If the sounds of swing, the clink of cocktail glasses, and the shimmer of pearls make your heart skip a beat, Los Angeles is your portal to the past.
Within the glitz of Hollywood and the buzz of modern nightlife, there are hidden gems that feel plucked straight from another age. There has long been a nostalgic fascination for the nightlife of the 1920s and an opportunities to experience a part of it today.
Whether you’re craving a speakeasy with secret entrances or a historic theater where flapper dresses once twirled under crystal chandeliers, LA has a spot that lets you slip effortlessly into the world of the Roaring ’20s.
1 – Cicada Club – Downtown LA
Description:
Step into the Cicada Club and you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled onto a movie set! Located inside the stunning Art Deco Oviatt Building downtown, this swanky supper club captures the spirit of 1920s elegance like few other venues in Los Angeles.
With its gold-leaf ceilings, grand staircase, and vintage décor, Cicada is the kind of place where you dress to impress. Think silk gloves, sequined gowns, and tuxedos—it’s encouraged and welcomed.
Live swing bands and big band orchestras fill the room with infectious rhythms that will have you dancing the Charleston or swaying to a sultry ballad.
The club hosts themed nights with live entertainment, so you can enjoy everything from classic jazz to vintage burlesque in a setting that’s as authentic as it gets. Dinner is served before the show, with a fine dining menu that adds to the upscale vintage feel.
Cicada is the perfect experience for anyone who wants to enjoy a night out traveling back in time to the glamorous days of Hollywood’s golden age of nightclubs.
Location: 617 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Pic Credit: @spectrumnews
2 – Clifton’s Republic – Broadway Historic District
Description:
Part whimsical wonderland, part historic treasure, Clifton’s Republic has been an LA institution since the 1930s, but its roots stretch even further into the 1920s spirit. Originally a cafeteria, Clifton’s has evolved into a fantastical, multi-level nightlife venue that oozes vintage charm and curiosity.
Located in the heart of Downtown LA’s Broadway Historic District, it’s a dreamy destination for stepping out of modern life and into a roaring good time.
Clifton’s Republic is divided into themed levels, and the decor is nothing short of dazzling—from a forest-themed bar complete with a giant redwood tree to the Gothic Bar, where taxidermy meets speakeasy sophistication.
The vintage interiors are a nod to the lavish escapism of the Jazz Age. On weekends, you’ll often find live music, swing dancers, and bartenders serving up strong, classic cocktails with a wink.
It’s a place that embraces theatricality, storytelling, and old-school glamour. Whether you’re sipping an Old Fashioned beneath twinkling lights or exploring the ornate rooms and velvet-draped nooks, Clifton’s invites you to play, dance, and imagine.
It’s perfect for a themed night out with friends or a romantic evening with a touch of mystery and you will discover some new spectacular detail on every trip.
Location: 648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014
PIC Credit: @msn
3 – The Queen Mary Observation Bar – Long Beach
Description:
Docked in Long Beach, the Queen Mary isn’t just a historic ocean liner—it’s a floating piece of 1920s luxury. The ship was commissioned in 1930 and still retains the Art Deco elegance and grandeur of that era.
One of the most beautiful spots aboard the magnificent vessel is the Observation Bar, a polished cocktail lounge with sweeping views of the harbor and stunning period architecture.
The Observation Bar offers a chic yet relaxed atmosphere, where polished woodwork, geometric patterns, and brass accents take you right back to the Golden Age of travel. Order a Sidecar or French 75 from the bartenders and soak in the ambiance.
There’s often live jazz or piano music, which adds to the timeless feel and makes the experience all the more immersive.
The Queen Mary is a fun little getaway for Angelenos wanting something different. Whether you come just for drinks or book a stay aboard the ship, it’s worth the drive. It’s easy to imagine yourself cruising across the Atlantic with elegance and style.
Bonus: there are often special events and vintage-themed evenings that turn the bar into a full-blown 1920s experience.
Location:1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802
PIC Credit: @vampjenn’scorner
4 – The Magic Castle – Hollywood
Description:
You might not think of a magician’s club when you picture the Roaring Twenties, but The Magic Castle in Hollywood manages to blend the two with dazzling flair. Housed in a beautiful Victorian mansion and operating as an exclusive members-only club, this private venue is known for its vintage allure, strict dress code, and mysterious, old-world vibe.
Inside, the atmosphere is steeped in magic and mystery—perfectly in tune with the playful decadence of the 1920s. Red velvet walls, ornate chandeliers, and secret passageways set the stage for nightly performances by some of the best magicians in the world.
Members and invited guests arrive dressed to the nines—think cocktail dresses, ties, and tuxedos—heightening the throwback experience.
Getting into The Magic Castle requires an invitation from a member or a reservation at the on-site restaurant, but it’s well worth the effort.
From the moment you speak the password to open the bookshelf door to your first classic cocktail at the bar, you’ll feel like you’ve escaped into another time—one filled with wonder, glamour, and a little bit of hocus-pocus.
Location:7025 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
PIC Credit: @cbsnews
5 – Highland Park Bowl
Description:
Step Into the 1920s at Highland Park Bowl; LA’s Most Glamorous Bowling Alley. Come visit this beautifully restored slice of Los Angeles history. Originally opened in 1927, this iconic venue was lovingly revitalized to showcase its Roaring Twenties roots, and the result is nothing short of stunning.
The moment you walk in, you’re greeted by vintage chandeliers, exposed brick walls, and a gleaming bar that pays homage to its Prohibition-era speakeasy past. The blend of old-world charm with modern comfort makes Highland Park Bowl one of the most atmospheric and photogenic hangouts in LA.
Enjoy the display of art deco, and the vintage murals preserved from the original building and handcrafted wooden lanes that pay tribute to a time when bowling was a stylish social affair. Highland Park Bowl also offers a full experience that blends nostalgia with nightlife.
The menu features elevated bar bites and artisan pizzas, perfect for sharing during a night out with friends. The cocktail list leans classic, with old-school favorites like the Sidecar and Old Fashioned served with modern flair. Have fun!
Location: 5621 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90042
PIC Credit: @timeout
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