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Top Venues For Live Entertainment | By Caitlin White
A few of our favorite ways to experience the city's talent.
The city’s live music scene makes up a huge part of the town’s nightlife. Whether you’re looking to catch some indie rock at a downtown club, dress to the nines for a night of dancing at a subterranean club on the Sunset Strip, or relax with a mimosa at brunch while basking in the sounds of live jazz performed at an oceanfront restaurant, there are options here to suit almost any mood. Check out a few of our favorite ways to experience the local music scene.
DOWNTOWN
Moxy, a Marriott hotel brand, planted a flag in downtown L.A. with Level 8, a sprawling compound that is poised to be a game-changer for dining and dancing options in the heart of the city. While a host of specialty kitchens took over the hotel’s eighth floor, it’s the cathedral-style nightclub, Sinners y Santos that’s already become a hot new nightlife spot. Enter through a confessional booth, enjoy a drink while gazing up at stained glass windows, and head to the dance floor where the DJ blesses the crowd with tunes, all while he is ensconced in a pipe organ booth. And don’t be put off by area traffic: New subway stops popping up in the area means access to this busy, historic corridor is easier than ever.
The masterminds behind legendary venues like the Mercury Lounge in New York City’s Lower East Side and L.A’.s Teragram Ballroom have expanded their footprint in the city with a new live music joint. Catching a show at The Bellwether is a step up from some of the other more vintage venues in the downtown area. Modern architecture means the 270-degree wrap-around balcony offers excellent views of the stage, and multiple bars throughout all levels of the club guarantee waiting in line to get a drink is a thing of the past. Finally, a brand new, state-ofthe-art sound system brings a high caliber of artists to this 1,600-capacity venue. This November, check out the bluesy St. Paul & the Broken Bones and British producer Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs.
HOLLYWOOD
Hit a late-night DJ set at Grandmaster Recorders' speakeasy-style 71 Studio bar. Both the foodie and music industry crowds are at home at the luxurious, music-themed restaurant with a rooftop that has spectacular views. But, late in the evening, a dance party often breaks out. Head into the former recording studio space for cool-kid DJ sets and a night spent twirling under shimmering lights.
For a taste of Miami in L.A., look no further than MainRo Restaurant and Supper Club in Hollywood. This is the first West Coast outpost from reality TV personality Romain Zago, who owns Mynt Lounge and Myn-tu in Miami. Decadent steak and sushi options give way to bottles lit up with sparklers, acrobatic shows, and live performances. You can spend the night tucked away in a booth, or get up on the floor and join the party. Either way, the drinks will be flowing and the night won’t stop until the hour is late.
SUNSET STRIP
Explore The Roxy, an Iconic Venue Known for L.A. Music History Down the way from Hollywood, and just before the quiet suburban bliss of Beverly Hills, the Sunset Strip has seen a revitalization over the last decade. But before fancy restaurants and luxury penthouses made it cool again, the Roxy was holding it down. As one of the epicenters for a raging rock scene in the ‘60s and ‘70s, this club has hosted scores of celebrities at decadent parties and lived to tell the tale. Now entering its 50th year as a venue, young artists are still thrilled to grace the stage.
The West Hollywood Edition’s Subterranean Club, Sunset This brings celebrity buzz to the high-end hotel. Dubbed a “modern clubhouse,” the underground nightclub at one of the Strip’s fanciest hotels quickly transformed into a celebrity hangout. Loosely inspired by Studio 54, there’s weekly Thursday night programming and plenty of VIPs to be seen all weekend long. Bring your best club attire and get ready for a see-and-be-seen atmosphere.
SANTA MONICA
The Bungalow is one of those venues where an outdoor day party actually works. An oldie but a goodie, this almost-oceanfront outdoor club at the Fairmont Miramar hotel has remained a mainstay for West Side partiers for years. Since finding a good day party can be a tricky undertaking, it’s a safer bet to just head to the Bungalow and know that the drinks will be flowing, the place will be packed, and Wally’s is across the street if you crave real sustenance.
DETAILS
Sinners y Santos / 1254 S. Figueroa St. 8th Floor, Los Angeles, 213.789.7860
The Bellweather / 333 S. Boylston St., Los Angeles,
Grandmaster Recorder / 1518 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, 818.502.1120
MainRo / 6350 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, 323.378.6778
The Roxy / 9009 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
Sunset at EDITION / 1090 N. Doheny Drive, West Hollywood,
The Bungalow / 101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.899.8530
