By nature, nightlife is always changing. Hot spots cool off, “scenes” change, and club-hoppers are always looking for the next thing they haven’t experienced yet. With the exception of neighborhood dive bars, a few landmark music venues, and a handful of seasoned party promoters who’ve cracked the longevity code (by evolving with entertainment tastes and hospitality trends), Los Angeles thrives on novel ideas and new environments.
Part of the winning formula in 2023 is about catering to specific tastes, communities, and niches, and in a city as diverse as L.A., there are many types and tribes to attract. This is more important than ever after the bleakness and boredom we all endured during COVID-19 lockdowns. We want to connect, forget about our troubles, and celebrate life again. We want to be thrilled, entertained, and welcomed, to share space with like-minded folk who feel the same. From high-profile luxe lounges to low-key hidden havens; DJ-driven, live performance-fueled, gay, straight, nouveau, retro, wild, or unwound—L.A. after dark really does have it all if you know where to look. Here’s where to do so right now.
Scam & Jam Scam & Jam leans into La Chingona (“badass woman”) energy with a nostalgic twist. Cruising and house-party jams from the ’70s to the early 2000s blast from the decks, where an all-female DJ lineup spins everything from War to Debbie Deb. Stars like Gwen Stefani and Amy Winehouse may have been influenced by Latina looks (gold nameplate necklaces and bamboo hoop earrings, Dickies, Nike kicks, Old English logos on tees), but most of this crowd grew up with ’em, and the dance floor is always revved up and sporting the flyest ’fits. Scam & Jam’s promoter, LaLa Romero, has revived the style via her clothing brand Bella Doña, and it’s everywhere you look at her events, creating a scene that’s both adorned and authentically “L.A.” The monthly throwback bash put on by Romero and her B.D. partner, Natalia Durazo, along with the weekly lowrider event Los Angeles Cruise Night, are two of the best gatherings in town to see Angelenos from East L.A. neighborhoods and beyond—especially Gen X and Millennial Mexican-American style mavens—“represent” their past and present. Indeed, everything from the vendors (there’s always a B.D. pop-up) to the mixes makes it an event that’s as much about the pride as the ride. Says Romero, “We only have two rules at Scam & Jam! When it comes to the music, can you play it in a lowrider? And when it comes to the dance floor, you better be on your feet!” 448 S. Main St., Downtown
Evita With Evita at the Nightingale on Fridays, Andres Rigal and partner Ollywood present gay glitz after dark like nowhere else, with regular appearances from drag and pop divas. Everyone from Violet Chachki to Trixie Mattel to Demi Lovato has graced the stage. Rigal—who’s also behind the SummerTramp summer soirees—is a true impresario, the kind of host who’s always dressed to the nines and puts care into every aspect of his atmospheres. 643 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood
Club01 Under the banner of Club01, DJ/producer JPEG throws “genre fluid” fetes such as Doom & Boom at Beetle house and Gays, Girls, Goths at the North end, both DJ’d by PYRCE. Fishnets and fiendish makeup rule these rooms, and dark alternative music dominates the playlists. Bar-crawlers might recall The North end as the old Parlour Room and Goldfingers before that; Beetle house just moved into the former Garden of Eden space, resurrecting the north side of Hollywood Boulevard. Various locations
Stud Country Orville Peck made it cool to be a queer country fan, but long before he came on the scene, gay clubsters hit spots like Oil Can Harry’s for line dancing and two-stepping. In this spirit, Stud Country “honors the rich history of LGBTQ cowboy culture.” The hosts teach partner dancing and classic-era line movements, and sounds range from disco to pop to modern country (which melds pop sensibilities). Various locations
Club Decades When it comes to theme nights, Club Decades at Boardner’s never rests on its laurels. Promoter William Reed changes things up every week for his Friday party, so you can dance to a disco mix one week at ABBA Night and dark New Wave the next at Siouxsie Night. Live bands take the outdoor stage, and local DJs spin appropriate mixes inside for a mostly twenty-something clientele. 1652 N. Cherokee Ave., Hollywood
Grlz Only is out to create spaces for queer women to carouse and connect in various L.A. locales, from the San Fernando Valley to downtown. Sounds range from hip-hop and R&B to Top 40, with female DJs pumping up the jams. From queer proms to Pride parties, Grlz partners Briana Diaz, Stephanie Rios, Hazel Burris, and Valarie Lynn are filling a void in the gay scene with their exclusive ladies’ mixers. Various locations
Heart WeHo Aptly named, Heart WeHo feels like the pumping artery of West Hollywood nightlife. The space, which used to house the venerable Rage nightclub, has more lights than a Christmas tree, and the vibrant environment and powerful sound system make it one of L.A.’s most immersive spaces, gay or straight. Drag shows and sweaty DJ nights pack the place most evenings, and it all beats especially hard on weekends. 8911 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
Let’s Go! Disco It touts “no cover, no reservations, first come, first serve.” In L.A., that makes Let’s Go! Disco an anomaly—and a wonderful one at that. Filled with mirrored touches everywhere you look, this welcoming, golden-hued little discotheque/cocktail lounge is a fierce and flashback-y boogie wonderland that’ll make you “feel love” like Donna Summer at a ’70s soiree. 710 E. 4th Pl., downtown
Globe Theatre It’s a go-to for bacchanals, hosting everything from burlesque shows to major dance parties. Two events should be on your radar if you’re looking for over-the-top revelry: HEAV3N, a pansexual dance orgy with electro, industrial, trap rap, and more from guest DJs each month; and Faustian Society’s themed dance bash, with appearances by nightlife figures from the U.K. and New York such as Susanne Bartsch and Amanda Lepore.
