All of us can appreciate a good cup of coffee, but rarely will we jump at the chance to sip a cup at a place that’s not exactly cozy. We all know that Starbucks is king and Peet’s Coffee & Tea and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf are its beloved children, but what’s often missing from these chains is the feel of a good, old-fashioned coffeehouse. One with comfy couches, tables for writing that next bestseller, or space for kicking back with friends and swapping stories. Coffeehouses in Los Angeles, particularly in Hollywood, are like gyms: pure necessity. Here are three local hot spots worth trying out.

Psychobabble Coffee House

Perhaps you can consider this coffehouse the bastard child of the defunct The Onyx. Located on Franklin and Vermont, this joint is a haven for bohemians who are itching to turn on their creative juices.

Stepping inside, you’re welcomed to play board games or head upstairs to focus on your work as you type away at your laptop or surf the Net with the cafés complimentary DSL. Take a seat outside and people-watch while sipping a Psychobabble latte, a frothy concoction of mocha, vanilla, white chocolate, caramel, espresso and steamed milk. Show your lyrical skills on Sundays with Psychobabble Cabaret’s "open mic with teeth" night – but please, no odes to caffeine.

Psychobabble Café is located at 1866 N. Vermont Ave. in Los Angeles, (323) 664-7500. Hours: Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m.-2 a.m. and Sun. 8 a.m.-2 a.m. For more information, visit www.psychobabblecafe.com

Sabor & Cultura Café

Formerly called Espresso Mi Cultura Coffeehouse, this unique coffeehouse may have undergone a change in company structure and moniker, but the service is still as friendly as before. This Latin-themed café voted "The Best of LA" by Los Angeles Magazine takes its coffee seriously.

The fragrant aromas overtake you the moment you walk into the vividly colored place. Along with Internet access and a showcase of many upcoming artists’ work, Sabor presents a variety of entertainment from open mic night music and poetry jam sessions to live bands and performance artists.

Sabor & Cultura is located at 5625 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles, (323) 466 0481. Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri. 6:30 a.m.-midnight; Sat. 7:30 a.m.-midnight; Sun. 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. For more information, visit www.saborandcultura.com.

Karma Coffeehouse

Leave your bad vibes at the door and enjoy the serenity and great tasting java that Karma has to offer. This spacious place is situated right between Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards which makes it a perfect location for a quick stop-by any time. Their house specialty is Good Karma ($4), a blend of various secret spices and Mexican chocolate, honey, cinnamon and chili powder – yes, you read right, chili powder! This place just oozes comfort, so feel free to put your feet up and chill out.

Karma also features story time with Story Salon, artwork and the proverbial poetry and open mic night with Beyond Words. On Thursday nights, stop in for laughs at Organic Comedy.

Karma Coffeehouse is located at1544 N. Cahuenga Blvd. in Hollywood, (323) 460-4188. Hours: Daily from 7 a.m.-1 a.m. For more information, visit www.karmacoffeehouse.com.