As is my wont to do and MO, if there is a door slightly open or ajar of an interesting or…read morehistorical looking place, I will go in like I belong. I have never been shot nor hardly ever told to leave. I have wandered into Courtyards, sacred sites in Old Jerusalem and all kinds of buildings that I'm not supposed to go into. Tonight I was invited to my old twin friends birthday party at the Lemon Grove at the Astor Hotel rooftop and I was a tad early. As I crossed the street there was a metal stanchion blocking most of the entrance to the Avalon Club with one door open. I wandered in and people were milling about setting up for an Emo night with the band called Waiting For April. I had seen this club change over the years but I had no idea it was still operating and it's a beauty with tremendous history and cavernous rooms with bars and side rooms. I wandered around and upstairs I found a merch table and a drum kit with guitars and some guys warming up. I started talking to them and it turns out that is the headlining band. We talked music and the struggles of a young band, I gave them some insight from my experience, they gave me their CD which is quite nice and I proceeded to check out the historic place. I wandered through every part of the club while the band was doing sound check including the Bardot room and unlike many clubs, you really feel the history here in the design and architecture of this historic venue. Here is the fascinating history: The Avalon Hollywood (also known simply as Avalon) at 1735 N. Vine Street in Hollywood, California, near the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street (across from the Capitol Records Building) was built in the Spanish Baroque (Churrigueresque) style by architects Henry L. Gogerty and Carl Jules Weyl, with decoration by Steffan Horbaczek, it has operated continuously as a live performance space since opening--never as a movie theater. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 as part of the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment Historic District. It started as the Hollywood Playhouse (1927-1930s). In 1942, the theater was purchased (reportedly for around $105,000) and renamed the El Capitan Theatre (distinct from the more famous one on Hollywood Boulevard). NBC acquired or leased the building in the early 1950s and converted it into a television studio. In 1963, ABC invested heavily (around $400,000) in renovations--including extending the stage, adding camera equipment, control booths, and other TV infrastructure--and briefly renamed it the Jerry Lewis Theatre for Jerry Lewis's short-lived (13-week) ABC variety series. From 1964-1970: it was The Hollywood Palace. From 1970s-1990s: The Palace Music Venue. ABC sold the theater in 1978 to businessman Dennis Lidtke, who restored it and reopened it in 1982 (or around 1987 per some accounts) as The Palace (sometimes called the Hollywood Palace). Seating was reconfigured for concerts (raked floor leveled, bands on stage), and it became a music club and event space. It hosted rock concerts, HBO specials (e.g., Sheena Easton, Bruce Willis), the Ramones' final show (1996), the American Music Awards, and film appearances. It operated as a live music venue through the 1980s and 1990s. 2002-Present: Avalon Hollywood Nightclub with a major renovation that transformed it into a modern nightclub, concert hall, and event space with standing-room/dance floor capacity (around 1,250-1,500), state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and visuals. It emphasizes electronic dance music (EDM), DJ sets, and live performances, with upstairs space later becoming Bardot, an intimate lounge/restaurant/club opened around 2008. Notable modern acts have included Tiësto, Sasha, John Digweed, Paul Oakenfold, Skrillex, Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz, Armin van Buuren, Kaskade, and many others in the EDM scene. It has also hosted award shows, benefits, screenings, political fundraisers, and private events. In recent years (2024-2025), Insomniac Events (founded by Pasquale Rotella) partnered with and then acquired the joint marking the first ownership change in about 50 years and ensuring its continued role in dance music culture. The Avalon has adapted remarkably over nearly a century--from legitimate theater and WPA productions to burlesque, TV studio, variety show epicenter, rock club, and EDM nightclub--while retaining its core as a live entertainment landmark in the heart of Hollywood. Its architecture and location have contributed to its enduring appeal. I definitely will return.

Avalon Hollywood & Bardot is an entertainment venue located in Hollywood. It used to be a theater,…read morethen became a television studio, and is now a nightclub. The first floor is the large concert venue while the second floor (Bardot) is the smaller more intimate space. We bought tickets online ahead of time which were affordable, but when we arrived we overheard security charging more than double the cost in cash to get in. The venue was mostly standing room surrounded by tables for bottle service. When we were there the shots cost $13 but your mileage may vary depending on the night and the artists performing. Compared to other nightclubs this one is smaller so it's more intimate and you can be closer to the DJ or artist for a better experience.

Had a good time! @exxstacy really hooked it up for my girls and I, definitely recommend!read more

Ballet Nightclub in Hollywood was a great place to celebrate my niece's 21st birthday. The venue…read morehas a lively atmosphere, great music, and an energetic crowd but they don't really dance they just people watch, so that made the night feel special. The door can be pretty selective, and getting in isn't always easy. Fortunately, I ran into an old friend from my clubbing days, Shane, who is still well connected in the Hollywood nightlife scene. Thanks to his help, we were able to get inside and enjoy the celebration. Once we got in, the experience was worth it. The club had a fun vibe, the staff was professional, and the energy stayed high throughout the night. It turned into a memorable birthday celebration, and everyone in our group had a great time.

