Los Angeles is more than the entertainment hub of the world—it’s a city that exists to party at night. If you’re in the market for a velvet-rope VIP night, an eye-popping light spectacular, or a grungy underground atmosphere, LA’s nightlife has something for any and every type of party animal.

In this handpicked guide, we bring you the most discussed and coveted nightclubs in Los Angeles for 2025. From EDITION’s disco-glam vibe at Sunset to MainRó’s futuristic show-dining experience, and the thumping beats at Academy LA to Boardner’s gothic mystique, this list has it all—luxury, heritage, and innovation, all wrapped in flashing lights and thumping bass.

Whether you’re spending the weekend in Hollywood, celebrating a birthday you’ll never forget, or simply pursuing the city’s hippest dancefloors, this is the guide you need to know exactly where to go, what to do, and how to get in.

• Sunset At Edition

Step into the golden age of night at Sunset at EDITION, a hidden underground club located under the iconic West Hollywood EDITION hotel. Crafted by Studio 54 co-founder Ian Schrager, this underground club reimagines the glamour and energy of old-school disco for the contemporary LA nightlife crowd.

What makes Sunset so memorable is its stunning disco ball ceiling—a shiny work of art that guarantees an evening of awe-inspiring dance music, expertly programmed by world-class DJs that mix Disco, House, Top 40, and high-energy dance party hits. Everything is tailored to a sensory-overload high-end party setting from the thumping LED-lit dance floor to VIP bottle service pods, an upscale private lounge, and even a pool table.

Whether you are a nightlife enthusiast or just looking for an upscale venue in which to dance the night away, Sunset at EDITION offers one of the city’s most fashionable and energetic clubbing scenes in Los Angeles.

 

Quick Details:

• Open Nights: Thursday, Friday & Saturday
• Music Genres: Dance, Disco, House, Top 40
• Dress Code: Trendy & Fashionable
• Cover Charge: Free entry
• Venue Size: Medium – intimate yet vibrant
• Keys

Experience West Hollywood nightlife reinvented at Keys, the energetic new nightlife staple capturing the mythical spot previously occupied by 1OAK LA. Situated in the iconic Sunset Strip, Keys provides an electrifying mix of live DJ performances, interactive lighting, and sophisticated party atmosphere, enthralling LA’s fashion-forward night creatures.

The minute you enter, you’ll be wowed by spectacular LED light displays, pulsating rhythms, and high-voltage performances that include dancers and the occasional electric violinist. Whether sipping top-shelf cocktails or dancing the night away with friends via bottle service, the vibe is always electric and exclusive.

The crowd is as trendy as the music is noisy, and admission isn’t guaranteed unless you have a ticket or are a friend of one of the invited, so get in early or know someone in.

Quick Details:

• Open Nights: Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
• Music Genres: EDM, House, Dance, Top 40
• Dress Code: Upscale & Stylish
• Cover Charge: Guest List Required
• Venue Size: Medium – sleek and energetic

 

• Poppy

Discreetly nestled in the heart of West Hollywood, Poppy is still one of LA’s most upscale nightlife destinations. Its mysterious vibe and notoriously selective door create an experience that’s as much about exclusivity as it is about blissed-out revelry.

Step inside and you’ll be transported to a dream-like lounge that’s half-magical garden, half-throwback library. The décor is worth the visit alone, but it’s the live hip hop performances, expertly mixed DJ sets, and upscale bottle service that bring LA’s who’s who back time and again.

Although the venue lacks a spacious dancefloor, tables with bottle service have the most ideal views and seating for people-watching. On Monday industry nights or high-octane weekends, Poppy never fails to provide an intimate, electric party vibe.

Quick Details:

• Open Nights: Monday, Friday & Saturday
• Music Styles: Hip Hop, Top 40 (varies by night)
• Dress Code: Upscale & Trend-Conscious
• Cover Charge: Guest List Only
• Venue Size: Small – intimate and exclusive
• Academy LA: The Heartbeat of Electronic Dance Music in the Heart of Tinseltown

At the energetic Hollywood Boulevard, Academy LA is a premier nightlife experience and the official Los Angeles headquarters of Insomniac Events—the driving force behind international festivals such as Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC). Die-hard raver or a newcomer to the culture, Academy LA offers an unforgettable experience in the realm of innovative electronic music.

Wealthy in high-energy vibes and expertly programmed lineups, Academy regularly features themed nights under Insomniac’s specialty brands such as Bassrush (bass-blasting beats), Dreamstate (trance), and Basscon (hardstyle). Headliners like Paul Oakenfold, Morgan Page, and DJ Snoopadelic have all illuminated the stage here.

