Playboy.com Los Angeles Favorite Places Dave Schulz

DAVE SCHULZ

Singer, songwriter and keyboardist Dave Schulz is a fixture in the diverse Los Angeles music scene and has performed all over the country with bands like The Goo Goo Dolls, Dave Wakeling/English Beat, General Public and, more recently, enduring new wave band Berlin. Originally from Buffalo, New York where he grew up the son of a pianist and conductor for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Schulz took an interest in piano at age 10 after his father’s death and never looked back. Now based in L.A., Schulz is currently playing live shows to support his first solo CD, Connect, available on daveschulzmusic.com.

Late night grub:  Toi Thai [7505 ½ Sunset Blvd.] might as well reserve me a table permanently after 2 AM. My drummer Matt and I love to hang here after a night at the Kibitz Room. It’s all about the sauce, baby.

Dive Bar – Kibitz Room [419 N. Fairfax Ave] is a classic watering hole adjacent to the world famous Canter’s Deli and is a haven to all sorts of bizarre characters. Sunday nights with the Artie Vegas revue is right out of a David Lynch film.

Rock Club: The Joint [8771 W. Pico Blvd.] on Monday nights features the best rock band in L.A., period. The Waddy Wachtel band w Bernard Fowler plays the tightest rock ‘n’ roll you can imagine. Where else do you get to see legends like Robert Plant or Keith Richards casually stop in to jam?

Mexican – El Compadre [7408 W. Sunset Blvd.] seriously has the best salsa on the planet. The flaming margaritas are top notch as well. All sorts of rock stars and artist types hang here on a regular basis.

Brew pub : The Village Idiot [7383 Melrose Ave.] is a great place to eat and drink on Melrose with an open kitchen and cool vibe. A bevy of intelligent, attractive women hang out there. It’s a little loud but worth it.

Local Book Store – Book Soup [8818 Sunset Blvd.] is another magnet for intelligent, attractive women, except its books instead of beer. Hot!

Record Store – Amoeba Records [6400 W. Sunset Blvd.] is the world’s largest independent record store, host to cool in-store performances by artists ranging from Paul McCartney to Sonic Youth. I’m a little biased because the Founder, Marc Weinstein, is from my hometown of Buffalo.

Overall Music Venue – Between recording my debut record Connect at The Cave recording studio (directly behind the club) and enjoying post-session drinks, I spend a lot of time at the Mint [6010 W. Pico Blvd.]. It is definitely one of my favorite spots in L.A. Everyone from Daniel Lanois to Frank Black to Ivan Neville plays here. Did I mention the sexy staff?

Brunch Spot –– Right around the corner from my place on Martel and Melrose, Blue Jam Café [7371 Melrose Ave.] has become a favorite spot to eat breakfast or lunch after a late night on the town. It has a tasteful music selection as well.

Pizza – The Rainbow Bar & Grill [9015 Sunset Blvd.] has the best pizza in town. It is the rock ‘n’ roll mainstay of the Sunset Strip. Mario Maglieri’s legendary club is host to a barrage of rock stars, groupies and porn stars—you get Lemmy and Ron Jeremy under the same roof.