Java Spots
A good cup of joe is as easy to find as screenwriters and actors in this town. Here’s where to find something eclectic when it comes to the caffeine scene:
Anastasia’s Asylum, 1028 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 394-7113. A place for the Bohemian at heart. Up-and-coming folk, rock, jazz and country musicians perform in the loft. Poets and comics take the mike on Wednesdays. Self-exploration: new-age performances such as Near Death Experiences and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are on Saturday mornings. Open 6:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.
The Cobalt Cafe, 22047 Sherman Way, Canoga Park. (818) 348-3789. A not-so coffee cafe that serves up mochas, lattes and a wide variety of entertainment a la retro. On Tuesdays poets take to the stage; Scrabble reigns the rest of the week. Cover varies. Open 7 p.m. to midnight nightly.
Cyber Java, 1029 Abbott Kinney Blvd., Venice. (310) 581-1300. Laptop junkies link up and Internet illiterates learn how to over latte and biscotti. The menu at this post-modern coffeehouse: mocha, tea, Pentiums, Power Macs and classes on how to use the information superhighway. Daily from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Java Man, 147 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach (310) 379-7209. A true blue coffeehouse, literally speaking. This seaside caffeine scene take place in a 1920s Victorian beach house with French windows and serves up the kind of coffee and dessert that mom makes. Open daily 6:30 a.m. to midnight.
Industry Cyber Cafe, 3191 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. (213) 845-9998. A Hollywood hot spot for up-and-coming industry-types. Saturdays are Kamikaze Comedy Night; the film Artist Network hosts independent film screenings Sundays, and Tuesday it’s open-mike. Also available: movie scripts, trade magazines, casting, computer and entertainment law services. Open Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Un-Urban Coffee House, 3301 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 315-0056. A popular Pico dark-watering hole and test market for entertainments. Saturday’s “Blue Room Special” features booked bands; Tuesday’s “Roach Night” offers a space for one-act plays and skits. No cover. Open Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to midnight and Friday and Saturday until 1 a.m.
The Insomnia Cafe, 7286 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles (213) 931-4943. An artsy enclave reminiscent of NBC’s “Friends” Central Perk cafe. Victorian furnishings, dusty bookshelves, lots of laptops, artwork for-sale and, of course, insomniacs. Sunday through Thursday noon to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday noon to 4 a.m.