Mama Lion Los Angeles

Mama Lion sits on South Western Avenue, a twenty-minute walk south of Melrose Avenue. The space doubles as both a dining room and a dance floor, serving Japanese and sushi dishes alongside a house and hip-hop soundtrack.

Most spots in Los Angeles separate their supper from their dance floor, but Mama Lion insists on doing both at once. The room runs dressy, and the presence of VIP tables changes the energy of the space once the kitchen closes. It is a more deliberate transition than the casual bars near the La Brea Tar Pits, which generally force you to choose between a seat and a club. If you want to finish your meal in the same room where you plan to stay for the rest of the night, this is the rare venue that lets you stay put.