0 Followers
The Nice Guy
Master Critic Review
The Nice Guy
8.4
The Nice Guy is a dim, clubby supper-lounge where cocktails, Italian-leaning comfort food, and a strict reservation culture create one of the area’s most paparazzi-prone nights out. It’s more about the mood and music than white-tablecloth polish, but the kitchen still turns out crowd-pleasing plates that work before or after drinks.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Nice Guy Burger, Eggplant Parm, Rigatoni with red sauce
Scores:
Value: 6.7
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 9.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A reservation-only supper-lounge where the crowd, cocktails, and soundtrack drive the experience.
Who should go: Nightlife-focused diners who care more about scene than quiet
When to visit: Late prime-time seatings when the room, bar, and music are packed
What to order: Nice Guy Burger, eggplant Parm, rigatoni
Insider tip: Treat it like a nightclub: book far ahead and plan to linger after dinner for drinks.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet only in front of the restaurant (typically $15–$20); street parking on La Cienega is extremely limited after 6pm.
Dress code: Dressy nightlife attire; elevated smart casual at minimum. Most guests lean fashion-forward and camera-ready.
Noise level: High — the music-forward lounge setting makes conversation possible but not effortless, especially after 9pm.
Weekend wait: Highly variable — without a reservation, you will not be seated. Even with one, expect a 10–20 minute hold during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — The Nice Guy does not operate during lunch.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate selection including pastas, salads, and small plates that can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few dishes can be modified, but this is not a vegan-forward menu.
Gluten-free options: Several dishes can be prepared gluten-free, including some salads and entrées; pasta accommodations are limited.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a high-energy, nightlife-first date where mood and music matter more than quiet conversation. Not ideal if you need a calm environment to get to know each other.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Almost never. The Nice Guy operates like a members-only lounge at peak hours; walk-ins are typically declined unless it’s unusually early or late.
Is it kid-friendly? No — the dim lighting, loud music, and adults-only nightlife vibe make it unsuitable for children.
Best For
Better for: Late-night, scene-driven dinners where ambiance, celebrity spotting, and cocktails outperform food-first competitors.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, need extensive dietary accommodations, or dislike tight tables, loud music, or nightlife-heavy energy.