Sky Bar at the Mondrian a Gorgeous Hit

Finally, L.A.’s coming of age--even New Yorkers are beginning to take this town seriously. East Coast club entrepreneur Rande Gerber, known for his Whisky Bars and Armani Cafes, just gave L.A. a tremendous gift--the Sky Bar at the Mondrian Hotel. It’s the most gorgeous nightspot this town’s seen in years--from its spectacular view of L.A., which you see while lounging poolside in the club’s patio, to the intimate bar area, which is softly adorned with sheer white curtains and open to the night.

The club requires all guests to phone prior to arrival to be included on an advance guest list. Once inside, you feel as if you’re part of a sexy cocktail party. The music is soft and European, with sensuous, mid-tempo beats providing a backdrop to the L.A. night. In the Sky Bar’s one-month existence, the crowd has been a mix of mature, confident Hollywood players, young stars and starlets, and basically anybody who can weasel his or her way in.

And it really is worth the weaseling. The Sky Bar’s design is an exercise in dreaminess. Trees are planted in giant pots, which give the place a surreal, “Alice in Wonderland” feel; the color scheme emphasizes white, which is mixed and matched with corrugated metals and light-colored wood. The pool is open until 11 p.m., and the surrounding furniture is exquisite.

At a time when the Sunset Strip is beginning to buzz again with exciting things to do, the Sky Bar offers yet another option, this one for the romantic at heart.

* Sky Bar at the Mondrian Hotel, 8440 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 21 and over, no cover. For guest list reservations, call (213) 848-5113.

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Club Buzz: The Viper Room’s got a bit of heart: On New Year’s Day, the West Hollywood venue offered free admission to anyone proving they worked as a bartender, bar back, waiter or hostess on New Year’s Eve. . . . The Reunion, a cool new Monday night dance club at the Dragonfly, features acid-jazz, rare groove and hip-hop and multiple deejays that rotate every hour.

* Viper Room, (310) 358-1880. Dragonfly, (213) 466-6111.