The “entertainment capital of the world” is of course expected to have an interesting, diverse nightlife. In fact, you can find nightclubs, variety shows and other venues almost everywhere, where jazz, rock, blues, country or western music is played. Los Angeles nightclubs, like the rest of America, offer a mix of live and recorded music, and the program changes depending on the evening. Comedy clubs are also very popular in LA. Los Angeles’ nightlife has long been concentrated on Sunset Boulevard – better known as the “Sunset Strip” – with many well-known night clubs. Other places with a lively nightlife in LA include Santa Monica, especially Third Street Promenade, Hollywood and West Hollywood, where the gay and lesbian scene is bustling. There are also some good jazz and other venues in Pine Avenue in Long Beach and in Pasadena’s old town. Entrance fees to nightclubs and pubs with live music vary depending on what’s happening.
You can find out about various entertainment and entertainment options in the free newspapers LA Weekly (Internet: www.laweekly.com) and New Times (Internet: www.newtimesla.com), which are available everywhere in the city. The legal minimum age for the consumption of alcoholic beverages is 21 years, and if you are under 40, you should always carry an ID with you, because without this you are often not even allowed in. Smoking is prohibited in public places in Los Angeles, and so are pubs and discos. However, many of them offer special outdoor smoking areas where smoking is allowed.
The best source for current information on cultural events in and around Los Angeles is the Discover Los Angeles info hotline (Tel: (213) 624 73 00; Internet www.discoverlosangeles.com). Tickets for concerts, theater performances and sporting events are available from Ticketmaster (Tel: (213) 480 32 32. Internet: www.ticketmaster.com) or the A Musical Chair agencies (Tel: (800) 659 17 02. Internet: www.musicalchairstickets .com), Al Brooks Theater Ticket Agency (Tel: (213) 626 58 63. Internet: www.albrooks.com) and VIP Tickets (Tel: (800) 328 42 53. Internet: www.viptickets.com).
Cultural event
The Los Angeles Festival takes place in August every year , with music, dance, theater, film, and art contributions to LA’s ethnic cultures and groups, especially blacks and latinos, throughout LA. The American Film Institute , 2021 North Western Avenue (Tel: (323) 856 76 00. Internet: www.afi.com) hosts a film and video festival every October, and the LA Independent Film Festival takes place every April . There is also the Shakespeare Festival / LA every July . At the Cinco de Mayo-Fest (May 5) on Olvera Street, LA’s Mexican past is celebrated with Mariachi music and Mexican folk dances. Another event in May is the Venice Art Walk with art exhibitions and music performances.
Bars
Rainbow bar & grill
The music scene meets at Rainbow Bar & Grill, 90015 Sunset Boulevard, which mainly attracted heavy metal musicians in the 1980s.
Address: 90015 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
SkyBar at the Mondrian Hotel
The modern, elegant SkyBar is located in the Mondrian Hotel, 8440 Sunset Boulevard, designed by Philippe Starck. Not only is this bar the center of attraction for LA’s beauties, it also has great views and the glamorous atmosphere that surrounds the entire hotel chain.
Address: 8440 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
Standard hotel bar
The popular Standard hotel bar, 8300 Sunset Boulevard, is located in a former retirement home.
Address: 8300 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
Spider Club
Recommended bar in Hollywood is the Spider Club, 1737 Vine Street.
Address: 1737 Vine Street, Los Angeles
Cat’n fiddle
The English style is the Cat’n Fiddle, 6530 Sunset Boulevard, with its pretty courtyard and fountain.
Address: 6530 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
Velvet Margarita Cantina
Velvet Margarita Cantina, 1612 North Cahuenga Boulevard, is a trendy Mexican lounge for late hours.
Address: 1612 North Cahuenga Boulevard, Los Angeles
Gold Coast
The best way to get to know the LA gay scene is at one of the bars on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, especially at Gold Coast, 8228 Santa Monica Boulevard.
Address: 8228 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles
Fubar
Drag queens and bingo nights can be found in the crazy Fubar, 7994 Santa Monica Boulevard.
Address: 7994 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles
Rage
One of the biggest trendy bars is Bar Rage, 8911 Santa Monica Boulevard.
Address: 8911 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles
Circus disco
One of the biggest scene bars is the Circus Disco, 6655 Santa Monica Boulevard.
Address: 6655 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.circusdisco.com
Micky’s
One of the biggest trendy bars is the Micky’s bar, 8857 Santa Monica Boulevard.
Address: 8857 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles
Palms
Lesbian women find a haven in this paradise for men at Palms, 8572 Santa Monica Boulevard.
Address: 8572 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.thepalmsbar.com
Akbar
It’s mixed and chic at Akbar, 4356 West Sunset Boulevard.
