In the song “Drinking in L.A.” by Van Bran 3000, some hopeful filmmakers head to Trader Vic’s for a drink and realize they’ve done "nothing, absolutely nothing that day." Regardless of your Hollywood aspirations or lack of the same, it’s fun to drive up to the iconic Beverly Hills Hilton on Sunset Boulevard and pull into the valet. You feel like you’re a part of an old-school tradition. The Tiki drinks are adorned with colorful umbrellas and other knick-knacks, and the Polynesian décor transports you to a sort of indoor island. Tasty bar snacks of spicy nuts and pretzels help absorb the alcohol from the ginormous, and potent, drinks. Seriously, these are rum-filled extravaganzas. Fans of the Mai Tai (which means "out of this world" in Taihitian) will be in heaven – the drink was invented by Trader Vic himself, Victor J. Bergeron, in 1944. The crowd is a heady mix of casual native Angelinos, stargazers, and tourists staying in the adjoining hotel. Trader Vic’s also maintains an "award-winning, global-fusion" restaurant (OK, it’s also Polynesian), if the peanuts and pretzels aren’t curbing your appetite. Romantic date spot, pick-up joint or group party – Trader Vic’s works for all three in equal measure.