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Los Angeles is not the city that never sleeps—instead it parties until 2 am (save for the secret after-hours parties at private clubs or warehouses), and wakes up to imbibe green juices and breakfast burritos as hangover cures, or to sweat it out in a yoga class. Whether you plan to test your limit at historic establishments Downtown, or take advantage of a cheap happy hour at a Hollywood dive, this city's nightlife has something for you.
A night out in Los Angeles can simultaneously surprise and impress. That unscheduled set by an A-list comedian at the stand-up comedy club, being talked into singing karaoke at the diviest place you've ever seen, dancing at a bar with no dance floor because, well, the DJ is just too good at his job—going out isn't always what you expect, but it certainly is never boring.
The focus of nightlife once centered on the Sunset Strip, with its multitude of bars, rock clubs, and dance spots, but more neighborhoods are competing with each other and forcing the nightlife scene to evolve. Although the Strip can be a worthwhile trip, other areas of the city are catching people’s attention. Downtown Los Angeles, for instance, is becoming a destination in its own right, drawing cocktail connoisseurs at Seven Grand and rooftop revelers at the Standard.
Other areas foster more of a neighborhood vibe. Silver Lake and Los Feliz have both cultivated a relaxed environment where you can be drinking in a tiki bar so small you wind up talking with the person at the next stool over (Tiki-Ti) or bringing in a 45 to play on an old-fashioned record player (El Prado).
So if you find yourself disappointed with a rude bouncer, or drinks that are too watery, or a cover charge that just isn't worth it, try again. Eventually you'll find that perfect place where each time is the best time. If not, at least you'll walk away with a good story.
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.
Even though this live comedy club doesn’t exactly have as long a history as others in town (it opened in 2010), it's attracted an impressive list of big names like Jerry Seinfeld, Maria Bamford, and Adam Sandler thanks to its Celebrity Drop-In Tuesdays. The food and drinks are good though not great, but you're here for the laughs not the grub.
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.
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.
With Los Angeles being Los Angeles, a disproportionate amount of comedians call the city home, from the would-be to the been-there-done-that. The decades-old Comedy and Magic Club attracts them all. One popular engagement is when 10 up-and-coming comedians perform, one right after the other, in a sort of comic brinksmanship. Other nights might see the occasional magician or an icon of the field like Jay Leno or Bob Saget, there to keep their timing fresh and try out new material for adoring crowds. Stiff drinks and decent entrées and appetizers reward those who arrive early for the best seats, but try grabbing a meal nearby before arriving 30 to 60 minutes prior to the show (budget a little more time for someone like Leno, who's a regular on Sunday nights but still draws crowds).
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