10 Best Nightclubs in Los Angeles

Avalon is one of the quintessential Hollywood superclubs and a pulsating temple to all things EDM. The iconic venue stays open 24/7, throwing an insane laser-lit dance party each night of the week. Book tickets online ahead of time for its famous Saturday night sets, when world-renowned DJs like Skrillex and Paul Oakenfold spin the decks. On Fridays, Control is all about booming alternate electro beats. Thursdays host Tigerheat, an untamed LGBT-friendly event.

Although Avalon is a pioneer of the LA electro scene, it wasn’t always this way. The historic Spanish baroque-style theater first opened in 1927 as the Hollywood Playhouse and has hosted big-name bands like The Beatles over the years.

The Three Clubs is a classic Hollywood hangout – think dark and moody decor with rich mahogany furnishings and plush casino carpets. A celebration of LA glam, the classy cocktail bar blends thirst-quenching concoctions with burlesque shows and boisterous bands.

The venue attracts a sophisticated crowd, yet the clientele is friendly and always eager for a good time. If you’d rather watch cabaret and theater than an ear-splitting DJ, you’ve stumbled upon the perfect Hollywood club. Beverages are a bit on the pricey side but not unreasonable given the craftsmanship involved.

La Cita Bar is a punk powerhouse in Los Angeles that’s been busting out Latin-infused beats for years now – it’s an old-school mainstay of the raucous Downtown party scene. On any given night, live bands belt out tunes ranging from reggae to ska, all with a distinct Mexican twist.

Come Friday for the legendary Punky Reggae, a genre-bending musical fusion best savored with tequila in hand. The wild event sees resident DJs add a splash of post-punk and mutant disco to the mix. Other nights are more laidback but still packed. Come hungry on Taco Tuesdays for an authentic Mexican treat.

Echoplex is a cavernous hipster haunt in Los Angeles where live bands play alt-rock and reggae to a ravenous crowd. An eclectic mix of young and old attend each event, and the atmosphere stays electric throughout the week. A solid beer selection, tasty snacks, and fair prices keep the party popping well into the early hours.

The joint packs out on weekends, but there’s usually room in the downstairs dancefloor to get your boogie on. Rastas won’t want to miss Wednesday’s Dub Club, where genres like Jamaican cumbia and Afrobeat get everyone shaking their thang. Sister club Echo sits upstairs and mostly hosts up-and-coming indie bands.

Exchange occupies the former LA Stock Exchange building, a gorgeous Art Deco edifice dutifully converted into a boisterous 4-floor club. Despite its ultra-modern retrofit, the hip downtown venue still pays homage to its historic past – think opulent 1920s-inspired decor.

The 25,000-sq-ft complex houses up to 1,500 partygoers, so don’t come expecting a quiet tipple. House, techno, and trance DJs grace the stage, while state-of-the-art sound and lighting keep punters enthralled. Alcohol sales stop at 2 am on the dot (standard LA rules), but the DJs usually keep spinning for a couple of hours more.

The Mayan Theater has been an LA nightlife institution since John Digweed’s epic sets gave rise to Global Underground 019 around the turn of the millennium. This Downtown clubbing mecca comes kitted out in lavish Mayan-inspired decor, while blazing electro beats enchant the techno-mad crowd.

Although most of the action takes place on the heaving 2-floor main stage, there’s a slew of segregated spaces if you fancy more wiggle room. Lucha libre matches warm up the crowd on certain nights, and the haunt hosts world-famous DJs from time to time.

Academy is a brilliant spot for EDM aficionados to dance the night away. Boasting a banging sound system, pulsating LED displays, and well-known international DJs, this exuberant Hollywood haunt pulls in plenty of punters each weekend. Hit the food trailer to line your stomach or go straight for bargain-basement jello shots at the bar to kickstart the festivities.

The impressive mainstage setup comes courtesy of Insomniac, the events team responsible for Las Vegas’ epic Electric Daisy Carnival. If the sensory overload becomes too intense, a spacious outdoor patio lets ravers mingle and chill.

Cicada Club in LA is a veritable blast from the past – this charming 1930s-themed venue is all about old-timey decor and infectious swing tunes. Located in Downtown’s Oviatt Building, the Art Deco locale began life as a luxurious haberdashery store, and much of its original French flair remains today. It’s a classy joint that encapsulates the golden age of Hollywood glam, so dress sharp to blend in.

Revelers come to dine on fine Italian cuisine while watching a live orchestra do their thing on stage. Once dinner’s done and the booze kicks in, punters hit the dancefloor for a boogie. If you’d rather watch from afar, the mezzanine overlooks the stage and its glitzy waterfall chandeliers.

Sound is an iconic underground club where techno and deep house reign supreme. If you’ve grown weary of the mainstream Hollywood scene, treat your eardrums to alternate EDM tunes at this unpretentious warehouse-style haunt. A massive Funktion One sound system and beloved big-name DJs – think Carl Cox and Felix da Housecat – crank the volume up to 11.  It’s dark and debaucherous, just the way we like it.

Monday Night Social might well be the oldest club night in LA; a brilliant way to kickstart a hedonistic week. Come Fridays, the club puts on Framework, a lively weekly event that attracts its biggest EDM acts.

Club Tempo is the premier place to party for Los Angeles’ thriving LBGTQ scene. The bold and boisterous establishment boasts live bands, saucy drag shows, and an outrageous Latin cowboy theme. Kitch 1980s style decor sets the tone, and you’ll hear camp mashups of all your favorite old-school hits.

Between shows, there’s plenty of action on its 2 dancefloors, each blaring unique genres to cater to various musical tastes. A taco lady does delicious cheap treats, and the beverages won’t break the bank at this unpretentious locale.