It might be a stretch to say that this city never sleeps. But like any other bustling metropolis, there are establishments and events in Los Angeles that cater to the nocturnal crowd. Even though bars and clubs mostly shut things down at 2am, with last call being 2am in California, there are a select few establishments and events that keep things going until the break of dawn. So next time you’re about to take an Uber home after a night on the town, divert your route to one of these after-hours destinations and take in the surreal and oddly tranquil sight of our mostly empty freeways. Circadian rhythms be damned!
1. 10th Annual Dusk-to-Dawn Horrorthon
'Tis the season for all-night fright fests, and the Aero Theatre has one night of programming that will have you feeling all the feels. On Saturday, October 24, horror aficionados will flock to the theater to revel in the 10th Annual Dusk-to-Dawn Horrothon. With campy selections like Death Spa (do watch the trailer), Halloween III: Season of the Witch, and The Nest, you won’t know whether to scream of to laugh. Coffee and snacks come with your $20 admission, so plan on being particularly on edge when the tension builds.
If the rhythm of the night has got ahold of you but you don't want to head home, take a look at upcoming events put on by electronic music promoter Resident Advisor. The venues and the acts are often TBD for legal purposes, but you can usually count on marathon DJ sessions spanning the entire spectrum of EDM sub-genres. Upcoming shows include house music luminary Marques Wyatt at Lot 316 and rising British DJ Hot Since 82 at Exchange LA. Some nights, a propulsive beat is all you need.
Can one really put a price on eggs Sardou served over white linens at 4:30am? The harsh lighting of most diners is enough to kill your buzz, but Pacific Dining Car is a welcome oasis off of Sixth Street that serves one hell of a baseball-cut steak for being a 24-hour restaurant. Housed in a dimly-lit train car, the restaurant is a mainstay in the MacArthur Park neighborhood since 1921, and if you arrive within the legal hours, you can order a martini drier than our reservoirs.
You never know when inspiration will strike, that’s why you need a 24-hour coffeehouse that will get you pumped up at any hour. Tom N Toms Coffee in Koreatown is here for you. A South Korean-based chain with free WiFi and plenty of work space, you can get your standard coffee fare in a neighborhood that generally feels alive at any hour. They also offer their signature sweet potato latte, which makes a pumpkin spice latte just sound passé.