Pantages Theatre - CA

The Pantages Theatre is basically the Broadway of the West Coast, except with significantly better weather than its NYC counterpart and a history that goes all the way back to 1930. This Hollywood Boulevard landmark has hosted everything from Academy Awards ceremonies (it was the actual Oscars venue from 1949 to 1959) to the biggest touring Broadway productions of every era, and the Art Deco interior is so gorgeous you'll want to show up early just to stare at the ceiling and take it all in.

Brian Wilson performed Pet Sounds here, which should give you a strong sense of the room's incredible range. It's equally at home with rock legends and Broadway spectacles and everything in between. The Book of Mormon, The Lion King, Wicked, Hamilton - the big touring shows all come through the Pantages because it's the premier theater venue in Los Angeles, period. The 2,703-seat room handles the massive Broadway productions with the kind of stage depth and production capabilities these shows demand to be done properly.

You're on Hollywood Boulevard, so the neighborhood is... Hollywood in all its glory. For something actually good to eat nearby, Musso & Frank Grill is just a block away and has been serving since 1919 - old Hollywood glamour, incredible martinis, and a menu that hasn't changed much because it doesn't need to. Providence on Melrose is a short drive for one of LA's best seafood restaurants if you're celebrating. Or keep it simple at In-N-Out on Sunset - absolutely no shame in that game, especially in California.

If you love theater and you're in LA, the Pantages is where you need to be without question. Check what's playing on Evil Tickets and treat yourself to a night on Hollywood's most storied stage.