Late Night Adventure at the Tesla Diner: Charging and Exploring Hollywood's Newest Spot

Late Night Adventure at the Tesla Diner: Charging and Exploring Hollywood's Newest Spot

Hey everyone, DennisCW here! If you've been following my YouTube channel, you know I'm always on the road testing out the latest in Tesla tech and EV adventures. Recently, I dropped by the infamous Tesla Diner in Hollywood for a late-night visit, and let me tell you—it was worth the hype, even if I showed up fashionably late. This blog post is based on my live stream from that evening, where I charged my Cybertruck, checked out the diner at night, grabbed some food, and mingled with fellow Tesla enthusiasts. If you missed the video, here's the full recap in all its neon-lit glory.

Arriving Late to the Party

We rolled up to the Tesla Diner about four hours after the grand opening buzz had started. The place was packed—lines wrapping around the block, Teslas everywhere, and the energy was electric (pun intended). I was driving my Cybertruck on Full Self-Driving, navigating LA traffic, and the first thing that struck me was how seamlessly Tesla integrated the diner into their ecosystem.

As soon as I set the destination in the nav, a special map popped up with a unique icon for the diner. Even cooler? It prompted me: "Hey, do you want to order ahead?" The in-car menu appeared, letting me browse burgers, hot dogs, and more before I even arrived. This is next-level convenience—order from your car, pick up inside, or eventually get it delivered right to your supercharger stall. We were only about 10 minutes out, but LA traffic being what it is, I held off until we pulled over to show you all the details.

Charging Up at the Massive Supercharger Lot

My main goal? Charge the Cybertruck—we're on a road trip to X Takeover in the Bay Area, so I needed that full battery. The Tesla Diner boasts an insane 80 supercharger stalls, many rated at 325 kW. I checked the app, and availability was flipping—78 open one minute, down to 2 the next. But luck was on my side; I snagged a spot in the back lot.

Plugged in at 13% state of charge, and... it ramped up to 254 kW, not quite the full 325, but solid. No idle fees right now (probably due to the opening chaos), which was a relief since we had an hour-plus to full. The back lot was dark at first—kinda sketchy for a solo late-night charge—but lights kicked on soon after, making it feel safer. Solar panels overhead and security cameras everywhere add to the setup. Pro tip: If you're just here to charge, head to the back—fewer crowds, and it's still got that futuristic vibe.

While charging, I chatted with fans and spotted cool rides, like a Model S Plaid (sadly, it left before I could get a closer look). The area around the diner is... interesting. Hollywood Forever Cemetery nearby, abandoned buildings, but the diner's neon lights and buzzing crowd make it a standout spot.

Inside the Tesla Diner: Neon Nights and Retro Vibes

Once charged enough, I grabbed my mic and gave you all a walking tour. The diner looks like a futuristic drive-in from a sci-fi movie—neon signs, massive screens playing films like War of the Worlds, and a rooftop deck for movie nights (7:30 PM to 11 PM). Downstairs feels like a club with a DJ, comfy booths, and pickup counters. Upstairs? Merch, bathrooms, and an Optimus robot serving popcorn (teleoperated for now, but still epic).

The menu is way more extensive than I expected—not just burgers and hot dogs. Think Tesla Burger ($14), diner club sandwiches, avocado toast, breakfast tacos, wagyu beef waffles, and kids' meals. Drinks include creamsicles and Shirley Temples. Everything's orderable from your Tesla screen, with options for pickup, dine-in, or car delivery (via roller-skating staff—super fun!). I tried a kids' burger (smash-style, cheesy, and surprisingly good) and fries cooked in beef tallow—tasted like an elevated Shake Shack. Presentation? Burgers come in mini Cybertruck boxes—adorable and on-brand.

At night, the place glows with lights, and the rooftop offers killer views (though it closes at 11 PM to respect neighbors). Movies play on big screens, and you can sync audio in your car via the Tesla app. Pro move: Order from your car to skip the massive lines—people were waiting forever outside, not knowing this hack.

Merch, Interactions, and Tesla Community Vibes

No Tesla spot is complete without merch! Upstairs, I snagged exclusive items like the Optimus bot figurine, diner lights (same size as Tesla Tequila bottles), shirts, and more. Some stuff is seasonal or tied to purchases (e.g., buy a drink for gummies). They had a soft limit on bots—tried for three, had to do separate transactions—but it's all exclusive to the diner.

Ran into awesome folks like Zach from Charge Positive PZ, who gave me a VIP tour, and other fans sharing stories (one drove a Nissan Leaf from LA to Vegas—12 hours of charging hell!). Even met Franz von Holzhausen (Tesla's chief designer) earlier in the day, per the crowd. The community vibe was strong—everyone hyped about this being the first Tesla Diner, with hopes for more in Vegas or Texas.

Final Thoughts: Worth the Hype?

The Tesla Diner isn't in the fanciest part of Hollywood, but it's a game-changer for EV owners—80 chargers, 24/7 access (bottom floor, at least), great food, and that signature Tesla innovation. Perfect for road trippers, Uber drivers, or anyone needing a charge with a side of nostalgia. As the hype dies down, it'll be even better without the lines. If you're in LA, swing by—order ahead, charge up, and enjoy the neon nights.

What do you think? Have you visited yet? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to check out the full live stream on my YouTube channel for the unedited adventure. If you're heading to X Takeover, see you there—my wrapped Cybertruck will be on display!

Stay charged, DennisCW

PS: Big thanks to everyone who joined the live chat—your questions kept it fun!