Walking Tour Of Hyperion Corridor

Hipster's paradise Hyperion Corridor, a long strip of the sprawling avenue that divides Los Feliz and Silver Lake, is a hotbed of cool hangouts, some of which have been hidden here for years. However, this discovery wasn't made by the masses until recently. In fact, some 20 years ago, this main thoroughfare was a gentrifying region just trying to keep enterprises alive. Today, the East Side oasis not far from Echo Park is not only popular with locals but with West Side dwellers wanting to get in on some of the artistic action on this side of town. Consider the following places in which the Hyperion Corridor excels.

Studio A Dance
2306 Hyperion Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 661-8311
www.studioadance.com

While many edgy dance studios are popping up in busy fishbowl strip malls in and around the City of Angels, this Hyperion Corridor mainstay, open since 1988 at this location, takes dance, yoga, capoeira and hula to a whole new level in a beautiful environment. Indeed, dancers jet across the hardwood floors toward a wall of glass through which greenery filters in sensuous sunlight beams. For a real cardio challenge, try Bill's BodyWorks class. One student calls this fast-paced class that incorporates jazz, hip-hop, mambo, salsa and a bit of Fosse "dance on crack." Also, don't miss out on highly entertaining DanceSpot performances. Held each month, eight local choreographers present new works that simply can't be missed.

Casita del Campo
1920 Hyperion Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 662-4255
www.casitadelcampo.net

Consider this East Side Mexican eatery as one of the places in L.A. in which "West Side Story" holds much meaning. Indeed, some 50 years ago, dancer Rudy del Campo snapped his fingers to the music of Bernstein in the film version of the iconic musical as a member of the Sharks, and shortly thereafter opened this pink casita for others to relish. Today, you can take in pertinent memorabilia adorning the walls while sipping on a Golden Cadillac Margarita (make sure bartender Fernando makes yours straight up). Meanwhile, crab enchiladas are a house specialty, and a rabble-rousing happy hour takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. every day. The basement of this bright pink casita holds weekly shows highlighting drag performers, comedians and, of course, the standards crooned by Neile Adams, Steve McQueen's ex and a diva in her own right.

This soothing retreat is the place for a Thai massage that's as good as it gets yet won't break the bank if you decide to imbibe on a regular basis. Many local dancers and athletes find time to stop by for a deep rub from masseur Jack to keep in top condition, as do regular folks who just want to be pampered for a little while. Among the highlighted treatments at Barai are those that encourage good health and those that guarantee to take stress away, the latter a real coup when living and working in Hollywood.

Related: Top Unique Tours In LA

The Lyric Hyperion Theater & Cafe
2106 Hyperion Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 540-0935
www.lyrichyperion.com

This is every local artist's nirvana. A Southland version of a European coffee house, The Lyric draws customers from the writing, acting and musician communities that are so ripe in our neck of the woods. Plays staged here are American classics while dining options run the gamut, from simple breakfast fare to signature lunch dishes like The Lyric, which is a medley of veggies artfully placed between two slabs of multigrain bread. Then there are the requisite coffees as well as a surprisingly diverse selection of beers and wine.

En Arts and Crafts
2308 Hyperion Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 660-0262
www.enartscrafts.com

A carefully curated selection of Japanese furniture and furnishings can be found in this bright space with products from abroad that include designer lamps by Noguchi and ancient textiles from Tokyo and other intriguing Nippon outposts. In addition to the great and varied inventory offered at this unique boutique – including plenty of wall art, surreal ceramics and a fine selection of exotic jewelry – is a gallery space, opened in 2013. This new addition allows area artists to show off their particular prowess in this handsome Hyperion Corridor mainstay.

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Los Angeles freelance travel writer Jane Lasky, contributes to publications such as Travel + Leisure, Vogue and Esquire. Her weekly sojourning column ran in 40 newspapers for 20 years. Jane is anything but an accidental tourist. Check out her articles on Examiner.com.