Best Party Hostels
in Los Angeles

Banana Bungalow Hollywood

Friday nights in Los Angeles don’t just happen on Sunset Boulevard. Banana Bungalow Hollywood is in Downtown LA, which puts it at the start of that circuit. The Short Stop on 1431 W Sunset Blvd, Echo Park. A dive bar that’s been here since 1930. The Varnish on 118 E 6th St, Downtown LA is the fallback option if the first place is packed. The hostel runs group BBQ nights, useful for people arriving without a plan. At €24 a night and rated 9.1. At 9.1, it's near the top of Los Angeles's hostel field without being the standout leader.

Freehand Hostel Los Angeles

Freehand sits in Downtown LA, close to the 5th and Spring intersection where rooftop bars and 24-hour diners cluster. The rooftop terrace and pool are real, this is an upscale hostel by the standards of the category, and at €23 a night it prices accordingly. Rated 8.8. The on-site bar runs daily happy hour with the drinking games you'd expect, and it works as an in-house social option before heading out. The Short Stop on Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park is one of the better local dive bars: $4 beers during happy hour and live bands most Thursdays. Worth the Uber if you want somewhere with a less tourist-heavy crowd.

Samesun Venice Beach

Friday nights in Los Angeles don’t just happen on Sunset Boulevard. Samesun Venice Beach is in Downtown LA, which puts it at the start of that circuit. The Short Stop on 1431 W Sunset Blvd, Echo Park. A dive bar that’s been here since 1930. The Varnish on 118 E 6th St, Downtown LA is the fallback option if the first place is packed. At €27 a night and rated 9.1. At 9.1, it's near the top of Los Angeles's hostel field without being the standout leader.

Samesun Hollywood

Friday nights in Los Angeles don’t just happen on Sunset Boulevard. Samesun Hollywood is in Downtown LA, which puts it at the start of that circuit. The Short Stop on 1431 W Sunset Blvd, Echo Park. A dive bar that’s been here since 1930. At €27 a night and rated 8.3. Rated 8.3, which is adequate. Not the city's best, but not the worst either.

Orange Drive Hostel LA

Friday nights in Los Angeles don’t just happen on Sunset Boulevard. Orange Drive Hostel LA is in Downtown LA, which puts it at the start of that circuit. The Short Stop on 1431 W Sunset Blvd, Echo Park. A dive bar that’s been here since 1930. The hostel runs group BBQ nights, free breakfast, useful for people arriving without a plan. At €29 a night and rated 9.7. The 9.7 rating puts Orange Drive Hostel LA among the best-reviewed hostels in Los Angeles.

Downtown LA

The nightlife core for backpackers. Spring and Broadway are lined with rooftop bars, underground clubs, and 24-hour diners. Most hostels cluster here, so you’ll never walk more than 10 minutes to your next drink. The Arts District adds warehouses turned into speakeasies and street-art alleys.

Hollywood

Touristy but worth it for the people-watching. Walk of Fame crowds thin out after 9 p.m., leaving the bars and clubs to locals and travellers. Franklin Village has dive bars with $5 beers, while Sunset Boulevard packs the big-name clubs. Expect cover charges unless you’re on a hostel crawl.

Santa Monica and Venice

Beachside hostels put you near the ocean but far from the nightlife. The Venice Boardwalk has cheap tacos and street performers by day, but after dark, head to Abbot Kinney Boulevard for wine bars and craft beer spots. Uber to Downtown or Hollywood for clubs: it’s a 30-minute ride.

A dive bar that’s been here since 1930. Pool table in the back, jukebox in the corner, and $4 beers during happy hour. Weekends get packed with locals and hostel crowds spilling onto the pavement. Live bands play most Thursdays: show up by 9 p.m. to grab a spot near the stage.

Speakeasy behind a unmarked door in the Arts District. No sign, just a buzzer. Inside, it’s all dark wood and craft cocktails for $14–$16. Arrive before 8 p.m. to snag a seat: after that, you’ll queue for 30 minutes. Dress sharp; they turn away flip-flops.

Massive two-storey club in Downtown. EDM and hip-hop nights draw a 21+ crowd. Entry is $20–$30, but hostel crawls often get you in free. The main room has a LED ceiling that pulses with the bass: bring earplugs if you plan to stay past midnight.

24-hour poolside bar with views over Downtown. Happy hour runs 4–7 p.m. with $6 cocktails. Weekends get busy with a mix of tourists and locals. No cover, but expect a $15–$20 minimum spend after 9 p.m.

Whiskey bar with over 200 bottles behind the counter. No cover, but drinks start at $12. The back room has a hidden speakeasy vibe: ask the bartender for the ‘secret’ menu. Gets busy after 10 p.m., so arrive early for a seat.

Indie music venue in Echo Park. Shows start at 8 p.m., but the dance floor fills up by 11 p.m. Tickets are $15–$25, but hostel crawls sometimes include free entry. The attached Echoplex downstairs has a late-night bar open until 2 a.m.