The Standard Rooftop Bar, Downtown
To understand the mind-boggling vitality of LA’s nightlife scene, try to imagine a place where club owners and promoters work with budgets the size of a developing nation’s GDP, local DJs become millionaire celebrities and entire Web sites are built to help locals keep up with trends.
Wait. You don’t have to imagine it; you can experience it, right here in LA — a place where the world’s hottest DJs play, where nightlife’s latest fashions are born and where the celebrity set is always unwinding.
Dance clubs, comedy clubs, chilled-out lounges, poolside bars and sports bars. The list of places where you can enjoy some after-dark excitement is endless, and so is the thrill of a night on the town in LA.
Dance Clubs
It seems like there’s a hot new nightclub opening in LA every week. But that doesn’t mean the good ones don’t stick around. A successful dance club takes unique vision, good DJs, experienced promoters and plenty of good PR. At places like LAX (brought back to life by DJ AM) and Mood (where Zen Buddhism meets all-night imbibing), success is evidenced by the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel after getting past the velvet rope. If you're looking to go sky high, check out Elevate Lounge, where clubbers dance the night away among LA's tallest skyscrapers.
Level 3, a dance club in the Hollywood & Highland Center has taken sensuality to a new level by decorating its stage with beds and inviting its guest to “lounge.” Then there's The Kress, a newly restored modern multi-level entertainment and culinary paradise offering a bar and lounge, restaurant, nightclub and a rooftop Lounge revealing 360 degree views of the Hollywood Hills. Meanwhile, Head to The Mayan for some salsa, meringue and other Latin-style dance rhythms just about every nigh, or visit the always hot Conga Room at L.A. LIVE.
Cocktails
If dancing isn’t your thing but a good drink is right up your alley, LA’s got you covered. Ready for something swanky? Then Downtown’s Standard Rooftop Bar is the place for you. One of LA’s top places to see and be seen, the rooftop bar provides a quintessential LA experience. Hipsters flock to the Windows Bar and Lounge at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills and the swank Whiskey Blue in the W Los Angeles Westwood — two places that defy every negative stereotype of hotel bars.
In the Valley, Clear lives up to its moniker with a translucent front door, padded white-leather walls and Plexiglas stools. If Hollywood were to ever produce a sequel to Swingers, Charlie O’s would be the featured pine-paneled watering hole. There is nothing a “tall drink of water” couldn’t love about this discreet hidden gem in Valley Glenn. At Universal CityWalk, the nightlife options are endless, but make sure to stop by the dueling piano bar, Howl at the Moon, and the iconic Hard Rock Cafe.
One of LA’s hippest hotspots has emerged in Downtown. The Edison revives the classic hand-crafted cocktail with an intimate menu of upscale cuisine. In the Financial District, The Library Bar features an encyclopedic and esoteric selection of beers and wines to tempt any connoisseur. Just a short walk away, J Restaurant & Lounge is the ideal spot to hang out on the patio and enjoy a signature cocktail by the fire pit. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find treasure at Redwood Bar & Grill. The hearty burger at the nautical-inspired bar has been voted the best in Downtown.
Live Entertainment
Los Angeles comes alive at night with live music in every style imaginable. The action is at L.A. LIVE, Downtown LA's multi-billion dollar entertainment complex. Live shows are always happening at NOKIA Theatre and Club NOKIA, while the GRAMMY Museum's soundstage features more intimate concerts.
The Knitting Factory on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is the destination for alternative, cutting-edge bands and special events. For big-name entertainment, head to the world-famous House of Blues® on Sunset Strip. Famous bands and local upstarts mix it up with a rock and roll vibe and Southern flair. Check out their incredible Sunday Gospel Brunch for a soulful music experience. A legendary LA Art Deco landmark, The Wiltern, presents an incredibly diverse array of performances from comedy to alternative to jazz to Frank Zappa. The Edison also features live music.
Comedy Clubs
LA is home to lots of stand-up comedy clubs, including the legendary Laugh Factory, which has served as the launching pad for the careers of famous comedians such as Richard Pryor. On Melrose, The Improv packs in the punch lines and the star power. You never know who may make a guest appearance.
Sports Bars
You don’t have to be a fan to appreciate the sports bars in LA. After all, what’s better than watching the game on ridiculously large TV screens that make the action seem almost life-size?
In Downtown LA, try Casey’s Irish Bar & Grille on Grand Avenue and Grand Avenue Sports Bar in the Millennium Biltmore Hotel for your sports fix. In addition, ESPN Zone and Yard House at L.A. LIVE have both quickly become mainstays in the sports bar scene.
Or, for a new twist on an old theme, head to Point Moorea, a tiki-themed sports bar where a 50s and 60s vibe comes alive. If you’re staying by LAX, Champions Sports Bar in the Los Angeles Airport Marriott, Landings & Bistro in the Hilton Los Angeles Airport Hotel and T.H Brewster’s in the Four Points by Sheraton LAX offer a wide variety of food and all the fun you can handle.
