A DAY IN SUNSET STRIP

Strip Ease

THE TOWER BAR, 8358 W. SUNSET BLVD., 323 848-6677

On a recent night at the intimate Tower Bar, Jennifer Aniston dines 10 feet away from Joaquin Phoenix and white-coated waiters weave between tables like players in a Broadway musical. A $155 bottle of Pinot Noir is uncorked here, chilled oysters delivered there and a bow given every now and then. Opened last summer in the Art Deco Sunset Tower Hotel by Jeff Klein, owner of New York’s City Club Hotel, the bar features dark walnut paneling, a talented pianist and a gracious maitre d’ named Dimitri who’s rumored to never forget a name. New Yorker Frank Carfaro notes that the place is classy without any of the snobbery that often accompanies exclusive rooms. He laughs as a flirty stylist accosts him about his alligator-skin sneakers. “That may fly at the City Club, but this is L.A.,” she chides. Soon a guest sits down with a glass of champagne and says, “I spent $1,000 on dinner, and it was worth every cent!”

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It’s the Night life

The Sunset Strip occupies the last mile or so of Sunset Boulevard before it hits Beverly Hills. Legendary clubs such as Ciro’s made it popular with film’s biggest stars during Hollywood’s golden years. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, spurred by rock acts like the Doors and later by the mayhem of punk bands like the Germs, it became a counterculture mecca. Today its garish glitz and glamour continue to attract the party people.

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Art & Architecture

Books become art at Mystery Pier Books Inc., which specializes in first editions. A copy of “Oliver Twist” signed by Charles Dickens, a leather-bound collection of Prince Albert’s writings inscribed by Queen Victoria in 1862, and volumes by Hemingway and Steinbeck have made the shop a favorite with book collectors. 8826 Sunset Blvd., (310) 657-5557.

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ONE THING TO DO

They Don’t Serve Lattes

Duke’s Coffee Shop moved here from the demolition-ready Tropicana Motel more than 20 years ago. Fans feared Duke’s would lose its downscale charm, but once it settled in--its red industrial carpet growing grimy and worn, the head shots and records on its walls increasingly yellowed and dated, and its famous community tables still packed with customers scarfing down fried eggs and toast--it became apparent that although it had moved, Duke’s wasn’t going anywhere. Today it remains one of the few places along the Strip that call to mind the area’s grittier heyday. 8909 Sunset Blvd., (310) 652-3100.

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MY FIND

Fabulous vintage Christian Dior sunglasses from the ‘70s sell for $195 at Kin Boutique & Gallery. The store--which also carries designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Grey Ant and Nice Collective--offers a constantly rotating selection of these super-stylish shades. 8555 Sunset Blvd., Unit B, (310) 360-1444.