In the bad old days of downtown Los Angeles, there simply wasn’t enough nightlife to keep the area from emptying out once office workers and convention-goers left for the day.  Hotels like the Biltmore and the Standard housed memorable bars, but the area didn’t offer many other reasons to venture out.  But things have changed -- savvy re-development has led to an abundance of colorful and varied nightspots, perfect for taking the edge off a long day at the conference.

If you don’t want to go much farther than the Convention Center, you could stop in at the outdoor, poolside Veranda Bar at the Hotel Figueroa.  It’s a Moroccan-themed, zero-pretension oasis of calm, where the day’s worries and your margarita slip away in roughly equal proportion.  Or take a trip up the glass elevators in the 80s-era Westin Bonaventure hotel to the Bona Vista Lounge, which gyrates slowly atop the building.  The drinks are overpriced and unremarkable, and the decor dated, but the panoramic nighttime views of the city are unbeatable, beautiful even.  

If the gritty rock aesthetic is more your speed, you could head over to The Golden Gopher, once a scary dive that’s been re-invented as a lounge that draws hipsters, business-people, and downtown loft-dwellers alike.  Or sample a well-made cocktail and the high-decibel, indie-rock jukebox of the Broadway Bar, which has an elegant 40s interior. 

For an even more urbane scene, seek the back-alley entrance to the underground, retro-1920s lounge known as The Edison.  (Keep in mind that the dress code here is unusually strict for L.A. – shorts, collarless shirts, and athletic shoes and apparel can all get you shut out of the club).  Also worth a visit is Seven Grand, home to over 200 whiskies – the hunting theme is intended with an ironic wink, but the dedication to the art of distillery is not.

If all you want is a friendly place to talk, stop in for a Belgian beer and a sandwich at The Library Bar, so named because of its literary theme and proximity to the public library.  You could also head over to the homey Redwood Bar & Grill, which serves excellent microbrews and pub food, in spite of a somewhat random maritime theme.  And if you hate pretension above all else, and are just seeking the solitary comforts of a dive, try Hank’s Bar, at 840 S. Grand Ave.  They don’t have a website, but the people are nice, and a Bud is only $3.