By Karen Lepp

Originally published in 2019. Updated July 2026 with the latest menu, cocktails, and dining experience.

If I owned a supper club, it would be The Nice Guy.

You don’t walk in—you slip behind velvet drapes like you’re entering a speakeasy for the very cool, very hungry, and very camera-shy. (Seriously, no photos allowed. The doorman has the vigilance of a nightclub bouncer crossed with a hall monitor.)

In a city where nearly every restaurant seems designed for Instagram, The Nice Guy goes in the opposite direction. Hidden along La Cienega Boulevard in West Hollywood, this celebrity-favorite supper club keeps the lights low, the live music playing, and the phones tucked away. It’s refreshingly old-school, and honestly, that’s part of the magic.

The moment you step inside, a vintage marble-and-brass bar greets you like a piece of old Hollywood jewelry. Plush leather booths wrap around the room, creating cozy corners for date nights while larger banquettes keep the energy lively. Inspired by the glamorous Mafia-era supper clubs of the 1950s and ’60s, it’s the kind of place where dinner isn’t something you rush—it’s the entire evening.

And then there’s the lighting.

It’s dark. Like, “I hope my friends aren’t messing with me” dark. Somehow, though, it never feels gloomy. It feels intimate. Conversations replace camera clicks, live music fills the room, and everyone settles in for a night that’s about being present instead of posting about it.

What to Order at The Nice Guy

JoJo Cocktail ⭐★★★★

Served in a vintage champagne coupe, the JoJo blends vodka, elderflower, lemon, strawberries, and prosecco into one dangerously drinkable cocktail. It’s light, refreshing, and the kind of drink that quietly convinces you a second round is an excellent idea.

Molinari Meatballs ⭐★★★★

Italian comfort food dressed up for a night on the town. Tender meatballs topped with creamy stracciatella make an irresistible way to start the meal.

Fried Calamari ⭐★★★☆

Perfectly crisp with grilled lemon and marinara that’s worth every last dunk.

Porcini-Rubbed Skirt Steak ⭐★★★★

If you’re only ordering one entrée, make it this one. Juicy, buttery, and finished with smoky paprika, it’s one of the best steaks in West Hollywood. And whatever you do, don’t skip the onion rings—they deserve their own fan club.

Chicken Parmesan ⭐★★★★

The Godzilla of Chicken Parm. Oversized, gloriously saucy, unapologetically cheesy, and exactly what you hope it will be.

Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding ⭐★★★★

Warm brioche, buttery caramel, and whipped cream combine for a dessert that’s worth saving room for—even if you swore you were full.

The Vibe

The Nice Guy isn’t trying to be trendy. It’s preserving something Los Angeles doesn’t have much of anymore.

Restaurants used to be places where people lingered over cocktails, listened to live music, and actually talked to one another. The Nice Guy still believes in that. The no-photo policy isn’t a gimmick—it’s part of what makes the evening feel so different. Instead of everyone staring at their screens, they’re laughing across the table, ordering another cocktail, and staying long after dessert.

It’s one of the last restaurants in LA that still feels like it has a secret.

Is The Nice Guy Worth It?

Absolutely.

Whether you’re planning a date night, celebrating a birthday, entertaining out-of-town guests, or simply craving a great Italian dinner with live music, The Nice Guy delivers an experience that’s increasingly hard to find in Los Angeles.

This isn’t just another beautiful restaurant.

It’s dinner and a night out rolled into one.

Before You Go

Reservations: Absolutely. This is one of West Hollywood’s most sought-after reservations, especially on weekends.

Dress Code: Smart casual to dressy. Most guests make a night of it.

Photos: Leave your phone in your pocket. The no-photo policy is part of what makes The Nice Guy feel so exclusive.

Parking: Valet parking is available.

Perfect For: Date nights, birthdays, anniversaries, client dinners, celebrity spotting, and anyone who misses old-school Hollywood glamour.

My Final Bite

Los Angeles has plenty of beautiful restaurants.

It has plenty of expensive restaurants, too.

What it doesn’t have many of anymore are places with mystery.

The Nice Guy still has it.

Behind those velvet curtains is one of the last restaurants where dinner feels like an event instead of content. Nobody’s worried about getting the perfect photo because nobody’s allowed to take one. Instead, people order another cocktail, stay for another song, and remember what going out used to feel like.

If I owned a supper club…

It would be The Nice Guy.

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My Order Every Time: JoJo Cocktail • Molinari Meatballs • Porcini-Rubbed Skirt Steak • Chicken Parmesan • Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding

Reservations: Highly Recommended

Address:
401 N. La Cienega Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90048
(310) 360-9500