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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.
Latina-owned Bar Flores may look like any indoor--outdoor bar you'll find in sun-kissed Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, but the elevated cocktails served here are very Los Angeles. Margarita Wednesday is a must, and the back patio has a taco stand in case you get hungry.
This Highland Park outpost of an NYC institution started an arcade bar revolution in Los Angeles, serving elevated yet accessible (and more importantly, affordable) cocktails and American fare amidst rows of beloved retro arcade games and pinball machines. Barcade has built a community here, holding events like a pinball league to encourage loyal patrons to form bonds with like-minded individuals. You may want to block off the entire evening to visit or revisit classics like Pac-Man, Marvel VS Capcom 2, and Mortal Kombat 2.
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 Tuesday.
They call it your neighborhood bar, because even if you don't live in the neighborhood you'll feel at home at this Alfred Hitchcock–themed eatery. Located in Franklin Village, a block-long stretch of bars, cafés, and bookstores, come here for pub food or a poultry-centric dinner. Weekend nights mean cheap beer and well drinks, crowds spilling onto the streets, and a few rounds of oversize Jenga. Weekdays there's happy hour drink prices; holidays and major sporting events are celebratory occasions at this street side spot.
Priding itself as one of the last remaining neighborhood bars in Los Angeles’s ever-evolving bar scene, Boardner’s has maintained its no-nonsense vibe since 1942. Leave your self-importance at the door, order ice-cold beer and hearty mac and cheese, and keep an eye out for any weird apparitions—this place is known to be one of the most haunted spots in the city. Live music, a killer sound system, and a large dance floor bring out L.A.'s party people to this last-of-its kind Hollywood speakeasy.
This 70-plus-year-old, charming bar continually reinvents itself. The Brig has its pluses (interesting drinks, talented DJs, and some live music) and minuses (ugh, parking), but is worth a look if you're in the area. There's always a food truck around, and the bar's fine with you bringing in outside food.
Around since 1919 in various incarnations, Burgundy Room attracts a fiercely loyal crowd of locals, as well as the occasional wandering tourist. The bar is supposedly haunted (check out the Ouija boards toward the back) with famously dark interiors, but those details just add to its charm. Its rock-and-roll vibe, strong drinks, and people-watching opportunities make this a worthy detour on any night out on the town.
A British pub might look out of place in Hollywood, but the Cat and Fiddle's punk-rock influence and 43-year stint give it more than enough street cred. Besides, classic pub grub like fish-and-chips, bangers and mash, and shepherd's pie are a nice counterpoint to L.A.'s vegetarian and gluten-free offerings. There have been a few changes over the years, but it remains the perfect spot to just grab a pint and a savory pie or to satisfy one's inner Anglophile. There's even afternoon tea during the weekends.
Make this import from Seattle your last stop on a revelrous Saturday night. Grab a cheap cocktail then meander through the Mexican fiesta--themed bar that basks in a red glow. Foosball tables, a photo booth, and a vending machine full of kooky objects will give you plenty of ways to occupy your time.
Part marketplace, part bazaar of bars, part curio museum, Clifton’s Republic is a wild, weird, and glorious establishment. Enter the ground floor and you’ll find an indoor forest and a whole lot of grub. Upstairs is a maze of bars, dance floors, and intimate corners.
This is hip local hangout spot offers a glimpse of the young professionals who have brought new life into Atwater Village. Aside from the occasional DJ and live music nights, Club Tee Gee also offers tons of dog-friendly outdoor seating options for summer day drinking and lazing about after a wander through the neighborhood’s farmers’ market.
With Los Angeles being Los Angeles, a disproportionate number 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 David Spade, 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).
Step through the curtained entrance and back in time to 1970s Korea at Dan Sung Sa, which gained wider popularity after Anthony Bourdain paid a visit. At this quirky time-capsule bar, wood-block menus feature roughly 100 small eats. You’ll see much that looks familiar, but fortune favors the bold. Take a chance on corn cheese, or try the makgeolli: a boozy Korean rice drink you sip from a bowl. It pairs perfectly with good conversation and snacking all night long.
This tiny hip hop space has cozy red walls and an all-around good vibe. The music usually gets going by 10 in the evening, and can span the decades. Come on Sunday night if you're looking for a more relaxed atmosphere. The small food menu is priced well.
