| Orange County
nightlife used to be an oxymoron. However, in the past few years, quite a few
establishments have sprung up, ranging from network-owned sports bars to sexy
Parisian-inspired lounges to dance clubs. And there's never been a shortage of
cultural events or live entertainment in Anaheim and the surrounding cities. Though
few outsiders realize it, this area hosts at least as many major concerts and
sporting events as Los Angeles , if not more. Two venues—Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim
and Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine—accommodate stadium-sized crowds,
while Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and Knotts Berry Farm can host thousands
at their main stage areas. If you're staying at a luxury hotel like the Disney
Grand Californian or the Hyatt Regency, the concierge can probably provide you
with a wealth of information. Failing that, any local paper should be able to
tell you who's coming to town. Most classical music concerts
and ethnic dance performances are held at the Orange County Performing Arts Center,
just steps away from the Costa Mesa Hilton. Occasionally, there are concerts on
the campus of UC Irvine. And in the summertime, Downtown Anaheim hosts an “Under
the Stars” concert series that's great for the whole family. If
your tastes run more to intimate venues and diverse entertainment, there's Chat
Noir, a gorgeous Parisian-style jazz bistro near the Costa Mesa Hilton, House
of Blues (conveniently located in Downtown Disney within easy walking distance
of the Disneyland Hotel or Disney Paradise Pier), or stand-up comedy at the Irvine
Improv. The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano is the hub of Orange County 's
live music scene. It's quite a ways away from Anaheim , but local music fans make
the drive all the time. Want to shake your bootie and drink
Vodka RedBulls all night long? Head to Shark Club in Costa Mesa or the Boogie
right in Anaheim . Not much of a dancer? Make Irvine , home of Fox Sports Grill
and the Yard House, your destination. If you don't know
what you want to do, just head over to Downtown Disney. Packed full of cool theme
bar/restaurants, shops and theaters, this place has something for every mood and
every kind of person. The only problem you'll have to work
around is simply suburban sprawl—and unfortunately, there's not much you can do
about it. Unless you're heading to only one destination, staying all night, and
then walking or cabbing it back to your hotel, make sure your party includes at
least one designated driver. | 
