To stay competitive with the Hollywood megaclubs, Avalon (formerly the Hollywood Palace) had an extreme makeover even Michael Jackson could appreciate.

Club entrepreneurs John Lyons and Steven Adelman (bigwigs in the New York club scene) kept some of the club's tradition by refurbishing the classic facade framing the stage on which Lucille Ball and Louis Armstrong once performed. The rest of the club, which consists of a café, lobby, balcony, lounge and VIP upstairs den Spider Club, was redesigned with mid-century furniture coupled with geometric-print carpet and wall coverings that clash so badly it's (supposed to be) good. As a concert venue, Avalon has its finger on the pulse of the rock scene, bringing in performers like Gnarls Barkley, Kanye West, The Deftones and The Strokes to headline. When the shows let out, it morphs into a dance club with superstar DJs from around the globe whipping techno and house hits until at least 2am, and as late as 6am on weekends. —Mai Dinh