Whether you’re a hip-hop know-it-all or just like to hit the dance floor on the weekends, certain things must be included in any good hip-hop spot. Large floor without too many tables? Check. A DJ who plays a good mix of new and old without overtaking the mic? Check. Good female to male ratio? Check. These are the top hip-hop clubs in LA that go above and beyond the aforementioned and are sure to make your Friday or Saturday night is not only hip, but hoppin’.
Playhouse
6506 Hollywood Boulevard
Just having entered the scene and kickin’ it with Vegas vibes, Playhouse has already shown that it’s out to be one of LA’s top hip-hop clubs. Its recent $6 million makeover made it one of the most extravagant and in-demand LA clubs – and for good reason. At Playhouse, the entertainment isn’t just about the DJ, but the whole show – which includes acrobats and choreographically-trained waitresses. The club stays open until 4 a.m. which makes for a great late night dance floor, lead by the world’s best including DJ Vice, DJ Scotty Boy, Tony Arzadon, Stephen Luke and more, including tons of the hottest European imports, who entertain in three spacious areas.
My House
7080 Hollywood Boulevard
If you don’t feel comfortable dancing in your own house, then where would you? My House is a Hollywood nightlife staple designed like a regular – OK maybe being worth millions and millions isn’t regular – home. There’s kitchens, bedrooms and even freshly-baked cookies. This place is a celeb hot-spot, but on weekends it also turns into one of LA’s hottest hip-hop spots. The whole vibe of My House is designed to be laid-back, and when it comes to hip-hop clubs, there’s nothing more important than being able to move and groove at your own pace without a super-crowded dance floor. The DJs and servers tend to keep to themselves unless they get a clue for some attention here, which makes for a better atmosphere than being hounded for drinks or listening to a self-involved man with a mic.
Les Deux
1638 N. Las Palmas Avenue
Adolescent girls may know Les Deux for being a nightlife favorite for the girls from the Hills. However, the rest of us know it for its being one of the best lounges in LA. Some may be surprised to hear that a lounge can be a top hip-hop spot. However, Les Deux works because of its dim glow, ample design and plethora of open space. If you’ve ever been to a hip-hop club in France, you know a little more what to expect from this Parisian-influenced destination. If not, think of what swanky Parisian girls look like and you’re on the right track. Although it’s tough to make it past the doorman, it’s not tough to see why this is one of the top hip-hop spots in LA.
Madame Royale
6423 Yucca Street
Another Parisian-influenced top hip-hop club is Madame Royale, which freshly took over Red Buddha’s occupancy on Yucca Street. The owners and interior designers of the lounge traveled all over Europe in attempts to find the perfect inspiration for a new nightclub. When they landed at Moulin Rouge, they knew they’d found their muse, and took it on with an art-deco twist. Madame Royale has some of the cheapest drinks on the block, which attracts a young crowd that knows how to break it down. Strut into Royale on a Friday night and you’ll be sure to find a main dance floor packed with those enjoying uniquely-infused cocktails and the perfect mix of new and old-school hip-hop.
Kress (Downstairs)
6608 Hollywood Boulevard
With the exclusivity of a small club and the party atmosphere of a huge one, Kress is always a good spot to hit up rather you’re in the mood for kicking back with a cocktail or busting out all your moves on the dance floor. Its dance floor is located on the lower level, and always plays the freshest hip-hop – hey, it’s gotta keep it good to satisfy the celebrity clientele. Although getting into Kress doesn’t guarantee admittance to its downstairs, calling ahead to get on a guest list will increase your chances substantially. This place gets a good rep for its rooftop, but if you’re into hip-hop, you’ll never leave the downstairs to see it.
Foxtail
9077 Santa Monica Boulevard
Owned by some of the biggest nightlife impresarios around, Foxtail houses the hottest DJs whose mashups surprise and excite the crowd to keep the party going. While organic juices and intimate booths may not seem hip-hop, we all know the music is what makes a top hip-hop club, and this is where Foxtail hits it big. It seems to be not only a trend follower, but a trend-predictor. Guests also can enjoy table-side mixology as an extra feature the average club doesn’t boast. Foxtail’s guest list is small, but find a way on and you’ll never want to be off of it.
h.wood
1738 North Orange
This place doesn’t carry the ultra-strict velvet rope expectations you’d expect to go with a locale that named itself after the city with the most exclusive clubs in the nation. Although getting into h.wood isn’t a walk in the park, the club carries a relaxed vibe that makes you forget it’s somewhat exclusive once you get inside. Although your nights at h.wood may start off with a game of chess on one of the leather sofas, the DJ will have you and everyone else on the dance floor before last call. h.wood is the kind of place where at the end of the night, you feel like you just got started are disappointed with closing time because you were about to make friends with the entire crowd. Be ready for top beats and dancing like you were “gettin’ low” with Lil’ Jon.
Green Door
1429 Ivar Avenue
Around 11 p.m. when the tables are cleared out of the way, follow the sounds of Timbaland and your other favorites to the dance floor, which will burn the beats all night long. Slowly, you’ll see a crowd, who was previously enjoying dinner, loosen up to a hip-hop aura. Dinner reservations guarantee your way past the green door (the nightclub/restaurant is named after a 1970s porn flick), although entrance at other times can be tough. Green Door doesn’t use promoters, which can also make Average Joes’ entrance more difficult. If you can make it on the guest list, it’s a great place for large groups to dance and enjoy the night together, while pouring back cocktails, atop the darkened hardwood floor.
