Commentary

Considering the fact that “November Rain” was one of my favorite music videos growing up, I was a bit nostalgic when I walked into the Rainbow Bar & Grill on Sunset Blvd. for the first time last Wednesday, knowing that the video was filmed there. It was my first trip to L.A., and even though we experienced numerous rock clubs on the Sunset Strip, I kept getting drawn back to Rainbow. There was just something about the environment that kept pulling me. Maybe it was the collage of rock star pictures on the wall, or the fact that everyone looked like rock stars, or the excitement that there actually were some rock stars there. But whatever it was, as soon as I stepped foot inside it, it felt like home.

My friend and I arrived to L.A. on Wednesday afternoon and after settling into the hotel, Rainbow was the first place we went for dinner and drinks. As soon as we sat down on the outside patio, we met Don Magic Juan AKA “The Bishop,” as he calls himself. Don, pimped out in gold sunglasses, a top hat and a gold ring that displayed the word “Magic,” introduced himself and invited us to sit with him as he rolled a blunt and sipped champagne out of his gold chalice. He informed us that he was a “spiritual adviser” to celebs, but you’d probably recognize him as Snoop’s pimpin’ sidekick in the movie Old School or 50 Cent’s “PIMP” video.

Our second evening on Sunset was the only one where the Rainbow was excluded and substituted for the House of Blues instead. We went to see Fat City Reprise (an incredible local band that we heard about through a friend) and as luck would have it, as soon as we bid farewell to the members of Fat City, in walks Dave Grohl, who was there with former Nirvana guitarist, Pat Smear, to see the band performing downstairs, Pygmy Love Circus, featuring Tool drummer, Danny Carey. The guys in Fat City were a little more than ecstatic to meet the legendary rock icon.

But anyways, back to the Rainbow. As much as I loved the rock entertainment and dark candlelit décor of the House of Blues, I was drawn yet again back to my favorite place. The next evening was my birthday, which I wanted to ring in with the rock stars. So, as my friends and I sat around the Rainbow’s front patio yet again, Shadow Stevens, Kiss FM’s radio host, entertained us with a few wild tales about life in L.A., then informed us that the members of Cypress Hill and the infamous wrestler, Chyna, were all gathered around at the table next to us. The funny thing about the Rainbow is that while you’re scoping the room for celebrities, they’re usually sitting right next to you.

What I love most about Rainbow is not only the fact that everyone there is extremely friendly (even the celebs) and the fact that the inside looks like Halloween year round, but the pizza is insanely good. And it’s conveniently located right next to the Roxy and The Viper Room, so if you’re up for some live music afterward, all you have to do is venture next door.

I was a bit sad when returning home to Boston Sunday night, feeling like I left my home, even though ironically I was returning to it. But to anyone that isn’t an L.A. native and is planning a trip to Los Angeles anytime in the near future, I’d highly recommend going to Rainbow. Although The Roxy, Viper Room and House of Blues are all great places to see live music, there’s no place like home.

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