Erika Stalder

Nothing quite captures the summer season more than swimsuits, rooftop bars and poolside soirees (though outdoor adventures and ice cream take a close second). When it comes to Vegas-style pool parties and laid-back, rooftop gatherings, L.A.’s buzzy social events calendar has enough lively happenings to keep you entertained all summer long. The season events have officially kicked off with a splash of pool parties thrown at shindig-friendly hotels around town, from the heart of Hollywood to the rooftops of Downtown Los Angeles. If you’re looking to lounge (or dance) by the pool, music in ear and cocktail in hand, be prepared to arrive early or grab a hotel room the night before, as most parties cap out at 500 people. Of course, the fastest way to a coveted cabana or table space is via bottle service packages, which can run hundreds of dollars, but you’ll buy the best seat in the house. Regardless of how you get in, here are some of the best summer pool party options in L.A. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in the summer in Los Angeles

In LA, finding the best clubs in Hollywood or a place to dance every night of the week isn't all that tough. But for top-notch live DJ music, you may have to dig a little deeper. Whether you want to dress up for an evening among swank banquettes and bottle service cocktails or get down in a no-frills warehouse, LA’s nightlife offerings have you covered—and luckily, we've done the research (and, yes, the partying) for you. Here are the best clubs in LA for live DJ music.

This space for leather, lipstick and bears jettisons WeHo for Downtown, just a few blocks from the Ace Hotel. The self-dubbed “rock and roll gay bar” serves as a cool update for a turn-of-the-century building that once housed the Department of Corrections by going classic in decor—exposed brick, lots of black and a red arrow above the door to mark the spot. The expansive 8,500 sq ft second-floor space includes a bar, dance floor, performance space and its best feature—a wrap-around terrace with commanding views that feels more Bourbon Street than DTLA, and serves as the perfect place for a Sunday beer bust.

This beautifully-appointed bar-meets intimate music venue-meets outdoor event space may just be in soft-opening stages now, but early reports from nightlife denizens are glowing: “makes you feel like you’re at the best house party of all time,” DJ Whitney Fierce notes. Heavy on flora and equipped with a white wraparound bar, the space is designed to transport partiers to an otherworldly place, with programming that spans dance music, creative eats art and film.

There are plenty of undergrounds to be had in LA, but for those looking for a similar brass-tax vibe—a no-frills party space, emphasis on the music and after-hours permit—without fear of the police cutting the night short, this simple spot does the trick. Long-running and hard-thumping parties like Making Shapes, Culprit and Droid are showcased in its Prototype Series, as Detroit house and techno DJs and boundary-pushing acts from Germany merge with LA’s finest. An ample outdoor patio provides plenty of breathing room, a second bar and a taco stand.