Pann’s Restaurant is a classic Googie-style diner in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles. Opened in 1958 by George and Rena Poulos, the restaurant is known for its angular roofline, neon sign, large glass windows, stonework and preserved mid-century coffee-shop atmosphere. Designed by the influential firm Armet & Davis, Pann’s remains one of the best surviving examples of Los Angeles Googie architecture.
The restaurant has appeared in several films and television productions, often because its 1950s design gives scenes an instantly recognisable Los Angeles diner atmosphere. It is known from “xXx” (2002), “Bewitched” (2005), “Next” (2007) and the TV series Based on a True Story (2023). It is also frequently mistaken for the diner in “Pulp Fiction” (1994), but that scene was filmed at Hawthorne Grill in Hawthorne, not at Pann’s.
In “xXx” (2002), Pann’s Restaurant is used for the scene where Xander Cage is tested by Augustus Gibbons. The diner’s real Los Angeles character gives the scene a grounded everyday setting before the film moves deeper into spy-action territory. Its retro design and wide windows make the location instantly recognisable.
In “Bewitched” (2005), Pann’s appears as one of the film’s Los Angeles locations. The restaurant’s colourful, preserved 1950s look fits the film’s light Hollywood atmosphere, where the story mixes studio culture, romantic comedy and fantasy.
In “Next” (2007), Pann’s is again used for its distinctive diner setting. The restaurant’s Googie architecture gives the scene a period-flavoured Los Angeles backdrop, even though the film itself is a modern sci-fi thriller.
In Based on a True Story (2023), Pann’s Restaurant is used as the diner where Nathan Bartlett meets with Matt Pierce to tell him that he knows the truth about him, and eventually blackmail him to do the podcast. The series uses real Los Angeles locations to ground its true-crime satire in recognisable everyday settings, and Pann’s gives the scene the kind of classic LA diner atmosphere that has made the restaurant popular with film and television productions.
Based on a True Story
Based on a True Story was filmed in Los Angeles, California, where the story is also set. Several recognisable Southern California locations appear in the show.
Griffin Club Los Angeles
Griffin Club Los Angeles appears in the dark comedy thriller series Based on a True Story, where it is used as the private club attended by the characters.
Tavern on Main
In 8 Million Ways to Die, Tavern on Main is used as The Keg Bar. The exterior of the bar is shown on Main Street, with Scudder’s apartment located behind it.
O’Neill House
The O’Neill House is best known as a filming location in two feature films: Breathless (1983) and 8 Million Ways to Die (1986).
Beverly Hills City Hall
Beverly Hills City Hall in Beverly Hills was used in the "Beverly Hills Cop" films, where it appears as part of the Beverly Hills Police Department.
The Shelley
The Shelley appears in Seinfeld (1989–1998). In the series, it serves as the exterior of Jerry’s apartment, even though the character’s address is in Manhattan.
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier appears in numerous productions, including The Sting, Forrest Gump, Ruthless People, Cellular, Iron Man, Her, Modern Family, and Seinfeld.
The Mayan
The Mayan has appeared in many films and television productions, including Sally of the Scandals, Refinements in Love, Save the Tiger and many more.
The MacArthur
The MacArthur has been used in a large number of films, with its lobby, ballrooms, rooms, exterior and restrooms appearing in films across several decades.
The Viper Room
The Viper Room appears in Valley Girl (1983), The Doors (1991), Be Cool (2005), Daisy Jones & the Six (2023), and Walking the Edge (1985).
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