You easily miss the barely marked single door to Bar 1642 as you walk down the stretch of Temple St. that has been frequented on your drives to Echo Park. The single room old timey interior lends itself to the couple having a beer in the corner and your desire for that post work, end of the week hang. The single bartender pleasantly guides you through the chalked up beer list and wine options before serving you an unknown delight. He then guides you to the far end of the bar where you receive your free tamale. The next hard decision is to pick between the chicken or mole pockets wrapped perfectly for the taking. As you sip unknown beers and nipple on tamales you strike up a convo with the bartender and realize, you really like this place. After another drink and yet another tamale itll mark the time to head out cause the shows about to start.

The few minutes walk up to The Bootleg Theater is a welcomed warm up to the dance floor that awaits you on the next stop. After paying the front desk for your ticket you cruise around the funky open room wondering what is really going on. Once you realize the show and the bar is in the back room you head in to catch the scene for the night. Turning into the dark room you’re not only overcome with the sounds of the band but practically on the stage with them. Eventually you secure a beer in hand and rock out to the tunes of the night. At the break you sneak back into the main room and bust out a game of ping pong or a pro arm wrestling challenge. When the next band strikes up it’s time to hit the dance floor yet again or stick around and finish your game…one way or another it’s your night to rock out the way you want to.