Los Angeles is known for its strong musical background. Throughout the 20th century, it was the go-to city for aspiring musicians looking to become successful. Today, it still has one of the most vibrant and varied live music scenes in the U.S. Every night, there are chances to see future music stars and famous artists performing. This happens across various famous stages, both indoors and outdoors, across the city.
For a musical journey through the city, here are some of the most legendary spots with the best live music Los Angeles: from offbeat clubs to mega-arenas.
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The Crypto Arena
Located in the center of the bustling and recently rejuvenated downtown, the Crypto Arena ( previously The Staples Center) is one of the best-known places in the City of Los Angeles and is surrounded by a variety of quality restaurants and bars.
While the NBA’s Lakers and Clippers call the arena home, the real draw here is its incredible array of music events. The venue hosts various award shows ranging from the MTV Video Music Awards to the Grammys.
A look at the arena schedule will reveal the biggest names in the music industry as Madonna, Depeche Mode, and Anita Baker.
1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 | cryptoarena.com/
The Echo
The Echo, though modest in size with a capacity of 300, has a big impact on the music world. It’s known for featuring up-and-coming artists on the verge of mainstream success, offering fans a chance to discover new music early on. The venue also hosts regular dance parties and themed nights, such as Part Time Punks, with post-punk, new wave, and indie rock, and Dub Club, a reggae event with live acts and DJs. Drawing a varied and enthusiastic audience, The Echo is an integral part of LA’s music scene, situated in one of the city’s most lively neighborhoods.
1822 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 | theecho.com/
Largo at the Coronet
An LA staple, nestled between chic Beverly Hills and the energetic party mecca of West Hollywood, Largo at the Coronet has been a go-to for fans of music and humor for the past two decades.
In addition to being home to a variety of the industry’s best comedic talents, the club is also home to singer-songwriters at the peak of their careers.
366 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 | largo-la.com/
The Viper Room
One of Los Angeles’ most legendary and infamous clubs, The Viper Room has been an underground rock oasis and celebrity magnet since it opened in 1993.
Formerly owned by superstar Johnny Depp, the venue (located on the world-famous Sunset Strip) attracts both popular and up-and-coming rock acts, as well as boasts an extensive whiskey bar.
Sadly, the club has also been home to several tragic moments in show history, including where famed actor River Phoenix overdosed during the venue’s annual celebration event.
1029 Larrabee St, West Hollywood, CA 90069 | viperroom.com/
Hollywood Bowl
The Bowl, an outdoor amphitheater, is known for its stunning location in a natural setting with views of the hills and the Hollywood sign. It has a rich history of nearly 100 years and has hosted legendary music performances by artists like The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Grace Jones. The acoustics of the venue are exceptional, thanks to its unique shell shape that enhances the sound quality. Additionally, the Bowl offers a summer film series where classic movies are screened with live music by the LA Philharmonic. This amphitheater is considered one of the best venues for music and cultural events, not only in Los Angeles but also globally.
2301 N Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90068 | hollywoodbowl.com/
The Theatre at Ace Hotel
@theatre_acedtla
This stunning movie palace from the 1920s, imagined by Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin, boasts a beautiful Spanish Gothic facade, a large auditorium, a mural by Anthony Heinsbergen, and a 17-rank Wurlitzer organ. The Ace Hotel chain bought it in 2013 and renovated it extensively. Now, it’s a top concert venue in the city, featuring a mix of new indie musicians and famous mainstream artists. Conveniently, it’s part of the Ace Hotel, allowing guests to visit the hotel’s popular bar after concerts.
929 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015 | acehotel.com/los-angeles/theatre/
The Kia Forum
Another of Los Angeles’ arena venues, the fabulous Kia Forum has had a tumultuous history since its opening in 1967. In its early years, acts ranging from The Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin appeared regularly. on location, but as the decades progressed, the arena and its Inglewood neighborhood fell into disrepair. His fate soon changed when the company behind Madison Square Garden purchased the space, recently restoring it to its former glory.
Recent legends to grace the Kia Forum stage include the biggest names from Depeche Mode to Aerosmith. Pop stars regularly make the Kia Forum a stop on their world tours.
