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10Best Nightlife by Type

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Expert Tips for Los Angeles Nightlife

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    Academy LA: "Arriving fashionably late may mean that the L.A. fire marshals have already closed off admissions, so arrive on time to be sure to get in."

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    The Peppermint Club: "Note that all tables are charged a 20 percent service charge, so don't double tip."

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    Nightingale Plaza: "Make a reservation if possible to guarantee your entry into this popular WeHo dance club."

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10Best Nightlife by Area

 
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Best Los Angeles, CA Nightlife

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    El Rey Theatre

    The El Rey Theatre has been a part of the Los Angeles nigthlife scene since 1994, but its history goes back much further, as is obvious with one look at its...

    Photo courtesy of El Rey Theatre
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    Teragram Ballroom

    Teragram Ballroom has been a welcome addition to downtown Los Angeles, giving music-loving Angelenos another intimate venue to see live music. This DTLA...

    Photo courtesy of Teragram Ballroom
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    The Edison

    The Edison is an old-school club, a place that evokes the vibe of a swank speakeasy from Prohibition days, from its almost-secret alley entrance to its...

    Photo courtesy of Jenny Peters
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    Riviera 31

    There's always something happening at Riviera 31 inside the Sofitel Hotel, including jazz on Mondays. Every Monday Riviera 31 hosts Jazz Eclectic, featuring...

    Photo courtesy of Sofitel Hotel Riveria 31
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    Harvelle's

    Small, dark, and handsome, Harvelle's is one of L.A.'s favorites for live blues, rock and alternative music. In business since 1931, this Santa Monica...

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    Nightingale Plaza

    Nightingale Plaza is the latest iteration of the West Hollywood party space that was once Greystone Manor. SBE, the restaurant-nightclub-hotel conglomerate...

    Photo courtesy of Nightingale Plaza/sbe
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    The Peppermint Club

    The Peppermint Club used to be Hooray Harry's, but now is transformed into a 1960s-inspired lounge designed to make listening to live music an...

    Photo courtesy of The Peppermint Club
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    The Conga Room

    The Conga Room is a convivial place located in the heart of L.A. Live in Downtown Los Angeles. A fixture in the nightlife scene, the club is owned by some...

    Photo courtesy of The Conga Room
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    The Abbey Food & Bar

    Located in West Hollywood, the center of L.A.'s gay community, the Abbey Food & Bar is a fixture in that neighborhood that's also known as "Boys' Town."...

    Photo courtesy of The Abbey Food and Bar
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    The Mint

    One of L.A.'s classic clubs, The Mint is a little place with a big sound. The music-filled venue has packed them in since 1937, with just a small stage,...

    Photo courtesy of Andy Gordon
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Local Expert Nightlife Recommendations

The LatestLocal Expert Nightlife Recommendations

About Los Angeles, CA Nightlife

LA's nightlife scene is legendary, and with good reason – from swanky cocktail lounges to frenetic dance clubs, from themed bars to laugh-out-loud comedy clubs, this city has it all. The vibe varies widely by neighborhood, so plan your night in advance. Hollywood traditionally supplies the hottest action, whether it's at über-trendy clubs like LAX and Mood or at the elegant, celebrity-riddled Chateau Marmont. Head west to Venice, Malibu, and Santa Monica, and a mellower atmosphere pervades neighborhoods by the beach. Catch an exceptional acoustic show at McCabe's Guitar Shop, or gaze at the sunset over cocktails at Moonshadows. Downtown and the Valley also have their fair share of hot spots; the Golden Gopher and Firefly make their homes here. With a seemingly endless variety of bars, clubs, and lounges, you'll have no trouble tailoring a night out to suit your taste.

About Kelly Sigmon

Senior editor Kelly Sigmon is Southern born and Ivy educated. During his tenure with the company, Kelly has prized being a mystery traveler and overseeing the printed 10Best Travel Guides for San Francisco, Miami, and Atlanta.

Read more about Kelly here.

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