8755 W. Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Above is the address and map for an inexpensive and no hassle parking lot just down the street from The Viper Room for those Mr. Shovel’s Check One . . . Two Monday nights, or Can of Jam evenings, or a Sean Healey Presents line-up, or any other full night of Indie artists; or if going to the historic all ages Whisky a Go-Go for a No Bozo Jam Monday, a sold-out small venue commercial name concert some other day, or to a “pay-to-play” night with friends that pay to watch friends play; or maybe the interest is what’s happening a few doors down at The Cat Club for Singer Songwriter nights Tuesday and Wednesday with a feisty line-up of bands similar to any other night at this place; or keep strolling further along the boulevard in the cool coastal breeze Hollywood air to the red radiating neon tubes of The Roxy Theatre for a ticket required, semi-big-name-spotlight Live Nation concert event, or an evening becomes eclectic KCRW Presents, or a Filter Magazine purified local artist packed night; or maybe a literal step above the music is preferred at On The Rox for The Queen Presents, or Annie Presents, or any other promoter or booker presenting something different from the poured straight-up sound happenings below; or maybe the colorful alcohol feel is to go to find an outside table for late eats at Rainbow Bar and Grill in a chatter packed crowd, then inside for live music and big name stars ice cool chillin’ out of the spotlight; or if star searching isn’t an appeal, then maybe the edge blue glow and flashing screens of Key Club is the attraction find for drink ticket required for those under 18 at Metal Skool Mondays or local upcoming sounds heard here on Ruby Tuesdays, or any other music event unlocking a night full of entertainment showcasing down the street from the inexpensive and hassle free parking lot. And that’s just to name a few things of what might be happening at this section of the Sunset Strip.
Now here’s the gist of the parking lot spelled out (which is also explained simple by the Google map posted). It’s a large lot of 78 total parking spots for visitors all day Saturday and Sunday, and weekdays arriving after 6pm (only 40 spots for visitors parking before 6pm on the weekdays; the other thirty-eight spots are designated for permit parking, but only until 6pm). This is a self-parking 
lot that does not have an attendant on duty collecting keys and doing a Tetris shuffle with cars every ten minutes or having to move five cars to retrieve yours in the far rear. There is an unmanned booth in the center of traffic at the entrance splitting the right lane open entrance from the other side where a yellow automatic gate raises for exiting only, which also keeps the incoming traffic clear of any confusion on which lane to use. Also, this is an open, well lit, lot and not a parking structure with dark corners and urine puddles and unbearable stenches in the 
staircases, but since it is an open lot, it is not protected from the rain and other natural elements. Not sure if there is any covered parking in this vicinity of the strip. As if it matters for those once upon a time rain showers that are phenomenons in Los Angeles.
After parking your car in front of the bright friendly yellow wall reading “PUBLIC PARKING” painted bigger than any letters on a billboard, a parking stall 
that is usually between a spendthrift SL Mercedes and a silver platter penny saver Audi A6, there is a sense of comfort that your car will be safe sandwiched between these more attractive vehicles. Yes, this lot is cheap, but there is nothing cheap about the wide array of cars that park here. Sometimes there’s even a limousine waiting to take passengers up to parties in the hills, as the black cap chauffeur driver is standing around asking almost everybody if they are there for the Mr. Big Shot Mansion Party. If you have the spontaneous attitude for risky adventure, just say “Yes, I’m here for the Mr. Big Shot Mansion Party,” and see where the limo driver takes you. This limo thing happened a few times. It’s crazy. Never said “Yes,” though.
Whatever the case, the first thing necessary is to pay the parking machine. Each parking spot is numbered; so look down below your rear bumper and see what that number is before heading to the meter, or you’ll be back. The meter is next to the entrance 
across from the empty entrance booth.
The rates are as follows:
Visitor Parking Rates:
$1 per hour 8am to 5pm.
$4 flat rate after 5pm - Sunday thru Thursday.
$6 flat rate after 5pm - Friday and Saturday.
Lot closes at 2:30am.
The machine only accepts cash and coins (though there is a slot for a credit card, it is not in service). To pay for parking is simple: punch in the parking spot number, put in the money, and take your ticket. That it. You’re paid up 'til the lot closes. If you need to break big bills ($20), there is The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf adjacent to the lot that is often kind enough to exchange for smaller currency without having to buy anything.
If one really wants to try to save money and get Free parking in this lot, look for tickets on the ground, in the slot, or on top of the machine. People leaving early sometimes are very kind and thoughtful; they place their ticket on or near the machine as they head 
back to their vehicles. If you happen to find one of these tickets, make sure the date is correct; make sure the date is the next day 02:30am. Example: if you get to the lot at 8pm on the 21st, make sure the ticket you find is printed: EXP 02:30am on the 22nd. Sometimes there are a load of tickets with different dates. If you do this, you then have to make sure the parking spot number on the ticket is available and then you need to move your car into the spot. A word of advice: Don’t be cheap and attempt this if you’re on a date or with somebody you don’t want to embarrass. Sometimes the tickets are even wet! But one can also think about it this way: Would you move your car to make a quick $4 or $6?
Another opportunity for Free parking in this lot is when the ticket machine is broken. For whatever reason, sometimes the machine won’t take any method of payment. If this occurs, this is simply the sign of the beginning of a good evening. There are a few phone numbers on the machine and above on the sign. One of the numbers is for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) and the other is for the West Hollywood Mobile Dispatch. If there is a group of confused and frustrated people hanging around the machine that have yet to call one of the numbers, be the initiator and call if you have a cell phone available. An officer will answer the phone, tell him the situation of the broken meter, then the officer will mumble some words of don’t worry about it or it’s okay to continue to park your vehicle without pay. Get the officer’s name if you really want to play it safe. That’s it. It’s now Free. Tell the others around the situation. Be the hero; it might be the ice breaker to start an interesting conversation with those helpless blonde girls in short black skirts having trouble with the machine, heading not sure where, but just might be where you suddenly feel like heading tonight.
The final bit of helpful information is to mention the unisex restroom located on the outside patio of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on the corner. This has got to be the cleanest, most private, and most comfortable public toilet on the Sunset Strip. It is the size of a small storage room with one toilet, sanitary toilet 
seat protection sheets, a sufficient amount of toilet paper, one sink, one mirror, one liquid soap dispenser, paper hand towels, and two wooden wall cabinets to make one feel at home. Very spotless and clean enough for some dirty fun for those one-night stands or couples seeking a private moment from the public, yet wanting to have a little fun in West Hollywood without having to get a room. It is that clean and that inviting and you don’t have to go into the coffee shop to get to it. Oh, and it is always unlocked if not in use; therefore, one doesn’t have to go inside and ask for a coin or key to open this fun box. Just slip in, do your thing, and slip out. There might be some coffee sipping people on the patio, but the only thing they might do is stare, at the most. Whatever the case, this restroom is well suited and located for any private bodily release. Ahhhh . . . baby.
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