The Sunset Strip incarnation of House of Blues offers a bar environment, a southern-style restaurant, and a members-only club—oh, and some of the best nationally touring rock, hip-hop and even drag acts around.

Indie 103.1 DJ Steve Jones calls the HOB "the house of anything-but-blues," and he's right. The mid-sized venue books everything from hip-hop to alt-country to electronica, and though HOB often sells out shows, its two upstairs bars are generally overstaffed and understuffed. The Porch, HOB's Creole-influenced restaurant, sits alongside the two bars; its French Quarter decor goes well with the chicken, shrimp and grits, jambalaya and bread pudding. HOB enthusiasts can join up for the club’s VIP area called the Foundation Room, whose members are privy to their own dinner menu in their own private rooms, special monthly events like wine tastings, and a concierge. Yes, a concierge. A long-running HOB tradition is the Sunday gospel brunch, which combines an all-you-can-eat buffet of southern cuisine with live gospel music. The brunch starts seating at 10am, but those sleeping in can come for the later seating at 1pm. —Tara Tyson