If you're looking for that everybody-knows-your-name vibe in L.A., look no further than The Douglas, where owners Dave and Johnny warmly wave to patrons, new and old alike, entering the front patio. The draft beers and hard kombuchas are affordable enough to keep you returning. Pair your beverages with casual, no-nonsense food, such as chicken wings (served with house-made blue cheese), crowd-favorite breakfast burritos, and homemade falafels. Be prepared to rub elbows with Dodgers fans on game night.
Drawing Room is the dive bar of the locals. Located in a dimly lit nondescript strip mall a few blocks away from the major bustle of Los Feliz, it's easy to miss. Inside, Drawing Room is bathed in a red glow with Chinese accents such as a large gold-painted dragon and a list of Chinese zodiac signs tacked to the wall. In a neighborhood of increasingly trendy bars, the prices for cocktails cannot be beat here.
This bar's 1940s lounge decor makes it a favorite with folks in Los Angeles. Another reason to wander in is the Blood and Sand cocktail, self-proclaimed to be "the world's most tantalizing drink."
A popular local venue for live bands, DJ sets, and burlesque shows, El Cid has been presenting flamenco performances since the early '60s. The Saturday flamenco dinner and show includes a four-course meal and a lively, engrossing Spanish dance performance. The seafood paella would be the showstopper if it weren't for the incredible performances stealing the limelight.
Although the exterior might not look like much, El Floridita is a popular live salsa music spot Friday through Monday, with dancers ranging from enthusiasts to those just trying to keep up. There's a $15 cover to listen to the band, although admission is free with dinner. Cuban food is the specialty. Reservations are recommended to guarantee a table.
A small selection of constantly rotating wine and beer ensures that you'll get to try something new and interesting each time you visit. While the record player that sits by the bar serves as the main source of music, El Prado teems with young twentysomethings and locals with an endless stream of conversations that flow out to the front of the bar.
This spot offers a chic craft cocktail and zero-proof mocktail program with a robust comfort food menu. Local favorites include fried pickles, an aged cheese board, and pizza. Save room for the spiked espresso martini tiramisu custard with chocolate and the right amount of vodka.
Although this live comedy club doesn’t 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, Whitney Cummings, and Adam Sandler thanks to its Celebrity Drop-In Tuesdays. Laughs can be had by adults every night of the week but all ages are only allowed at the family-friendly Saturday afternoon sets. All shows require both a ticket and a two food-or-drink minimum per person.
Right on the edge of the Walk of Fame, this historic venue was one of the area's first theaters when it opened in 1926. 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 $25 in the adjacent lot.
With footie on the screens, full English breakfasts and fish-and-chips coming from the kitchen, and pints aplenty (16 imported beers on draft and 12 in bottles to be precise), this pub is as British as it gets—though they do also air American football and basketball. There's a daily happy hour and weekly trivia, karaoke, and naughty game nights.
Once frequented by one of L.A.’s most famous literary sons, Charles Bukowski, the Frolic Room was also owned at one point by Howard Hughes and has served as a filming location for period flicks like L.A. Confidential and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Despite its impressive history, its down-to-earth atmosphere and proximity to the Pantages Theatre makes it the perfect place to start off your night. The bar's brilliant neon sign is hard to miss.
Nostalgia reigns at this true neighborhood fixture, which opened in 1934 and has had the same owner (Captain Ron) for more than 30 years. As Santa Monica's oldest restaurant and bar, the Galley has a consistent nautical theme inside and out: the boatlike exterior features wavy blue neon lights and porthole windows. Inside, fishing nets and anchors adorn the walls, and the whole place is aglow with colorful string lights. Most patrons tend to crowd the center bar, with the more dinner-oriented folks frequenting the booths. The back patio is also a solid choice in good weather, especially for weekend brunch. And, strangely enough, the secret-recipe salad dressing is justifiably famous.
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 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.
The Hermosillo is the kind of laid-back pub every neighborhood should have, with an excellent selection of locally focused draft beer on tap, a rotating wine list, and mouthwatering bites like fried pickles and smash burgers. To add to its allure, award-winning Highland Park Brewery got its start in the pub’s back storage room and is still featured prominently on the menu.
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.
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