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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.
This romantically lit hole-in-the-wall is easy to miss, but you should aim to check it out if you're a discerning wine connoisseur or looking to experience the best of California's microbreweries. Perfect for first dates, come here to experiment with craft beers or to warm up with wine while listening to some live old-time fiddle tunes.
This former art deco movie house from the 1930s has been given a second life as a live music venue. Legends and rising stars grace the stage of El Rey. Everyone from the Pixies and Ringo Starr to the Jonas Brothers and Lana Del Rey have performed here.
Catch a lineup of indie tastemakers inside this converted industrial space, or hang outdoors in the beer garden while trying bites from on-site food truck KTCHN (on cooler evenings you can congregate around the firepits). A wide variety of draft beers and a specially curated cocktail program are available inside at the bar or at the trailer bar outside.
Echo Park is peppered with music venues, but if you want to be in the heart of the neighborhood's live music scene, you should head to the Echo. With a full bar and recurring theme nights, the spot hosts cutting-edge music from both up-and-coming local and touring acts as well as well-known bands.
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.
This multitasking art deco venue offers both live music and club nights. The killer sound system, cavernous space, and multiple bars make it a perfect venue for both. The club is best known for its DJs, who often spin well past the 2 am cutoff for drinks. The crowd can be a mixed bag, depending on the night, but if you're looking to dance, you likely won't be disappointed. Upstairs is
Baked Potato might be a strange name to give a world-famous jazz club that’s been holding performances of well-known acts (Allan Holdsworth and Michael Landau) under its roof since the '70s, but it only takes a quick peek at the menu to understand. Twenty-four different types of baked potatoes dominate its otherwise short menu, each of which come with sour cream, butter, and salad to offset all that carb intake.
An interior that's one part industrial, one part mid-century modern, and one part ski lodge plays witness to the coolest live music this side of the city and serves some of the most exquisite cocktails you’ll ever try in your life. Of course, if live music isn’t exactly your thing, there are also dark, quiet corners where you can enjoy your drinks in peace.
The focus of this bar and music club is on live jazz, blues, and soul, though it also serves up rock and roll and even live, band-accompanied karaoke on some nights. The club is small, with an even smaller checkerboard dance floor. Reserve tables in advance at this Westside establishment; order a martini off the Deadly Sins menu, and catch a Toledo burlesque show on Sunday night.
This intimate venue caters to fans of folk, indie rock, and music on the softer side. With red velvet backdrops, hardwood furnishings, and the occasional celebrity surprise performance—notably John Mayer—music lovers will not only be very happy but will receive a respite from the ordinary Hollywood experience.
Featured in La La Land, the 2016 musical set in Los Angeles, this onetime jazz bistro now offers a wide range of live entertainment, adding salsa, country, reggae, and pop to the repertoire. A jazz brunch and live music all day on weekends draw locals and tourists alike. Check out the weekday happy hour specials.
If you're looking for a place with potent drinks and a good burger, this kitschy bar fits the bill perfectly. Known today as the "pirate bar" because of its nautical decor, the place dates back to the 1940s, when it was rumored to attract mobsters, politicians, and journalists due to its proximity to city hall, the Hall of Justice, and the original location of the Los Angeles Times. There's nightly live music, though it comes with a cover charge.
Rock bands, burlesque performances, comedy sets, and LTGBQ+ nights all have a home at the cross section of Sunset and Silver Lake at a little dive bar called the Silverlake Lounge. This small-yet-famous venue, which received a recent refresh, is a neighborhood spot in the best way possible, with cheap drinks and local talent deserving of their time in the limelight. There are 10 signature cocktails, many of which are riffs on classics, and quite a few tequilas and mezcals on offer. If you come hungry, you can bring food in from the pizza place across the street or look for a restaurant pop-up in the newly updated back patio.
Right on the edge of the Walk of Fame, this historic venue was one of the area's first theaters when it opened in the 1920s. The Spanish Colonial--style theater now hosts some of the biggest names in indie music, but don't expect any major acts on the calendar. Drinks are pricey—so grab a cocktail on Hollywood Boulevard before the show—as is parking, which will cost you at least $20 in the adjacent lot.
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.
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