Long Beach

With a young college crowd from nearby California State University, the bars and clubs of Long Beach bars provide an intensely good time and a diverse selection of nightlife options. Many Long Beach bars and clubs are congregated in the downtown area, and patrons can bar hop from one outdoor patio to the next. There's also action down the beach in Belmont Shore and in the East Village Arts District, where the crowd turns hipster. Dress codes often apply at Long Beach clubs, but many venues are beachy and casual, especially in Belmont Shore.

Choose from sizzling salsa clubs with tiny dance floors, chilled-out jazz and cigar lounges, dance clubs with DJs and go-gos, wine bars and live bands playing everything from reggae to rock and roll. Long Beach bars and clubs are known for outdoor patio seating and excellent happy hour drink specials that lure patrons into partying all night. Try Cafe Sevilla for hot Latin dancing downtown, Mai Tai Tiki Bar for a happy hour harbor view or Blue Cafe for live jazz and blues. Hit up the East Village Arts District on second Saturdays of the month for the Long Beach Art Walk, and don't miss The Basement Lounge while you're there for underground electronic music. - Shilo Urban