WHEN THE SUN SETS over the Pacific Ocean, the City of Angels seamlessly transforms into a devil’s playground as bars and restaurants flash on their neon lights and cater to the city’s elite. Spare yourself the L.A. traffic and spend the after-work hours schlepping among the sprawling city’s places to be seen and possibly spot a few A-listers.

After a day of conferences at the downtown convention center, scale the stairs to the appropriately named Perch, a rooftop bar with cinematic views of the L.A. skyline. When hunger strikes, cab over to Katsuya on West Olympic for a satisfying sushi dinner, or opt for the cooked variety at Rock’n Fish right next door. Properly fueled, challenge colleagues to a few rounds of pinball at EightyTwo, a barcade that serves Mason jar mixed drinks.

A few blocks west lies Koreatown, a funky neighborhood with infinite opportunities to dine and drink. Although two of any person’s greatest fears — high school and performing karaoke — come together under one roof at Break Room 86, the massive menu of cocktails will take the edge off the impending anxiety. For a more covert cocktail experience, attempt access into Lock & Key, a speakeasy that only allows entry after one selects the correct doorknob at the entrance.

Nowhere are L.A. style and elegance more evident than at Bar Marmont in Hollywood. This swanky bar in the legendary Chateau Marmont Hotel is a haven for Hollywood’s heavy hitters.

West Hollywood (also known as WeHo) is considered Boys Town and home of the annual LA Pride parade each June. Sip some of the city’s best wine at Vinoteque or rub elbows with fellow imbibers at The Abbey, an electric gay restaurant/bar/dance party.

Amelie at Ahmanson Theatre © AHMANSON THEATRE

For a spot of live theater, the Ahmanson Theatre downtown and Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre host the latest stage plays straight from Broadway, while the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City features alternative and experimental examples of modern-day theater. For a good laugh, make a point to catch some improv at The Second City, The iO West Theater (both in Hollywood) or Improv LA (West Hollywood).

When visiting the epicenter of entertainment, grab a front-row seat, wait for the director’s cue and … action!