“These speakeasy bars are so secret, even the drinks whisper their recipes to the bartenders.” -Tour Guide on a Private Los Angeles Tour

The Wolves - DTLA

Sometimes finding a good speakeasy is like trying to find Waldo in a crowd of thousands, except Waldo is a secret door and the crowd is about 4 million people in the City of Angels! We digress. On Private Los Angeles Tours, clientele will often express to us in one way or another that they do not want to “feel touristy” or that they want to go “somewhere special” that even the average Los Angelian may not know about. While categorically there are many different ways to respond, nothing quite “checks the boxes” like the vibe of classic speakeasy.

1. The Varnish - We're starting off with a classic speakeasy bar located in Downtown LA. You'll need to enter through the back of Cole's French Dip restaurant and look for an unmarked door. Once you're inside, you'll feel like you've been transported back in time to the prohibition era.

2. The Edison - This speakeasy bar is a former power plant that's been transformed into a stunning space. To enter, look for a small plaque on the outside of the building. Once you're inside, you'll be surrounded by vintage decor and live entertainment.

3. The Slipper Clutch - This speakeasy is located in the heart of Hollywood, and you'll need to enter through a vintage shop. Look for the neon sign that says "Record Shop" and head to the back. Inside, you'll find a jukebox, pool table, and plenty of retro decor.

4. The Del Monte Speakeasy - This hidden gem is located in the basement of the Townhouse bar in Venice Beach. Look for a small door and make your way downstairs to find a vintage-style speakeasy with classic drinks.

5. No Vacancy - This speakeasy in Hollywood is set in a historic mansion with a vintage circus theme. There are multiple rooms to explore, each with its own unique atmosphere. Look for a small sign outside to find the entrance.

6. The Roger Room - This speakeasy in West Hollywood is known for its extensive cocktail selection and vintage decor. Look for the small sign outside and head in for a cozy space with dim lighting.

7. The Wolves - This speakeasy in Downtown LA has a minimalist decor with a focus on high-quality cocktails. The entrance is easy to miss, so keep your eyes peeled for a small door.

Remember, these bars are hidden for a reason, so don't go shouting about them from the rooftops. Kidding. Do whatever the hell you want, just tell them an awesome tour guide sent ya! Cheers to a great night out in LA!

The Wacky World of Donald Trump's Walk of Fame Star

On our private Los Angeles tours, politics inevitably come up! Oh what fun! As tour guides, the name of the game is always staying politically neutral. You know, like at Thanksgiving dinner! So, in that spirit, we shall leave no star unturned, especially when it comes to the hilariously contentious saga of Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! Join us on a side-splitting journey through the wacky world surrounding this infamous piece of sidewalk real estate. You'll laugh, you'll cry (from laughter), and you'll wonder how a star could cause so much chaos.

The Unlikely Rise to Stardom

Once upon a time, in the far-off land of 2007, real estate mogul and reality TV star Donald Trump received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his role in producing and starring in "The Apprentice." Little did anyone know, this seemingly innocuous chunk of brass and terrazzo would go on to generate more drama than an entire season of the show itself!

Fun Fact: The Hollywood Walk of Fame spans over 15 blocks and has over 2,600 stars. That's a lot of brass and terrazzo!

A Star's Life of Crime

Despite its glitzy appearance, Trump's star has had a life filled with crime and misdemeanors. It's been vandalized, smashed, and defaced more times than we can count. The star has endured everything from pickaxes to spray paint, and even a tiny border wall. It's a living testament to the age-old adage: fame comes at a price.

Hilarious Anecdote: Trump's star once had a street artist place a gold-plated toilet next to it, inviting the public to "Take a Trump!" We can't make this stuff up!

The Great Wall of Trump's Star

In 2016, street artist Plastic Jesus erected a miniature concrete wall, complete with barbed wire and tiny "Keep Out" signs, around Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The 6-inch-high wall was a tongue-in-cheek nod to Trump's promise to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. It quickly became a viral sensation, drawing crowds and sparking discussions on social media.

Fun Fact: The tiny wall was left in place for several hours before being removed, giving passersby ample time to snap photos and appreciate the satirical statement.

