Lulu's Beehive

If you've ever wanted to feel like the queen bee, step into Lulu's Beehive. This super-friendly coffeehouse, located on the Valley's trendy Ventura Boulevard, has a quaint, neighborhood-hang kind of vibe. Let us stress super-friendly -- to the point where the people who mix your gourmet coffee come over and introduce themselves, tell you about the nightly entertainment and invite you to make Lulu's your hangout. Now that's neighborly.

Everybody who comes here looks like an aspiring somebody -- and as if they frequent the place. Lulu's does plenty to make their patrons feel at home, from the kitschy, hand-painted mix-'n'-match furniture in bright colors to the variety of entertainment, from readings and acoustic music to stand-up comedy. Lulu's also sells those curiously strong Altoids mints for that nasty case of post-coffee breath.

The best time to witness the Beehive at its busiest is happy hour, from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, when all coffee and tea drinks are half price. Stick around for the nightly entertainment, which begins about 7 p.m. on most nights.

The buzz motif is apparent in bright yellow bumblebees painted on the floor and stuck on the sides of the counter. The walls double as an art gallery, and Lulu's often hosts receptions for the artist. The place also sells light meals like salads, sandwiches, chili, soup and baked goods. -- Kastle