This is a peek inside Level 8 of Downtown Los Angeles

Los Angeles There are plenty of places to party in Los Angeles, but a trip to Las Vegas is a must for many Angelenos. They can enjoy the clubs, restaurants and casinos. It’s a sort of rite of passage. There is a place downtown L.A. where you can experience Sin City without having to drive six hours. It’s called Level 8. 

The eighth floor is the level of the 37-story tower that houses the Moxy Downtown Los Angeles Then, there is the AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles. The hotel is located in downtown L.A. across from the Los Angeles Convention Center, and just a few blocks away from the Crypto.com arena. Downtown L.A. is not a good neighborhood. However, this part of the city has quiet, laid-back attractions, including the Los Angeles Convention Center. Grammy Museum There are many dining options, such as the Taiwanese casual restaurant. Pine & Crane DTLAThe nearest station is a short walk away.

There are 727 rooms between the Moxy Hotel and the AC Hotel. The two hotels share the same structure, but they have some distinct differences. Yabu Pushelberg-designed properties. 

Marriott’s Moxy lifestyle brand is playful and affordable. The Moxy in this case was inspired by the 1969 film “Easy Rider,” and the rebellious art of Southern California’s desert. Guests will find rope art, sandstone art, a motorcycle, and rope art in the lobby. They can also see rope art, succulent plants, and cheeky wallpaper with aliens throughout the entire hotel. The rooms start at 185 square foot and, while small, make the most of their space. They have underbed storage, minimalist clothes racks, and creative TV stands. 

Mitchell Hochberg is the president of The Lightstone GroupThe Moxys and AC Hotels in Downtown Los Angeles, as well the Moxys throughout the country, are all the work of the same development company. New York City. “We’d give you a great rate in exchange for a smaller room. The room would be well-appointed with a beautiful design, but we would provide you with very active public spaces.

I enjoyed watching the city from my king-size corner bed, which had floor-to ceiling windows. It was also fun to find all the “Easy Rider”–inspired details that were peppered throughout the room: there were motorcycle handlebars mounted on the wall as if they were a game trophy, hobo signs (a written language used among drifters to communicate with one another on the road) painted throughout the space, and shimmering gold tiles near the bathroom that were meant to evoke the Southern Californian sunset. 

The AC is located just a few feet away from the Moxy. However, the atmosphere couldn’t possibly be any different. You’ll have to take the elevator 34 stories up to get to the “sky lobby” of the AC. Hochberg loves to imagine the personalities of both hotels as real people.

Let’s remember that person who is countercultural, the nomad [from the Moxy],” Hochberg says. They’ve grown up now, right? The guy from “Easy Rider” is now a “she,” because the AC has become more feminine. She paints and sculpts. She’s decided that she wants to slow down.

You can feel the Mediterranean-esque, arty atmosphere as soon as your step into the lobby. There are abstract paintings, textiles and succulents that look like Dr. Seuss’s characters, branching out from terracotta vases. And a large, comfortable wooden table is in the middle of all this. There are slightly more expensive rates, ranging from $20 to $30, but the rooms start at 225 sq. ft. and include a desk, couch, and other amenities for people who work while in hotel. The AC Hotel or Moxy are both great options for those who want to be close to Level 8 but don’t mind paying a little more. 

Hochberg: “We believe that food and beverage is essential to the overall experience in experiential travel.”

The self-described “multi-dimensional eating, drinking, entertainment concept” clocks in at an impressive 30,000 square foot and has eight different venues in a labyrinthine layout. Hochberg and Mark and Jonnie Houston, owners of Houston Hospitality and the people behind Madame Siam and Dirty Laundry in Hollywood, came up with this spectacular concept. Despite staying here for two nights (one each at the Moxy Hotel or AC Hotel), there wasn’t enough time to visit all of these restaurants. 

There’s Qué Bárbaro, where you can watch your meal—think pork chops, hanger steaks, and prime cuts of wagyu—grilled over open flames. Lucky Mizu specializes in Japanese sushi and shabu shabu, complete with a wall of maneki-neko. Maison Kasai takes a decidedly Vegas-style spin on the traditional teppanyaki experience—throughout your meal, you’ll see magicians from L.A.’s legendary Magic Castle As they perform sleight-of-hand card tricks, they flit from table to table.

Mother of Pearl was my favorite dining experience. Chef Joshua Gil was previously the chef-de-cuisine at Joe’s Restaurant, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Venice. There are a few things on the menu like ceviche and caviar, but I would recommend one of their Instagrammable seafood dishes. Pro-tip: this is a great place for a date night—if there’s a better place to experience golden hour over a You can also find out more about the following:zen oysters in downtown L.A., I’ve yet to find it. 

Many people do The restaurants at Level 8 are great, but this venue is also an excellent nightlife spot. It’s a great way to enjoy a night in Downtown L.A., as you can move from one bar to another without needing to cross the street or call a cab.

You can dance the night away at the Golden Hour rooftop pool bar as the sun sets. DJs will lead the party, which lasts well into the early morning hours. You can then move to Mr. Wanderlust entertainment venue, which has a rotating stage, live music, burlesque performances, and a performer who does aerials in front.

Sinners y Santos, however, is arguably the most unique option. The bar is based on the idea that it was once an “abandoned cathedral from the 19th century that had been converted into a secret wrestling theater.” To me, it’s worth the trip up to Level 8 just to see the edgy, cathedral-inspired decor—i.e. the pipe organ DJ booth, votive candles, and tin ceiling—but make sure to stick around until midnight, when a wrestling ring drops from the ceiling over the bar, and masked luchadores wrestle amid scantily clad bottle girls.

The Brown Sheep is a taco truck inspired by the L.A. area, and serves a variety of dishes including quesabirria tacos. Bluestone Lane is conveniently located at the bottom of the Moxy building, so you can get a coffee in the morning after the celebrations are over. Though you may need several days to get a taste of all that Level 8 has to offer, one thing is for certain: a night here is nothing if not memorable—and fun.

Hochberg: “I honestly think this is not available anywhere else in the World.” There’s nothing else like it. “It’s a trip.”