Los Angeles is a sprawling Southern California city of about 3.9 million people between the Pacific coast and the San Gabriel Mountains, known for Hollywood, beaches, museums, mountain viewpoints and some of the most varied food in the United States.
Los Angeles nightlife is spread across Hollywood clubs, Sunset Strip music venues, Downtown cocktail bars, Koreatown karaoke and Silver Lake and Echo Park indie rooms. Bars stop serving alcohol at 2:00 AM statewide, so many venues close between 1:00 and 2:30 AM.
Hollywood and West Hollywood offer superclubs and live rooms; Downtown features speakeasies and rooftop bars; Silver Lake and Echo Park have dive bars and indie venues; Koreatown is known for karaoke bars and soju lounges.
At a glance
- Peak hours
- Clubs fill from 11:00 PM to 1:30 AM Friday and Saturday; live shows start 8:00-9:00 PM; bars last call is 1:30 AM.
- Average drink
- Cocktails $16-24, beer $8-12, club bottle service from $400-600; most venues add 18-20% gratuity for groups.
- Dress code
- Hollywood clubs often require dress shoes and no athletic wear; bars and live venues are casual. Check each venue site for specifics.
- Cover charge
- Hours and cover change with events; check venue calendars. California last call is 2:00 AM.
Nightlife districts
Where the action happens after dark.
Hollywood and Sunset Strip
Nightclubs on Hollywood Blvd and Vine, music clubs on Sunset Blvd.
Best for: Clubs and live shows
Downtown LA
Speakeasies, rooftop bars and Exchange LA.
Best for: Craft cocktails and techno
Silver Lake and Echo Park
Tiki bars, dive bars and live venues.
Best for: Dive bars and indie shows
Koreatown
Karaoke rooms, soju bars and Korean barbecue.
Best for: Groups and late-night eats
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
The Edison
Industrial-themed bar and lounge in the basement of a historic 1910 power plant.
Known for: Steampunk cocktail lounge in a former power plant
108 W 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Varnish
Craft cocktail bar accessed through the back of Cole's, with live jazz some nights.
Known for: Speakeasy behind Cole's French Dip
118 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Seven Grand
Whiskey bar with a pool table, taxidermy decor and live jazz or bluegrass.
Known for: Over 700 whiskeys and live music
515 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
The Dresden
Retro lounge famous for the Marty and Elayne lounge show and appearances in the film Swingers.
Known for: Marty and Elayne lounge duo and vintage cocktails
1760 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Tiki-Ti
Family-run tiki bar open since 1961 known for classics like the Ray's Mistake.
Known for: Over 80 tiki cocktails in a tiny hole-in-the-wall
4427 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Formosa Cafe
Hollywood landmark since 1925 in a converted Red Car trolley, drawing film stars historically.
Known for: Historic Hollywood dive with Chinese food
7156 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
Clubs
For dancing into the early hours.
Avalon Hollywood
Large Hollywood club in a 1927 theatre hosting international DJs.
Cover: Typically $20-60 depending on act
Hours: Open on event nights, usually 9:00 PM-3:00 AM
Academy LA
Multi-room Hollywood club with a large main floor and rooftop; check the calendar.
Cover: Typically $20-50
Hours: Event nights 9:00 PM-3:00 AM
Exchange LA
Downtown club inside the 1930 Los Angeles Stock Exchange building hosting techno and house.
Cover: Typically $20-50
Hours: Event nights 10:00 PM-4:00 AM
Hollywood Palladium
3,700-capacity 1940 Art Deco concert hall hosting touring bands and DJs.
Cover: Ticketed; typically $40-150
Hours: Event nights; doors about 7:00 PM
The Troubadour
Legendary club where Elton John and Joni Mitchell launched careers; 500 capacity.
Cover: Ticketed; typically $25-60
Hours: Doors about 7:00 PM most nights
The Roxy Theatre
Intimate 500-capacity Sunset Strip club open since 1973.
Cover: Ticketed; typically $25-70
Hours: Doors about 7:00 PM on show nights
The Comedy Store
Comedy club since 1972 on the Sunset Strip where many famous comedians started.
Cover: Typically $20-40 plus two-drink minimum
Hours: Shows nightly from about 7:00 PM
Hotel Cafe
Small Hollywood venue known for acoustic and singer-songwriter shows.
Cover: Typically $15-30
Hours: Shows nightly from about 7:00 PM
The Wiltern
1931 Art Deco theatre at Wilshire and Western hosting touring bands.
Cover: Ticketed; typically $40-120
Hours: Doors about 7:00 PM on show nights
The Echoplex
Basement club below The Echo hosting indie bands and DJs.
Cover: Typically $15-40
Hours: Event nights from about 8:00 PM
Live entertainment
Music, theatre, and performance venues.
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Bring a valid government photo ID; most venues check everyone.
Buy tickets in advance for live shows at the Troubadour, Roxy and Wiltern.
Use rideshare or the Metro B Line (last trains around midnight-1 a.m.); do not drive after drinking.
Guest lists on Resident Advisor or club websites can reduce cover charges.
Street parking near Hollywood and Sunset clubs is limited; valet costs $15-30.
Check Los Angeles Pride and Dia de los Muertos events for special late-night programming.