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Arts & Entertainment

Ditch the mega concerts. Here’s where to catch live music in LA if you’re new here

Esperanza Spalding, a Black woman wearing a black dress, sings and plays guitar on stage with curtains draped behind her and a male guitarist playing in the background to her right.
Esperanza Spalding performs at the Blue Note Jazz Club on February 23, 2025 in New York City.
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Astrida Valigorsky
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Getty Images
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In Los Angeles, you don’t need to go to a big venue to catch live music. Like art, music is everywhere throughout the region, so there’s something for everyone. Here’s a list to get you started.

Two men playing guitar face eachother.
Baked Potato is a cozy jazz club that hosts different artists on any given night.
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Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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Los Angeles Times
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Baked Potato

The Baked Potato is an iconic spot where you can catch live jazz performances in a very intimate setting with drinks, and yes, a baked potato. What makes this place even more special is that phones are not allowed, meaning everyone is living in the moment and enjoying the music.

Where to go: 3787 Cahuenga Blvd., Studio City
Check out the shows here.

A Black man in an indigo colored outfit plays the saxophone into a microphone as other band members play their instruments behind him.
Kamasi Washington performs with special guest Ami Taf Ra in concert at Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City.
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Udo Salters Photography
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Getty Images
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Blue Note

The Blue Note brings New York’s iconic jazz scene to Hollywood with a bar and menu to match the vibes. It’s open seating, meaning you get a show and get to mingle with other jazz music lovers.

Where to find: 6372 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles
Check out the shows here.

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A black Troubadour sign below a marquee reading "SAVE OUR STAGES," above a bright graffiti mural.
The Troubadour as its marquee asked for pandemic era help.
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Courtesy Jason Horton
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The Troubadour

For more of an indie-rock feel, head to The Troubadour in West Hollywood. It’s a local classic that’s hosted some of music’s legends like Joni Mitchell, Led Zeppelin, Billy Joel, and many, many more. It’s standing-room only, with limited seating upstairs that is first-come, first-served.

Where to find:  9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
Check out the shows here.

Café Tondo

At Café Tondo, a cafe-bar in Chinatown, you can catch bolero performances on Tuesday nights, different DJs every Saturday night and jazz on Sunday nights. You can find more info on Café Tondo’s Instagram.

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Where to find: 1135 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles
Find more information here.

A light-skinned man wearing a blue and white polka dot button up stands behind a DJ set. A large speaker is set up behind him.
Eastside Luv Wine Bar in Boyle Heights plays different kinds of music on any given night, like mariachi, country and norteños.
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Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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Los Angeles Times
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Eastside Luv

Eastside Luv is another must-see in the heart of Boyle Heights. It’s a cozy community spot where every night holds something different, from boleros and mariachi to norteños and country. The DJ at the 21+ bar also mixes songs throughout the night in both English and Spanish.

Where to Find: 1835 1st St., Los Angeles
Check out the shows here.

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