During the summer, don’t forget their fabled Sunday patio parties—ideal for dancing in the sun in a rooftop environment. Just dress to impress; the Academy has a dress code, so be sure to check their recommendations before heading there.

Quick Details:

• Address: 6021 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
• Phone: 323-785-2680
• Genres: EDM, Trance, Bass, Hardstyle, House
• Special Nights: Bassrush, Dreamstate, Basscon
• Dress Code: Enforced – nice club wear encouraged
• Venue Perks: Huge patio, themed nights, VIP DJs

 

• Avalon Hollywood

Steps from Hollywood Boulevard, Avalon Hollywood is a nightclub, but an institution of entertainment. Opened originally in 1927, the complex has evolved over time, having once operated as a radio and television broadcasting facility before assuming the role of a legendary concert venue known as The Palace in the second half of the 20th century.

Redubbed Avalon in the early 2000s, the venue turned into a motor driving Los Angeles to become one of the global capitals of dance music. Grand stage and famed architecture have since hosted everything from underground electronic productions to top-tier headliners. Avalon has a history of discovering high-level talent in advance, showcasing artists such as Skrillex and DJ Snake long before the two became stars around the globe.

Today, Avalon still fuses history with innovation, serving as a platform for both emerging DJs and world-renowned names in house, techno, and bass music.

• Boardner

Hidden away on North Cherokee Avenue, off the Hollywood strip, Boardner’s has been a fixture of Los Angeles nightlife since 1942. With its dramatic lighting, old-school atmosphere, and retro bar decor, entering Boardner’s is like walking onto the set of a Film Noir—moody, intimate, and unapologetically cool.

But behind the bar is something even more surprising: B52 Club, an unadvertised dance club that accommodates alternative subcultures. The club is home to some of LA’s most enduring underground parties, such as:

• Bar Sinister (Saturday): A classic weekly party that specializes in goth, industrial, and darkwave music, strong for almost 25 years.
• Blue Mondays (Monday): Start your week off with a retro blend of ’80s new wave indoors and changing themed parties on the patio.
• Wednesday’s Party (Wednesday): Midweek celebration of goth, industrial, and alternative music scenes.

Quick Details:

• Location: 1652 N Cherokee Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028
• Phone Number: 323-462-9621
• Music Styles: Goth, Industrial, ’80s, New Wave, Darkwave
• Ambiance: Dark, vintage, underground
• Best Nights: Bar Sinister (Sat), Blue Mondays (Mon), Wednesday’s Party (Wed)
• Cover Charge: Changes depending on the event
• Venue Capacity: Small to Medium

 

• MainRo

Situated in the center of Hollywood Boulevard, MainRó is a state-of-the-art nightlife venue that combines upscale dining with interactive entertainment. Launched in spring 2022, this $10-million “clubstaurant” is the Los Angeles launch of hospitality tycoon Romain Zago, the mastermind behind Miami nightlife staples Mynt Lounge and Myn-tu.

Enter the 7,500-square-foot venue and prepare for a multi-sensory experience—imagine touch-sensitive tables, rolling 4K digital walls, plush velvet sofas, and stunning live performances. From Vegas showgirls to Moulin Rouge-meets-Cirque du Soleil atmospheres, every detail is designed to delight.

MainRó elegantly combines sophisticated gastronomy with top-notch nightlife, making it one of LA’s hottest destinations for upscale partygoers, trendsetters, and luxury enthusiasts.

Quick Details:

• Address: 6350 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
• Phone: 323-378-6778
• Concept: Club + Restaurant (“Clubstaurant”)
• Ambiance: Immersive, futuristic, glamorous
• Design Highlights: Touch-sensitive tables, 4K LED walls, velvet booths
• Entertainment: Live performances, aerial acts, showgirls
• Venue Size: 7,500 sq. ft. (Large)

Conclusion

Los Angeles nightlife in 2025 is a kaleidoscopic tapestry of sound, fashion, and spectacle. You might want to get lost in the thumping bass of Academy LA, be enveloped in the gothic mystique of Boardner’s, or experience the opulent, immersive world of MainRó. Whatever your night, the city has something to deliver at every turn. From underground subcultures to velvet-roped glamour, there’s a scene for every type of night owl. So dress to impress, plan, and prepare to dance, dine, and dazzle your way through the City of Angels—because in LA, the party doesn’t stop until you do.