How to Find the Best Live Music Clubs in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is one of the best cities in the United States (and in the world, for that matter) when it comes to checking out great live music. Los Angeles is home to countless bars, clubs, coffeehouses and other types of venues. Here are some great venues to check out when you're in Los Angeles and in the mood to hear some great live music.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Stop by the Roxy Theatre on Sunset Boulevard. Located in West Hollywood, the Roxy is the heart of Los Angeles. Open since 1973, this nightclub has hosted everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Tori Amos. Whether you want to hear the hottest new band straight out of the UK or check out hot local acts, the Roxy is the place to be.

2. Check out Safari Sam's on Sunset Boulevard. This all-ages Hollywood venue/restaurant/bar is a fun and great place to check out many of Los Angeles' finest music acts. Relatively new, having just opened in April of 2006, Safari Sam's already has a reputation as a great place to enjoy live music. Acts ranging from the cult favorite Brian Jonestown Massacre to OK Go have all played successful shows at Safari Sam's.

3. Rock out at Spaceland on Silverlake Boulevard. Located in Los Angeles' uber-trendy Silverlake neighborhood, Spaceland has been hosting some of the finest rock acts since opening its doors in 1995. Bands such as The Gossip, Kaiser Chiefs, and The Shins have all graced the stage of Spaceland, and the club is known for breaking new acts onto the scene. If you are in Los Angeles and want to be hip to all the coolest live music acts around, this is the place to be.

4. Go to the Troubadour on Santa Monica Boulevard. The Troubadour is one of Los Angeles' oldest and most reliable clubs, having been in existence for some 40 years. If you live in Los Angeles, you most likely have set foot inside the Troubadour. Acts such as No Doubt and Tom Waits have played here. This is a great place to see some of your favorite bands, all on a small stage in a relatively small setting. The Troubadour is a Los Angeles gem.

5. Visit the Hotel Cafe on North Cahuenga Boulevard. If you are into acoustic music and singer/songwriter acts, the Hotel Cafe is the best live music venue for you in Los Angeles. The Hotel Cafe has time and time again been voted best venue by many Los Angeles area publications and websites, and is a wonderful place to experience the softer side of music. Bands ranging from from the Cary Brothers to Sara Bareilles have played this wonderful venue.

Tips & Warnings

• There are countless small clubs, coffeehouses, and venues in Los Angeles. Ask Los Angeles locals you know - you never know what you might discover! Los Angeles is a massive city, after all, and new clubs are popping up all the time.
• Live music is often loud. Bring earplugs with you when you check out bands at these clubs, to avoid deafening yourself and causing permanent ear damage.