Nightlife in Los Angeles

429 clubs, live music venues and late-night spots in Los Angeles.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 429.

Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0 (licence)

SeeHollywood
Dolby Theatre
formerly the Kodak Theatre
Located at the Hollywood & Highland Center (see "Buy" below). Hosts a wide range of live performances, including the annual Academy Awards. Half hour guided tours of the theater are available.
Check schedule for events; tours daily every half hour 10:30AM-4PMTours $19 adults, $15 seniors/youth 17 and under
DoLive music venueDowntown
Peacock Theater
Built in 2007, it is Los Angeles' premier venue for rock concerts and awards shows.
variesWheelchair accessible
DoLive music venueHollywood
Hollywood Bowl
America's most famous outdoor theatre hosts a summer concert series by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, a spectacular Fourth of July fireworks show set to classical music, as well as numerous other concert events. Traffic and parking can be a nightmare, so the $5 round-trip public shuttles are highly recommended.
DoLive music venueSouth
Shrine Auditorium
A huge venue that once served as host to a number of awards shows. Located on Jefferson Blvd and Figueroa Street across the street from the University of Southern California, famous for its red bricks and nightlife. Closed to visitors.
Heritage listed · Built 1925
DoLive music venueHollywood
Hollywood Palladium
A classic Art Deco and Streamline-style theater and dance hall that today serves as a major concert venue that plays host to some big-name acts.
DoLive music venueHollywood
Fonda Theatre
A historic venue dating back to the 1920s that serves as another major concert venue. It is reputed for its history of showcasing big-name musicians and indie bands.
Built 1926
DrinkNorthwest
El Cid
Very mediocre Mexican food and tapas, but more popular for the rock/punk shows that it hosts at night.
Closed · opens 6:30 pm
DrinkSpeakeasyDowntown
The Edison
Housed in what was once Los Angeles' oldest power plant, this 1920s-themed lounge is a stunning reuse of the structure, even down to preserving the old generators, giving the place an industrial steampunk vibe. Besides the amazing decor, absinthe and craft cocktails are available and the place often puts on burlesque and live music shows, in keeping with its classical vibe. Dress code enforced.
Closed · opens 7 pm$10 cover charge
DoLive music venueWilshire
El Rey Theatre
A local landmark Art Deco theater, this standing room-only music venue is a popular for rock-and-roll and pop concerts.
Built 1936
DrinkNightclubDowntown
Club Mayan
Great singles spot downtown! Dress code is enforced. Be sure to check out the annual Lucha Vavoom (lucha libre and burlesque).
Built 1927
DoComedy clubHollywood
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
The L.A. branch of the popular improv and experimental comedy troupe that have cultivated some of the best comics in the industry today. Regularly shows some well-known acts as well as plenty of up-and-comers.
DoComedy clubWilshire
The Groundlings
A popular venue for improv and sketch comedy that has launched plenty of famous careers.
DoLive music venueWilshire
The Wiltern
Metro: Wilshire/Western
At the corner of Wilshire & Western, the Wiltern is housed in a towering Art Deco structure. This major concert venue is a local favorite and plays host to many pop and rock-and-roll bands.
DrinkGay barNorthwest
Akbar
It's long been popular with a mixed crowd for its decent drinks and good jukebox. The hot and sweaty dance club in the back room brings in the hip gay crowd.
No cover for the bar, $3 for the back room
DoComedy clubWilshire
Improv
A popular and noted comedy club that plays host to lots of big-name acts.
DrinkCocktail barHollywood
The Well
Make out as if you're a local and head to this so trendy it has a secret entrance door (hint, the entrance is on Argyle, even though the address is on Sunset). While the crowd can be posey, it's one of the better clubs in the area, and still manages to remain intimate and cozy.
Closed · opens 5 pm
DoEastside
Cafe NELA
Music venue and beer bar specializing in Punk Rock, Hard Rock, Jazz, and experimental music; featuring local bands and touring acts from Latin America, Asia, Australia, Europe, Canada, and the US. Beer only. 21 and over
