L.A. ROCK CITY

Drew Barrymore in the balcony for Coldplay? Orlando Bloom catching OK Go? Scarlett Johansson rocking out to Rilo Kiley? L.A.'s music scene has stars on both sides of the stage.

Emily Poenisch

DESTINATIONS

Safari Sam's

5214 West Sunset Boulevard HEARD: Jamie Lidell, Cut Chemist, the Kooks, Har Mar Superstar, Justice, OK Go SEEN: Orlando Bloom, Ashlee Simpson, Minnie Driver SCENE: Punk? Rock? Cabaret? Anything goes, thanks to maverick owner and culture hound Sam Lanni. This resurgent club now occupies a hefty slice of Hollywood real estate, once frequented by strippers and more recently by Lindsay Lohan.

The Hotel Cafe 1623 1/2 North Cahuenga Boulevard

HEARD: Jose Gonzalez, Death Cab for Cutie, Rilo Kiley, John Mayer, Imogen Heap, Corinne Bailey Rae, Minnie Driver, Schuyler Fisk SEEN: Scarlett Johansson, Adam Brody, Zooey Deschanel SCENE:Scrubs star Zach Braff loves this place, so don't be surprised to find mopey singersongwriters and doe-eyed hotties trading tales of angst under the mood lighting. Given the self-serious clientele, you might want to leave your Fergalicious friends at home.

Troubadour

9081 Santa Monica Boulevard HEARD: Lily Allen, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Franz Ferdinand, the Strokes, the Hold Steady, Grizzly Bear, the Streets, Coldplay SEEN: Clive Owen, Drew Barrymore, Kiefer Sutherland SCENE: You'd better know someone or be someone to nab last-minute tickets to this industry destination, which has broken acts from Elton John to the Hold Steady. V.I.P.'s fill a balcony while fans take the floor, and when Jack Bauer of 24 isn't saving the world, you just may find him here.

Largo

432 North Fairfax Avenue HEARD: Jon Brion, Emmylou Harris, Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple, Nellie McKay SEEN: Viggo Mortensen, Winona Ryder, Maggie Gyllenhaal SCENE: Swing a cat and you'll hit a celebrity at this Fairfax hangout popularized by Uber-producer Jon Brion and his starry collection of musical friends. Book a table for dinner and pipe down already; there's no talking during shows.

Spaceland

1717 Silver Lake Boulevard HEARD: Cold War Kids, Weezer, Spank Rock, Beck, the White Stripes, the Shins, Bloc Party SEEN: Jason Lee, Patricia Arquette, Christina Ricci SCENE: Put on something vintage and lace up your Chucks. Silver Lake's hipster haven showcases the latest darlings of indie rock's all-powerful Pitchfork Web site. Challenge Jack Black to a game of pool if the opening act's a bore.

The Echo

1822 Sunset Boulevard HEARD: Girl Talk, Xiu Xiu, Diplo, Devendra Banhart, MSTRKRFT, Comets on Fire SEEN: Kirsten Dunst, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, Heath Ledger SCENE: Rock out to post-punk, booty bass, and mutant disco at this Eastside institution. If you're a malnourished hipster with an exhibitionist streak, look for photos of yourself on the Cobrasnake's site in the morning.

The Smell

247 South Main Street HEARD: The Faint, Le Tigre, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Matt & Kim SEEN: Elijah Wood, Shannyn Sossamon, Crispin Glover SCENE: Funky in more ways than one, this no-frills warehouse sits within spitting distance of downtown's skid row. In-the-know types make the trek to catch the latest underground sensations. There's no bar, so tank up in advance.