Not Your Usual Night Out: 7 Things To Do in LA at Night

If you’re planning on visiting L.A., then there are so many things to see during the daytime. However, it’s after nightfall that the city really comes alive, and if you limit your adventures to the daylight hours, you’ll be missing out on so many experiences.

Los Angeles is definitely a party capital, but don’t worry if you don’t feel like partying as there’s much more to do. Luckily for you, we’ve put together this list of our top picks for things to do in L.A. at night.

Unusual Restaurants in L.A.

After a hard day’s sightseeing and shopping, your first point of call should be grabbing a bite to eat.

However, you don’t need to settle for something basic: there are plenty of quirky restaurants in town that offer something a bit different! You can read my Eat in LA Guide here with tips for my favorite restaurants in town.

Opaque

It’s often said that when you are deprived of your sense of sight, your other senses improve to make up for it. Opaque puts that theory to the test by serving up its food to customers in total darkness, with all the servers being blind or visually impaired, too.

This restaurant really makes you think, while also giving you a unique culinary experience.

Hamburger Mary’s

This restaurant/gay bar is definitely the place to go if you’re looking for some entertainment with your food, as it hosts different events every night – you’ll definitely want to stick around!

As well as delicious burgers, there are also things like a bingo and karaoke night, a hot chocolate fudge fountain, and, on Sundays, the best drag show in the city.

The Stinking Rose

If you care about fresh breath, then you might want to give the Stinking Rose a miss. Everything on its menu has garlic in it! Their décor is also top-notch, too, with intimate tents for date nights. You can even try a bowl of garlic ice cream if you dare!

A Night At The Museum

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to step into the “Night At The Museum” series, then L.A.’s Natural History Museum has just the thing for you.

It offers family-friendly and adult-only nights, so you don’t need to worry about being the only person there without a kid.

The family version is based on mixing games with learning about prehistoric and Ice Age creatures, while the adults’ version involves a scavenger hunt, ghost stories, a midnight movie screening, and more. Definitely one not to be missed next time you’re in town!

Movie Night With A Twist

Last, but not least, a trip to the movie capital of the world just wouldn’t be complete without a little celluloid magic. In a place like L.A., it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are more than a handful of places that stand out from the crowd.

Cinepolis Westlake Village

While Cinepolis is a little on the pricey side, you certainly get what you pay for: seats that recline all the way back for maximum comfort, and a button in your set to call over a waiter, so no more missing the film to take a trip to the lobby.

MGN Five Star Cinema

Located in Glendale, the MGN is definitely a five-star experience. You get free popcorn with every ticket, and there’s a whole range of delicious sliders, pizzas, and desserts to dig into as you enjoy the movie.

There’s even a great bar located in the building that gives you somewhere to hang out afterward. That’s the whole night sorted!

Paramount Drive-In Theatre

If you want to be transported back in time, then the Paramount Drive-In is the place for you.

The first drive-in theater opened on the site in 1947, and although it laid dormant from the ’90s onward, it recently reopened with two 75-foot screens for that classic moviegoing experience. You can get there by LA Public Transportation too.

If you are wondering where to stay in Los Angeles to experience the nightlife, it’s hard to answer as attractions are spread out around the city.

If you are a party animal, look at West Hollywood or Hollywood hotels. No matter what you want to do at night, Los Angeles has got you covered!