The Battle for Trump's Star

Trump's star has become the center of a great debate: should it stay or should it go? The arguments on both sides have led to an endless stream of internet memes, comedic skits, and viral videos. It's become the ultimate pop culture battleground, and everyone's got an opinion – even the pigeons who occasionally make their mark on the star.

LOL-worthy Quote: "If Trump's star gets removed, can we replace it with a more accurate representation? Like a dumpster fire?" – Anonymous

The Star-struck Entrepreneurs

As with any internet phenomenon, there's always someone looking to make a quick buck. A plethora of Trump star merchandise has emerged, from t-shirts to coffee mugs, keychains to bumper stickers, and even replica stars for those who dream of creating their very own Walk of Fame. It's a strange, hilarious world where capitalism and comedy collide.

Comedic Product Review: "This Trump star coffee mug is perfect for sipping your morning covfefe. Highly recommended!"

Summing it up

The tale of Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a bizarre, hilarious, and undeniably entertaining rollercoaster ride. From its contentious origin to the endless debate surrounding its existence, it's a story that keeps on giving. So, the next time you find yourself strolling down Hollywood Boulevard, take a moment to marvel at the star that launched a thousand memes – and don't forget to snap a selfie!

While booking a tour with us would be the most fun way to see Donald Trump’s star, it would be rude for us not to tell you where it is located since you read this far!

Donald Trump star on the Walk of Fame: 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, near the Hollywood and Highland Center.

AI & Hollywood - the good, the bad, and the "who knows?"

Wow! This has been an unavoidable conversation on our private Los Angeles tours. We are ready to talk about it! Or are we? Wanting to remain objective as professionals in the tourism industry, we have to look at this as - the good, the bad, and the “who knows?” So, as we see it….

The Good (maybe)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already having an impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry, and its influence is likely to continue growing. Here are some areas that we see as “good.” Maybe.

1. Better audience analysis: AI can be used to analyze data from social media, streaming platforms, and other sources to gain a better understanding of audience preferences and behavior. This information can be used to make better decisions about what movies to make and how to market them. A quicker way to give the people what they want!

2. Improved special effects: AI can be used to create more realistic and sophisticated special effects. For example, deep learning algorithms can be used to create computer-generated imagery (CGI) that is indistinguishable from real life. A long as it stays in the movies and we know the difference going in, a good thing!

3. Streamlined production: AI can help streamline the production process by automating certain tasks such as scheduling, budgeting, and even scriptwriting. Mostly good. Call us old-fashioned but we like our stories written by good old human beings.

4. Personalized content: AI can be used to create personalized content based on individual viewer preferences. For example, Netflix is already using AI to recommend movies and TV shows to its users based on their viewing history. This changes the entire concept of “other people also watched” to a much more robust function.

5. New storytelling techniques: AI can be used to create new and innovative storytelling techniques, such as interactive movies or choose-your-own-adventure-style content. Maybe good. Maybe weird.

With a big “maybe” stamped on it, there is good potential for AI to revolutionize Hollywood. However, just like the devil that sits on the opposite shoulder, there are concerns.

The Bad (without question)

Elon Musk has expressed concerns about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) and has called for caution in its development. Musk believes that if AI is not properly regulated, it could pose an existential threat to humanity. One of the reasons why Musk wants to pause AI development is the potential for AI to become superintelligent and develop goals that are misaligned with human values. This could lead to scenarios where AI takes actions that are harmful to humanity, either intentionally or unintentionally. Musk has referred to this as the "AI control problem" and believes that it is crucial to solve this problem before AI becomes too advanced. He has also expressed concerns about the potential for AI to be used as a weapon in warfare, as well as the potential for AI to exacerbate wealth inequality and other social issues. Musk's concerns about AI stem from a belief that it is a powerful technology that could have unintended consequences if not properly regulated and controlled. By pausing AI development, he hopes to create a space for researchers and policymakers to carefully consider the ethical implications of AI and ensure that its development proceeds in a way that benefits humanity as a whole.

The “Who Knows?” (just for fun)

Who knows, maybe private Los Angeles tours will be conducted by robots that escort you around major cities and have evolved into being able to give a good hug.