Santa Monica Nightlife: Where to Go After Dark
Rooftop bars with ocean views, historic blues clubs, dance floors, and late-night eats — organized by mood and neighborhood so you can plan your night.
Updated August 2026
This guide is maintained by the Things to Do Santa Monica editorial team and updated when venues open, close, or change significantly. We do not list businesses that have permanently closed. If you spot an outdated listing, please let us know.
Santa Monica's nightlife is concentrated in two main areas: Downtown (Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place) and Main Street in Ocean Park. Downtown has the densest cluster of bars and the city's only dedicated dance club. Main Street is more local and low-key, with some of the best cocktail bars in the city. The Pier has one bar but is a nighttime attraction in its own right. Use this guide to pick a spot by mood, neighborhood, or how late you want to stay out — then figure out where to stay in Santa Monica so you can walk home.
Best Santa Monica Nightlife by Mood
Not sure where to start? Pick what you're in the mood for.
A rooftop sunset
Élephante — Reserve ahead — it books up days in advance for golden hour.
Live music
Harvelle's Blues Club — Nightly blues, jazz, and soul in a historic 150-seat room.
Dancing
The Room Santa Monica — The city's only dedicated dance club — DJs until 2 AM.
Craft cocktails
The Chestnut Club — Main Street speakeasy with one of the best bar programs in the city.
A casual beer
Rusty's Surf Ranch — Cold beer and live music right on the Pier.
Date night
Onyx Rooftop Bar — Art Deco rooftop with ocean views and intimate seating.
Late-night food
Mel's Drive-In — Burgers and shakes served until 2 AM or later.
Best Bars in Santa Monica
Santa Monica's bar scene ranges from a sprawling tropical-chic lounge to dim-lit speakeasies and a Pier-side surf bar. The Bungalow is the city's most well-known bar — a multi-room indoor-outdoor complex with fire pits and a constant crowd. For craft cocktails, Main Street's The Chestnut Club and Wok Bar have the most serious programs. For ocean views, Élephante and Onyx are the rooftops to beat. Most bars are within a 10-minute walk of each other downtown, so you can bar-hop without a car.
The Bungalow
WebsiteThe Bungalow is arguably the most famous bar in Santa Monica — a sprawling indoor-outdoor lounge set in a 1920s bungalow on the Fairmont Miramar grounds. Multiple rooms, a large patio with fire pits, and a constant buzz make it the default meeting spot for visitors and locals alike. Expect a line on weekend evenings.
The Chestnut Club
WebsiteA Main Street staple with a serious cocktail program and a wood-fired kitchen. The bar staff are among the best in the city. Great for a low-key date night or a few rounds with friends.
Wok Bar
WebsiteA small, dark cocktail bar on Main Street that stays open later than most. Asian-inspired small plates and a deep cocktail list make it a favorite for a late-night stop.
Rusty's Surf Ranch
WebsiteThe only full bar on the Santa Monica Pier. Live music most nights, cold beer, and ocean views from the deck. A fun, unpretentious stop if you're already on the Pier.
Best Rooftop Bars in Santa Monica
Santa Monica has two standout rooftop bars, both within a block of the beach. Élephante is the headline act — a Mediterranean rooftop with unobstructed sunset views and a reservation-only policy. Onyx Rooftop Bar at the Hotel Shangri-La is a more intimate, Art Deco alternative with views over Palisades Park. Arrive 30–60 minutes before sunset on weekends; both fill up fast.
Élephante
WebsiteÉlephante sits on a rooftop above the beach with unobstructed Pacific views. The menu leans Mediterranean — wood-fired plates, fresh pastas, and craft cocktails. It is the most sought-after sunset spot in the city; reservations are essential.
Onyx Rooftop Bar
WebsitePerched atop the Art Deco Hotel Shangri-La, Onyx offers classic cocktails and panoramic views over Palisades Park and the ocean. A more intimate, grown-up alternative to Élephante.
Ocean View Bars
For drinks with a view of the Pacific, your options are the two rooftops above plus Rusty's Surf Ranch on the Pier itself — the only bar directly over the water. The Bungalow's patio also catches ocean breezes, though the view is partially blocked by buildings.
Rusty's Surf Ranch
WebsiteThe only full bar on the Santa Monica Pier. Live music most nights, cold beer, and ocean views from the deck. A fun, unpretentious stop if you're already on the Pier.
Cocktail Bars in Santa Monica
If craft cocktails are the priority, head to Main Street. The Chestnut Club and Wok Bar both have bar programs that rival anything in Los Angeles. Downtown, The Bungalow's cocktail menu is solid if you don't mind the crowd.
The Chestnut Club
WebsiteA Main Street staple with a serious cocktail program and a wood-fired kitchen. The bar staff are among the best in the city. Great for a low-key date night or a few rounds with friends.
Wok Bar
WebsiteA small, dark cocktail bar on Main Street that stays open later than most. Asian-inspired small plates and a deep cocktail list make it a favorite for a late-night stop.
Live Music in Santa Monica
Santa Monica's live music scene is anchored by three very different venues. McCabe's Guitar Shop is a legendary folk and acoustic listening room operating since 1958. Harvelle's Blues Club has hosted live blues, jazz, and soul nightly since 1931. The Broad Stage at Santa Monica College presents larger-scale concerts and theatrical productions. Check events in Santa Monica this weekend to see what's on during your visit.
Harvelle's Blues Club
WebsiteOperating since 1931, Harvelle's is the oldest live music venue on the Westside. Nightly blues, jazz, soul, and R&B acts in a tight, 150-person room. The dance floor fills up after 10 PM.
McCabe's Guitar Shop
WebsiteA Santa Monica institution since 1958. McCabe's is a guitar shop with a 150-seat back room that hosts intimate concerts by world-class folk, acoustic, and indie artists. Bonnie Raitt, Elvis Costello, and Joni Mitchell have all played here. Tickets sell out fast.
The Broad Stage
WebsiteThe Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at Santa Monica College is a 499-seat venue presenting music, dance, theater, and spoken word. Programming ranges from jazz and classical to contemporary performance. Check the calendar for upcoming shows.
Dancing & Nightclubs in Santa Monica
Santa Monica is not a mega-club city — there are no 1,000-capacity venues here. What it does have is The Room, a single-room dance club with DJs until 2 AM, and Harvelle's, which turns into a dance party after the live sets end. For a more lounge-style night, The Bungalow's patio gets lively on weekends.
The Room Santa Monica
WebsiteSanta Monica's go-to dance club. A single dark room with a packed dance floor and DJs spinning hip-hop, R&B, and top-40. Not fancy — just a place to dance until closing.
Date Night in Santa Monica
For a date, Élephante and Onyx are the top picks — both have ocean views, intimate seating, and a refined atmosphere. The Chestnut Club on Main Street is a great alternative if you want a quieter, dim-lit cocktail bar. Pair any of these with dinner at one of the best restaurants in Santa Monica for a full evening.
Late-Night Food in Santa Monica
After last call, your options narrow but they exist. Mel's Drive-In serves burgers and shakes until 2 AM or later. DK's Donuts is open 24 hours. For budget-friendly late options, see our guide to cheap eats after midnight in Santa Monica.
Mel's Drive-In
WebsiteA Route 66-themed diner right off the Promenade. Burgers, fries, milkshakes, and breakfast plates served late. The default post-bar stop in downtown Santa Monica.
DK's Donuts & Bakery
WebsiteOpen around the clock, DK's is famous for its O-Nuts (croissant-donut hybrids) and enormous donut selection. A late-night Santa Monica ritual for decades.
Casual Bars in Santa Monica
If you just want a beer and a relaxed atmosphere, Rusty's Surf Ranch on the Pier is the most casual spot in the city — surf decor, live music, and no dress code. The Bungalow's patio is casual in vibe even if the crowd is dressed up.
The Santa Monica Pier at Night
The Pier transforms after dark. The Pacific Wheel lights up in LED patterns visible for miles, the carousel glows, and the whole structure casts reflections across the water. Walking the Pier at night is free and is one of the most romantic spots in Los Angeles. During summer, the Twilight Concert Series brings free live music to the Pier on Thursday evenings. Rusty's Surf Ranch is the only full bar on the Pier — grab a drink and find a spot at the railing.
Third Street Promenade After Dark
The Promenade stays lively in the evenings with street performers, musicians, and a mix of locals and tourists. Santa Monica Place's rooftop dining deck offers outdoor seating and city views — a good pre-bar dinner spot. Side streets off the Promenade have cocktail lounges and wine bars. The area is well-lit and patrolled, making it a comfortable starting point for a night out.
Santa Monica Nightlife by Neighborhood
Santa Monica's nightlife clusters into four areas. Here's what to expect in each.
Downtown / Third Street Promenade
The densest cluster of bars and clubs. Everything within a 5-block walk. Start on the Promenade, hit a cocktail bar on a side street, then dance at The Room or catch live music at Harvelle's.
Main Street (Ocean Park)
A more local, neighborhood feel. Lower-key bars, fewer tourists, and some of the best cocktail programs in the city. About a 15-minute walk south of the Pier.
