North Hollywood, colloquially as NoHo Arts District, is a neighborhood Angelenos tend to either love or love to hate. The artsy community is located in the San Fernando Valley. For those who absolutely must live within a mile of a beach, this is a deal breaker. For others, NoHo’s Valley location is part of its charm. Here are a few other characteristics that make the Valley neighborhood a desirable place to live, work, and play.
Great restaurants
Dozens of restaurants have opened for business in NoHo over the past few years. The neighborhood’s once average dining scene is now top-notch. Spumante Restaurant serves up rich pasta dishes in an elegant setting. MOD Pizza, NoHo Pizza, and a Pitfire Pizza are all located within a one-block radius. Amazing Thai Cuisine serves up traditional Thai favorites, and Lotus Vegan serves vegan versions of many of the same kind of dishes. Tamashii Ramen House is praised for its noodles and broth, and Miyako Sushi has a good all-you-can-eat menu that won’t break the bank. Assam Indian has a great reputation as well, and the area also has Lebanese, Greek, Mexican and South American, Armenian, and New American cuisine. These restaurants and more are just a ten-minute drive from the Glendale apartments at AMLI Lex on Orange.
Convivial bars
NoHo Arts District’s nightlife has also picked up over the past few years. Skinny’s Lounge hosts live music, burlesque shows, belly dancers, and house DJs. The dance floor is usually hopping, and drinks flow at affordable prices. Tiki No serves classic tiki drinks in a tropical-themed setting. NoBAR, with its unpretentious lounge-y feel, serves cocktails even snooty bartenders approve of. Idle Hour Cafe, open for 75 years, is an iconic place to grab one of the most affordable and tastiest drinks around. The Good Nite is a favorite among NoHo Arts District karaoke regulars. And we’re still just scratching the surface.
Quality entertainment
In addition to dancing and karaoke, trivia and open mic nights are popular forms of entertainment throughout NoHo Arts District. The neighborhood is also home to several old playhouses still in operation. Ha Ha Cafe hosts regular comedy and improv shows. El Portal Theatre has three stages within its performing arts complex where you can see an eclectic range of shows. Laemmle’s NoHo 7 screens independent and alternative films, as well as the occasional blockbuster.
Superb shopping options
NoHo is a retail hub for shoppers looking for rare collectibles, one-of-a-kind fashion, and works of art. Nappytabs and Kathy’s E Antique Boutique are great options for hip modern apparel and vintage clothing, respectively. Eddie Brandt’s Saturday Matinee stocks its shelves with rare films that are hard to find most elsewhere. Iliad Books is an independent bookstore that’s carefully curated a collection of literature on all subjects for more than 30 years.
Convenient location
With Red Line stations at Universal and Chandler, you can travel from NoHo Arts District to Hollywood in 10 minutes and downtown Los Angeles in just over 30 minutes. For cruising across town by car or escaping the western United States’ second largest metropolis, the 101, 170, and 134 are all nearby.
Feature photo via Wikimedia Commons/JGKlein.
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