Vogue Maps Bret Easton Ellis's 'Less Than Zero' Los Angeles
A Vogue guide traces the 1980s Los Angeles locations from Bret Easton Ellis's debut novel 'Less Than Zero,' published when he was 21. The book follows Clay, a college student returning from New Hampshire for winter break, through Beverly Hills hotspots, Valley diners, and Sunset Strip clubs. Many sites are now gone: La Scala Boutique is a parking lot, the Studio City diner is a Sephora, and Chasen's is a Bristol Farms. Surviving landmarks include Carney's, The Roxy, the Chinese Theater, the Sherman Oaks Galleria, and Spago. Ellis's 2023 novel 'The Shards' revisits the Jonathan Club beach club.
Key facts
- Bret Easton Ellis's 'Less Than Zero' was published when he was 21.
- The novel depicts 1980s Los Angeles through protagonist Clay's winter break from college in New Hampshire.
- La Scala Boutique on Melrose Avenue is now a parking lot behind Sweet Lady Jane bakery.
- The Studio City diner at 12036 Ventura Blvd is now a Sephora.
- Chasen's on Beverly Boulevard is now a Bristol Farms.
- Carney's on Sunset Boulevard and its Studio City location are still operating.
- The Roxy on Sunset Strip is still a venue.
- The Chinese Theater in Hollywood remains, though renamed multiple times.
- The Sherman Oaks Galleria is still standing.
- Spago in Beverly Hills, opened in 1982, is mentioned in the novel.
- Ellis's 2023 novel 'The Shards' features the Jonathan Club in Santa Monica.
Entities
Artists
- Bret Easton Ellis
- Wolfgang Puck
- Gene Kelly
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Donna Summer
- Ronald Reagan
- David Hockney
- Frank Zappa
- Moon Unit Zappa
- Glen Powell
- Michael Roberts
Institutions
- Vogue
- La Scala Boutique
- Sweet Lady Jane
- Sephora
- Bristol Farms
- Carney's
- The Roxy
- Chinese Theater
- Grauman's Chinese Theatre
- Mann's Chinese Theatre
- TCL Chinese Theatre
- Sherman Oaks Galleria
- Spago
- Jonathan Club
- Burbank Airport
- LAX
- Urth Caffé
- Bed Bath & Beyond
- Beverly Hills
- Sunset Strip
- San Fernando Valley
- Hollywood Boulevard
- Los Angeles Times
- State Social House
- The Old World
Locations
- Los Angeles
- California
- United States
- Beverly Hills
- West Hollywood
- Studio City
- Santa Monica
- Sherman Oaks
- Hollywood
- New Hampshire
- Mulholland Drive
- Sunset Boulevard
- Melrose Avenue
- Ventura Boulevard
- Doheny Drive
- Beverly Boulevard
- Palisades Beach Road
- Canon Drive
- World Way
- Sunset Strip
- San Fernando Valley
- Los Angeles Farmers Market