Club Hoppin’ / Stargazing

If Oscar didn’t give you your fix this week, here are a few spots to see celebs in the flesh. Although a handful are obvious, we ignored the Morton’s and Cicadas for a few less conspicuous places around town, many of which share the common denominator of offering a simple dining experience.

Goldfingers, 6420 Yucca St., Hollywood, (213) 962-2913. From Elizabeth Perkins to Vince Neil, some famous folks like their night life peppered with a bit of underground charm. 21 and older, cover varies.

House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (213) 848-5100. When it first opened, Michael Stipe had to squeeze past Madonna to get upstairs in the Foundation Room. While that wave has come and gone, the music hasn’t, and it’s still a place for famous music fans to enjoy their favorite artists. All ages, cover varies.

Jinky’s, 14120 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (818) 981-2250.Just a breakfast spot in a Sherman Oaks mini-mall, but it’s got a celebrity following, including Paula Abdul and David Hasselhoff, almost as famous as its alarmingly hot chili. All ages, no cover.

Jones, 7205 Santa Monica Blvd., (213) 850-1727. Everyone likes to belly up to the bar here, including Beautiful Ones--many of whom seem to share its rock ‘n’ roll, devil-may-care spirit. Sightings include Drew Barrymore and Leonardo DiCaprio. All ages if dining, no cover.

King’s Road 818, 14502 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (818) 789-9044. Despite being open for two weeks, this counterpart to the original celeb-heavy java joint on Beverly Boulevard has already tanked up the likes of Shannon Tweed. All ages, no cover.

Sky Bar at the Mondrian, 8440 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (213) 848-6025. If you threw a rock in here, you’d hit a celebrity. 21 and older, no cover (must be a hotel guest or on guest list to attend).

Sushi Nozawa, 11288 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, (818) 508-7017. Chef Nozawa is the only person given preferential treatment here. He doesn’t take reservations, he opens when he feels like it, his clock is always 25 minutes fast (allowing him to kick diners out early), and all sushi lovers--including Mel Gibson and Kirstie Alley--are willing to wait in line for their turn. All ages, no cover.

Swinger’s, 8020 Beverly Blvd., L.A., (213) 653-5858. It still attracts a bounty of babes--some well known such as Jennifer Jason Leigh, some wannabes--who come to be seen at this popular, hip diner. All ages, no cover.

Viper Room, 8852 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (213) 358-1880. It’s owned by a celeb (Johnny Depp), so the fame barometer is askew. 21 and older, cover varies.