According to it’s Myspace page, The Happy Ending is not your “typical Hollywood dive bar.” I’d verify that fact, and also add “it’s much worse.” The Happy Ending actually made me sad.

Image via Myspace.com/TheHappyEndingBar

Similar to those random bugs you find in your dirty apartment, or fratty room that smells of barf and beer, I like shady places. You’re more likely to find me in the corner of a dark bar with no dress code and stiff cocktails  over a club with DJ (insert cool name here) and flashing lights worthy of a thousand epileptic seizures. I guess I’m a dive bar kind of girl. I don’t know exactly why, but maybe it has something to do with the fact that the people in a less pretentious setting generally happen to be cooler, and they don’t start conversations by asking me if I’m an actress. At that point, I’m already more inclined to pour my drink down your shirt.  And let’s be honest, my love of shady bars probably all stems back from USC…home of the most infamous college dive bar, otherwise known as the 9-0. Maybe I’m expecting too much, because The Happy Ending did not meet my standards.

The Happy Ending claims to be home to “the same hot people, minus the bullshit.”

I scoff.

I can assure you the that the bullshit part is true, but the hottest girl there was my gay-boy-friend. The hottest guy there, was also my gay-boy-friend. And, yes, he’s pretty. Keep in mind, I’m not writing this article from the stand point of a stuck-up bar snob. Let me remind you, I actually love divey places. But, I have to be honest, I felt like I was dancing in a renovated Denny’s. I guess if you’re gonna slum it, you better slum it up good.

The Happy Ending just isn’t for me, but maybe I’ve been spoiled on the bar front. If you’re looking for a good destination for a dive-tastic night, check these out…

Better LA dive bars:

The 901 Bar and Grill

Location: 2902 Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA, 90007

Famous for: USC football pre-gaming action, wasted freshmen and creepy 30-year-old alumni who just can’t get enough.

Image via 901bar.com

The Shack

Location: 185 Culver Blvd. Playa Del Rey, CA 90293

Famous for: Enthusiastic kareoke performances.

Image via TheShackPlayaDelRey.com

The Lighthouse

Location: 30 Pier Ave. Hermosa Beach, CA. 90254

Famous for: Got a soft-spot for 80′s cover bands? They have the best.

Image via TheLighthouseCafe.net

7969

Location: 7969 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA. 90046

Famous for: Being “that gay bar” with hot tranny messes and go-go dancers wearing nothing but duct tape.

Image via Yelp.com