Themed parties are a great way to escape the rigors of reality. Whether you’re dressing up to play a part, or taking off your sweat-soaked shirt during a wild rave, a night with a theme gives the evening some order—it gives the night a purpose. If you want to remove yourself from what you know, and try something new with a strong idea behind it, then check out this list: Clubplanet’s top picks for the best themed parties in LA.
Top Themed Party in LA: Monday Night Social @ Playhouse
6506 Hollywood Blvd | Los Angeles, CA 90028
Monday Night Social at Playhouse was created to give those 7-day-a-week partyholics somewhere to convene in casual attire and do what they do best—PARTY! As soon as you walk through the doors at Playhouse for their Monday Night Social, you’re blasted with a giant, refreshing breath of cold air (no matter how hard you dance, you’ll never get sweaty, it’s awesome!). With an amazing LED light display broadcasted over 10 plasma screens positioned right behind the DJ booth, your eyes will stay tantalized as you jam out to the house and dance music theme. The split-level design of Playhouse is perfect for those party-goers tired from dancing around—all you have to do is head upstairs, and then you can talk with all the other laid-back folks seeking to enjoy the more “social” aspect of this Monday night. (Actually, considering how packed the dance floor gets on Mondays, things might get a little bit more “personal” downstairs, if you catch our drift). The theme of this party is getting to know your neighbor, so cozy up to that babe downstairs, or chat them up on the top floor—either way, this themed party delivers.
Top Themed Party in LA: 1920s Berlin Theme @ The Edison
108 W 2nd St | Los Angeles, CA 90012
At the Edison nightclub, on the last Tuesday of every month, the “roaring ‘20s” are brought back to life in a very real way for their themed party, Radio Room. In 1920s Berlin, during the Weimar Republic, art and culture were all the rage—along with partying the night away! If 1960s America was “sex, drugs and rock & roll,” then 1920s Berlin was sex, drugs and jazz. At Radio Room, as soon as you’ve stepped through The Edison doors, you’ve taken one giant leap back in time. Radio Room hosts a night-long variety show during which the costumed actors stay defiantly in their roles, even as they interact with members of the crowd (and yes, that is a real snake around that man’s neck, you’ve been warned). Radio Room even offers its party-goers the delicacies of the day: meatballs preserved in lemon and capers, veal and pork sausages (made in-house), and German potato pancakes. If you really want to try something different—and we mean 90 years and a few thousand miles different—then check out Radio Room at the Edison!
Top Themed Party in LA: Avalon Saturdays @ Avalon Hollywood
1735 Vine St | Los Angeles, CA 90028
Avalon Saturdays is always an adventure. The small club transforms into a mini-rave every Saturday, complete with complimentary glow-sticks, water bottles, and wild dancing. With a different DJ every Saturday, the dance floor stays thumping with all the best house and trance music. DJMag voted Avalon #40 in their top 100 Electronic Dance Music clubs of 2009. Since then, Avalon has blown up, with a little help from the promotion company, Giant, after the company changed the location of their Saturday house party from Vanguard to Avalon. Thanks to Giant, Avalon Saturdays has recently hosted artists such as Steve Angello, The Swedish House Mafia, M.A.N.D.Y., and Gui Boratto, to only name a few. If you’re looking to dance until sunrise with some starry-eyed friends, come to Avalon Hollywood for Avalon Saturdays!
Top Themed Party in LA: House Thursdays @ Sutra Lounge
1870 Harbor Blvd | Costa Mesa, CA 92627
House Thursdays at Sutra OC are a lot like Avalon Saturdays. For one, both nights are sponsored by the promotion company, Giant. Secondly, the music has a heavy focus on House; and three, they’re both freakin’ awesome! You won’t find the typical, uptight Orange County crowd at House Thursdays at Sutra OC. On House Thursdays, the gorgeous go-go dancers are brought out and put on full display, the crowd is roaring, and the talent is amazing (thank you, Giant). If you are looking for something to do this Thursday, and you’re sick of the usual LA scene, come to House Thursdays at Sutra OC and enter their warehouse wonderland.
Top Themed Party in LA: First Fridays @ The Natural History Museum
900 Exposition Blvd | Los Angeles, CA 90007
If Avalon and Sutra OC offer a party with little to no intellectual stimuli, then First Fridays at the Natural History Museum might be their complete opposite. Well, maybe they’re not totally different. Think of the rave parties at Avalon and Sutra OC as the black sheep of a big family—the guy who parties his way through college and can’t seem to stop having a good time—while First Fridays at the Natural History Museum are more like the studious cousin—the one who goes to a top school, but still drinks his face off when given the chance. Basically, if you’re looking for a little more out of your party than just loud music and scantily clad people, than First Fridays are for you. Created with both a young and adult audience in mind, First Fridays have the perfect combination of new-age indie music acts (such as Deerhoof, Mountain Goats, and Wolfmother), and high-brow discussion leaders (such as the scientists Neil Shubin, Donald Johanson, and other people you’ve never heard of). Since the party only goes until 10 p.m., this monthly lecture and live music series will give you a great way to start your night, or if you’re part of the older demographic, it will be a great excuse to stay up past bedtime.
