• The fifth largest city in Los Angeles County, Pomona, California, is home to a major university and the NHRA Motorsports Museum. Ask the students of Cal Poly Pomona where they go clubbing, and they'll direct you downtown, to the area between Mission and Holt. The recession of 2008-2009 hit this area hard, and unfortunately several local favorites closed; however, there are still a couple of bright spots. Plus, if you're willing to drive less than 10 more miles, you can also hit nightspots in nearby Chino and Montclair.
  
  

Locust Lounge Nightclub & Restaurant

• This nightclub in Old Town Pomona offers three different settings for a party: you can relax in the mezzanine lounge, dine in the restaurant, or dance in the nightclub area. Request a VIP lounge with bottle service, or gradually work your way through all three areas as the night progresses. Hang out on the balcony overlooking the mahogany-colored bar, or shake it out on the hardwood dance floor beneath multicolored spotlights. Black-leather bench seating lines the walls, giving you a place to catch your breath after you dance up a storm. The club is strictly for those 21 and over, and fashionable attire is required. The nightclub portion is open Wednesday through Saturday to 2 a.m.; the restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday until 9 p.m.
  
  Locust Lounge Nightclub & Restaurant
  205 East 2nd Street
  Pomona, CA 91766
  (909) 629-7777
  locustlounge.net
  
  

Acerogami

• You'll know this bar when you see it---it's the one with the sculpted metal exterior that looks like bronze origami. The intriguing design concept is carried through in the interior as well, with exposed brick walls and low-slung leather seating. Reclaimed wood tables give it a lived-in look. Its location---next to the Glass House concert hall in downtown Pomona---makes it the prime club spot after a show. Most of the regulars here are indie rock devotees; as a result, you'll hear bands like the Silversun Pickups and the Shins blasting from the sound system. The club is open Monday through Sunday from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
  
  Acerogami
  228 West 2nd Street
  Pomona, CA 91766
  (909) 865-0979
  myspace.com/acerogami
  
  

La Selva Night Club & Restaurant

• Drive less than 6 miles east on I-10 and you'll find yourself in Montclair, home of the La Selva Night Club. This is the place for live Latin music, a fun change of pace from thumping house and trance. Dance to cumbia, salsa, meringue and reggaeton in a club that's decorated to look like a Latin American jungle---with the addition of a big silver disco ball. If you need lessons, show up between 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday or Saturday. Then, grab a drink special before 9:30 p.m. (frequently, the special is a two-for-the-price-of-one). The cover charge varies by day of the week and time of arrival; often, early arrival (before 9:30 p.m.) gets you in free. La Selva is open Friday through Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
  
  La Selva Night Club & Restaurant
  5313 Holt Boulevard
  Montclair, CA 91763
  (909) 625-6044
  bailacumbia.com/
  
  

Godfather's Night Club

• About 7 miles southeast of Pomona, in Chino, you'll find Godfather's. This is a bar and nightclub only, although you can also order snacks and pizza. The entertainment ranges from DJs to live music, with house, hip-hop and top-40 tunes being the main musical attraction. Los Angeles Lakers games monopolize the 20 flat-screen TVs, and the sports theme extends to Godfather's games: billiards and beer pong. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
  
  Godfather's Night Club
  12570 Central Avenue
  Chino, CA 91710
  (909) 627-8080
  909party.com/club.html