Bars and nightlife in Los Angeles

When Ian Schrager opened the West Hollywood Edition at the end of 2019, it quickly became one of the coolest places to see and be seen in Los Angeles. A huge part of that is down to the hotel’s subterranean club, Sunset, which draws a fashionably cool crowd every night of the week. There’s a distinctly 70s vibe here – hardly surprising when it’s headed up by the man who founded Studio 54 – with hundreds of glittering disco balls suspended from the ceiling and luxurious velvet banquettes.

Address: 1090 North Doheny Drive, West Hollywood, CA 90069

If you were to distill the ethos of Prohibition-era Hollywood into a nightclub, it would be No Vacancy. Located in a restored Victorian house done up as the Hotel Juniper, this speakeasy-style bar just off Hollywood Boulevard can only be accessed via a brilliantly theatrical secret entrance that’s worth a visit in itself. Once you’ve made it inside, you’ll discover a sultry den of sophistication, with baroque fireplaces and a grand outdoor courtyard. As the night unfolds, revelers are joined by a range of live acts, from burlesque dancers to jazz trios, who come to take their turn on the stage outside.

Address: 1727 North Hudson Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028

LA’s nightlife scene is known for its lively rooftop bars, and they don’t come much livelier than this West Hollywood spot. Downstairs you’ll find E.P., the venue’s popular restaurant, but it’s upstairs at L.P. that the real magic happens. Offering up majestic views over the Hollywood Hills and the Sunset Strip, this buzzy bar is the place to be no matter what night of the week it is. On week nights, the vibe is more relaxed, with well-heeled locals and out-of-towners sipping on cocktails by the fire pits. But from Thursday night onwards, the wooden-decked terrace transforms into a full-on club, with live music that keeps everyone dancing until the small hours.

Address: 603 North La Cienega Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Soak up LA’s famed music history at this Hollywood night spot, which is located in a former music studio where big names like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Wonder, and David Bowie recorded tracks. Located in the buzzy Vinyl District, the three-story space is home to a rooftop bar, cocktail lounge, and live music venue, where you’re likely to discover some of the coolest new emerging artists. On the weekends it’s all about the DJ sets – the owner, Grant Smillie, also happens to be a house music producer and DJ, and he personally oversees the detailed playlists and expert sound systems for each room.

Address: 1518 North Cahuenga Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028

For fun tiki bar vibes, head to this vibrant rooftop spot located at the top of the Freehand Hotel Downtown. Set amid the soaring skyscrapers, Broken Shaker is home to two tiki-inspired bars and a pool filled with neon inflatables – and yes, it’s more than likely that an impromptu pool party will break out while you’re there, especially after a few rounds of their potent tiki-style cocktails. The bar draws a youthful crowd, who come for the colorful décor and flavor-packed drinks served in novelty glasses and stay for the awesome views and excellent DJs.

Address: 416 West 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014

This Hollywood mega-club first opened in 1927 and remains one of the most legendary night spots in the city. The historic Spanish Baroque-style theater has existed under various guises over the years, serving as a home for radio and television broadcasts for decades before transforming into the late 20th century dance club The Palace, but it became the Avalon in the early 2000s and has since cemented LA’s status as a dance music capital. You’ll find names like Skrillex and Paul Oakenfold spinning the decks here and the party never stops, with the venue open 24/7.

Address: 1735 Vine Street, Los Angeles, CA 90028

For pure Old Hollywood glamour, head to the Cicada Club, where one night in this 1930s-themed venue will have you feeling like you’ve traveled back in time. Located in Downtown’s Oviatt Building, the venue is filled with Art Deco touches that hark back to its origins as a luxurious haberdashery store. You can sit down for a slap-up dinner or just buy separate tickets to come and dance (which usually cost around $25) to the live big band, who always have the dance floor packed in no time. Everyone comes in their finest glad rags, so dress up to fit in.

Address: 617 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014

The Sunset Strip is famous the world over for its legendary rock ‘n roll history, and if you had to pick one venue to sum up the area’s 60s musical heyday, it would be Whisky A Go Go. First opening its doors in 1964, the iconic spot has hosted many of the biggest names in music over the decades, from the Doors and Led Zeppelin to Janis Joplin. Today it’s still the place to come to discover new musical talent, with live gigs on every night of the week.

Address: 8901 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069

While this bar may have first made a name for itself in New York, its West Coast transplant has become a citywide cocktail destination in its own right. The Prohibition-style bar in West Hollywood serves up inventive cocktails made with unusual ingredients – like sweet potato and charred marshmallows – in a sultry, Art Deco-inspired room. The low lighting and intimate atmosphere make it the perfect place for a date night. If you really want to impress, take them to the hidden Henry’s Room speakeasy, which can only be accessed through a back wall.

Address: 7953 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046

If you’re looking for an upmarket take on a dive bar, this is the place for you. The dance floor at this moodily-lit East Hollywood dance hall is always packed, thanks to the venue’s well-chosen ticketed live music acts and free DJ sets. The music is an eclectic mix of sounds, ranging from funk and soul jams to more niche offerings like Italo disco. As well as a club, the venue’s also home to a recording studio and boutique hotel, so you could even stay the night here if you find yourself having too much fun to leave.

Address: 5632 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90038