Los Angeles Nightlife Calendar
by Rachael Rollins
Los Angeles is known for miles of stunning sandy beaches with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Warm weather keeps the coastal communities popular in every season and beachgoers enjoy sun, swimming and surfing year-round. Venice Beach is known for an eclectic art scene with exciting people-watching, while Santa Monica is a bustling center of shopping and dining at the Third Street Promenade, with carnival style attractions at the Santa Monica Pier. At night, visitors and locals head to the Beach Cities to experience fun nights out in Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach. Pub crawlers love Hudson House in Redondo Beach, and The Otherroom in Venice Beach offers a casual atmosphere with a great selection of craft beers and California wines. Check out The Penthouse at The Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica for a crowd of stylish partygoers and an extensive menu of classic cocktails.
Read on for more of the best bars in the Beach Cities, and this month’s top picks for nightlife all around Los Angeles.
Wednesday October 3:
Vibrant and stylish, the Cameo Bar & Lounge at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica is the perfect place to step off the sand, and start your night out in the Beach Cities area. Cameo is a classic bar and lounge with signature cocktails and chic, retro-glam décor. Happy hour specials run from 4-6pm weeknights so arrive early and enjoy. www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/en/santamonica
Thursday October 4:
Go straight to The Roxbury on Thursdays for a packed dance floor and the hottest Hip Hop tracks. In the nineties, The Roxbury was an iconic West Hollywood nightclub known to cater to larger-than-life stars with an ultra exclusive door policy. The Roxbury set the bar high for extravagant Los Angeles nightlife before closing its doors. Twenty years later, The Roxbury reopened in Hollywood, completely reinventing the Ivar space. Expect plenty of room to dance, a glamorous crowd of celebrities and socialites, and all the decadence of the original, with an updated modern edge. www.roxburyhw.com
Friday October 5:
Dance to LA’s hottest DJs at AV Nightclub in Hollywood. Style and substance best describe AV, where Hollywood’s tastemakers go for an unmatched evening of sights and sounds. Matt Bendik, one of the partners behind the sinfully decadent venue, Voyeur, teamed up with Tosh Berman to bring glamour back to Hollywood nightlife with AV. www.avnightclub.com
Saturday October 6:
For a pub instead of a club, try the Corner Bar in Burbank. The Corner Bar is a cozy neighborhood dive with a wide selection of inexpensive beers and cocktails. The classic bar menu and warm, unpretentious atmosphere make this bar a top pick for a night out in the San Fernando Valley. www.cornerbarburbank.com
Wednesday October 10:
The Federal Bar is NoHo’s premier neighborhood bar, restaurant and entertainment venue. The Federal Bar serves small-plate versions of tasty comfort classics with a wide variety of micro brews on tap, an eclectic wine list and a selection of fine bourbons and scotches. www.thefederalbar.com
Thursday October 11:
Stop into Hennessey’s Tavern in Hermosa Beach and enjoy half-price martinis all night! Hennessey’s is one of the most popular bars in the Beach Cities area with an energetic crowd, a tasting menu of classic whiskey and bourbon selections and the friendly feel of a traditional Irish pub. www.hennesseystavern.com
Friday October 12:
Steal the scene on the dance floor every Friday at Playhouse Hollywood. This week, Dirty Sexy House features sounds by Bass Kleph. A favorite celebrity hotspot with a VIP lounge on the balcony overlooking the massive main dance floor, Playhouse was recently voted the #4 nightclub in the world. Playhouse Hollywood is the ultimate venue for those who prefer revelry spiked with risk. www.playhousehollywood.com
Saturday October 13:
Strand Bar at The Strand House is located just steps from the ocean in Manhattan Beach. A cornerstone of the downtown nightlife scene in Manhattan Beach, Strand Bar features an extensive selection of wines and specialty cocktails, modern, elegant décor and DJs playing everything from top 40s to 90’s hip hop to keep you on the dance floor. www.thestrandhousemb.com
Wednesday October 17:
Mix all the swagger and style of top New York City bars and LA’s laid-back party attitude with 45 kinds of Irish whiskey and you have Rock & Reilly’s on the Sunset Strip. Rock & Reilly’s is already popular with celebs, but the Irish pub remains an unpretentious place to grab a quick bite and a few pints with friends. The music is a fun mix of rock favorites and the bar boasts 15 flat screens so you’ll never miss a minute of the big game. www.rnrpub.com
Thursday October 18:
Side AFEX is the new weekly dance party at Lexington Social House, featuring hip hop and EDM. Every Thursday, special guests join DJ Poet, Damien Le Roy and Edski spinning EDM in the main room while Adam 12, Eddie Donaldson and special guests play hip hop on the patio. Side AFEX is the “best-of-both” event you can’t miss! www.lexingtonsocialhouse.com
Friday October 19:
Nightlife visionary Brent Bolthouse recently opened The Bungalow at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica. Just steps from the beach, The Bungalow wows guests with expansive ocean views, rustic interior design and patio spaces nestled in a lush garden setting. This intimate venue is the hottest new spot on the beach so arrive early, and table reservations are strongly suggested. www.thebungalowsm.com
Saturday October 20:
Downtown LA has the perfect lounge for dates or nights out with friends. Silo offers a specialty vodka bar, vodka tastings inside the Silo Freezer ice lounge, an outdoor patio and a slider bar with a fun menu of small plates. Cocktail connoisseurs will delight in the drink menu and the atmosphere includes DJs playing top 40s and retro favorites. www.silodtla.com
Wednesday October 24:
Find out why almost 1,000 people run off to join the circus every Wednesday at Here Lounge in West Hollywood. Paul Nicholls and Woody Woodbeck present Stripper Circus Wednesdays, with special performances every week and carnival games for cash, prizes and cocktails. Here Lounge is one of the hottest gay nightspots so head there early, doors open at 8pm. www.herelounge.com
Thursday October 25:
The Broadway Bar, adjacent to the Orpheum Theatre in LA’s historic Theatre District, has the elegant feel of a 1940’s supper club with a casual downtown atmosphere. The crowd is an exciting mix of art connoisseurs and sports fans, packing the bar to enjoy the eclectic drink menu and selection of beers on tap. There is a $2 discount off drinks before 8pm so start your night early Downtown at the Broadway Bar. www.broadwaybar.la
Friday October 26:
Keith Wilson and Rich Royal host Saturdays at Palihouse in West Hollywood. At this hot weekly party, expect a chic and sophisticated crowd in the lobby lounge, a stylishly appointed space with soft leather banquettes, unique art and industrial accents. The soundtrack is provided by DJ Keith 2.0, DJ Metric and special guests, while the bar serves classic and signature cocktails made with fresh ingredients and boutique spirits. www.palihouse.com
Saturday October 27:
Head to SaturDrais at Drai’s Hollywood for a taste of Vegas nightlife in the heart of Hollywood. Drai’s Hollywood, the multilevel rooftop bar at the W Hollywood Hotel, features breathtaking views of the city from floor-to-ceiling windows in the penthouse bar and an expansive open air balcony. The VIP lounge offers a private entrance to the party and the stunning décor is a blend of Drai’s signature style and chic W design. www.draishollywood.com
Wednesday October 31:
Lure invites you to Haunted House Halloween, a special Halloween event with DJ Scotty Boy playing house music on the main dance floor with special guests. Lure provides the ultimate nightlife experience with a 50,000 watt Line Array sound system, high-definition LED walls and light spheres choreographed to the music. With special performances by top international DJs, plush seating and four full service bars, Lure is revolutionizing nightlife in Los Angeles. www.lurehollywood.com
