Despite the high energy level of the L.A. nightlife crowd, don't expect to be partying until dawn -- this is still an early-to-bed city. Liquor laws require that bars stop serving alcohol at 2 AM, and it's safe to say that by this time, with the exception of a few after-hours venues and coffeehouses, most jazz, rock, and disco clubs have closed for the night. Due to the smoking ban, most bars and clubs with a cover charge allow "in and outs," in which patrons may leave the premises and return (usually with a hand stamp or paper bracelet).

Nighttime diversions on the Sunset Strip run the gamut from comedy clubs and hard-rock spots to cocktail lounges and restaurants. There's a good mix of nightlife in the Mid-Wilshire area, which encompasses the area west of the Harbor Freeway (I-110), east of La Cienega Boulevard, south of Beverly Boulevard, and north of the Santa Monica Freeway (I-10). Downtown Los Angeles has a small contingent of artsy performance spaces and galleries, and a handful of clubs and movie palaces. Some of Los Angeles's best jazz clubs, discos, and comedy clubs are scattered throughout the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys. In West Hollywood, Santa Monica Boulevard is the heart of the gay-and-lesbian club and coffeehouse scene.

Nowhere -- including Beverly Hills -- is "attitude" more prevalent than in West Hollywood's Sunset Strip area (neighboring Santa Monica Boulevard's gay scene tends to be more inclusive). Be prepared for highly developed snobbishness -- and that's just from the door-guys. The top celebrity haunts, and even some only wishing they were, are the places to go if you have a name in the business (or a strong connection to one), are dressed in the expensive au courant styles favored by that venue, and have a strong feeling of confidence and power. If you are missing any of these attributes, even if you can get in, perhaps those spots really aren't your cup of cappuccino. You might try them on off nights.

Los Angeles isn't quite the "Broadway of the West," as some have claimed -- the scope of theater here doesn't compare to that in New York. Still, the theater scene's growth has been impressive. Small theaters are blossoming all over town, and the larger houses, despite price hikes to as much as $70 for a single ticket, are usually full.

For the most complete listing of weekly events, consult the current issue of Los Angeles Magazine. The Calendar section of the Los Angeles Times also lists a wide survey of Los Angeles arts events, especially on Thursday and Sunday, as do the more alternative publications, the LA Weekly and the New Times Los Angeles (both free, and issued every Thursday). Call ahead to confirm that what you want to see is ongoing. A reliable source for times and tickets is the Theatre League Alliance L.A. (www.theatrela.org). Most tickets can be purchased by phone with a credit card.