13 Best Nightlife in West Hollywood and Fairfax, Los Angeles

The Abbey in West Hollywood is one of the most famous LGBTQ+ bars in the world. And rightfully so. Seven days a week, a mixed and very good-looking crowd comes to eat, drink, dance, and flirt. Creative cocktails are whipped up by buff bartenders with a bevy of theme nights and parties each day.

The intimate vibe of the Troubadour helps make this club a favorite with music fans. Around since 1957, this venue has a storied past where legends like Elton John and James Taylor have graced the stage. These days, the eclectic lineup is still attracting crowds, with the focus mostly on rock, indie, and folk music. Those looking for drinks can imbibe to their heart's content at the adjacent bar.

Open since 1920, Barney's Beanery is an iconic spot along the original Route 66 that drew legendary regulars Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison (among others) to its doorstep. There's an extensive menu, but all anyone talks about is the famous chili and the list of more than 85 beers. There are plenty of distractions, including three pool tables, a foosball table, and arcade games. There's great trivia on Tuesdays.

Three stages give seasoned and unseasoned comedians a place to perform and try out new material, with big-name performers dropping by just for fun. The front bar along Sunset Boulevard is a popular hangout after or between shows, oftentimes with that night's comedians mingling with fans.

Reservations are definitely required for this swanky, New York--style space in West Hollywood. Waiters in white coats serve a mix of upscale American cuisine, but the true reason to come happens a little later when live jazz and burlesque dancers turn the night into a sultry singles scene that's visited by a see-and-be-seen crowd.

If you're looking for the best cocktail program in L.A., you'll find it at Employees Only. This very chic spot is a sister of the New York original and is consistently awarded worldwide for its delicious drinks. At this iteration, there are various themed nights with burlesque on Sunday and sporadic live music. In the back is a speakeasy called Henry's Room, which is a more intimate space where you can get up close and personal with the master barkeeps to tailor the perfect drink for you.

Arguably the best comedy club in the city, set apart from its competitors on the Sunset Strip, the Hollywood Improv (which is not technically in Hollywood) is known to bring in heavy-hitting A-list comics that range from Craig Robinson and Adam Carolla to Maria Bamford and Whitney Cummings. Don't be surprised if major stars like Dave Chappelle pop in to try out a set. The club features theme nights throughout the week, so check the schedule online.

Italian food and serious cocktails are the mainstays at Jones. Whiskey is a popular choice for the classic cocktails, but the bartenders also do up martinis properly (read: strong). The Beggar's Banquet is their version of happy hour (10:30 pm to 2 am, Sunday through Thursday), with specials on drinks and pizza.

Top stand-up comics regularly appear at this Sunset Boulevard mainstay, often working out the kinks in new material in advance of national tours. Stars such as Tiffany Haddish and Dan Ahdoot sometimes drop by unannounced, and theme nights like Chocolate Sundaes and Tehran Thursdays are extremely popular, with comics performing more daring sets.

Its location next door to a long-running music venue, the Roxy, helped cement this bar and restaurant's status as a legendary watering hole for musicians (as well as their entourages and groupies). The Who, Guns N' Roses, Poison, Kiss, and many others have all passed through the doors.

This beautiful poolside bar is well worth a visit, but it can be a hassle to get into if you're not staying at the hotel, on the guest list, or know someone who can pull strings. The drinks are on the pricier side, but in this part of town that's to be expected, and the views might just make it all worthwhile.

This 21-plus rock club on the edge of the Sunset Strip has been around for more than 30 years and is famously known as the site of much controversial Hollywood history---River Phoenix overdosed and died here, and Johnny Depp used to be a part owner. Today the venue books rising alt-rock acts, and covers typically range from $10 to $15, but its history has also seen legends like Tom Petty and Lenny Kravitz on the stage.

The hard-core metal and rock scene is alive and well at the legendary Whisky A Go Go (the full name includes the prefix "World Famous"), where Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, Van Halen, the Doors (they were the house band for a short stint), and Frank Zappa have all played. On the Strip for more than five decades, the club books both underground acts and huge names in rock.