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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.
Around since 1919, 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), but that just adds 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.
Karaoke every night, yes you heard that right, every night. Cafe Brass Monkey is K-town dive bar royalty, a perfect place to belt out your ballads without fear of the judgment you might find in snootier spots. The ambience is relaxed and the food is bar style. If you’re looking to sing, be prepared to wait your turn as the line to perform can get lengthy. Sprinkled in with tried-and-true regulars, celebrities looking to have a good ol’ fashioned sing-along filter through Cafe Brass Monkey from time to time. The wall features photos of famous friends of the Monkey like Adam Levine, Seth Macfarlane, and Chelsea Handler. Parking is free after 5 pm with a validation, but the glory of knowing you hit the high note is priceless.
If chaos and the assortment of ill-matched furnishings and decor is something you can forgive—or revel in—then this import from Seattle is a Silver Lake staple you should check out. Grab your (cheap) poison then meander through the Mexican fiesta--theme bar. Foosball tables, a photo booth, and a vending machine will give you plenty 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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
With a clear view of the horizon from almost everywhere, a sunset drink at Duke's Barefoot Bar inside Duke's Restaurant is how many beachgoers like to end their day. The entertainment is in keeping with the bar's theme, with Hawaiian dancers as well as live music by Hawaiian artists on Aloha Friday nights. The menu features island favorites like poke tacos, macadamia-crusted fish, and kalua pork. Indulge in a Sunday brunch buffet from 10 to 2. Just don't expect beach-bum prices, unless you stop by the happy hour weekday events like Taco Tuesday (bargain-priced fish, kalua pork, or grilled chicken tacos and beers).
A small selection of constantly rotating wine and beer ensures you'll get to try something new and interesting each time you visit. A record player serves as the main source of music—while the idea may seem twee, it's the heart of a popular Tuesday night record club, where patrons bring in their own vinyl.
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.
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.
Once frequented by one of L.A.’s most famous 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. 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.
Sustainability and support of local community has always been a big part of this L.A. brewery’s ethos, but more important, so is making great food and, of course, excellent beer. With several core brands, as well as a few specialty and seasonal brands, this is a must-stop for any craft beer lover vacationing in the City of Angels.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This dive bar may not look like much, but it more than makes up for it with an interesting mix of barflies, urban hipsters, and reasonable drink prices. Friday and Saturday night, DJs mix Top 40 hits and a tiny dance floor packs in the crowd. For those more interested in drinking and socializing, head to the back patio where a TV plays local sports. Every day has a differently themed happy hour—Tropico Tuesday or Cumbia Fever on Thursday. Specials vary from inexpensive beers to free pizza.
Everyone could use a little more mezcal and tequila in their lives, and La Cuevita has a lot of it, often in its collection of tasty cocktails. This Mexico-themed bar—complete with free Taco Tuesdays, a dark red interior, and a picture of a bandito overlooking the patrons—has one of the best happy hours in L.A., making it the perfect place to start your evening.
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.
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.
This indoor-outdoor lounge attracts customers with its modern look and views of the ocean. Think dark woods, cabana-style draperies, and ambient lighting in the Blue Lounge, open late on weekends. DJs are constantly spinning in the background, and there's never a cover charge. Sunday afternoons perfectly blend the laid-back ambience with good vibes. There's also a full-service restaurant on-site; try a sunset dinner or the lobster roll and dessert lineup to go with your cocktails.
At first glance, No Vacancy might convey an air of exclusivity and pretentiousness, but its relaxed interiors and welcoming staff will almost instantly make you feel like you’re at a house party. You know, the kind with burlesque shows, tightrope performances, a speakeasy secret entrance, and mixologists who can pretty much whip up any drink your heart desires.
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.
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.
Put on your dancing shoes (or your cowboy boots) and step back in time. The Sassafras boasts not only an oddly cozy, Western atmosphere, but also plenty of opportunities to strut your moves on the dance floor. Indulge in exquisite craft mezcal, whiskey, and tequila cocktails for some liquid courage before you two-step the night away.
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.
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