Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Capacity: 1,500
For a club experience that takes the others to school, head to Academy LA in Hollywood. Orchestrated by Insomniac — the team behind EDC, Holy Ship! and many more huge events and spaces — it’s home of the popular Day Trip party and a top stop for many upper-echelon acts in dance music today; Academy is a fully fledged festival production in a nightclub and an experience you won’t soon forget. It has been around for more than 20 years under five different names, but now more people are hyped about it than ever. The history of ragers the space is known for is part of what makes it such a defining venue for the city, and the fact that Academy routinely books dynamite acts like Excision, Boys Noize, Nicky Romero, Moon Boots, ARMNHMR, and Desert Hearts certainly helps.
From its 145 programmable curved ceiling panels, which are like illuminated dragon scales, to its 55 kinetic light fixtures, the Academy is visually tremendous; however, it’s probably the soul-gripping bass from the Funktion-One soundsystem that you’ll remember most. Prime moments are accentuated with the icy blasts of CO2 cannons and celebratory ones are elevated in the glam of an upstairs VIP lounge. The Academy’s two patios are great places to socialise with new and old friends too.