Troubadour

The Troubadour is one of the most storied small music venues in the United States. Doug Weston opened it in the 1950s as a 65-seat coffee house on La Cienega Boulevard, and in 1957 it moved to its current home on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, just east of Doheny Drive. It remains a small room, holding only around 300 people.

Over the decades the club has played a central role in the Los Angeles music scene. Folk and singer-songwriter acts made their names here in the 1960s and 1970s, and on 25 August 1970 Elton John played his first show in the United States on its stage, introduced by Neil Diamond. Later generations of rock and alternative bands followed, and an appearance here is still a rite of passage for rising artists.

Today the Troubadour hosts live music on most nights, with a programme that ranges from established names playing intimate shows to up-and-coming bands. Check the calendar on the website and buy tickets in advance for popular nights, as shows can sell out. The box office opens on show days at door time unless otherwise noted.

The small room means that most spots are close to the stage. It suits music fans, solo travellers and groups of friends who want to see a band up close rather than in an arena. Age policies vary by show, so check the event listing before buying tickets, and bring identification.

Drinks are served at the bar, and the atmosphere is informal; there is no dress code beyond what suits a sweaty rock club. Doors and set times are listed for each event, and headline acts usually play later in the evening, so plan your journey home accordingly. For many visitors the appeal is as much historical as musical: standing in the room where so many careers began gives a sense of continuity with the West Hollywood of the 1960s and 1970s. Even if you do not know the band on the bill, the venue's track record for booking interesting acts makes a speculative night out worthwhile, and the bar is a friendly place to wait before the headliner.

The club is at the western end of West Hollywood, close to the border with Beverly Hills. Ride-shares are the simplest way to get there and back, as parking nearby is limited. The Sunset Strip, with the Whisky a Go Go and other venues, is a short drive north, making it easy to combine two classic music spots on one trip.