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IO West - Happy Hour
September 12th, 2013
By: Wendy Castellanos-Wolf
One of the reasons I love living in Los Angeles is because on any given Friday night, I can go out and discover something that will amaze me. Recently I found myself on the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Ivar drinking a beer at a bar and performance space called the IO West. While I was alone waiting for my husband to arrive, I stared out the window at the scantily clad club goers, random street vendors and the last remaining summer tourist taking photos with the stars on the boulevard.
The night was alive with activity both on the street and at the bar. I sipped on my cold and perfectly hoppy IPA. Young actor types and the nearly famous made up the crowd. One could feel the anticipation building in the bar/lobby of the IO for we all knew we were in for a treat. I went to order a second beer and decided to close out when I noticed that my tab was only for $10. Could it be?
I looked around for a sign, any sign and that’s when I saw it. Not only does the IO West host some of LA’s best improv comedy shows, but it also hosts Happy Hour from 6:30pm to 8:30pm on Monday through Friday. I was thrilled. They had a small but varied beer list which was on special for $5, $4 Whisky and Coke, and a $7 Double Date, which I had never heard of before, but apparently consists of a can of beer and a shot of Whisky.
The IO’s Happy Hour is special because on weeknights, with a slight variance in schedule depending on the week, the bar hosts Happy Hour shows that are absolutely free. Monday night’s show is called “The Consistent Monday Improv.” On Tuesday they may have “Happy Hour Open Mic,” while on Wednesdays they have an event called the “Network Happy Hour.” Thursdays, there is usually no Happy Hour show, but on Friday they have a show called “Date Night.”
That fateful Friday night, when Happy Hour found me instead of me finding it, I was at the IO West to watch one of my favorite shows, “Opening Night, The Improvised Musical.” The show, which is now in its 15th year and has built up a great deal of industry acclaim, usually consists of 5 extremely talented triple threats. In the span of an hour or so, the troupe, fearlessly lead by Shulie Cowan, improvises an entire musical, the dancing, the singing and the story line, all based on a title that is chosen from the audience. This is a uniquely LA experience on one of the most famous boulevards in the world.
I highly recommend going to the IO on a Friday for date night, whether it’s a first date, or a couple wanting to experience something new. Have some libations on special for Happy Hour, let yourself be on the edge of your seat while you marvel at the seamless fluidity of “The Improvised Musical,” and then later, just for fun, walk the boulevard and people watch when the neighboring clubs are starting to let out for another type of late night entertainment.
XXOO,
Wendy
6366 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 962-7560
Happy Hour: Monday - Friday, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
$4 Whiskey & Coke, $7 Double Date (Can of Beer & a Shot)
Free Shows
- LA's Premiere Happy Hour Search Site Featuring Over 1,000 Happy Hours Within 50 Cities in Los Angeles County