3900 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305 | thekiaforum.com/
Lodge Room
The Lodge Room, located on the second floor of an old Masonic lodge in the trendy Highland Park area, is a unique concert venue. Originally built in 1922 with impressive architecture, it was unused for a long time until it was transformed into a music venue in 2017. Now, it has a modern sound system and a stylish interior. The Lodge Room hosts many popular performers, making it a go-to spot for live music in the area.
104 N Avenue 56 2nd floor, Los Angeles, CA 90042 | lodgeroomhlp.com/
The Hotel Cafe
In the early 2000s, two young writers, Marko Shafer and Maximillian Mamikunian, opened a coffee shop in a vacant space under a hotel in Hollywood. Early on, the coffee shop has become a famous spot for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. It’s a place where artists can connect closely with their audience. Stars like Adele and John Mayer performed some of their first shows there. This small venue is now a cherished and timeless place for music lovers in Los Angeles.
1623 N Cahuenga Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028 | hotelcafe.com/
The Greek Theatre
Watching a show at this outdoor amphitheater in Griffith Park’s hills is a classic date night activity in Los Angeles. The venue is known for its beautiful, natural surroundings, excellent sound quality, and great views from nearly every seat. Built in 1929 by Griffith J. Griffith and designed like a Greek temple, The Greek Theatre has seen many famous performances. This includes the Beatles’ first U.S. tour in 1964 and a memorable show by Bruce Springsteen in 1986. The atmosphere at this venue is always enchanting.
2700 N Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 | lagreektheatre.com/
The Troubadour
No venue in Los Angeles music history has been more consequential than that of the Troubadour.
Open since 1957, and located in the middle of the action in the city’s West Hollywood neighborhood, the venue was the epicenter of the Los Angeles singer-songwriter explosion of the late ’60s and early ’70s and featured performances debut as James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits, and Neil Young.
Now, half a century later, the Troubador stage is still making history, whether it’s hosting today’s top talent like KT Tunstall and Dumb Fucks.
Perhaps that’s why Rolling Stone once called it one of the hottest venues in all of America, while Billboard went so far as to call it one of the hottest clubs in North America.
9081 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 | troubadour.com/
Zebulon
Zebulon is a well-known spot in Los Angeles. It’s famous for hosting different kinds of events like music, poetry, and movies. The place has a friendly atmosphere and is known for its fun parties. Zebulon is loved by both music fans and artists for its variety of shows. It’s not just for music; it’s also a place where artists meet and work together. Besides, there’s a cafe and restaurant at Zebulon where you can eat pizza, tacos, and other small snacks.
2478 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90039 | zebulon.la/
The Belasco
The Belasco is a baroque, Mayan-style concert venue known for its unique, playful haunted vibe. It’s rich in architectural details, combining Churrigueresque, Spanish Renaissance, Moorish, and Gothic styles. This venue was also featured in Britney Spears’ audition scene in the 2002 movie “Crossroads.” Built in 1926 by Edward Doheny, it first served as a vaudeville theater and later as a church. In 2011, it reopened as a music venue. Recently, it has gained popularity, hosting major American artists like Lana Del Rey, Devenra Banhart, and Skinny Puppy on its historic stage.
1050 S Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 | thebelasco.com/
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
In Los Angeles, a 62-acre cemetery, founded in 1899, has become an unexpected hub for cultural events. It’s the final resting place of Hollywood stars like Rudolph Valentino. During summer, this cemetery hosts various outdoor events like concerts, plays, comedy shows, and film screenings. Thousands gather on its lawn to watch classic films projected onto the mausoleum’s side. It has featured concerts by artists such as Belle & Sebastian and Broken Social Scene. Along with its indoor venue, The Masonic Lodge, this cemetery is considered one of the most unique concert venues in the United States.
6000 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90038 | https://hollywoodforever.com/events-calendar/
Even more Legendary Places
Other top bars with live music in Los Angeles include Silverlake’s The Satellite, a low-cost club that regularly features a range of growing, genre-spanning talent; The Regent, a spacious and modern place in the center of the city in excavations of a hundred years; the massive Hollywood Palladium on Sunset Boulevard, which can hold up to 4,000 fans;
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