The 57 best dance clubs in L.A.

Look beyond the cold glamor of Hollywood, and the true spirit of LA lies in the diverse archipelago of dance halls, lounges, bars, and pop-up community hubs catering to clubbers from nearly every subculture and demographic. Being an all-round Angeleno means kicking off Friday night with a KCRW core soul set at the Lodge Room in Highland Park, then meeting friends at La Cita for a goth cumbia bonanza and finally, at 2am, inexplicably cheering for your crazy DJ cousin at Catch One in Mid-City.

While the COVID-19 crisis closed a number of establishments in 2020, the stubborn support of LA’s nightlife communities kept many clubs afloat. Here’s a list of essential spots to kick-start your weekend – but only you can decide where the night will take you.