$27 for a house-liquor drink. Enough said…read more Our table promoter said he would get me a drink 3+ times and never did, as I couldn't drink what was provided to our table. Also a patron at the table next to us was causing problems and nothing was done. Lastly, lousy music. Wouldn't recommend.

Very bad place guys over there are not professional by all means waiters are so mean their gonna…read morepush step on your feet and if you complained they'll call the guards on you and bar tenders if you're not watching they'll give you drink you don't order and charge you for the expensive one regardless that their drivks are pricey already the drink i get for $15 everywhere the charged me $21 for it and i caught the bar tender try to give me different cheaper drinks

Visited to attend a "Lectures on tap"-look it up, highly recommend…read more Only had one drink at the bar before the event. Bartender great, even with a bar full of not regulars. I LOVE a dive bar but hate them charging rooftop on manhattan prices.

Let me start with the positives: there was no cover charge, no security pat-down at the door, and…read morethe music was excellent. Now for the downside. I ordered five drinks for my friends, thanked the blonde bartender, and left a $20 tip. Maybe that wasn't enough--but after she picked up the tip and I said thank you, all I got in return was a blank stare. I understand everyone has off days, but a little acknowledgment goes a long way. At that point, I might as well have grabbed beers from a vending machine. Needless to say, I won't be coming back. Maybe I'm not their typical clientele, but that's fine--there are plenty of other bars that would be happy to have my business.

had a great night out at raspoutines last week. brilliant dj and fab atmosphere. . bar staff were…read morevery friendly and an English guy on the door was most welcoming and professional. will definitely go again

I was only in there for a minute…read more A literal blink. A drive-by of decadence. But that's all you need at Raspoutine. The red velvet hits you first. The lighting makes everyone look like they have a secret. The chandeliers feel like they're judging you -- in a chic way. Favorite item? The caviar service. Because if you're going to dip your toe into a crimson velvet fever dream, you might as well go full villain-mode. Salty, luxurious, unapologetic. It's not a snack. It's a statement. Even in a short visit, you feel the vibe: dramatic, over-the-top, theatrical in the best Melrose way possible. I was in. I absorbed the energy. I left slightly dazzled and mildly confused -- which means it worked.

Omg! You must book now!! Sooooo much fun! Especially if you have Robyn and Cam as hosts!!…read more Super fun and outgoing keeping the party alive all night! If you are visiting, a must do Hollywood night life!

We had an absolute blast celebrating a 21st birthday party on 8/26 with the Hollywood Club Crawl…read morehosts and crowd. Jason K was a great host but so were the others (I don't know their names). We had a group of 15 so it would seem like it would be challenging to get drinks, but we had a method of having two at the bar managing drink orders and everyone else mingling until their drink was ready. This made life so much easier for the bartenders not having our group crowding the bar and our crowd was happy. The hosts were always there to pump up the crowd if it looked like we were chilling and they joined in dancing with us too! The last bar was the hardest to get a drink because all of Hollywood was at the bar by then, but we got right in without a wait. Perfect night out and great bars!

I like to wear bright colors and dance till everything is soggy…read more I don't like to be the center of attention though - I usually dance in dark corners and can only dance if the music is good. I literally stop on the dancefloor when it is bad because I can't "fake it". I give this party 5 stars because they do a solid job of creating a party that has something for everyone. Mash-ups, dark dance floor, eccentric dancers on stage, Photobooth (with a creative and fun photographer), and good vibes. Los Angeles used to be filled with great dance parties all over the place. Now they are few and far between. Not to be a negative nancy but here are my gripes - When they are at the downtown location - it's really hard to dance on an incline. When they are at the echoplex - there is no where to put ur drink down and if u do the workers snatch it up quick. Some of the mash-ups blow. It's like everything has been done and they're just trying weird things together to be the first to put AC DC with Kanye (both really hard to dance to because I hate dancing to 80's stripper music and Kanye's music only accompanies his lyrics so it's usually not that great). Anyways - I stop and start quite a bit - but I still Love it.

This is seriously a must-try experience if you enjoy bouncing dat ass.... I had so much fun here…read morelast night. We went for my friend's birthday party and we seriously just sweated it out all night. The go-go dancers on stage were on point and fabulous af. I love the fact that you can wear whatever the hell you want to this place and there doesn't seem to be much judgment. It's a place you go to when you just want to dance and not worry about impressing other surrounding Angelenos. The mashup music room was my favorite. They play some amazing jams!!!! We went the evening of the Taylor Swift mashups. It was a great, fun experience! Oh, $10 cover charge. If you get there before 10pm (I think they open 9:30pm) then it's $5. The bouncers at the door weren't the most friendly either, but at least there wasn't a line (around 11pm).

What a fine dime piece this place is! From the music to the tasty and original shots... this place…read moreROCKS! Thanks for having me Adam!

This place has gone downhill. Zero liquor selection, terrible service; it's sick a shame because…read moreit's an institution.