Few stretches of road carry as much music lore as the Sunset Strip. Here, on separate balconies of the hotel nicknamed the Riot House, Robert Plant proclaimed himself a golden god during Led Zeppelin’s rise, and Keith Richards hurled a television during a
fit of drunken boredom. Down the street at Whisky a Go Go, house band The Doors was ultimately fired because of Jim Morrison’s perpetually erratic behavior. During its glorious yet gritty heyday, the Strip epitomized rock and roll at its most raw, raucous and self-indulgent. Today it’s in the middle of a modern revival, shedding some (but not all) of its bad boy past. It’s a guilty pleasure to vicariously follow in the footsteps of icons and look for their nods in glasses at old-school haunts and modern spots.

One of the newest is Bar Next Door. Located in a building that housed a 1940s-era talent management agency, the mellow neighborhood hangout is all dark wood and rustic leather, hearkening back to Old Hollywood. The menu is on newsprint, peppered with tales about and drinks named for the area’s most notable addresses from Château Marmont to Tower Records. The
1920s-era haute gathering spot Garden of Allah gets its due in a drink with gin, green tea, peach and tonic, garnished with rose petals.

Kumquat Tart at Juniper © Kelly Magyarics

Today the Riot House has become Andaz West Hollywood, one of a handful of boutique properties; a huge photograph of the golden god in all his gorgeous blond ringlets graces the lobby, though, and you can still book the same room where he emoted. Across the street at The Sun Rose West Hollywood, touches like an intimate, 100-seat venue for live acts promise a music-fueled stay; at rooftop Merois, a fragrant, fruity combination of vodka, guava, Thai basil, bergamot and lemongrass makes Island in the Sun a perfect pre-show drink. If you’re catching a concert at the Whisky or the Roxy, hit up Juniper at 1 Hotel West Hollywood first, where lush foliage and warm wood lend a welcoming, botanical vibe, and a sip with gin and kumquat gives you all tangy, mouthwatering feels.

For an authentic throwback experience, sticky menus and all, slide into a booth at legendary Rainbow Bar & Grill — snag the corner one Slash used to frequent (just look for the Guns ‘n’ Roses photos and gold records). Sips like
Paradise City spritz or Kickstart My Heartini are simple and sweet, but where else can you take a photo next to a life-sized statue of Motörhead frontman (and Rainbow regular) Lemmy Kilmister?

For all the rockers who rose to fame here, the Strip will always be most closely associated with The Doors. While recording their final album L.A. Woman in 1971, Morrison dug the rich acoustics in the tile-covered bathroom of the band’s recording studio on the Strip so much, he used it to lay down the vocals. Today it’s a hot dog joint, and a fake barrel of pickles conceals a phone that lets guests check into new speakeasy The Lucky Tiki.

Tiny and dimly lit, with walls covered in rattan, bamboo and dried palm fronds, it’s a fitting spot to toast the Lizard King via a drink created to posthumously thank him for sharing his space. Rum and blackberry shrub are served in a tall idol mug over ice and garnished with a flaming rosemary sprig whose swirling smoke represents Jim’s ghost — ever-present and no doubt still causing mayhem. It’s proof rock never dies, and the Sunset Strip still knows how to put on a show.