An affair can be lived entirely in the confines of a room and an inbox. And it should, if we're smart. But we're not always smart. We crave the edge. That's what the affair is about, after all, and The Illicit Review is here to give you ideas about where to execute the perfect tryst.

Photo by AV Flox.

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ABH @ the Thompson
9360 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212
310-273-1400

The elevator doors opened and we slipped in with a group of girls, who were obviously working the hotel that night. They weren't your usual variety of working girl -- the slick type you see on television. You can't be that obvious anymore. You have to appear clueless, somewhat unrefined, but cute enough to get in.

And they need everything they have to get in. See, ABH isn't your usual rooftop bar. It's private. Hotel guests and private parties only. We watch with amusement as they bat their eyelashes and say they had no idea it was a private thing. The guy at the door lets them in "just this once." You can try your luck that way. We don't recommend it -- imagine failing? In front of your mistress? For shame.

An affair can be lived entirely in the confines of a room and an inbox. And it should, if we're smart. But we're not always smart. We crave the edge. That's what the affair is about, after all, and The Illicit Review is here to give you ideas about where to execute the perfect tryst.

Photo courtesy of the Montage Beverly Hills.

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Muse at The Montage Beverly Hills
225 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310.860.7800


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We left the noise behind as we ascended the stairs. There, out on the terrace, we lost ourselves in cocktails and the glorious view of the gardens below. It was a different world, framed in the adventurous culinary delights that came, one after the other.

An affair can be lived entirely in the confines of a room and an inbox. And it should, if we're smart. But we're not always smart. We crave the edge. That's what the affair is about, after all, and The Illicit Review is here to give you ideas about where to execute the perfect tryst.

Photo courtesy of Craft Restaurant.

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Craft
10100 constellation Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90067
310-279-4180

He came into view shortly, slowly walking up the steps and down the walk to me on the terrace, where I sat among the cushions, smoking a cigarette. The light was faint, though we were outside and the night was fairly bright. The few patrons that were there were busy with their own discussions. It felt like it was just him and me. That's Craftbar on a Monday night. Come early enough, and you can have your pick of the menu. And, oh, we would.

An affair can be lived entirely in the confines of a room and an inbox. And it should, if we're smart. But we're not always smart. We crave the edge. That's what the affair is about, after all, and The Illicit Review is here to give you ideas about where to execute the perfect tryst.

Photo by Michael Butler.

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Bar Sinister
1652 N Cherokee Ave Los Angeles, CA 90189
323-769-7070

She led me behind a girl in industrial garb dancing on a platform to a staircase. Upstairs, my eyes immediately focused on a woman hanging from cuffs in the ceiling. Behind her, a bare-chested man was flogging her at varying speeds. I looked over at my date and she gave me a little smile and headed straight for the bar.

An affair can be lived entirely in the confines of a room and an inbox. And it should, if we're smart. But we're not always smart. We crave the edge. That's what the affair is about, after all, and The Illicit Review is here to give you ideas about where to execute the perfect tryst.

Photo courtesy of 25°.

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25° at the Roosevelt Hotel
7000 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
323-785-7244

We walked in at the same time, with him only steps behind me. It was more fun that way, more dangerous. He asked me if it was worth risking everything for a bacon-wrapped hotdog. The answer was the hotdog was not as good without the risk. That's the truth, the sonoran dogs may be legendary, but nothing beats eating one at two in the morning in the company of the worst possible person to get caught with -- your lover.

An affair can be lived entirely in the confines of a room and an inbox. And it should, if we're smart. But we're not always smart. We crave the edge. That's what the affair is about, after all, and The Illicit Review is here to give you ideas about where to execute the perfect tryst.

Photo courtesy of BOA.

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BOA
9200 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
310-278-2050

This is risky and you know it. But you're a man of danger. You like knowing that just a few weeks ago you were here with your wife and her friends from out of town. There is a certain allure to that, to the contrast provided by each person you bring here. It's early now, just after lunch, on the brink of happy hour. You're living on the edge.

An affair can be lived entirely in the confines of a room and an inbox. And it should, if we're smart. But we're not always smart. We crave the edge. That's what the affair is about, after all, and The Illicit Review is here to give you ideas about where to execute the perfect tryst.

Photo courtesy the Gerber Group.

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The Stone Rose at the Sofitel Hotel
8555 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048
310-228-6677

He was standing there at the arrivals when I touched down on LAX. I told him he was insane. He told me to have a coffee with him. He drove to a Coral Tree, I forget where, but when I saw it, I almost lost my mind. "Let's go to the Stone Rose," I said. Even the uninitiated in giving in knows where surrender must begin.

An affair can be lived entirely in the confines of a room and an inbox. And it should, if we're smart. But we're not always smart. We crave the edge. That's what the affair is about, after all, and The Illicit Review is here to give you ideas about where to execute the perfect tryst.

Photo by Esther.

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La Boheme
8400 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90069-4296
323.848.2360

Up the stone steps of the picturesque patio, entering the restaurant is being taken to a different world. He asked if we were having a very late lunch. I smiled and told him to start with a shot of Ketel One Oranje. Perfectly flavored silk going down. Just as I planned to do after a few drinks. I had every intention of having lunch. My lunch was him.

An affair can be lived entirely in the confines of a room and an inbox. And it should, if we're smart. But we're not always smart. We crave the edge. That's what the affair is about, after all, and The Illicit Review is here to give you ideas about where to execute the perfect tryst.

photo by AV Flox

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The BondSt Lounge, Thompson Beverly Hills
9360 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
310.601.2255

"Where's the restaurant?" he asks quietly, walking past a small group of people at the lobby. "We're not here to eat," I respond, walking briskly past the small area and to the steps. He follows, several feet behind me. I assess the space at the top and move toward a chaise in a darker corner. There are two other people in the lounge, and no one looks up. That's one of the unspoken rules of this place: you don't look, and if you do, by chance, happen to see anything, you never say a word. After all, what were you doing here on a late Monday night?