Description
Snug beside the Equestrian Center (riders frequently tether their mounts outside), this Mexican restaurant features top country musicians in its ranch-style front bar. Cody Bryant, Kathy Robertson, Jimmy Lee Harris, Lisa Finnie and the legendary truck-driving bard Red Simpson are among the many national and local country musicians who've appeared at this unpretentious Burbank watering hole, which is located by Griffith Park and close to several nearby stables. The club presents a weekly bluegrass night and the monthly rock-country-roots roundup the Messaround. Decorated with horse-themed memorabilia, the dining room specializes in Mexican cuisine, and diners and drinkers can also sit for a spell in Viva Cantina's outdoor patio. The full bar features a wide range of beers, and the proprietors boast that they've got "lots of tequila" on hand. The owners may joke that "service is sporadic but sincere," but the overall vibe is welcoming and low key, and there is no dress code. Free parking is available in Viva Cantina's lot and in Pickwick Recreation Center across the street. No cover. All ages.