Thu-Sat 8PM-1AM, Sun afternoon varies - see website.Cover charge $0-10, drinks $2-7
DrinkCocktail barWilshire
El Carmen
Tequila's the order of the day here, tasty margaritas, greasy tacos and a chill atmosphere.
DoLive music venueHollywood
Ford Theatre
An intimate outdoor amphitheater that dates back to the 1930s and underwent an extensive renovation in the mid-2010s. The theater is partnered with the county arts commission and regularly hosts community theater productions.
DrinkBarDowntown
Redwood Bar
Hip little dive with a goofy but fun nautical theme. Live music, pub food.
DoParkNorthwest
Los Angeles River
While it's in the process of a long restoration, the section of the Los Angeles River past Northwest L.A. is actually already open as a recreation zone, with a soft-bottomed bed that supports trees and wildlife. A bike path runs along the western bank of the river between Riverside Drive at the north end of Griffith Park and the neighborhood of Elysian Valley, better known to locals as Frogtown, an up-and-coming area that has been the subject of much interest lately with the restoration of the river. Pocket parks dot the banks and there are opportunities for kayaking along this stretch of river. On summer weekends, the Friends of the Los Angeles River operates on the bike path in Frogtown, with various vendors, live music, and plenty of river-based outdoor activities.
EatAmerican restaurantNorthwest
Fred 62
This hipster diner features a diverse range of foods from Udon to mac and cheese balls, with Thai cobb salad and chicken pot pie in between. Their Bearded Frenchy (french toast covered with corn flakes and then deep fried) are a late night/early breakfast favorite for stoners or sweet tooths alike. Most menu items end with $.62.
Open now · open 24 hours
EatNorthwest
Original Tommy's
A Los Angeles landmark since 1946, Tommy's is a can't-miss for any hamburger lover. Although they have 30 locations across Souther California, you cannot miss the atmosphere of the 1st Tommy's (especially late at night on weekends). Serving hamburgers, French fries, hot dogs, and tamales with their "secret blend" of chili you will always find a line for food at all hours, especially late night/early mornings.
Open now · open 24 hours
DrinkCocktail barDowntown
Spring For Coffee
Small coffee shop with sidewalk tables and delicious coffee.
Open now · closes 8 pmWheelchair accessible
EatWest
Vibrato
Dynamic fusion of steakhouse and jazz club from music legend Herb Alpert makes for a night of great cuisine and musical entertainment. The expansive supper club-like dining room is intimate and bold in design and color with beautiful paintings adorning the walls. The menu is impressive, with an array of modern American fare. The bar draws an eclectic gathering of jazz lovers, socialites and trendy nighthawks. This is Bel-Air after all. Situated almost out of sight in a classy strip mall at the top of Beverly Glen, Vibratto retains a certain, "in-the-know" status. But it's well worth the discovery.
DrinkCaféNorthwest
The Guest House
Former coffee house turned beer and cocktail sipping place.
Open now · closes 4 pm
DoDowntown
Clifton's
Clifton's Cafeteria, Clifton's Republic
One of the inspirations for Disneyland, Clifton's is a bar, restaurant, and nightclub themed after the woods of California, full of taxidermy, fake plants, strange artifacts, and comfortable seating, with a multi-story design organized around a dancefloor with an enormous hollow fake redwood in the middle of it.
DoDowntown
Conga Room
A nightclub at L.A. Live specializing in Latin music.
DrinkBar
SweetWater WeHo
8869 Santa Monica Boulevard
Closed · opens 6 pmWheelchair accessible
DrinkBar
The Satellite
1717 Silver Lake Blvd
Built 1921
DrinkCocktail bar
Abernethy's
220 N Hope St
DoLive music venue
Avalon Hollywood & Bardot
1735 Vine St
DrinkCocktail bar
Bar 1200
1200 Alta Loma Rd
DrinkCocktail bar
Bar Lubitsch
7702 Santa Monica Blvd
DrinkCocktail bar
Bar Next Door
9159 Sunset Blvd
DrinkNightclub
Beaches Tropicana
8911 Santa Monica Blvd
DoLive music venue
Catalina Jazz Club
6725 Sunset Blvd
DrinkNightclub
Cheetahs Club Hollywood
4600 Hollywood Blvd
DrinkCocktail bar
E.P & L.P.
603 N LA Cienega Blvd
DrinkCocktail bar
General Lee's
475 Gin Ling Wy

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Los Angeles (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.