Address: 4356 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
website: http://www.akbarsilverlake.com
here
It’s mixed and chic at 696 North Robertson Boulevard.
Address: 696 North Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.herelounge.com
Rock Bottom Brewery
You can try excellent home-brewed beer at Rock Bottom Brewery, 1 Pine Avenue, which is in the same area.
Address: 1 Pine Avenue, Los Angeles
BonaVista Cocktail Lounge
The revolving BonaVista Cocktail Lounge, 404 South Figueroa Street, on the top floor of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel offers a unique view of the city.
Address: 404 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles
The Roof Bar at The Standard
The Roof Bar at The Standard, 550 South Flower Street, is also in the city center and is a very chic place to soak up the city’s silhouette.
Address: 550 South Flower Street, Los Angeles
Clubs
Deep
The Deep, 1707 Vine Street (corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine), has not only chic interior and half-naked go-go dancers on glass bases, but also long queues at the entrance.
Address: 1707 Vine Street, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.deep-la.com
Area
There is a large dance floor in trendy area, 643 North la Cienega Boulevard.
Address: 643 North la Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles
Viper Room
The notorious nightclub Viper Room, 8852 Sunset Boulevard, belongs to Johnny Depp and is a small, dark and trendy meeting place for rock musicians and groupies, although funk and disco are played there.
Address: 8852 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
website: http://www.iperroom.com
Gotham Hall
Gotham Hall, 1431 Third Street Promenade, in Santa Monica, is a popular pool hall and disco.
Address: 1431 Third Street Promenade, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.gothamhall.com
Club Cohiba
Club Cohiba, 110 East Broadway, Long Beach, which plays disco music from the 1970s on Fridays and Saturdays, has a billiard room, a cigar room, a martini lounge and a roof terrace.
Address: 110 East Broadway, Los Angeles
website: http://www.cohibalongbeach.com
Derby
You can swing in the currently jive-crazy LA at Derby, 4500 Los Feliz Boulevard. Scenes from the film ‘Swingers’ were also shot here.
Address: 4500 Los Feliz Boulevard, Los Angeles
B52 Club at Boardner’s
In Boardner’s, a former pub from the 1920s, 1652 North Cherokee Avenue, Hollywood, you will find the B52 Club, where you can dance to all kinds of music, from goth to funk to erotica.
Address: 1652 North Cherokee Avenue, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.boardners.com
Forty Deuce
The owner of the B52, Ivan Kane, also owns the Forty Deuce, 5574 Melrose Avenue, a dim lounge bar.
Address: 5574 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.fortydeuce.com
The Space
A little further away in Santa Monica – but highly recommended – is The Space, 2020 Wilshire Boulevard.
Address: 2020 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles
Avalon Hollywood
Avalon Hollywood was among the top 20 nightclubs in the United States in 2012. The historic nightclub in Spanish colonial style is frequented by a predominantly young audience. It is one of the largest nightclubs in Los Angeles and only the best DJs can play here. The club’s guest list for the past six decades reads like a who’s who of talent in the music business. Even the Beatles performed here in 1964.
Address: 1735 Vine St, Los Angeles
Phone: (001) (323) 462 89 00
Website: http://avalonhollywood.com
Live music
House of Blues
The House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Boulevard, not only features well-known blues musicians, but also heavy metal, hip hop and even folk.
Address: 8430 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.hob.com
Harvelle’s
A good blues place is Harvelle’s, 1432 Fourth Street, in Santa Monica.
Address: 1432 Fourth Street, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.harvelles.com
Catalina Bar & Grill
First-class jazz musicians perform in the constantly well-attended Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 West Sunset Boulevard, where you should definitely reserve seats beforehand.
Address: 6725 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
website: http://www.catalinajazzclub.com
Jazz bakery
Good jazz can be heard at Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Boulevard in Culver City.
Address: 3233 Helms Boulevard, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.jazzbakery.com
Dresden
Things are a little more unusual in Dresden, 1760 North Vermont Avenue, to: you sit on white leather and are surrounded by walls made of cork bark. Local musicians Marty and Elayne surround fans of their jazz music and good cocktails. Film scenes from the film ‘Swingers’ were shot here.
Address: 1760 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.thedresden.com
The Roxy
The proven rock club The Roxy, 9009 West Sunset Boulevard, has a very good reputation.
Address: 9009 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
Website: http://theroxyonsunset.com/
Whiskey a go-go
The proven rock club Whiskey A Go-Go, 8901 West Sunset Boulevard, has a very good reputation, playing mainly classic rock.
