His prescription for nonstop fun

TV watchers know Mekhi Phifer as the cocky Dr. Gregory Pratt on “ER” for the last two seasons. Moviegoers, though, know him from his leading roles in “O,” “8 Mile” and his acting debut, at age 19, in “Clockers.” And this weekend, he’ll be bumping off zombies in the remake of “Dawn of the Dead.” Phifer, born and raised in New York City, now lives in Los Angeles.

Date night

For Friday nights, I like this spot in Malibu called Geoffrey’s. I love the location and the food. I like looking out at the water and having a nice romantic date out there. I also like Spazio in Sherman Oaks. That’s probably my favorite. Everything is good, especially the tuna tartare. After that, maybe we’d go dancing, unless the date got so passion-filled that we said, “Let’s go on home.” I don’t have a particular spot for dancing. I’d find out whatever’s popular, whatever’s hip. I haven’t been out much recently, but I like White Lotus in Hollywood.

Game day

Saturday morning, I walk the dogs, run up the hill near my house in the Valley and work out. I have a gym in the house and work out there. I’m never locked into one particular thing. Maybe I’d get a bunch of guys and watch a game. I’m not really a fan of any team in particular. Whoever’s in the playoffs of any sport, that’s when I start watching.

For lunch, I’d go somewhere on Sunset in the Sunset Plaza area and sit outside, which is nice. If a fight is on [TV], I’d go home and get a couple of my people to come over. We might play some poker or spades, sometimes we play pool. We’d make a night of it.

Lounge life

We might go out to a lounge. I like stuff like the Sunset Room. I got love for the people who work there. It’s just real cool and easy. They never stress me out. It’s always love. I might just get there for a couple of minutes, have a couple of drinks, shoot the breeze a little bit, then I’m out of there. I might still come home and watch a movie and go to bed at 4 a.m. I collect movies on DVD, so there’s a lot that I like. I have the typical ones that everybody likes, but then I like “A Soldier’s Story” or “Best in Show.” I’ve got over 1,000 now and I have a little walk-in closet to store them.

For laughs

Sunday, I’d probably take it easy at the house, maybe read or study some scripts for “ER” or whatever. At night, I’d probably go to Chocolate Sundaes at the Laugh Factory. A lot of the big comics come through there, like Chris Rock. I’d make that the night unless there’s an after-party somewhere. Then I’d take it home and get ready for my workweek. I pace myself. If I have to be at work at 6 in the morning, I’ll be in bed by 2 in the morning. I’m a night person and a day person.

-- Patrick Day