Party Like It's 1929: Prohibition-Era Nightlife

1737 Vine St, Hollywood, CA 90028 (map)

Talk about escapism--this ritzy club practically oozes the gilded opulence and material decadence of the Roaring 20s. Think dim wall sconces, lavish chandeliers, art deco design and an exclusive crowd, all exuding the fabulous excess of the decade, before things like Black Tuesday and Hoovervilles got in the way. Monday nights feature performances by Big Willie's Burlesque, a jazz band complete with an entourage of crooning singers and cabaret dancers. You'll probably need to know someone of Gatsby-caliber, however, to get past the already-notorious velvet rope.

108 West 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

Get the total Prohibition experience at downtown's gorgeous 20s-inspired lounge, during their weekly "Speakeasy Sunday" event. Through the side-street entrance and down a narrow staircase, a 125-person crowd of dapperly-dressed guys and gals enjoy free appetizers, live jazz and vintage cocktails by rotating guest bartenders in the bar's VIP Radio Room. Once it's filled to capacity, the doors are closed to the public, keeping the crowd small, swanky and feeling oh-so-subversive.

1432 Fourth St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (map)

Around since 1931, this dark and smoky Westside lounge knows a thing or two about jazz and cabaret. Every Sunday, the red-cloaked club is home to the "Toledo Show," a provocative mix of soulful jazz and sexy burlesque dancers, seductively drawing folks into the cigarette-and-fishnet era. It's a little bit of a culture shock when you stumble out of the jazzy haze back onto the tourist-jammed Third Street Promenade, so take it easy, cat. Tickets run $10 and the show starts at 9:30.

1624 Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (map)

Hello, deco! Design-mastermind Kristopher Keith pays homage to the age of Art Deco with dripping crystal chandeliers, lush geometric couches and vintage red velvet at this gorgeous '20s-inspired whisky watering hole. An emerald stained glass mural, depicting an industrial cityscape complete with blimps and smokestacks, glimmers behind the long marble bar, which serves up Old Hollywood-style cocktails like the Pom Noir, the Garnet and the Flapper Jack to trendy dames and gents.

3600 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (map)

Bringing cabaret down to the South Bay, this club wakes up its sleepy beach town home with nightly titillating acts. Think Vegas showgirls meets bad-ass burlesque dancers, performing the sensual vaudeville to a live band. Don't expect a dark, intimate ambiance though; with its sleek white booths, marble martini bar and indoor waterfall, Manhattan Beach's upscale club is more Sin City than classic speakeasy.

6533 Hollywood Blvd Unit 111, Hollywood, CA 90028 (map)

This underground jazz lounge, already lush with the golden glamour and romanticism of Old Hollywood, returns quite literally to its historic speakeasy roots (it was famously owned by Rudy Valentino) with Prohibition Sundays. Lounge on the burgundy velvet couches, sipping $3 classic martinis while musicians play smooth jazz on the red-lit stage. If you want to feel really underground, keep it on the hush.