great for a late night meal, snack, or even a well-mixed nightcap. But, drink quickly if you're going to (and if you're not driving!), alcoholic beverages must be consumed (and empty glasses will be swiped from the table) by 2:00 a.m.

Standout items on the 'Overnight' (12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.) menu include guacamole with plantain chips, and mac 'n cheese. Or, if you're disciplined even at the midnight hour, an Italian chopped salad that's split-able.

The Standard - Hollywood - is located at 8300 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. Info: standardhotels.com, (323) 650-9090.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: hotels.com

Advance Notice. Sunset Strip Music Festival.

The Sunset Strip is a place that'll forever have its role in rock 'n' roll history, and although it no longer stands at the forefront of the popular music scene, that doesn't mean it's stopped trying (staying true to its rock spirit!).

On August 28th, the famed street holds the 3rd annual Sunset Strip Music Festival, closing down Sunset Blvd. from San Vicente to Doheny to host a full-on raucous affair featuring live performances, booths, food and drink. And since this is the Sunset Strip, there are some big names to be had--watch out for performances from the Smashing Pumpkins, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and Fergie, Kid Cudi, Travie McCoy and Common, plus 50 or so more bands.

Tickets are available now for $49.50, and it's definitely better to get them beforehand instead of paying $65 at the door. Purchase VIP 3-day tickets for $250 each, and you'll get into the street fest plus the festivities on Aug. 26 and 27, when Slash is honored with a tribute event and even more bands will be performing amongst the Sunset Strip venues. Rock on!

-- Chau Tu

Eat Out. Sunset Strip's Mass Happy Hour.

As if the Sunset Strip wasn't enough of a party as it is, it seems they're kicking off summer in style with a Mass Happy Hour every Wednesday with more than 20 participating locations. In addition to regular happy hours, these locations will be offering their special prices from 5pm-8pm, as well as the exclusive "Sunset Strip" cocktail for $4.

So yes, this means you can get two drinks for the price of one at Borracho Cantina for the extended happy hours of 3pm-8pm and 10pm-midnight, or half-priced drinks and small food plates at the Den from noon-8pm. My picks? There's the ever-popular Saddle Ranch, where you can get half-priced drinks and appetizers from 4:30pm-8pm, or the same offer from 5pm-8pm at The Standard. But for the ultimate, so-Hollywood party, hit up the RH Bar at the Andaz Hotel. It regularly boasts an awesome view of the city, and for happy hour offers free valet parking until 8pm, a DJ set and $6 bar bites, including triple-fried French fries with truffle oil. Oh, and the happy hour goes until midnight on Wednesdays.

Happy hour, indeed. And remember this is only on Wednesdays in the summer, so take advantage--the season will fly by!

-- Chau Tu

Do It. World Pillow Fight Day and Tweetcrawl.

Besides being able to follow us, I guess there are some other advantages to being on Twitter; one of them being able to be an active participant in this Saturday's Sunset Strip Tweetcrawl. Head down to the famously rambunctious boulevard for an all-out bar hop, complete with specials and prizes only available to those clued-in by timely tweets. For starters, though, look forward to a ping-pong tournament at the Standard, an egg hunt at LIVE! on Sunset, and cheap cocktails at the Viper Room and the Roxy, all with an Easter twist, of course (bunny attire highly encouraged).

Before taking part in that Eggstravaganza (really, we're not even being punny--it's the name of the event) though, you'll want to make sure you're in downtown at 3 pm. for yes, World Pillow Fight Day. But shh.. we didn't tell you. Just bring your soft pillow (preferably feathered, and kept hidden until the signal), head to Pershing Square and wait for the blowhorn. You'll know what to do next.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: L.A. Times