Designed with an organic Eastern flair, this spacious bar at the W Hotel feels continents away from nearby UCLA.

When ascending the dramatic backlit staircase and entering the dimly lit, seductive interior, it's hard to believe that the W Hotel's Whiskey Blue is situated on UCLA's Sorority Row. The atmosphere is as achingly chic as the decor, which features high screen partitions, low cushioned couches, sleek private rooms and a row of carved wood stumps where manicured martinis may be set. The staff is uniformed in form-fitting, skin-baring black, and patrons tend to dress their best, especially on the weekends when the Westside's glitterati come out. Run by Rande Gerber, the hubby of Cindy Crawford, this lounge is never lacking bold-faced names. —Enid Portuguez