The latest from the owners of Winston's and The Dime, Crown Bar has been heating up Santa Monica Boulevard, officially ushering in the summer.

Hollywood regulars rarely venture out before midnight, but arriving early pays off at Crown Bar.  Plenty of bar-side seating is up for grabs early in the evening when a lucky few park themselves there for a night of people-watching.  A Winston's-incarnate on most nights, industry dudes in unbuttoned button-downs find comfort at Crown where they can mingle with chicks in almost-tacky dresses.  The Alliance reigns over the rope on Wednesdays where the crowd of could-be starlets party in a space that feels like Teddy's (without the 'tude) temporarily relocated for a quieter drink.

The surprisingly large interior is anchored by an octagonal, marble-topped wood bar (replete with cute bartenders), giving the space an upscale, neighborhood-boite vibe.  Massive mirrors hang above the booths and banquettes that line both sides of the red-and-gold wallpapered room.  Fun for dining or partying any night of the week, we suggest making dinner reservations (yes, the double task here) in advance to avoid any unslightly and/or uncomfortable encounters at the door.  The American bistro menu--corn and crab fritters and proscutto-topped grilled flatbread--is scheduled to expand with charcuterie in the coming months.

The DJ booth is front and center (Samantha Ronson and Joel Madden tag-teamed it one Wednesday, and DJ Pesce moves the crowd on Fridays) commanding the dance floor that is just steps away.  The street-side smoking patio allows people to be outdoors, but still shelters civilians from the throngs of paparazzi looming at the entrance.  Lindsay, Nicole, the cast of The Hills and even Dave Navarro have made it in, but Ian Ziering was turned away with cameras watching.  Tough break. — Alexis Johnson