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Los Angeles is not the city that never sleeps—instead it parties until 2 am (save for the secret after-hours parties at private clubs or warehouses), and wakes up to imbibe green juices and breakfast burritos as hangover cures, or to sweat it out in a yoga class. Whether you plan to test your limit at historic establishments Downtown, or take advantage of a cheap happy hour at a Hollywood dive, this city's nightlife has something for you.
A night out in Los Angeles can simultaneously surprise and impress. That unscheduled set by an A-list comedian at the stand-up comedy club, being talked into singing karaoke at the diviest place you've ever seen, dancing at a bar with no dance floor because, well, the DJ is just too good at his job—going out isn't always what you expect, but it certainly is never boring.
The focus of nightlife once centered on the Sunset Strip, with its multitude of bars, rock clubs, and dance spots, but more neighborhoods are competing with each other and forcing the nightlife scene to evolve. Although the Strip can be a worthwhile trip, other areas of the city are catching people’s attention. Downtown Los Angeles, for instance, is becoming a destination in its own right, drawing cocktail connoisseurs at Seven Grand and rooftop revelers at the Standard.
Other areas foster more of a neighborhood vibe. Silver Lake and Los Feliz have both cultivated a relaxed environment where you can be drinking in a tiki bar so small you wind up talking with the person at the next stool over (Tiki-Ti) or bringing in a 45 to play on an old-fashioned record player (El Prado).
So if you find yourself disappointed with a rude bouncer, or drinks that are too watery, or a cover charge that just isn't worth it, try again. Eventually you'll find that perfect place where each time is the best time. If not, at least you'll walk away with a good story.
L.A. has something for everyone. Case in point, this delightful pub touting a predominantly vegan menu tasty enough to satisfy the most steadfast meat lovers, more than 20 California-crafted beers at any given time, bar games including the titular pastime, billiards, and the occasional chili cook-off or adult spelling bee.
They call it your neighborhood bar, because even if you don't live in the neighborhood you'll feel at home at this Alfred Hitchcock–themed eatery. Located in Franklin Village, a block-long stretch of bars, cafés, and bookstores, come here for pub food or a poultry-centric dinner. Weekend nights mean cheap beer and well drinks, crowds spilling onto the streets, and a few rounds of oversize Jenga. Weekdays there's happy hour drink prices; holidays and major sporting events are celebratory occasions at this street side spot.
Priding itself as one of the last remaining neighborhood bars in Los Angeles’s ever-evolving bar scene, Boardner’s has maintained its no-nonsense vibe since 1942. Leave your self-importance at the door, order ice-cold beer and hearty mac and cheese, and keep an eye out for any weird apparitions—this place is known to be one of the most haunted spots in the city. Live music, a killer sound system, and a large dance floor bring out L.A.'s party people to this last-of-its kind Hollywood speakeasy.
A British pub might look out of place in Hollywood, but the Cat and Fiddle's punk-rock influence and 43-year stint give it more than enough street cred. Besides, classic pub grub like fish-and-chips, bangers and mash, and shepherd's pie are a nice counterpoint to L.A.'s vegetarian and gluten-free offerings. There have been a few changes over the years, but it remains the perfect spot to just grab a pint and a savory pie or to satisfy one's inner Anglophile. There's even afternoon tea during the weekends.
If you're looking for that everybody-knows-your-name vibe in L.A., look no further than The Douglas, where owners Dave and Johnny warmly wave to patrons, new and old alike, entering the front patio. The draft beers and hard kombuchas are affordable enough to keep you returning. Pair your beverages with casual, no-nonsense food, such as chicken wings (served with house-made blue cheese), crowd-favorite breakfast burritos, and homemade falafels. Be prepared to rub elbows with Dodgers fans on game night.
With footie on the screens, full English breakfasts and fish-and-chips coming from the kitchen, and pints aplenty (16 imported beers on draft and 12 in bottles to be precise), this pub is as British as it gets—though they do also air American football and basketball. There's a daily happy hour and weekly trivia, karaoke, and naughty game nights.
The Hermosillo is the kind of laid-back pub every neighborhood should have, with an excellent selection of locally focused draft beer on tap, a rotating wine list, and mouthwatering bites like fried pickles and smash burgers. To add to its allure, award-winning Highland Park Brewery got its start in the pub’s back storage room and is still featured prominently on the menu.
