The Rainbow Bar and Grill opened on the Sunset Strip on April 16, 1972 with a party for Elton John. Since then, it has been a fixture of the L.A. rock scene.
Led Zeppelin made this restaurant their L.A. hangout. Anthony Kiedis recounted in his book Scar Tissue about being at the bar with his father while members of the Led Zeppelin were there.
Upstairs from the Rainbow Bar and Grill is the exclusive club, "Over the Rainbow".
John Belushi ate his last meal here (lentil soup) in booth #16.
Before it became the Rainbow, the place was called the Villa Nova restaurant. The Villa Nova was owned by film director Vincente Minnelli (married to Judy Garland). Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe met at the Villa Nova in 1952 on a blind date.