Address: 8901 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
website: http://www.whiskyagogo.com
Staples Center
Staples Center, 1111 South Figueroa Street, is a venue for major concerts and festivities such as the Grammy Awards.
Address: 1111 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.staplescenter.com
NOKIA Theater
Well-known bands play and award ceremonies take place at NOKIA Theater, 777 Chick Hearn Court.
Address: 777 Chick Hearn Court, Los Angeles
Website: http://nokiatheatrelalive.com/
The Cowboy Palace
The Cowboy Palace, 21635 Devonshire Street, Chatsworth is the undisputed king among L.As country music clubs. You can even take dance classes there to keep up with the latest trends.
Address: 21635 Devonshire Street, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.cowboypalace.com
Classical music
Walt Disney Concert Hall
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the best in the world and, like the Los Angeles Master Chorale, plays at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Music Center, 135 North Grand Avenue.
Address: 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
Phone: (213) 972 72 82 (Master Chorale)
Website: http://www.disneyhall.org
Zipper Concert Hall of the Colburn School of Performing Arts
In the Zipper Concert Hall of the Colburn School of Performing Arts, 200 South Grand Avenue you can listen to chamber music and performances by distinguished graduates of the college.
Address: 200 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
Phone: (213) 621 22 00
Website: http://www.colburnschool.edu/
Hollywood Bowl
Outdoor summer concerts always take place in the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Avenue, where you can hear concerts by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, but also by jazz and pop performers.
Address: 2301 Highland Avenue, Los Angeles
Phone: (323) 850 20 00
Website: http://www.hollywoodbowl.com
Dance
Joffrey Ballet Company
The main season of the Joffrey Ballet Company always takes place in spring at the Music Center, 135 North Grand Avenue.
Address: 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.joffrey.com
UCLA Center for the Arts
The UCLA Center for the Arts, 4405 North Hillgard, Westwood performs many famous tour dance companies, as does the in-house UCLA Dance Company.
Address: 4405 North Hillgard, Los Angeles
Phone: (310) 825 21 01
Website: http://www.uclalive.org
Theatre
Comedy store
We recommend the comedy store, 8433 West Sunset Boulevard, in whose three rooms you can see both traditional stage comedians and up-and-coming artists. Stars like Robin Williams, David Letterman, Whoopi Goldberg and Gary Shandling started their stage careers here.
Address: 8433 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
Website: http://thecomedystore.com/index.cfm
The Laugh Factory
The Laugh Factory, 8001 Sunset Boulevard, is a smaller venue where famous faces like Neal Brennan or Rodney Dangerfield test their program.
Address: 8001 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.thelaughfactory.com
Groundlings
Groundlings, 7307 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, is a prime address where various Saturday Night Live comedians (such as Laraine Newman) started their careers.
Address: 7307 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.groundlings.com
Ahmanson Theater
The Ahmanson Theater, Music Center, 135 North Grand Avenue, hosts large, classic productions.
Address: 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.musiccenter.org
Mark Taper Forum
Smaller, experimental pieces are performed in the semicircular Mark Taper Forum, which is located at the Music Center, 135 North Grand Avenue.
Address: 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
Website: http://www.musiccenter.org
Geffen Playhouse
Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, housed in a historic building in Westwood Village, performs both classic and contemporary pieces.
Address: 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles
Phone: (310) 208 65 00
Website: http://www.geffenplayhouse.org
Pasadena Playhouse
The Pasadena Playhouse, 39 South El Molino Avenue, performs in a building built in 1925 in a Spanish colonial style.
Address: 39 South El Molino Avenue, Los Angeles
Phone: (626) 356 75 29
Website: http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.com
Ford amphitheater
The Ford Amphitheater, 2580 Cahuenga Boulevard, which has 1,200 outdoor seats, plays plays by contemporary playwrights and offers music, dance and film events.
Address: 2580 Cahuenga Boulevard, Los Angeles
Phone: (323) 461 36 73
Website: http://www.fordamphitheater.org
Organization LA Stage Alliance
Over 150 theaters have come together to form the organization LA Stage Alliance, 644 South Figueroa Street, which, among other things, directs LAStageTIX, a ticket office where you can get half-price theater tickets on the day of the performance.
Address: 644 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles
Phone: (213) 614 05 56
Website: http://www.theatrela.org
Culture
Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County (Music Center)
The leading venue for cultural events is the downtown Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County, also known as the Music Center, 135 North Grand Avenue. The center consists of four theaters in which music, theater, dance and operas are performed, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (where the Oscar ceremony takes place), the Mark Taper Forum, the Ahmanson Theater and the Walt Disney Concert designed by Frank Gehry Hall.
Address: 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
Phone: (213) 972 72 11
Website: http://www.musiccenter.org
