Meet West Hollywood’s Most Exclusive New Club

For years, the Sunset Strip has been the place to be in Hollywood. From the swing-era supper clubs of the 1930s to the rock ‘n’ roll dens of the 1980s, each era has reflected a change in Los Angeles’ cultural pulse. And now, a new chapter is unfolding in smoke. At 8228 W Sunset Blvd, across from the Château Marmont, the Sunset Social Lounge is redefining cannabis culture in a way that feels distinctly ‘Los Angeles.’ This is a 5,500-square-foot members-only club where cannabis is the star of the show.

The decision to open the club on the Sunset Strip was intentional. Across the street, the Château Marmont has been a stage for countless Hollywood legends, while just down the road, venues like Whisky a Go Go and The Roxy changed music history. Inside, Sunset Social Lounge features several elements of cinematic nostalgia including vintage typewriters, antique artwork, leather chairs, and low-slung seating that encourages conversation. Even the pool table and board games feel curated. In this way, Sunset Social Lounge is the antithesis of the brightly-lit dispensary. Instead, it is a place you could arrive at in the morning with a laptop and a latte, stay through an afternoon, and still find yourself there at midnight with a drink in hand, surrounded by friends. 

Entry is not as simple as buying a ticket, however. Membership (capped to preserve intimacy) costs $420 per month, which includes $420 in cannabis credit redeemable onsite for strains, small plates, and specialty coffee or mocktails. Unused credit expires monthly, encouraging steady engagement rather than sporadic splurges. 

Aside from the credits, members gain access to personal lockers for their stash, guest passes for friends, and a calendar of private events. Perks extend outside the lounge, too, with discounts at partner restaurants, invitations to private screenings at the TCL Chinese Theatre, and VIP access to cultural happenings across LA. This model borrows from the city’s private social club scene while infusing it with the personality of cannabis culture, a combination that appeals to entrepreneurs, creatives, and wellness-minded professionals who want more from their downtime than just another drink or DJ set.

Partnering with Michelin-trained chefs, the kitchen at Sunset Social Lounge provides indulgent small plates to pair with specific cannabis profiles, flavors that enhance the high rather than compete with it. Additionally, the coffee and mocktail bar is another unexpected highlight. This is a full-scale beverage program with seasonal menus. A citrus-forward mocktail might complement an energizing sativa, while a rich latte could be the perfect match for a mellow indica.

However, what truly separates Sunset Social Lounge from both dispensaries and traditional nightlife is its programming. One night might bring a private music set, and the next, a brand takeover from cult favorites like 710 Labs or Jungle Boys. Workshops, art showcases, and poker nights share the calendar with cannabis product launches and lifestyle brand collaborations from names like Grenco Science and Stündenglass. With this, members are not just consuming, they are networking and discovering.

Unlike the high-energy clubs that once defined the Strip, Sunset Social Lounge is a space made for LA’s all-day rhythm. Mornings might be quiet and productive, afternoons punctuated by laughter over a shared joint, and evenings alive with music. In many ways, this flexibility reflects the changing face of cannabis consumers themselves, spanning ages, professions, and personal styles. 

By bringing cannabis into the same fabric as gallery openings and chef-driven dinners, the lounge places itself alongside other cultural touchstones. This is a powerful shift, as cannabis is becoming aspirational. The message to members is clear: that cannabis belongs in the same breath as craft cocktails, fine dining, and art collections. Other cities might follow suit, but the Sunset Strip, with its legacy of reinvention, is a fitting place for this shift to begin.

For now, Sunset Social Lounge is a singular experience, tied to its West Hollywood foundation. But its model, with a credit-forward membership, capped capacity, and curated programming, offers a scalable blueprint. Now, Sunset Social Lounge is writing a new story about how cannabis can be both the conversation starter and the quiet companion. In doing so, it is not just changing the rules of cannabis hospitality, it is changing the vibe entirely. And in Los Angeles, that might be the most significant move of all.