Music Venues and More To Do on the Sunset Strip in LA

Long the home of counterculture and the go-to spot for adult fun, the Sunset Strip is a vibrant and eclectic street lined by diverse attractions including famous music venues, iconic landmarks, and all types of bars, clubs, and restaurants. There’s also plenty of shopping, one of the city’s most legendary (celebrity-frequented) hotels, and a historic comedy club.

With so much to see and do, it can be hard deciding where to start and what to focus on when exploring Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip. Read on to learn more about some of the highlights of this popular and history-filled area.

What is the Sunset Strip?

Is the Sunset Strip and Sunset Boulevard the same thing? For out-of-towners, distinguishing between the two can be perplexing. 

The Sunset Strip is actually part of Sunset Boulevard. It’s about 1.5 miles of the boulevard that runs from Hollywood to the border of Beverly Hills at Doheny Drive and through the northwest corner of West Hollywood (referred to by locals as WeHo).  

While it’s a constantly evolving area, the Sunset Strip is perhaps known first and foremost as a place to experience live music and party long into the night.

In 1966, this area gained notoriety for what we know today as the Sunset Strip curfew riots, aka the hippie riots. Store owners and nearby residents were fed up with teens clogging the streets, so the locals worked with law enforcement to pass strict curfew and loitering laws to reduce crowds. Pandora’s Box, a nightclub that served as the core rally location, closed down soon after and was finally demolished in 1967.

Fortunately, there are still plenty of places for nightlife on the Sunset Strip. Here are just a few.

Music venues and nightclubs on the Sunset Strip

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The Sunset Strip has always been a center for nightlife. But somewhere along the way, the strip transitioned into being the hub for music venues as well. Some have come and gone, but a handful remain part of the strip’s ever-changing landscape.

Whisky a Go Go

Opened in 1964, Whisky a Go Go created an important scene for several musicians to get their start in the business. Artists like The Doors, Frank Zappa, Neil Diamond, Guns N’ Roses, and Mötley Crüe were launched on this stage. 

As per its name, the nightclub also popularized go-go dancing. Even suspended cages above the crowded dance floor were first introduced here. It was the music scene and scandalous dance culture that has kept Whisky a Go Go an iconic part of the Sunset Strip. So iconic that it was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006!

The Roxy Theatre

This world-famous nightclub arrived on the strip in 1973 with a big splash that included three nights of concerts by none other than Neil Young. And within its first year, the club welcomed famous headliners like Cheech and Chong, Jerry Lewis, and The Temptations, among others.

Over the years, a steady stream of legendary musicians have continued to grace the stage of this intimate venue, including Bob Marley, The Ramones, Bruce Springsteen, and U2. In 2023, The Roxy celebrated its 50th birthday with another string of Neil Young performances. The club continues to host live music of all kinds today.

The Viper Room

The Viper Room opened its doors in 1993 and was partly owned by actor Johnny Depp. During its first year, actor and musician River Phoenix died of a drug overdose outside the venue before he was set to perform later that night. But the tragedy didn’t damage the club’s reputation. It remained a prominent hangout spot for Hollywood’s most famous actors and musicians. 

Today, the nightclub continues to host metal, punk, and alt-rock acts at its 250-person capacity room.

The Troubadour

Another venue that played a significant role in the career trajectory of many musicians, The Troubadour has hosted a jaw-dropping roster of global legends since opening in 1957.

The club was the backdrop for the musical debuts of a long list of legendary musicians. Joni Mitchell made her Los Angeles debut at The Troubadour, James Taylor made his solo debut here, and Gordon Lightfoot and Elton John made their U.S. debut at the club. 

A dynamic gathering spot for industry types, The Troubadour also helped connect musicians with other artists and industry movers and shakers: Don Henley and Glenn Frey met at the bar, while The Byrds met at an open mic night and Tom Waits was discovered by rock manager Herb Cohen during an amateur night. 

The club continues to host a steady line-up of music events today. 

More things to do on the Sunset Strip

The nightclubs and music venues along the Sunset Strip may be its most well-known claim to fame, but a handful of additional landmarks are also located here and have played their own memorable role in Los Angeles history and lore. 

Chateau Marmont

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Dating back to 1929, the Chateau Marmont is synonymous with old Hollywood glamour and mystique. 

In its heyday, this swank hotel was frequented by Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Greta Garbo, Howard Hughes (who had a penthouse here), and too many other early screen legends to list. Over the years, it has continued attracting famous actors, musicians, artists, writers and more. Paul Newman and Robert De Niro occasionally lived here, and Led Zeppelin even rode his motorcycle through the lobby. 

The property itself is worth a stroll. It was built to look like a French castle, and the lobby features dramatic Gothic vaulted ceilings and dark wood. The hotel also includes an upscale restaurant on site, should you want to stay for a meal.

The Comedy Store

Another notable stop on the strip and a venue whose history is dominated by famous figures, the Comedy Store dates back to 1972. 

This comedy club was founded and operated by comedian Sammy Shore and his wife, Mitzi, a comedy writer. Shore’s claim to fame included serving for years as the opening act for King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley.

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Shore created the Comedy Store as a place to work when not on the road. It was the first all stand-up comedy nightclub in the world and early on attracted luminaries such as Redd Foxx, Tim Conway, and Buddy Hackett, among many others. 

In later years, it welcomed a new generation of comedians who became household names, including Robin Williams, David Letterman, and Jay Leno. It continues to host a steady stream of comedians today.

Book Soup

If you’re a bibliophile, don’t miss Book Soup, a place that dubs itself the “Bookseller to the Great and the Infamous” (meaning you may spot a well-known individual or two here). Opened in 1975 and host to more than 300 author events and signings annually, the store is known for its unique, curated selection of books that encompasses more than 60,000 titles. 

Its collection, found on floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and guarded over by two golden dog statues, includes fiction, nonfiction, music, film, memoir, art, and design. You’ll also find exclusive signed and autographed items at Book Soup, along with vinyl records and gifts. 

Sunset Tower Hotel

This landmark hotel was designed in 1929 by architect Leland A. Bryant and offers a look at elegant Art Deco architecture. The Sunset Tower Hotel is also another place where plenty of famous names took up residence at one time or another, including John Wayne, screen siren Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Frank Sinatra. Even notorious gangster Bugsy Siegel has stayed here.

For years, this hotel was a tourist attraction as popular as the Hollywood Sign. And you may recognize the building as it’s shown up in a variety of movies including “Get Shorty” and “The Italian Job.”

Sunset Strip: Music, history, and more

A visit to the Sunset Strip is equal parts entertainment and a walk through the colorful history of the city it calls home. It’s a place you can easily spend all day, exploring its landmarks and shopping and perhaps, as evening falls, taking in the music scene or a nightclub. 

Want to explore the glamour and history of Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, and more in legendary Los Angeles? Take our Private LA Highlights Tour with a local guide to see the best of the city.