LA's clubs are among the wildest in the country, ranging from absurdly faddish hangouts to industrial noise cellars. The trendier side of the club scene is, as always, hard to pin down; check the LA Weekly before setting out.

Dragonfly 6510 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood phone 323/466-6111. Disco and house music, with the odd bit of rock at this established hipster hangout featuring two large dance floors and a so-called "eye-contact" bar.

Florentine Gardens 5951 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood phone 323/464-0706. A fun, unpretentious dance club catering to the under-21 set. Stuck between the Salvation Army and a porno theater in a seedier section of Hollywood.

Mayan 1038 S Hill St, downtown phone 213/746-4287. Get past the doorman and you're in with LA's coolest, eager to shake a leg to Latin, fusion and salsa in gorgeous and historic surrounds done up in pre-Columbian style.

Playroom 836 N Highland Ave, Hollywood phone 323/461-8301. Where LA Goth-rockers and industrial noise-makers come out to play, with plenty of aggressive, ear-popping sounds.

Sugar 814 Broadway, Santa Monica phone 310/899-1989. The entire range of electronic beats, from house to hip hop, can be found at this sleek glass-and-steel-styled club.

Union 8210 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood phone 323/654-1001. Relaxed supper club with funk, soul and R&B groove room. Centrally located on the Sunset Strip and frequented by the young actor crowd on Tuesday nights.

The Viper Room 8852 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood phone 310/358-1881. Stellar lie acts playing house to swing to disco to jazz, and a famous owner to boot. Best known as the spot where river Phoenix met his end. Cover varies.

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