"Discos don't open till after dark/And it ain't till 12 till the party really starts," goes the Whodini song, and indeed it's fair to say that at Freak City the partying goes until very late. A combination retail and underground-events space in the heart of Hollywood, the spot is decorated by enough spray-can art, old vinyl and chain-link fencing to recall the glory days of Yo! MTV Raps. It hosts wild ragers that put House Party to shame, which is ironic because the fashions are right out of that film's era, both on the racks — you can purchase vintage threads and locally designed duds — and on the hipster-hop hordes who come in. (You might see fade haircuts, loud prints, gold bling and even foxy fly-girl accessories.) The events range from the disco/house/rap party Studio 84 to the popular Swap Meet, where buying and boogie-ing converge after dark. Enter through the back alley. 6363 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd.; (213) 446-5413, freakcity.la.

—Lina Lecaro