740 S. Broadway, downtown
Club90S Britney Spears, Nine Inch Nails, the Strokes, and Rihanna might not have a ton in common sonically, but they all bring up memories when heard in a club environment. At Club 90s, from longtime L.A. promoters Bruce Perdew and Jason Lavitt, you can hear a hodgepodge of hits depending on the night. Expect sing-alongs on the dance floor at the original ’90s night and offshoot events that lean even more contemporary, with Bad Bunny, One Direction, and Taylor Swift getting spotlight nights. Various locations
Fleur Room A collaboration between Tao Group Hospitality and L.A.-based interior designer Tara Bean, the Fleur Room is a blooming boîte of maximalist art and atmosphere. This Sunset Boulevard oasis features eye-catching works curated by creative adviser Elizabeth Margulies and revered names such as L.A.’s own Kenny Scharf and New York’s Emma McMillan, Anissa Kermiche, and Calico. It’s all meant to impress and entice, making it popular for exclusive soirees (such as photographer Ellen von Unwerth’s post-art show shindig a few months ago). Azure wall coverings, a huge gold flower disco ball, and sumptuous velvet seating are complemented by marble tables and Venetian glass touches in this 2,000-square-foot space, where reservations are required to enter (no walk-ins). The bar program shines, too, with dramatic presentations—vapors and dry ice elevate a few of the cocktails, all of which are as opulent as the space itself. 9201 Sunset Blvd., Ste. 100, West Hollywood
Bathtub Gin A second-story speakeasy and hidden gem with Gatsby-style appointments and, yes, a copper bathtub for photo ops, Bathtub Gin is one of the sexiest Prohibition-style lounges in L.A. It’s got seven kinds of gin and tonic and a full menu of fun mixology-driven sippers. It’s also got strippers, aka burlesque dancers, who are the main attraction here on Tuesday nights. Live jazz fuels the frolic most other nights. 7174 Melrose Ave., Fairfax District
Daddy Diamonds Vintage music shop the Record Parlour got into the bar biz just as the pandemic waned, and now its circusy new bar, Daddy Diamonds, is in full sparkle mode. The old-timey Hollywood dive is a fun house filled with tchotchkes and collectibles, but the food and drinks (menu items are $5 each) are the big draws. There are also music—live and via Parlour DJs, who play all-vinyl (natch)—and games galore. Vintage arcade games are free to play, making this newer Cahuenga Boulevard carnival a real winner. 1553 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood
Power House As noted in Los Angeles’s Best Dive Bars: Drinking & Diving in the City of Angels, Power House is one of Hollywood’s most legendary places to liquor up. (The Beatles famously hung out here after their Hollywood Bowl shows in 1964!) Locals and celebrities alike have been coming to this unassuming hovel since 1947, and though it was pretty ravaged-looking for several years, that was part of its charm. When the place shut down and new owners attempted to capitalize on the mall across the street with a swanky makeover, it lost all its magic. But bar king Cedd Moses and his company, Pouring With Heart, recently acquired the place and have set out to take it back to its divey glory, eschewing touristy touches and TVs. Darkly lit and cozy, the space is once again a refuge for locals, rock and roll types, and a notable contingent of superhero-costumed street performers who work the boulevard. 1714 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood
Honey’s at Star Love Queer bars are more essential than ever right now, and Honey’s at Star Love is the LGBTQ+ party hub East Hollywood has sorely needed. In the once-infamous White Horse dive-bar space, Honey’s has kept the nooks and hangout crannies of its previous setup (when new owners half-heartedly renamed the place by adding “Girl at” to its moniker). But that’s about all it has in common with the previous hipster joint. Beyond DJ nights, Honey’s offers live music, karaoke, comedy, and an intentional aim to be an “accountable community space” where lesbians in particular (but all allies are welcome) can connect in a lively, respectful, and inclusive environment. 1532 N. Western Ave., East Hollywood
Grandmaster Recorders Taking up three stories in a historic building on the Cahuenga Corridor, Grandmaster Recorders from the Botanical Group people (E.P. & L.P.) is impressive for a number of reasons. Since 1971, this once-legendary studio has seen the likes of everyone from David Bowie to Stevie Wonder and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Kanye West work on music creation in the building. Its sheer size means it can combine several different elements—a bustling restaurant, a rhythmic lounge, and a scenic rooftop bar featuring gorgeous views of the Hollywood Hills. The adjoining 71 Studio Bar might be the most musically charged area as it pays homage to its history, decor-wise and with big dance promotions (such as Bryan Rabin’s decadent disco night, Giorgio’s) under the sparkle of a giant disco ball. 1518 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood
