5 Top Places to Go Dancing in Los Angeles

Salsa? Funk? Old school ’80s? LA is a playground for people who love to dance, with as much diversity in its scene as there is in its people. The other great thing: most places are free to enter early on in the evening (up to about 9:30 or 10pm), so if you time it right, cover charges don’t take a bite out of your budget.

Here are five places for a fun night dancing. Count on uberX or uberXL for a convenient ride to and from the bar.

1. The Mayan

This three-story club lays down nearly every kind of beat. On Fridays, the main-level DJ spins pop, electronica, and hip hop, among other tunes. On Saturdays, catch a jam from a salsa band or tropical orchestra, or hip hop in the basement. Both Fridays and Saturdays, the mezzanine has a Latin-flavored party with salsa, merengue, cumbia, bachata, and Puerto Rican reggaeton. Admission costs vary depending on time and night, but you can buy six-month weekend memberships for $100 per person or $150 for two. The dress code is pretty restrictive (no slouches here!), so check out the what-to-wear section before you commit to an outfit.

2. LindyGroove

Although there’s no live band or bar scene here, Lindy Hop lovers swear by the weekly dance at the Pasadena Masonic Hall, which turns into an all-feet-on-deck event every Thursday night. Pro tips include wearing flat comfortable shoes (like Keds) and to bring a change of shirt and a water bottle. Not sure how to Lindy or how to hop? No worries. There’s a drop-in class from 7:30-8:30 p.m. every week, included in the $8 (cash only) admission.

3. The Short Stop

This bar wears its “dive” status as a badge of honor. Near Dodgers Stadium, this former cop hangout now hosts both hipsters and sports fans—until the dance floor opens, and then it’s up for everyone (no dress code!). There’s a DJ on hand every single night; you can also busy yourself with a jukebox, free pool table, and happy hour every day from 5-10pm. Music skews heavily toward pop, rock and Motown, especially on Mondays.

4. The Echo & Echoplex

The Echo is everyone’s favorite standby place to catch live indie music; a few notable surprise acts like the Rolling Stones and Beck have even been known to make an appearance. The Echo’s basement brethren, the Echoplex, hosts special DJ theme nights throughout the week; locals love Wednesday’s “Club Dub” roots/reggae jams. Most of the Echoplex events are free to enter early in the evening, then a small cover after 10 or 10:30.

5. Funkmosphere

The Virgil, a comfy, old-timey bar and performance space hosts this longtime party institution in the Silver Lake neighborhood. On Thursday nights, it’s total immersion funk as DJs spin boogie, electro, and modern soul all with an ’80s vibe. Admission costs $5 after 10:30.