The City of Angels is full of places to get your groove, drink and mingle on, but there are a few neighborhoods that stand out from the crowd as great places for Los Angeles nightlife. When going out for the night in L.A., plan to take a cab, Uber or Lyft — this notoriously car-dependent city isn’t the most walkable of all cities.
If we haven’t convinced you yet that you’re in for a good time, just consider this: Who wouldn’t want to party in a sprawling metro area of 12.8 million? Read on for some guidance on the neighborhoods for the best clubs and nightlife.
What part of L.A. has the best nightlife?
Whether you’re moving to LA or just visiting for the weekend, it’s important to know where things are happening. Here are some of the best neighborhoods in L.A. for nightlife.
West Hollywood
A premier destination for Haute aesthetics, brilliantly crafted cocktails and a wild music scene, West Hollywood is a must for the young and restless. Located between the luxe Beverly Hills and trendy Hollywood, WeHo as the locals call it, is super LGBT-friendly and has a bar to suit every lifestyle.
During the day, you can cruise along the Sunset Strip and do some shopping. We recommend buying a great outfit and some comfy shoes to wear out for the evening. At night, the area comes alive with concerts, hopping bars and rowdy Angelenos.
Want a few specific places to check out the Los Angeles nightlife? The Abbey, located in the heart of WeHo, never fails to deliver a great, fun and definitely unique experience. If you’re looking to spot a celeb or pretend to be one for the night try out 1 OAK or CATCH. There are also many great bars, such as Skybar, that offer great drinks and even better views of the city.
Is a live DJ or music more your thing? Check out The world-famous Troubadour. A few other suggestions are Revolver, Micky’s or Greystone Manor Supperclub (celebrities like Rihanna and Bruno Mars have been spotted doing their thing at the latter). No matter where you go, you’ll have a memorable night in WeHo.
Hermosa Beach
Widely designated as one of the best Los Angeles neighborhoods for singles, Hermosa Beach is a mecca for nightlife. The neighborhood’s laid-back surfer attitude, a penchant for dancing and hot patronage make it a top choice for 20-somethings and live music lovers.
The neighborhood offers an array of choices from laid back surfer bars and hangouts to hip clubs and live music venues. Hermosa Beach itself turns into an after-hours tropical party when the sun goes down, so singles should expect lots of opportunities to do a little flirting.
Most of the popular spots are located centrally near the pier making it an easy place to get around on foot. Baja Sharkeez is a staple of the nightlife scene — it’s a laid back surfer bar that attracts crowds day and night. You can take a short jaunt to the building next door to another popular choice in Hermosa, Patrick Malloys Irish pub. The Lighthouse and Sainte Rock offer live music if that’s more your scene. If you’re looking to spend the day sunbathing and the night showing off your tan, Hermosa beach is the place for you.
Venice
Venice is one of the most colorful and unique areas of Los Angeles. It has everything from beaches to bodybuilders and it also has a vibrant nightlife. The Venice Beach Boardwalk is known the world over for its unique vendors and great people-watching opportunities. Open-air bars, characteristic SoCal lounges and breezy sidewalk patios fill this one-of-a-kind town with a romantic and funky vibe.
If you’re looking for something more trendy and hip head over to Abbot Kinney Boulevard, an up-and-coming area that boasts great eclectic venues, including microbreweries, a jazz lounge, art studios and a wine bar.
Downtown L.A.
Downtown L.A. has it all — shopping, great restaurants and an exciting nightlife scene. Dance the night away at Conga Room, L.A. Live or Exchange LA. Or, if you like views, dance on the rooftop of the Elevate Lounge. Looking for something a little more unique? Try out the Crocker Club.
Downtown has every kind of nightlife you could want from salsa dancing clubs, art gallery lounges and even arcade-themed bars. One of the best things about Downtown is when you’re done partying, there are 24-hour restaurants all within walking distance.
Silver Lake and Echo Park
Once ranked as the No. 1 most hipster neighborhood in the country by Forbes, Silver Lake and Echo Park boast a fun, trendy nightlife. The area has all sorts of options from vintage bars, speakeasies and comedy clubs.
Just north of Silverlake sits Los Feliz, a celeb favorite and a hotspot for nightlife. There are some iconic spots to check out, such as The Dresden Room and The Greek Theater, both of which have been featured in many movies and TV shows.
Hollywood
While it’s not the quietest of places, Hollywood is the central location for nightlife in Los Angeles. Hollywood offers everything you could want, including bars, theaters, live music venues and comedy clubs, just to name a few. Hollywood has long been known as being a hangout for the rich and famous and the clubs here are no exception.
Clubs like Avalon Hollywood & Bardot are known for their attractive club goers, as well as hosting some of the world’s top DJs. There are also some historic spots if you’re looking for that golden age feel, such as Musso & Franks Grill, where you might just spot your favorite celeb eating dinner, or The Hollywood Roosevelt boutique hotel.
Enjoy the Los Angeles nightlife
Los Angeles remains one of the best cities to experience a fun and truly unique nightlife. Whether you’re watching the sun go down in Hermosa or partying it up in Hollywood, you won’t be disappointed. With this list of the best clubs and places to party in L.A., hopefully, you’ll have a night — or many — to remember.