Schmitty’s Schmitty’s owners Jay and Michel Krymis—owners of Mezcalero in downtown L.A., Padre and Mezcalero in Long Beach, and the now-shuttered Weho fave Fubar—wanted to open a new neighborhood gay bar that felt invitingly old, so they took a “scrapbook” approach, creating an amalgamation of their favorite watering holes past and present. Vintage queer art, posters, and flyers wallpaper the place, plus patrons can pin drawings and photos (there’s a Polaroid camera on-site) to a corkboard, alongside wigs and feather boas for a festive touch. Specialty cocktails are whimsical, and the soundtrack is what’s Called “un-weho” music (that is, no to techno bangers and yes to ’80s new wave, ’90s pop, and old-school hip-hop). also available are a piano for impromptu (and inebriated) performances, a dog-friendly patio, and board games, all adding to the homey feel. 8737 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
Knucklehead Hollywood has been missing a great rock and roll bar for a while now, and Knucklehead brings the hullabaloo back in a big way. The dark drinking den books up-and-coming death metal and hardcore; DJs spin punk and rock most nights, too. There’s an outdoor area for smokers and socializers who want to hear themselves talk. Reasonably priced drinks and no-BS bartenders make it a two-devil-horns-up kinda place. 6202 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood
The Vermont The Vermont hosts raging rap, hip-hop and EDM nights, but we love it for catching live bands. This “state of the art multipurpose venue” has more than 13,000 square feet to rage in, with immersive lighting, mesmerizing LED walls, a VIP mezzanine, and even a full kitchen. When Australia’s Amyl and the Sniffers sold out the joint earlier this year, there was a full circle pit that didn’t quit, but civilians could observe the mayhem and still enjoy the show, thanks to great sightlines and sound. 1020 N. Vermont Ave., Hollywood
The Sun Rose David Bowie’s pianist Mike Garson held numerous residencies at the Sun Rose in 2022 and 2023, which helped put it on the map, but this classy nightclub is suited for all sorts of mid-tempo genres—from live jazz to classical to R & B. The beauty and comfort of the space, part of the Britely Social Club and the Pendry Hotel, almost make us forget that it stands on what was once the beloved House of Blues’s semi-hallowed grounds. In addition to Garson, the 150-capacity room has hosted Jeff Goldblum, Nicole Scherzinger, and Dave Chappelle in its intimate, upscale location. 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
Transplants Brewing Company If you’ve never been to Palmdale, Transplants Brewing Company is a good reason to trek to the high desert. The craft beer brewery has been putting on concerts since 2021 but became a destination only after COVID-19 subsided. Owners Sarah and Matthew Luker and art director B.L. Singleton have created a vibrant, mural-covered environment to take in big-name touring bands, who often pit-stop here en route to gigs in Hollywood and Vegas. From seminal metal (Soulfly) to all-star punk (Me First and the Gimme Gimmes) to cover bands (Mac Sabbath), Transplants is a lively alternative to music joints in L.A. proper, plus there’s plenty of beer! 40242 La Quinta Ln., Ste. 101, Palmdale
Knitting Factory Knitting Factory hosted some legendary live-music shows in its Hollywood heyday, and its recent reincarnation above the Federal Bar in NoHo aims to live up to its legacy. So far, so good. K.F., which started in New York but truly made a name for itself in L.A., might be smaller than it used to be, but the second-level music space has been solid in the booking department with local alternative, rock, pop, hip-hop, punk, and Latin acts playing nightly, alongside DJ dance nights and musical theater, too. 5303 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood
Bourbon Room Billeted in the Hollywood venue that housed the legendary Cinespace nightclub, The Bourbon Room has created a whole new scene and energy. Done up with choice rock and roll art and decor, the space was launched as a showcase for the stage show Rock of Ages but now offers much more: bands, comedy, burlesque, sing-alongs, live podcasts, and musical adaptations fill the calendar. 6356 Hollywood Blvd., 2nd Floor, Hollywood
Dreamland Fashion designer and mental health advocate Paige Mycoskie revived the venue formerly known as the Malibu Inn and turned it into a lively music venue called Dreamland. With food, drink, and local bands and musicians, it touts high-quality sound and rustic surroundings that reflect its beachy locale. Its stage has seen the likes of Diplo, Imagine Dragons, and Neon Trees. Mycoskie’s popular upscale-casual Aviator Nation clothing brand also hosts philanthropic meetups. 22969 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu
