University of California - Los Angeles - Nightlife

The Ivar is located in the heart of Hollywood, and is one block west of the world’s most famous intersection, Hollywood and Vine. The architecture is spellbinding, and the club is enormous, with enough space to fit 1,500 people. Club goers beware; there is usually a stiflingly long line outside if you arrive past 10:30 p.m. Thursday: Fidelity; electronic, techno; $20 Cover Charge. Friday: Kitsch; hip-hop, R&B, electronic; $20 Cover Charge. Saturday: Engine driver; hip-hop, R&B, electronic; $20 Cover Charge.

This place is a gold mine of musical talent, especially on Saturday nights with Spundae. The world-class DJs keep the place on its feet, and it has been nominated for best dance club in Los Angeles. There are multiple rooms, so the music changes from location to location. The thundering bass and electronic vibes will surely keep your legs pumping and swaying all the way home. Parking is $5 outside of the club. Friday: House, Electronic, Latin, Hip-Hop; $10 Cover Charge, Saturday: Flava; House, R&B, Latin, Hip-Hop; $10 Cover Charge. Sunday: Spundae; House and Trance; $25 Cover Charge

Miyagi’s has succulent sushi that will make your wallet burst into flames from the inflated price. Many students don’t come here for the sushi, however. The secret to Miyagi’s is to be inside the restaurant after 10 p.m. Once the dance floor emerges on the third floor, swallow down the sushi, if you’ve splurged, and lead your date out to boogie down. Nightly: hip-hop, No Cover Charge.

Named after a group of elusive long-nosed goblins in Japanese folklore, Tengu is a very hot Asian-fusion restaurant, as well as a great bar. Sundays are half-price sake nights. No Cover Charge.

Skip the bottlenecks in favor of one of their handcrafted ales, a Westwood Blonde or Pear Cider. This is the only microbrewery in Westwood, so enjoy the variety here. Happy hour is from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., $2.50 beers and half-price appetizers. Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. come to watch some football with $2 pints and Bloody Mary’s, and buffalo wings at 25¢ each. There’s live entertainment every night All shows start at 9 p.m., and you must be 21. No Cover Charge.

This bar houses the most TVs in all of Westwood, and is an absolute madhouse whenever there is a sporting event. Student sports-fans, and those older ones that can’t let go of their college roots, will find Maloney’s the place to be for any sporting occasion.

This bar offers a modern, chic alternative to the loud, and student-saturated, local bar scene. Set in the amazing W Hotel, a first class building of its own, the ambiance of the bar is more New York than UCLA. The velvet ropes may be intimidating, but the intimacy inside of the bar is stunning, especially on the weekdays. For a date that’s slightly out of the ordinary, check out this swanky yet subtle jewel tucked away on the outskirts of Westwood.

This posh bar houses celebrities nightly and only the swankiest can cross the velvet ropes of this club. Access is limited, so get there early and get ready to pay the $5 parking fee. If your group is up to it, the VIP parking upgrade for $20 may be even better for easier access to and from the club. Wednesday–Saturday: Hip-Hop and R&B, $20 Cover Charge.

Grand Avenue Night Club is one of downtown LA’s premiere club venues. The balcony is a cool place to chill and get your drink on with another full bar in the middle. The club is modern and definitely large in scale. There are plenty of students from all over Los Angeles at this club. Wednesday: “Wet Wednesday” $20 cover charge; electronic. Thursday: “Downtown Live” $12 cover charge; Hip Hop, Latin, rock/pop. Saturday: “Club Union” $15 cover charge; Hip Hop/ R&B, reggae/world

There are plenty of comfy couches and delicious smoothies here to melt away the daily stress while you curl up with a good book. The local crowd is relaxed and on certain nights there are live performances. The Cow’s End also houses a computer with Internet connection for some quick e-mail check ups, and plug-ins. Beware the loud writers talking to studio heads about their prospective manuscripts. While amusing, these people are extraordinarily loud in the otherwise tranquil atmosphere.