Nightlife · Los Angeles · United States
Los Angeles nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Los Angeles, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Matthew Field, CC BY 2.5
Quick answer
LA nightlife is spread out: clubs and rooftop bars in Hollywood and West Hollywood, cocktail bars and breweries Downtown, live music in Silver Lake and Echo Park, and late-night karaoke in Koreatown. State law ends alcohol sales at 2am, so most nights wind down then. The main areas are Hollywood, West Hollywood, Downtown and the Arts District, Silver Lake and Echo Park and Koreatown.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 5
- Stay near the action
- Hollywood
Where to go out
Hollywood
Nightclubs, rooftop bars and historic venues such as the Hollywood Palladium near Hollywood and Vine.
West Hollywood
The Sunset Strip's music clubs, including the Whisky a Go Go and the Roxy, and the LGBTQ+ bars of Santa Monica Boulevard.
Downtown and the Arts District
Speakeasy-style cocktail bars, hotel rooftops and breweries in converted warehouses.
Silver Lake and Echo Park
Indie music venues, dive bars and natural-wine bars along Sunset Boulevard.
Koreatown
Karaoke rooms, soju bars and restaurants that keep serving food into the early hours.
Nightlife tips
- Carry photo ID: the drinking age is 21 and bars check it routinely.
- Plan your ride home; rideshare is the norm and drink-driving laws are strictly enforced.
- Many clubs have dress codes and guest lists; check ahead and expect cover charges at weekends.
Evening sights
Landmark · Griffith Park
Griffith Observatory
Parking near the building fills quickly around sunset; the LADOT DASH bus from Los Feliz runs up the hill.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- After dark
- Kids
- Couples
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Street · Hollywood
Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre
Look up a favourite star's location in the Walk of Fame's online directory first; the stars stretch for more than 2 km.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- After dark
Waterfront · Santa Monica
Santa Monica Pier
Rent a bike near the pier and ride the beach path south to Venice, about 3 km along the sand.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Kids
- Views
- After dark
- Free
Museum · Miracle Mile
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Come at dusk to see Urban Light switch on, then walk next door to the La Brea Tar Pits.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- After dark
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Architecture · Downtown LA
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Book an LA Phil concert to hear the hall's acoustics; in summer the orchestra moves outdoors to the Hollywood Bowl.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
Experience · Hollywood
Hollywood Bowl
Bring a picnic and arrive early to eat in the grounds; park-and-ride shuttles avoid the slow exit from the stacked parking.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- After dark
- Couples
- Iconic
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 18°C (64°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 17:06 | 9°C (48°F) | 6 |
| April | About 19:24 | 12°C (54°F) | 3 |
| July | About 20:05 | 18°C (64°F) | 0 |
| October | About 18:19 | 15°C (59°F) | 2 |
Getting home late
- Metro — Pay with a TAP card or the TAP app; fares are capped after a few rides a day or week.
- Ride-hailing — Rideshare apps are widely used and often work out cheaper than paying for parking on evenings out.
- Bus — Metro buses run along the main boulevards, Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus serves the Westside, and DASH minibuses circulate around Downtown and Hollywood.
- Walking — Santa Monica, Venice, West Hollywood, Downtown and Old Pasadena are pleasant to explore on foot once you are there.
Late-night bites
- Tacos al pastor — Taco trucks across East LA, Boyle Heights and South LA, many parked in the same spot every evening.
- Korean tacos — Kogi trucks around the city (schedules are posted online) and Korean-Mexican counters in Koreatown.
- Bacon-wrapped hot dog — Street carts outside venues and in nightlife areas after dark.
Staying safe at night
Car break-ins are common, so never leave bags or valuables visible in a parked car. Some Downtown blocks and parts of Hollywood and Venice can feel unsettled at night, so use rideshare after dark. Respect lifeguard warnings at the beaches, and follow official alerts during wildfires or extreme heat.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$ · Best for first-timers, budget and nightlife
Hollywood
Hollywood Boulevard holds the Walk of Fame, the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre, and the Metro B Line links it to Universal Studios and Downtown in minutes. It is convenient for first-time sightseeing and has many mid-range hotels, though the central blocks are crowded and gritty; the streets above lead to Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park.
- Good
- Central for sightseeing; Metro rail to Universal Studios and Downtown; Wide hotel choice
- Watch out
- Crowded, gritty main boulevard; Street touts selling tours and CDs
- Nearby
- Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Bowl, Griffith Observatory
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Los Angeles?
Hollywood, West Hollywood and Downtown and the Arts District. Nightclubs, rooftop bars and historic venues such as the Hollywood Palladium near Hollywood and Vine.
+Which area of Los Angeles is best for nightlife?
Hollywood: Walk of Fame, historic theatres and the main Metro line under the boulevard.