Tuned-In Hotels
Sunset Marquis
1200 Alta Loma Rd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
Given this urban enclave’s lush foliage and hushed, meandering pathways — not to mention a no-paparazzi atmosphere — it’s hard to imagine that the rollicking Sunset Strip is mere steps away. These rare-in-LA perks, along with its onsite NightBird Recording Studios, have made Sunset Marquis a haven for musicians since 1963. Dozens of GRAMMY-winning songs and albums were produced here, and the hotel has hosted hitmakers ranging from Aerosmith to Drake. Main character energy is evident the moment you enter: Morrison Hotel Gallery, curator of rock ‘n’ roll’s most iconic photography, has rotating exhibitions in the hotel lobby.
Andaz West Hollywood
8401 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
Walking through Andaz West Hollywood’s sleek, minimalist lobby, you’d never guess at its colorfully checkered past. But this Sunset Strip staple, which movie cowboy Gene Autry opened in 1963 as a pet project, soon earned the infamous nickname “Riot House” for the rock-and-roll mayhem that followed. From Robert Plant hollering “I am a golden god!” on the rooftop to Jim Morrison allegedly swinging from his balcony, the legends here grew as fast as the star-studded guest list. Today, it’s a chic, centrally located perch with a petite rooftop pool and panoramic views.
Hotel Ziggy
8462 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
Both laid back and plugged in, Hotel Ziggy is humming at all hours with its onsite Backbeat bar and music venue, a pool made for partying and all-day pizza. Each of the hotel’s 108 rooms deftly balances counterculture and cultivation — with psychedelic murals, posh Malin+Goetz toiletries, working turntables and tons of vintage vinyl.
The Sun Rose West Hollywood
8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
Condé Nast Traveler readers voted The Sun Rose the #11 Hotel in the World (2025), making it one of the most highly rated hotels in the Los Angeles area. Perfectly appointed rooms and sweeping skyline views create an atmosphere of modern glamour, while rooftop dining concepts like Wolfgang Puck’s Merois add a distinct culinary edge. But music fans will really love Live at the Sun Rose, the hotel’s intimate, 100-seat music venue where emerging artists and industry insiders converge for unforgettable nights you won’t find anywhere else.
Musical Must-Sees
The Sunset Strip — the stretch of Sunset Boulevard roughly between Doheny Drive and Crescent Heights Boulevard in West Hollywood — was rock’s original stomping ground. But music history was made in pubs and clubs all over WeHo. Here are the compulsories.
The Roxy Theatre
A celebrated starmaker since its opening in 1973, The Roxy hosted the first U.S. run of “The Rocky Horror Show” and has had audiences quivering with antici…pation ever since. Cult faves like the Germs and global icons like Bowie and Prince all graced this stage in their early days.
Whisky a Go Go
Another legendary launchpad, the Whisky not only fostered individual bands like The Doors, Blondie and Guns N’ Roses, it helped to shape entire music scenes. Era-defining genres, including punk, glam, British invasion, hair metal and grunge, found their footing within these walls.
Troubadour
The Troubadour is a mandatory stop for music lovers, much as it’s been a vital stepping stone for musicians since its opening in 1957. This humble venue has sparked countless careers; Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, James Taylor, Pearl Jam and many others played formative shows here.
Rainbow Bar & Grill
A Sunset Strip institution since 1972, the Rainbow has been the unofficial living room of rock legends for more than five decades. It was here that Alice Cooper held court, John Lennon wandered in during his “lost weekend” and Motörhead frontman Lemmy practically became part of the décor, famously taking up residence at the video poker machine. Known for its red-leather booths, late-night pies and walls lined with memorabilia, the Rainbow isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a rite of passage for anyone tracing the heartbeat of rock ‘n’ roll.
Keys
Compared with the leather-and-studs grit of the clubs above, Keys might feel downright slick — three floors, VIP lounges, top-tier sound system. But this is the hallowed ground where “Godfather of Rock” Bill Gazzarri sent rising rockers like Van Halen and Mötley Crüe into the stratosphere, back when the club went by the name Gazzari’s.
More Musical Musts Around Los Angeles
GRAMMY Museum
This expansive experience should be part of any music-lover’s pilgrimage — especially since the GRAMMY Awards themselves take place right here in Los Angeles as a cornerstone of awards season. The museum’s immersive exhibits unveil the stories behind the artists and give you the chance to see iconic artifacts — Michael Jackson’s glittering glove among them — up close.
Amoeba Music
Trust us when we say that no collection is complete without a visit to Amoeba Music. Founded in 1990 by three employees of Berkeley’s foundational Rasputin Records, it’s one of the largest independent record stores in the world — with an unmatched selection of music and merch.
Bucket List Music Venues
If an A-list concert lines up with your visit, you’ll have your choice of memorable venues. Enjoy an intimate outdoor show at The Greek Theatre, with VIP boxes and meal service available. Experience the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall; both are world-famous, with good reason. Or combine the two with Movie Night at the Hollywood Bowl— classic movie screenings scored live by acclaimed classical musicians. All three venues are easy to reach, between 3 and 8 miles from West Hollywood.
Worthy Drive-Bys
Finally, for you deep-cut listeners: a few places worth driving by, even if you can’t go inside. A canonical figure in both music history and the LA skyline, the Capitol Records Building still houses working studios — including the Les Paul reverb chambers that gave the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” its unforgettable sound. Westlake Recording Studios in West Hollywood has been crafting hits since 1970; Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” (1982) was recorded here, among other chart-toppers. And Laurel Canyon, a winding hillside neighborhood you can easily explore by car, was folk-rock’s unofficial HQ, sheltering The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Carole King, The Eagles and other legendary acts.
