Hollywood Elsewhere

Hollywood is only a state of mind. Here are some outlying clubs attracting the (323) set . . .

Encounter. Driving to LAX without a flight to catch? This would be unthinkable if the destination were any less fabulous than Encounter--a trippy Space Age restaurant and nightclub that offers its guests a chance to relieve stress with some postmodern Muzak, groovy lighting and sublime extreme close-ups of big ol’ jets. 201 World Way, LAX, (310) 215-5151.

The Foothill Club. With Long Beach youth at the forefront of the rockabilly revival (note all those rad vintage stores in the area), the venerable Foothill Club showcases rootsy bands from the old and new schools of this very American pop cultural phenom. 1922 Cherry Ave., Signal Hill (at Long Beach limit), (562) 494-5196. 18 and over (all ages on Sunday), cover varies.

The Joint. Located in the slums of Beverly Hills, this small rock club isn’t angling for the Rodeo Drive crowd. It appeals to those who want to hear a bit of night music, cranked up to full volume (shows nightly). 8771 W. Pico Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 275-2619. 21 and over, cover varies.

Linda’s Doll Hut. People drive from all over the Southland to this tiny night spot in the middle of seemingly nowhere--a blue-collar area that befits the kind of working-class music often featured here. On Saturday, the Doll Hut hosts the sci-fi surf sounds of the Bomboras, with Los Creepers and the Bleeders. 107 S. Adams, Anaheim, (714) 533-1286. 21 and over, cover varies.

Liquid Kitty. This way cool Westside bar (owned by partners in Wilshire Boulevard’s C Bar) is wise to the ways of mood-setting music, with DJ Orb on Tuesdays, cocktail mixer DJ Senor Amor on Thursdays and live lounge sounds by Combo A-Go Go on Sundays. 11780 W. Pico Blvd., West Los Angeles, (310) 473-3707. 21 and over, no cover.

Matterhorn. Hollywood scenesters will do almost anything for an authentic lounge experience and the Matterhorn, a Swiss restaurant and nightclub offering live oompah music by one-man bands (a must-see is Fritz, who performs on Fridays and Saturdays), gets folks over the hill and to the Valley by the busload (seriously, people charter buses to do the Valley lounge crawl and the Matterhorn is a premier stop). 13726 Oxnard St., Van Nuys, (818) 781-4330. All ages, no cover.