At first glance, this Eastside hangout looks like a punk-rock fiesta, with a straw-hut bar and gold-beaded sombreros, marionettes, skeletons, piñatas, paper flowers and red string lights pinned to the ceiling. But below the loco surface is a giant art project.

After managing the Cha Cha Lounge's original Seattle location for eight years, visual artist and music-video producer Kevin Willis came to LA as co-owner of its LA incarnation, which is not to be confused with the Cha Cha Cha restaurants. The fun decor includes tables painted by local artists, like Show Pony clothing designer Kime Buzzelli, and pay tribute to drag performers who commanded the stage during Cha Cha's previous incarnation as the Latino tranny watering hole Le Bar. Elsewhere, Heather McMillen created a life-sized cutout of Willie Nelson; Alan Hurley painted the mural of yellow-suited men walking alongside giant skeletons on the exterior of the bar. Even the vending machine supports the art scene by selling buttons, CDs and 'zines in addition to candy, gum and cigarettes. Pabst Blue Ribbon is on tap and Tecate comes in cans, but there also frothy tropical house drinks like "the night pirate." The sign outside the front door ensures an equal-opportunity vibe: "If you are racist, sexist, homophobic or an asshole, do not come in." —Alexandra Le Tellier