How To Find Bars with Live Bands in Los Angeles

OneYearWarMusic – Los Angeles is known for its lively music scene and abundance of bars featuring live bands. Whether you’re looking for famous venues hosting big-name acts or intimate bars spotlighting talented local musicians, LA has no shortage of options. Follow these tips to find the best bars with live bands in LA.

Research Online Music Calendars

Many LA bars, restaurants, and venues maintain online event calendars showcasing their upcoming music acts and performances. Check sites like Bandsintown, Songkick, and individual venue websites to see live music listings by date. This makes it easy to see at a glance who’s playing when.

Popular sites like Yelp and Google Maps also include user reviews of bars and lounges, often noting which places offer regular live music. Sort by highest rated to discover LA’s top-ranked live music bars.

Look For Hot Spots By Neighborhood

LA’s live music scene is scattered across the sprawling city. However, certain neighborhoods and strips are known hot spots.

• Hollywood bars along the iconic Hollywood Blvd and Sunset Strip host touring acts of all genres. Check legendary rock clubs like The Whisky A Go Go at 8901 Sunset Blvd and The Roxy Theatre at 9009 Sunset Blvd on this map. You can often catch local bands at hot spots like The Sayers Club at 1645 Wilcox Ave.
• Downtown LA – Hit blues and jazz joints scattered around Downtown, especially in Little Tokyo and the Arts District. Try Blue Whale at 123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St #301 here, The Mint at 6010 W Pico Blvd here, or The Edison at 108 W 2nd St #101 here.
• West Hollywood – Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard offer trendy lounges and hotels featuring bands, like The Troubadour at 9081 Santa Monica Blvd here and The Sunset Marquis at 1200 Alta Loma Rd here.
• Silver Lake/Echo Park – Funky indie venues scattered along Sunset, Santa Monica, and Fountain host local and emerging bands nightly. Try The Satellite at 1717 Silver Lake Blvd here or The Echo at 1822 Sunset Blvd here.

Follow Local Music Publications

Alternative weeklies publish comprehensive live music listings. Get the free LA Weekly or check blogs like Grimy Goods and Turn The Record Over for the latest on the LA music scene. See which venues are reviewed or advertised to find hot live band bars.

Ask For Recommendations

Talk to fellow music lovers, check Reddit threads, and ask on social media to crowd-source suggestions for great LA bars with live bands. Locals may know of under-the-radar gems.

Free Weekly Shows

Many bars and restaurants in LA have free live music on certain nights, which makes it easier to discover new acts affordably. Research “open mic” and “mic night” listings to find these free band showcases.

Use Apps and Social Media

Follow venues, bands, and music promoters on social media to learn about upcoming shows and live music pop-ups. Event discovery apps like Bandsintown also notify you when your favorite acts are playing locally.

Sample Neighborhood Bar Crawls

Exploring on foot is a fun way to experience LA’s live music bars. Try a crawl of Hollywood’s rock clubs, downtown LA’s jazz scene or Silver Lake’s indie venues. See multiple bands in one night by clustering stops.

See Who’s Touring

When major bands pass through town on tour, they often schedule gigs at storied LA rock venues and hotels. Research ahead to get tickets for must-see shows at spots like The Fonda, The Mayan, or Sofitel.

Confirm Bands Before Heading Out

LA bars often book last-minute bands or have rotating schedules. Avoid disappointments by calling ahead to double-check listings, ask when the live music starts, and confirm acts. Flexible nights yield more options.

With world-famous venues, talented aspiring musicians, and lively bars everywhere, Los Angeles offers endless chances to experience exceptional live bands every night. Use these tips to seek out hidden gems and discover new favorite hangouts. LA’s live music scene reflects the city’s diversity and creativity – embrace it!