Mid-City / Pico
Not a bar-hopping zone, but home to two of Santa Monica's most important music venues: McCabe's Guitar Shop and The Broad Stage. Worth the short ride for a concert.
Santa Monica Pier
One bar (Rusty's), but the Pier itself is a nighttime attraction — the Ferris wheel lights up, the carousel glows, and summer Twilight Concerts draw big crowds.
Nightlife Around Main Street
Main Street in Ocean Park is Santa Monica's neighborhood bar district — less touristy than downtown, with a local crowd and some of the best cocktails in the city. The Chestnut Club and Wok Bar are the standouts. The strip is walkable and has several restaurants if you want to make a full evening of it. It's about a 15-minute walk south of the Pier.
Nightlife Around Downtown Santa Monica
Downtown is where most visitors end up. The Bungalow, Élephante, Onyx, Harvelle's, and The Room are all within a 5-block radius. You can walk between all of them. Start on a rooftop for sunset, move to a cocktail bar, and end at The Room or Harvelle's. The Promenade and Santa Monica Place are the anchor points.
Nightlife Near the Pier
The Pier itself has one bar (Rusty's), but it's surrounded by downtown's bar cluster. The Bungalow is a 4-block walk north. Élephante is 3 blocks away. If you're staying near the Pier, you're in the best position for a bar-hopping night without a car.
Nightlife for Visitors Staying Without a Car
Santa Monica is one of the most walkable nightlife districts in Los Angeles. If you stay downtown or near Main Street, you can reach nearly every bar on this page on foot. The Big Blue Bus runs until around midnight on most routes. Uber and Lyft are reliable and have short wait times in this area. If you're planning to drink, leave the car at the hotel — parking on weekend nights is difficult and expensive. See our guide to hotels in Santa Monica for walkable options.
Getting Around Santa Monica at Night
Downtown Santa Monica is compact — most bars are within a 10-minute walk of each other. Main Street is a 15-minute walk south of the Pier. Rideshare is widely available. The Big Blue Bus runs until about midnight. Bikes and scooters (Bird, Citi Bike) operate throughout the city but should be used cautiously at night. If you're going to Mid-City for a show at McCabe's or The Broad Stage, take a rideshare — it's too far to walk from the beach.
Santa Monica Nightlife FAQ
Does Santa Monica have a good nightlife?
Yes. Santa Monica's nightlife is concentrated in two main areas — Downtown (Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place) and Main Street in Ocean Park — and ranges from rooftop bars with ocean views to historic live music venues and a dedicated dance club. It is more relaxed and less pretentious than Hollywood or West Hollywood, with fewer velvet ropes and more walkable distances between venues.
What are the best nightclubs in Santa Monica?
The Room Santa Monica is the city's primary dance club, with DJs spinning hip-hop, R&B, and top-40 until 2 AM. Harvelle's Blues Club transitions into a dancing atmosphere later in the evening after live sets wrap up. For a more upscale lounge experience, The Bungalow and Élephante draw large crowds on weekends.
Are there rooftop bars in Santa Monica?
Yes. Élephante is the most popular rooftop bar, with Mediterranean-inspired cocktails and unobstructed sunset views over the Pacific. Onyx Rooftop Bar at the Hotel Shangri-La offers Art Deco styling and panoramic views over Palisades Park and the coastline. Both are best at golden hour and fill up quickly on weekends.
What time do bars close in Santa Monica?
California state law requires bars to stop serving alcohol at 2:00 AM. Most Santa Monica bars close between 1:00 and 2:00 AM. Some restaurant-bars close earlier (10–11 PM) because they are primarily dining venues. Late-night food spots like DK's Donuts remain open 24 hours.
Is Santa Monica safe at night?
Santa Monica is generally safe at night, especially in the well-lit, well-patrolled areas around Third Street Promenade, the Pier, and Main Street. As with any urban area, stay aware of your surroundings, travel in groups when possible, and stick to populated streets. Rideshare is widely available and reliable.
Sleep Close to the Action
After a night out, you'll want a comfortable bed nearby. See the best walkable hotel options.
Learn about our editorial standards and how we select recommendations.
Local Tips & Editorial Notes
Local Insider Tips
- →Santa Monica's nightlife is more relaxed than Hollywood — fewer velvet ropes, more walkable distances. You can bar-hop without a car.
- →The Bungalow gets a line by 8 PM on weekends. Go early (5-6 PM) for a relaxed vibe and a good seat on the patio.
- →Last call is 2 AM statewide, but many Santa Monica venues close earlier. Plan accordingly — the late-night food spots are your friend after midnight.
How Long to Spend
4-6 hours for a full night out
Best Hotels in Santa Monica
Staying out late? These hotels put you walking distance from the best bars and live music venues.