Clash of rowdy, refined

Back in 1966, the Sunset Strip was at the heart of the counter-culture music scene when the problems started. The famed row of nightclubs and hotels was hit by what became known as the "Sunset Strip Riots," when hundreds of young people waving "We're Your Children! Don't Destroy Us" and "Ban the Billy Club" signs protested a police-imposed curfew and anti-loitering laws.

The disturbances angered residents at the time but ended up burnishing the Sunset Strip's colorful history, even inspiring Stephen Stills to write the song "For What It's Worth."

Forty years later, a different kind of unrest is the talk of the Strip. But this time, community leaders see little upside.

Earlier this week, West Hollywood officials met to discuss whether to suspend the business license of one of the Strip's most renowned clubs, after a brawl inside and outside of the House of Blues involving more than 100 people shut down the Strip for almost an entire evening last month.

It was the latest of several incidents at the venue that city officials said have resulted in more than 40 arrests over the last 12 months.

The situation at the House of Blues -- which civic leaders fear could keep people away from the area should it escalate -- is especially problematic because it comes as the Strip is seeing a luxury boom.

A series of buildings and hotels along the Sunset Strip recently have undergone drastic overhauls, bringing in more glitz, more glamour and more high-end destinations, in the hopes of luring chic, wealthy customers to the mile-and-a-half stretch.

The former Bel-Age Hotel, which was originally built as an apartment building, reopened earlier this year as the London West Hollywood. Hoping to attract an entertainment-industry clientele, the hotel features a rooftop pool lounge and suites with embossed leather upholstery, dual-head showers and hand-cut mosaic tiles.

The Mondrian Hotel -- with its famed Skybar -- has been "rejuvenated," according the hotel's website, with a white-curtained lobby and "Mondrian marigold." The Hyatt hotel also is being remodeled -- and rebranded as Andaz, one of the hotel chain's higher-end resorts.

Eateries are going upscale, too: The last two years have seen the arrival of BLT Steak, the "ultra-lounge" One Sunset, and Gordon Ramsay's new restaurant just off the marbled lobby of the London, among others.