Dining out in Southern California is rarely a dull experience, but some eateries have taken mealtime to another level. Boasting an outside-the-box atmosphere, these wacky restaurants in Southern California bring extra elements of fun, surprise, humor, and excitement to the table. Ready for a truly unusual dining experience?
- Scum and Villainy Cantina - Los Angeles, CA
J K/Google Local Hollywood’s Scum and Villainy Cantina describes itself as “your friendly neighborhood geek bar” and takes inspiration from classic fantasy and sci-fi movies.
There are no windows and no TVs so guests are completely immersed in the intergalactic ambiance where out-of-this-world conversations are encouraged. Neon lights, costumes, props, and themed food and cocktails set the stage for an otherworldly experience.
Rachel Straughn-Navarro/Google Local 6377 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA
- Corvette Diner - San Diego, CA
Tony Martinez/Google Local Corvette Diner pulls out all the stops when it comes to classic-themed restaurants, with neon and black light zone, a vintage train car section, a huge arcade, classic cars, a full cocktail bar, and more.
Shareable burger and fry platters, classic shakes with a twist, balloon and straw artists, and singing servers in 50s costumes bring the fun to life for adults and kids.
Sharonmac2017 “Queen Sheba”/Google Local 2965 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
- Tail O’ The Pup - Los Angeles, ca
Tail O’ the Pup/Google Local Tail O’ the Pup is a quirky piece Los Angeles history, a hot dog stand in the shape of a giant hot dog.
While the 1946 prices, like the 35 cent chili dog, are long gone, the nostalgia is alive and well, as is the restaurant’s dedication to high quality. Bring the family to create some new L.A. memories at an old L.A. hotspot.
Tail O’ the Pup/Google Local 8512 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA
- Barton G. The Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA
Barton G. The Restaurant Los Angeles /Facebook Barton G., with its luxury atmosphere, does not immediately appear to belong on a list of “wacky” eateries, but this restaurant brings quirky and dramatic fun to the table!
From Popcorn Shrimp served in an actual popcorn machine to Mac and Cheese on a mousetrap, and from Lobster Pop Tarts served in a toaster, to Marie Antoinette’s tall cotton candy hairdo, the surprises never end. If you are looking for the ultimate Instagram-worthy food pics, open the camera on your phone and take a seat at Barton G.
Bradley Bingham/Google Local 861 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069, USA
- Trailer Park After Dark - San Diego, CA
Brianna Green/Google Local Trailer Park After Dark is located in the famous Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego and celebrates everything classically associated with trailer park life.
Condiments in a tackle box, dining with a TV tray inside a trailer living room, a china cabinet proudly displaying paper plates, shopping cart bar stools, and quirky decor are just some of the fun details that make this a dining experience to remember.
John Ramirez/Google Local 835 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- Clifton’s Republic - Los Angeles, CA
Gary Lusk/Google Local More immersive fantasy world than restaurant, Clifton’s Republic is a five-floor adventure that started in 1931. Each floor brings you into a different world - the Tree Tops, Pacific Seas, the Gothic Bar in Clifton’s Cathedral Grove, Brookdale Ballroom, and finally The Monarch mystical forest lodge.
Food and desserts are available to order throughout the Republic, but each floor has a unique cocktail menu available only inside that venue. This is one eatery you need multiple visits to fully appreciate.
Charlotte Roxanne/Google Local 648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA
- Beetle House - Los Angeles, CA
Beetle House LA/Google Local Beetle House LA is a self-declared “strange and unusual dining experience and nightclub.” This concept restaurant celebrates dark themes inspired by written and theatrical works by Alfred Hitchcock, Tim Burton, Edgar Allen Poe, and others.
Expect 90s goth music, weird costumes, Edward Scissorhands-inspired dishes, and any other macabre vibe you can imagine. Feast on Frankenfries and Sweeney Beef with a Coco Skellington cocktail while watching performances like sword swallowers, contortionists, and singers, then end the night partying in the gothic nightclub.
April/Google Local 7080 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA
Have you had the opportunity to dine at any of these wacky Southern California restaurants? Tell us your most interesting experience in the comments. Not enough quirky adventure for you? Check out several more weird and wacky places in SoCal.
J K/Google Local
Hollywood’s Scum and Villainy Cantina describes itself as “your friendly neighborhood geek bar” and takes inspiration from classic fantasy and sci-fi movies.
Rachel Straughn-Navarro/Google Local
6377 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA
Tony Martinez/Google Local
Corvette Diner pulls out all the stops when it comes to classic-themed restaurants, with neon and black light zone, a vintage train car section, a huge arcade, classic cars, a full cocktail bar, and more.
Sharonmac2017 “Queen Sheba”/Google Local
2965 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
Tail O’ the Pup/Google Local
Tail O’ the Pup is a quirky piece Los Angeles history, a hot dog stand in the shape of a giant hot dog.
8512 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA
Barton G. The Restaurant Los Angeles /Facebook
Barton G., with its luxury atmosphere, does not immediately appear to belong on a list of “wacky” eateries, but this restaurant brings quirky and dramatic fun to the table!
Bradley Bingham/Google Local
861 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069, USA
Brianna Green/Google Local
Trailer Park After Dark is located in the famous Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego and celebrates everything classically associated with trailer park life.
John Ramirez/Google Local
835 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Gary Lusk/Google Local
More immersive fantasy world than restaurant, Clifton’s Republic is a five-floor adventure that started in 1931. Each floor brings you into a different world - the Tree Tops, Pacific Seas, the Gothic Bar in Clifton’s Cathedral Grove, Brookdale Ballroom, and finally The Monarch mystical forest lodge.
Charlotte Roxanne/Google Local
648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA
Beetle House LA/Google Local
Beetle House LA is a self-declared “strange and unusual dining experience and nightclub.” This concept restaurant celebrates dark themes inspired by written and theatrical works by Alfred Hitchcock, Tim Burton, Edgar Allen Poe, and others.
April/Google Local
7080 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA
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