Night on Earth

All flavor, no frills—that’s the name of the game at Night on Earth, the newest project from the team behind Thunderbolt. Located in the no man’s land between Hollywood and Studio City (a.k.a. the Cahuenga Pass), this futuristic-looking Valley cocktail bar serves an all-star lineup of over a dozen signature drinks ($13–19). Each one deftly riffs on a classic. While my personal favorite was the Bad Influencer (a clarified, carbonated take on a porn star martini), I was most impressed by the Blockbuster, the bar’s take on an old fashioned. The drink comes infused with actual movie theater butter flavoring. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, though, including three tasty booze-free options. Paired with the mood lighting, ample lounge seating and DJs on the weekends, plus a soon-to-debut happy hour menu, Night on Earth is the kind of drinking destination that’s worth building a night out around. Just be sure to eat beforehand—the bar doesn’t serve any food, though you can bring in outside food (there’s a pizzeria next door, FYI) or opt for one of the eclectic snacks from the vending machine inside.