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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.
A speakeasy cocktail lounge seems a little out of place in Studio City, especially on a middle-of-the-road commercial strip paved with quaint boutique stores, but the Rendition Room makes it work. It’s a member’s club with pretty laid-back rules about letting nonmembers in—so long as there’s room, of course. Even as a tourist, you, too, can sample the Rendition's exciting cocktails, crafted by talented mixologists.
While your typical Hollywood crowd might be a permanent fixture at this Hollywood Roosevelt cocktail bar, it's still worth a visit for its luscious cocktails, hearty fare, and collection of classic board games. It can get a little too crowded, especially on the weekends, but if you come early, you should be able to admire its art deco appeal and perhaps enjoy a game at one of its two vintage bowling lanes.
Don’t let the forest fairy-tale vibe—one that'll make you think that a woodsman fell in love with a tree nymph and then went on to open a bar—or the baffling strip mall location fool you. When the occasion calls for it, this little dive bar knows how to throw a party and show you a good time with the simple concoction of jukebox music, DJ spins, and signature drinks.
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