Actual howls may vary.

If you’re planning a trip to Los Angeles and will be spending some time at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park you may want to allow for a late night.  Universal CityWalk is full of fun and nightlife, and even without a trip to the park it is worth the visit.

Universal CityWalk is a collection of entertainment and dining.  There are cool and unique shops, clubs, bars, theaters and pretty much anything you would need for a good time.  Personally, I go for a good Howl at the Moon.

Howl at the Moon features crazy drink specials like 3 for 1 night and twofers on martinis.  It has one of the most humbling Karaoke nights I’ve ever been to.  This isn’t Joan from accounting getting plowed and crooning out love songs to that guy from IT — not unless Joan from accounting is also a singer of above-average talent, like one of the Jonas Brothers, but old enough to drink.  My theory on the experience is that this is Universal in Hollywood and the people on the mic are hoping for a big break not a good laugh.  It’s pretty amazing.

Shots?

However, that is not why most people go to Howl at the Moon (except for that drink special part). Most people go for the dueling pianos and the raunchy jokes that get bounced between them.  Imagine Billy Joel and Ben Folds playing a frat house.  Togas are optional.

The piano man.

While I can’t say enough about the Howl at the Moon in Hollywood, keep in mind it is a chain and there may be one a bit closer to you.

There are a lot of great videos on YouTube that show how much fun Howl at the Moon can be, but I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t make it past our censors. Damn censors.

Photos from Howl at the Moon

note the cowboy font

Whether you’re in the mood for a pitcher of brew with some friends or endless margaritas on the patio, Linda’s is the place to be in Seattle.  Located at 707 E. Pine Street, Linda’s has a western-theme and the charm of a well-groomed dive bar. It is filled with hipsters sipping PBR and old regulars sipping, well, probably PBR, but don’t let that stop you from ordering an actual good beer.

Happy Hour runs daily from 7-9p.m., which is rather late as far as happy hours go, but works out well if you caught a more traditional happy hour elsewhere — located in Capitol Hill there are plenty of other clubs and watering holes (and cupcake shops!) within stumbling distance.

In addition to a full bar and a fairly nice selection of local microbrews Linda’s also has some pretty decent bar food.  The burgers in particular are quite tasty.

While technically not “nightlife” Linda’s offers a weekend (Saturday and Sunday) brunch that lasts until 3p.m., which is mighty convenient if you were out, say at Linda’s, until the wee hours the night before. The Bloody Mary is, in the words of me, “hot damn tasty.” And the fare is surprisingly good.

Linda’s is the kind of place that is fun with a crowd or even (gasp!) by yourself, assuming you’re comfortable striking up conversation over a pool table or in front of a very well-rounded jukebox.   I have faith in you.

The website for Linda’s is lacking, especially for an establishment in computer-savvy Seattle. However, they are on Facebook, and you can find their specials listed there between tending to your farm, mafia, vampire and/or ninja.

If you’re looking for a great local dive bar with live and loud music, head to downtown Las Vegas. Then scootch over a few blocks to 11th Street between Fremont (east of the Fremont Street Experience) and Carson to the Bunkhouse Saloon.

You’d think, given the name, you’d be walking into a country bar strains of with Conway Twitty squealing from a corner jukebox while some ranch hand named lefty sits in the corner, drowning his sorrows with his best friend, a bottle of Jack.

Leave your spurs at home, partner. But, rest assured, there’s plenty of Jack to be had along with a full complement of concoctions strong enough to please the most pickled of livers. Drinks are reasonably priced and the awesome music makes the cover charge a great bargain. If you’re into blues, come in on Tuesdays for the open blues jam session. The rest of their schedule switches up every week with indie rock, rockabilly bands, punk festivals, reggae after-parties and music that’s too good to classify.

You can hang out around the bar like a well-watered wallflower, or you can get into the action on the floor. There are couches surrounding it, but, unless it’s a quiet night, you’re not going to see much sitting behind 10 rows of dancing-swaying fans.

If you’re in the mood for live music in Vegas, the Bunkhouse is a must-visit. Once you’re there, you’ll be back and you won’t even care who’s on the bill. You may enter a newbie, but you’ll probably leave as a die-hard fan.

[Image courtesy of The Bunkhouse.]