The 14 Best Places To Dance in Los Angeles

AVALON Hollywood (formerly known as The Palace) is a converted theater-turned-nightclub. While the club mostly caters to EDM, house and trance, if you’re looking for something a little more mainstream, you might want to check AVALON Hollywood out on Thursdays for its TigerHeat party – the DJs spin Top 40 hits all night long.

Boulevard3 is massive upscale club complete with an outdoor garden and balcony that overlooks the dance floor. Formerly the Hollywood Athletic Club, Boulevard3 is renowned for its unusual entertainment, so don’t be surprised if there are aerial performers flying above your head while you’re tearing it up on the dance floor.

Dirty Laundry, a bar tucked neatly underground just off Hollywood Boulevard, is one of the relatively few places in LA to host soul and hip-hop music nights. Its SuperSoul Monday is well known and has even welcomed such stars as Black Thought of The Roots. On Wednesdays, hip-hop is on the menu and being on the guest list is a requirement.

The Echo is among the small music clubs in Los Angeles that even New Yorkers travel to visit. Intimate enough for the possibility of getting personal with the artists, The Echo also has the comfort level for chilling with old and new friends, with cheap drinks and pizzas from the bar. Don’t let the casual environment fool you – the acoustics are nothing but pro. Head down to The Echo at the start of the week for the free Monday Night Music residency and the chance to see artists before they become the next big thing – The Airborne Toxic Event and Foster the People are among the names to have got their start here.

Underneath The Echo is The Echoplex, which hosts reggae, hip-hop and funk dance nights, along with live gigs and even spoken word events. It is best known for its Wednesday Dub Club – LA’s best reggae night, featuring resident DJs and guest performances by Jamaican legends.

Exchange LA is one of the biggest dance clubs in the city, hosting four floors of bass-thumping music in a renovated Art Deco building. The former home of the Los Angeles Stock Exchange (hence the name), the club hosts trance, house and techno DJs. Big names from as far afield as Europe, including Giuseppe Ottaviani and Maya Jane Coles, have spun here.

The Granada is one of the few clubs in LA dedicated to salsa dancing. Don’t know how to dance salsa? Don’t fret. For a small cover, you can show up early in the evening for lessons. And if you don’t have a partner, that’s OK, too. The rule is that partners rotate every song.

La Cita is a Downtown Los Angeles mainstay with strong drinks, live bands and a rotating roster of high-profile DJs. With an indoor bar and an outdoor space dubbed El Patio, La Cita is a great low-key option that provides guests with unparalleled views of Downtown LA. Hosting events that feature a range of performers, from national touring acts to local favorite DJ IVY, La Cita is sure to delight a crowd any night of the week.

Montana’s Country Nightclub is a great space for line dancing aficionados to show off their moves. Located in nearby San Dimas, the bar offers a spacious dance floor and even lessons for those of you wanting to learn the hottest new line dance or just a simple two-step.

A luxurious lounge with an intimate dance floor, The Room hosts killer DJs who keep the floor pulsing with hip-hop. For a break from dancing, retire to one of the bar’s cozy booths. Top tip: it can get pretty crowded in the lounge on Fridays and Saturdays, so if you need lots of space to show off your moves, check The Room out on a Wednesday or Thursday.

The Satellite is a heavy hitter in the indie music game. The Silver Lake club also plays host to the weekly Dance Yourself Clean event, a Saturday-night dance party that serves up indie dance-pop music. Keep a lookout for free shows.

Sound Nightclub is all about the music. It boasts a state-of-the-art sound system, which will make you feel the music – quite literally. If you love house or EDM, this is definitely the place for you. In addition to pumping music, you can expect art installations and street food-inspired bites.

Combine dancing, drinks and sunbathing on a visit to The Rooftop at The Standard Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles – a true staple of the the city’s nightlife scene. While you can take in amazing views from the roof – which also features a heated pool – the lower level is where you can get your dance on. Promoters throw parties here throughout the summer months, but the rotating DJs are sure to please all year round.

The Virgil, a friendly, family-owned bar with a speakeasy feel, is known both for its innovative cocktails and eclectic variety of live shows – from DJs and live bands to comedy and dancing. The venue’s B Side bar offers a cozy, low-key alternative hang-out away from the action.