There’s even a hidden photo booth!
The famous Roosevelt Hotel has hosted celebrities, locals, and travelers alike along the Avenue of Stars since 1927!
Those from near and far may be familiar with the hotel’s glamourous hauntings or its prosperous antiquity, but only a true Angeleno at heart is familiar with the gaming parlor and cocktail lounge that resides on the mezzanine level above just beyond the grand lobby. The Spare Room is an upholding reminder that you’re never too old to enjoy chasing the night away playing games with friends.
The Spare Room is pretty spacious and to sticking in theme with the historic hotel, feels luxurious — there’s a full bar, two vintage bowling lanes, and a handful of booths topped with various board games scattered throughout the space with plenty of room to dance or enjoy local live bands on Jazz Nights. It’s old Hollywood charm fills the room leaving you to wonder if this is how legends like Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable ‘lived it up’ during a night out.
If you’re skipping the Scrabble table and came to show off your bowling skills, be sure to reserve a lane (or both of them) ahead of time; a game for five people is going to cost you around $100/hour and each round is accompanied by a scorekeeper that will keep track of the game just like the olden days.
The scorekeeper will see if you’re shoes have enough grip and will let you know if you’re going to have to trade them in for a pair of bowling shoes. Don’t cringe just yet… they’re made by a designer in Los Angeles named George Esquivel, so you’ll still look Insta-worthy. The rentals are included with the lane reservation although you’re going to want to bring a pair of socks.
The cocktail menu is filled with a number of unique creations including playful selections like the Salt & Vinegar Martini made of potato vodka, carrot dill brine, celery shrub, and dry vermouth! Top contenders include the Sobbing Stormtrooper, Fizzy Pop, and It’s Complicated Being a Wizard. Looking to share something with the group? The bar is famous for its punch bowls; choose from a variety of flavors that can satisfy anywhere from 6 to 20 people! If you’re really trying to party in true Hollywood fashion, order the half bottle of champagne served with caviar and a can of pringles.
Once you’ve become well acquainted with the bar and have indulged in a couple of eats before the kitchen closes at 10:30p, shoot your shot at finding the parlor’s hidden photo booth… we can’t give away too much about this fun little treasure, but we can say that finding it is a special treat of its own — good luck!
Location: 7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028. See it on Google maps
Hours: Wednesday through Monday from 8p to 2a. (Closed on Tuesdays)