When trolling the City of dark Angels, there are quite a few nightclubs and other forbidding locales where you can get commune with the coven. With a rich history of rock n’ roll and a spooky lore that rivals New Orleans, L.A. has no shortage of hauntingly spectacular places to dance, drink, and dine.
1. Bar Sinister
Though a bit on the smaller side, this multi-level bar offers live music, theme nights, and special events. Bottle service is available, and drinks are in the $10-$20 range—pretty typical for an L.A. club. Be warned, they do have a dress code, so check the Bar Sinister website before going. Thankfully - jeans and flannel are off limits, but you’ll have no trouble getting in the door if you roll up in our fishnet hooked top and choker.
Different nights have different cover charges, but once you’ve crossed the threshold, you are in for an otherworldly experience right off Hollywood Blvd.
Image Credits: clubbarsinister
2. The Veil (Downtown LA)
Playing everything from darkwave to postpunk to goth, The Veil draws an eclectic crowd. Sip on wine as red as blood or enjoy a craft cocktail. Some nights offer live music from the likes of Twin Tribes and Sextile.
Located on the corner of 6th and Spring, The Veil is in the clutches of downtown LA. It’s waiting to wrap its chains and cuffs around its next batch of visitors.
Image Credits: madamemonroe1990
3. Das Bunker
Although Das Bunker doesn’t host as many events as it used to, the venue still has at least one dedicated goth night per month—and the crowd is always fire. The club has worked hard to be welcoming of every kind of misfit while keeping the experience pure for the alt scene.
Go for the vibes, stay for the heart pounding rhythms of Deathcore and metal. Grab a drink and prepare to devolve into a dystopian hellscape that will tantalize your mind, body, and soul. Das Bunker is located at 4067 W. Pico Blvd.
Image Credits: dasbunker
4. Burgundy Room
Nestled in at 1621 Cahuenga Blvd, and open 7 days a week from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., this is a high brow dive bar serving beer, wine, and cocktails and filling your ears with alt spins that will take you back to the glory days of Depeche Mode and Sisters of Mercy.
There’s no strict dress code, which means you’ll see everything from Chuck Taylors to vinyl catsuits—this is the perfect place to rock your Blood Hell! bralette and embroidered moon phase leggings. Visitors love the reasonable prices and the dive bar atmosphere complemented by the pulse of great music. It’s just the right amount of dark moodiness, with a little punk, a little goth, and a little new wave blended together for one unforgettable night.
Image Credits: hollywoodburg
5. Club Purgatory
With a variety of world-class DJs, the vibe ebbs and flows with something for everyone. With cocktails, beers, and usually no cover charge, this is an easy spot to swoop to the sounds of 80s industrial or enjoy the chaotic mix of the club’s signature Spiritual Cramp nights.
Image Credits: club_purgatory_la
Other Places to Check Out
From the Sunset Strip to Hollywood Blvd and beyond, Los Angeles is so much more than just starving actors and Erewhon. There are pockets of darkness all over our hometown and you don’t have to look too far.
1. Beetle House
If you’ve always wanted to dine on a meat pie made by Sweeney Todd himself, this is the place to be. With a delectable menu featuring just the right amount of spook, there is much to see and experience in this Beetlejuice-inspired and Tim Burton-procured L.A. dining spot. There is no shortage of sights to tantalize the eyes while you indulge in the Poltergeist Feast: a two-course meal with your choice of entrees like the Edward Burger Hands or the Shrimpy Hallow. Channel your inner Lydia with our bat collar velvet dress.
Image Credits: beetlehousela
2. Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Image Credits: hwdforever
3. Mystyx Kafe
Nothing says “black like my soul” more than a deep, dark cup of freshly brewed coffee. Serving white magic cold brew, cafesito, teas, lattes, and much more, this witchy little coffee and sweet spot has been garnering excellent reviews from locals as well as outsiders who flew in for a quick taste. Double bubble toil and espresso does a goth good.
Image Credits: mystyxkafe
4. Dark Delicacies
Dark Delicacies is a goth-oriented bookstore that also dabbles in T-shirts, games, and toys. With clothes, collectables, and enough true crime to keep your book-nerd bloodlust satiated, this home of darkness and horror is the perfect spot in Burbank for whiling away the hours. This spot also hosts regular events and book signings, so you can get up close and personal with the very people who haunt your nightmares.
Image Credits:dooder3
Explore the City of Dark Angels
Don’t be fooled by the “Angels” part of Los Angeles. There is plenty of devilish darkness to satisfy even the eeriest of proclivities.
Morning, noon, and midnight, L.A. has something for all, from witchy coffee to a rare Beetle burger to headbanging anthems in a downtown mock dungeon.
