St. Nick's

Hollywood Assistants like St. Nick's. I can remember vividly the first time I walked through the doors of St. Nick’s. My life has never been the same. People always say a dive bar is a dive bar, but I truly believe St. Nick’s is different. Sure, it is a dive bar, but it’s also so much more.

My first visit was in June of 2005 and on that night I immediately became friends with the bartenders, danced to ‘80s music, filled my memory card with pictures (mostly self-portraits) and puked in the bathroom. How many places in LA can you say that about? I was new to Los Angeles, still had no job, was living on a friend’s couch and was extremely doe-eyed. While I don’t remember leaving the bar that night, I do remember the morning after and thinking “wow, now that was a fun bar.” And my mind didn’t change after frequenting that bar at least once a week that summer (sometimes Friday night and Saturday night and even some weeknights). I can seriously write a novel about that summer. It was kind of like sleep-away camp. During the day we were all at our activities (i.e. finding jobs and learning to navigate the city) and then at night it was camp social (i.e. intoxicated pleasure at St. Nick’s). It was the best summer ever and St. Nick’s soon became the best bar ever (like our very own St. Elmo’s Fire).

And luckily for us it has continued to be the best bar ever. It’s way cheap, always fun, and totally easy. But what this Hollywood Assistant loves most about St. Nick’s is its familiarity. In this crazy, fast and scary world it’s nice to know that St. Nick’s always stays the same. From weekday work drinks to Friday night gatherings with your closest friends, St. Nick’s remains faithful. You're guaranteed to run into someone here. Whether it be the guy you got low with at the CAA Young Hollywood Party or that assistant from Imagine that you totally flirt with whenever you leave word for their boss ("you better have our number or else I'll have to come to Beverly Hills and give it to you myself, hehe."). It's true, you’re not going to meet Mr. Husband there (and if you did meet your boyfriend there, break up now! He definitely has some sort of VD). St. Nick’s is the kind of place you go if you just want to have a no frills night full of fun and belligerence and maybe some making out (makeouts are fine. You can’t get VD from kissing. Or can you? If so, I’m in trouble). St. Nick’s is like the slutty girl in college. It’s not the best quality but you’re always guaranteed to have a good time if you bring her home (not that I’m the slutty girl or have brought home a slutty girl, but I know enough slutty girls to know this is true).

St. Nick’s has been there for me during the good times and the bad times and I will continue to be a loyal customer until I am too old to drink there (true story: a friend of a friend once went home with a 50 year old lady he picked up here so I think I’m good for another 25 years. Thank god, I couldn’t imagine a St. Nick’s-less life. Would it even be worth living?) But really St. Nick’s is the one of the best bars in LA and a place all Hollywood Assistants have visited at least ten times. I am truly honored to share a zip code with this local watering-hole/Hollywood Assistant base camp. Viva La St. Nick’s!

WHERE: 8450 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048
COST: $10 and under or free if you're friends with Edwin or Marlon