The Best Dance Clubs in Los Angeles and Vicinity

The Los Angeles bar scene is huge, but not every place is worth a second glance. Listed here are some of the best, put together on such factors as price, service and atmosphere. Out of these ten very different clubs, there should be something for just about anyone!

Circus Disco

6655 Santa Monica Blvd.

Plenty of spacious dance floor awaits you at Circus Disco, a classic club made up of three huge dancing areas and a lot of places to sit when you tire of being on your feet. The main room plays great electronica, salsa and disco, while the second floor features mainly hip-hop music. If you're really into techno music, this is claimed to be the best electronica club in LA, also offering some well-mixed drinks for reasonable prices, mostly between $7 and $10. The charismatic staff provides excellent service.

Note: The box office accepts debit cards, but only cash is accepted inside so be sure to either bring some with you or get cash back from the box office.

Rumba Room

1000 Universal City Walk #208
Universal City

Open Monday 6pm-12am, Tuesday 6pm-11pm, Wednesday - Thursday 6pm-1am, Friday - Sunday 8pm-2am

The Rumba Room is a fine establishment made up of two dance floors and two full bars. Excellent music of the salsa, rock, pop and jazz are to be heard in this joint, in the form of either DJs or live music on the weekends. Appetizers and small meals are offered on Friday and Saturday night for the hungry dancers.

Drinks are very reasonably priced for such a great place but the entry fee may be a little high (generally about $20 plus parking if you get there after 10pm). To save money, do your best to get there before then!

The energetic, lively atmosphere provides a great ambiance for how a club should be, and generally the crowds are kind and just plain happy. There is a dress code which is strictly enforced, mainly classy-casual attire. If you aren't sure, call ahead.

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The Mayan

1038 South Hill Street

This old building (built in 1927) was originally used for live theater. Now it functions as an upscale salsa club, which from time to time also hosts other things such as concerts and theater as well. Some great funk, disco and house music are also spun here, in spite of its salsa focus.

To go along with the name, there is a prominent Mayan decorative theme on display, creating a dark and sultry atmosphere. The staff can become very busy when it gets crowded, but even then they are courteous and efficient. Admission price varies, but it generally seems to be around the $15 range.

Before you go, make sure you're wearing some very classy clothing - The Mayan has a very strict dress code. If you're not sure on what to wear, call them for a detailed list of what they do or do not accept.

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Cabana Club

1439 Ivar Avenue
Hollywood

Open Friday and Saturday, 10pm-2am

The Cabana Club is a gorgeous, quaint establishment, offering a beautiful landscape of a tropical environment on the patio (waterfalls, palm trees, and actual cabanas to name some of what makes up the surroundings) and the interior holds a nice bar and two floors of dancing which are complimented by the beautiful artwork. A mixture of different types of music take place here, including live rock and hip-hop acts on some nights. All in all this is a great place to step out of the city without ever leaving it.

Admission is around $20.

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Mood

6623 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood

Open Wednesday - Saturday 8pm-2am, Sunday 10pm-2am

This very low-lit club offers a dark and hip atmosphere for young and classy partiers. Candles abound seem to provide the main source of lighting, as people flourish around the appealing bar area or dance to some excellent music from such genres as hip-hop, R&B and rap for the most part. Awesome staff, from the bartenders all the way to the friendly bouncers. The drinks are a little pricey, but not too bad - between $7 and $12.

An added perk for the smokers, this club has an indoor, vented smoking area with its own bar.

Line up early, because it may take time to get in.

Admission is around $20.

Website

Club 705

705 Pier Avenue
Hermosa Beach

Open Wednesday - Saturday 5pm-2am, Sunday - Tuesday 5pm-12am

Just a short distance from the beach, Club 705 is a unique club that provides three different-themed rooms and two fully stocked bars, along with a very spacious dance floor. An Asian-style room features a yummy sushi bar and is decorated with red and black tones. Comfortable couches surround the huge dance floor, for partiers to get their groove on with some excellent music. There is live music on Wednesdays and, for the karaoke lovers, make sure to be there on a Monday or Thursday!

A semi-strict dress code is required, but really all it asks is no baggy clothing, no baseball hates, and no sports clothing, shorts or sweats. Just dress casually classy and you should be good to go!

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Boardner's

1652 North Cherokee Avenue
Hollywood

Open daily 4pm-2am

This classic bar and club lowers the standards when it comes to acceptance, but not when it comes to great service and providing a great time in a classy, low-lit environment. Unlike many other L.A. clubs, you won't find a velvet rope here. Pretty much anyone is welcome, and you don't even have to pay a cover fee if you want to go for just the bar. The club, however, does charge admission. The drinks are mixed well and potent, for very reasonable prices. The bartenders know their stuff and are very friendly. If you're into karaoke, show up on a Thursday!

There is a daily Happy Hour from 4-8pm, with $3 and $4 beers, $4 well drinks and $5 house wines, along with half-off all appetizers.

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Main On Main

2941 Main St.
Santa Monica

Open Tuesday - Saturday 7pm-2am

Serving as a relaxing cocktail lounge on Tuesday and Wednesday and a hopping full dance club on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the Main On Main club is a gem to be found among this pub-lined street. Different genres of music are selected, from hip-hop and R&B to dance and electronica.

The cocktails are delicious and made very strong, while hovering at a somewhat-expensive price (around $13). There is a Happy Hour on weekdays from 7-9, with specials on well drinks, beer and wines. The place gets packed on the weekends, even the venue isn't the largest. The dim lighting provides a wonderfully dark and somewhat romantic atmosphere.

Admission during the weekend is just $5 before 10pm, and $10 after 11. Of course you can go on a Thursday to party instead, which has no cover charge.

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The Derby

4500 Los Feliz Blvd.

Open Monday - Friday 5:30pm-2am, Saturday 9pm-2am, Sunday 6pm-2am

The Derby is best known as the venue with the resurrection of swing music. Today it is still playing swing music (even dance lessons are offered) along with other genres, such as reggae, jazz and alternative to name a few.

The interior of the club is decked out beautifully in its velvet-wall decor. The staff is very approachable and provide excellent service, even on the busiest nights. The later it gets, the more packed of dancers it seems to get, which is great to get that full-on club experience.

Admission varies.

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The Avalon Hollywood

1735 N. Vine St.
Hollywood

This hot, popular club hosts a mix of live bands and DJs (some of the biggest names in Hollywood!) providing music that never seems to end! Aside from the great mixed-genre music, The Avalon offers tasty drinks that some may consider to be somewhat expensive. Food is also offered for the late-night snackers.

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