As nightclubs go it doesn’t get more iconic than Whisky a Go Go. So iconic that as a venue it got inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Set on a corner on the sunset strip in West Hollywood, Whisky a Go Go has been a launch pad for a laundry list of classic rock icons. Southern California bands like the The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and The Turtles made a splash on its stage.
Though you wouldn’t think these bands and girls dancing in cages would be associated with the same place, but they did at the Whisky. The Go-Go dancing craze of girls in short skirts and tall boots dancing in cages suspended from the ceiling was part of Whisky a Go Go’s culture from its beginning in 1965.
The Doors were once the house band for the Whisky. They started their stint in 1966 and opened for bands Love, The Chambers Brothers and Them featuring Van Morrison. Their residency gave them an opportunity to refine the songs that would end up on their first two albums. All good things have to come to an end though. The Doors were shown the “door” by Phil Tanzini after Jim Morrison added the infamous Oedipal section to the The End. If you’re not familiar with the spoken word lines, we won’t go into detail here, but you can learn all about it here.
Even though it closed for a bit in the 80’s, Whisky a Go Go is still going strong. If you are in Los Angeles, swing over to West Hollywood and take in a show at the world-famous Whisky. You can get a rundown of who’s currently playing at their site whiskyagogo.com
Restaurants
Ink
8360 Melrose Ave #107, Los Angeles, CA 90069
(323) 651-5866
mvink.com
BOA Steakhouse
9200 Sunset Blvd #650, West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 278-2050
boasteak.com
Hotels
Petit Ermitage
8822 Cynthia St, West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 854-1114
petitermitage.com
The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills
1020 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 854-1111
thelondonwesthollywood.com
Photos by Tim McGarry and edenhain
Head south to Memphis for your next music trip