With the FIFA World Cup 2026TM, NBA All-Star Weekend, Super Bowl, Olympics, and more around the corner, we’ve teamed up with Discover Los Angeles for this special edition to guarantee an unforgettable trip between matches.
These days, there are two kinds of parties: the kind that’s plastered all over social media and the kind where photography is banned. In the early 2000s (back when camera phone megapixels were measured with single digits), few parties were recorded for posterity – unless Mark Hunter, a.k.a. The Cobrasnake, was in attendance. His rise to fame came when he began sharing the photos he’d taken at LA parties online, with Vogue describing his blog as, “one of the earliest and most impactful social photography sites of its kind.”
Born and raised in LA, he’s a rare breed in America’s cultural capital as someone who didn’t travel to the city to find their tribe and make their fortune.
“I got into my career in photography because I felt like LA is such a magical place,” he says. “It’s the home of Hollywood, it’s the home of a lot of exciting, eccentric people, and I’m really happy to be a part of it.”
As someone who’s lived their entire life under the watchful gaze of Hollywood’s famous sign, there are few people better equipped to be a guide to Los Angeles than Mark Hunter. Especially given his multi-decade career documenting some of the world’s most talked-about parties, you’re in even better hands when the sun dips behind the Pacific Ocean horizon.
If you’re in “The City of Angels” for any of the upcoming 2026 World Cup matches, this is the only guide to the LA nightlife post-match you need to read. From where to stay, what to eat, and how to get into the best nightclubs, Hunter has you covered.
Stay
The LINE Hotel – Koreatown
Located about a 30-minute drive from SoFi Stadium (also called Los Angeles Stadium), where all eight of the World Cup matches in LA will be played, Koreatown is a fantastic pocket of the city that’s filled with restaurants, bars, and markets. One of the best hotels in the area is The LINE Hotel, which Hunter recommends as one of his favourite places to stay – especially if you want to enjoy your nights.
“The cool thing about this place is that there are two nightclubs inside called Break Room 86 and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, both of which are run by the Houston brothers,” he says.
“Both of them are like you’re stepping into a different world, because they’re 70s and 80s themed, and they’ve both got really exciting energy. The hotel itself is also great, because the rooms are modern and you’re almost guaranteed to see some really cool people hanging out there.”
Chateau Marmont – Hollywood
His other favourite hotel in the city is also one of its most legendary – Chateau Marmont. Inspired by a French chateau and constructed almost a century ago, it remains one of the sites where old-world Hollywood glamour still exists.
“If you’ve got the money for it, one of the most iconic establishments in LA is the Chateau, where they’ve recently reopened Bar Marmont inside it. It’s very famously known, tons of cool people go there, and it’s very centrally located with a lot of other great venues in the area.”
Eat
Rainbow Bar & Grill – West Hollywood
For anyone in search of a legendary rock and roll experience, Hunter suggests the Rainbow Bar & Grill, “It’s a classic haunt that’s been on the Sunset Strip since forever. I really like their pizza, and they serve pretty cheap drinks.”
Its clientele has included John Lennon, Alice Cooper, Guns N’ Roses, Jimi Hendrix, and countless other musical legends, so if you love classic rock, it’s a must-visit.
Felix Trattoria – Venice
In the Venice Beach area and along the famed Abbot Kinney Boulevard, “there are countless amazing dinner spots,” Hunter explains.
“Any type of food you might want, you can find over there,” he tells me, but among his favourites is the traditional Italian restaurant, Felix Trattoria. A temple to some of the very best pizza and pasta you’ll find in all of LA, and less than a ten-minute walk from the hustle and bustle of the Venice Beach Boardwalk if you fancy a post-meal digestive stroll.
HEIMAT – Hollywood
For anyone without the luxury of totally switching off during the World Cup, Hunter recommends HEIMAT as a great place to get some work done. Beyond its workspaces, it also offers a full suite of health and wellness facilities that Hunter describes as “better than Equinox or any of those other elite gyms.”
“They’ve got a rooftop pool and a jacuzzi, every kind of workout equipment you can imagine, and a big workspace. They do day passes and sell amazing food and drink by the pool, so that’s a special place I love to go to.”
Drink
El Prado – Echo Park
When it comes to enjoying a beer or two, most of his favourite venues are proper nightclubs, but he’s also got a soft spot for El Prado on the east side of LA.
“It’s a bit of a hipster wine bar where you might see some rock and roll boys and girls there.”
Play
The Spotlight – Hollywood
When the dinner plates have been cleared, but the night is still young, LA’s nightclub scene is world-class, and the photographer is someone who knows it better than almost anyone. The first venue he recommends is The Spotlight, a superclub that “somehow still feels really intimate.”
“The sound system is insane, the dance floor is such a vibe, and while the drinks are a little bit pricey, the music is always great.”
TENANTS OF THE TREES – Silver Lake
On the east side (about 10 minutes drive from El Prado) is a place that Hunter loves called TENANTS OF THE TREES, but fair warning: “you have to dress cool and look cool to get in.”
“It’s an iconic bar where Charli XCX had her birthday party, and they do lots of private events for movie premieres and that kind of thing. They serve really cool drinks, there’s an epic dance floor, and they play nostalgic music most nights.”
No Vacancy – Hollywood
Run by the same Houston brothers who operate the nightclubs near The LINE Hotel, No Vacancy is another one on the top of Hunter’s list thanks to its unusual set-up that makes it feel more like a house party than a club.
“They’ve basically renovated this old house that looks like it could be in a movie, [but it’s a club that] you’re able to party. Sometimes they have bands performing, and it’s a great vibe.”
Adventure
Mulholland Dr – Hollywood Hills
“If you’ve got a car, it’s a fun experience to cruise down Mulholland Dr because it’s miles of road with epic, expansive views of the city.”
“Obviously, it was made famous by the David Lynch movie, but it’s funny because while it’s a tourist spot, you never know who you might run into. I’ve been up there for a photoshoot, and I’ll often see another shoot going on, or a rapper filming a music video. It’s a bit of a potpourri of characters in the area.”
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This article is presented in partnership with Discover Los Angeles. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
