The Top 10 Hollywood Nightclubs in LA
Dance the night away at the best nightclubs in Hollywood
From festival headliners to local record collectors, there are a lot of DJs dropping an eclectic mix of sounds throughout Hollywood. The neighborhood is home to internationally renowned dance clubs like Avalon and Sound, but that's not all you'll find here. We've compiled ten Hollywood dance spots that range from mega-clubs to intimate venues, with parties that range from house to goth to drum & bass.
If you're unfamiliar with Hollywood, note that parking can be a challenge, particularly on the weekends, and a rideshare app might be your best option. Many of these venues are within walking distance from each other, so it's fairly easy to hit up multiple spots in one night.
Want to get into the groove outside of Tinseltown? Be sure to check out our guide to the Best Nightclubs in LA.
Academy LA
Academy LA is the Hollywood home for Insomniac, the company best known for festivals like Electric Daisy Carnival. Parties here often spotlight niche styles of dance music through Insomniac brands like Bassrush (bass music), Dreamstate (trance) and Basscon (hard style). Recent events have included DJ sets from the likes of Paul Oakenfold, Morgan Page and DJ Snoopadelic. In the summer, Academy hosts a Sunday afternoon party on their ample patio. The venue does have a dress code, so check that out before you roll up to the door.
Avalon Hollywood
Located on Vine Street near Hollywood Boulevard, Avalon has a long and storied history in the neighborhood. It first opened in 1927 and has been known by a number of different names over the years. For decades, it served as a home for radio and television broadcasts, before morphing into the late 20th-century concert venue/dance club The Palace. Renamed Avalon in the early 2000s, the venue has become a cornerstone of LA's emergence as a dance music capital in the 21st century. Avalon has long been at the forefront of dance music trends, having booked artists like Skrillex and DJ Snake before they were famous, and remains a home for up-and-coming talent.
Bardot
Situated on the upper level of Avalon, Bardot is best known for School Night, a long-running Monday night live music showcase. Keep tabs through Instagram for other upcoming events at Bardot.
Boardner's
Dating to 1942, Boardner's is a classic L.A. bar - it's small, dark, and makes you feel like you've stepped into a Film Noir. Boardner's also boasts a dance club (technically it's the B52 Club) that caters to alternative tastes. Its flagship party is Bar Sinister, held on Saturday nights for nearly 25 years with a focus on goth and industrial sounds. Another long-running party is Blue Mondays, which starts the week with '80s jams in the main room and rotating themes on the patio. A newer weekly is its goth and industrial hump day gathering, Wenzday's Party.
Gold Diggers
In a past life, Gold Diggers was a bikini bar with a rep. That changed a few years ago when it was revamped as a bar/music venue, part of a complex that's also home to a hotel and a recording studio. The new Gold Diggers is home to both live music and DJ nights. With the latter, expect dance sounds that are outside of the mainstream. You might find DJs who specialize in styles like Italo disco or Armenian funk. Check the Gold Diggers Instagram for calendar updates. Note that parking is very congested, rideshares are ideal.
Houston Hospitality
Whatever you're in the mood for, Houston Hospitality has your Hollywood nightlife needs covered: the speakeasy-style No Vacancy, the magic-themed Black Rabbit Rose, 70s vibes at Good Times at Davey Wayne's, a trip to Havana at La Descarga, and Harvard & Stone, featuring live music, DJs and burlesque in a WWII inspired industrial venue.
MainRó
Opened in spring 2022, the $10-million MainRó is the first LA venture for hospitality magnate Romain Zago, owner of Miami’s renowned Mynt Lounge and Myn-tu. Delivering sensory overload from the moment you pass security, this 7,500 square-foot “clubstaurant” features touch-sensitive tables and moving 4K digital screens along with velvet booths and Vegas-style showgirls. Picture Moulin Rouge staged by Cirque du Soleil on New Year’s Eve and you’re getting close.
Playhouse Nightclub
Hip-hop is the soundtrack at Playhouse. This 13,000 square-foot Hollywood Boulevard venue kicks off the weekends on Thursday nights with La Cultura, featuring a mix of reggaeton, Latin and hip-hop. The hip-hop beats continue to drop throughout the weekend with TBA Fridays and The Scene on Saturdays.
Sound Nightclub
If you're heavy into dance music, you'll likely find a can't-miss event on Sound's calendar no matter when you're staying in Hollywood. This small, but mighty venue consistently books top talent across genres, with recent guests ranging from techno titan Chris Liebing to house star The Black Madonna. Sound is a fairly intimate space, particularly considering the caliber of the DJs it books, so you might want to get there on the early side if you're hankering for a prime spot on the dance floor.
Station1640
Designed to look like New York's subways, Station1640 is a bar and dance club with a street art edge - peep the walls for work from renowned artists.
Weekly events include Karaoke Mondays and Taco Tuesdays - drum & bass fans should keep Thursdays clear for Respect, a stalwart of the Los Angeles scene since 1999.
Bonus: The Abbey
Located in the LGBTQ mecca of nearby West Hollywood, The Abbey was crowned LOGO's "Best Gay Bar in the World," making it a must-see in LA’s gay nightlife scene. Once a busy coffeehouse, this iconic club attracts a diverse crowd that loves the spotlight. You'll come across luxuriously chic fireplaces and cabanas, as well as a list of delicious martinis and mojitos. Get ready to pose, strut and smile — and find out why The Abbey deserves the hype.