You don’t always need a bar to have a good time in LA. Sometimes, you just need a set of wheels.
Moonlight Rollerway has been part of the Glendale community for generations — one of the last classic roller rinks left in LA County. “There aren’t many classic roller rinks left, especially in Los Angeles County, so we feel a real responsibility to preserve that traditional roller skating experience while still keeping things current,” Office Manager Adrienne Van Houten told us. Running a building like that isn’t simple — constant maintenance, balancing the traditions people love with new music and programs to bring in the next generation — but the payoff is the kind of thing that only comes from a project built on community: “One of the best things is seeing families where the grandparents skated here, then brought their children, and now they’re bringing their grandchildren.”
Every night offers something special — Old School R&B, ’80s New Wave, Latin music, pop — the calendar rotates constantly. “The lights are going, the DJ is playing music, people are skating, dancing, socializing and sometimes dressing for the theme,” they said. “We try to make it feel like an actual night out — not just a place where you happen to put on skates.” And you don’t need to already be good at it: “Some have been skating for decades and make it look effortless, while others are holding onto the rail for dear life their first time around. Both are part of the Moonlight experience.”
The timing on this one worked out well — October is National Roller Skating Month, and this year’s theme, “Rolling Through the Generations,” fits Moonlight about as well as a theme can fit a place. Expect specialty music nights all month, plus their monthly Roll with Rollonda night and a Backwards Skating Workshop, on top of the regular public sessions.
If you’ve never been skating before, no problem! “We have beginners here all the time,” Adrienne said. “Mostly, I’d want people to know that roller skating is still very much alive. It’s one of those activities where you can put your phone away for a while, listen to great music, move around and actually spend time with other people.”
Which gets at exactly why it’s on Dry County. Asked what makes a roller rink work for someone who doesn’t drink, the answer was direct: “Alcohol isn’t the activity — skating is. You can come with friends, hear music, dance, people-watch, skate as much or as little as you want and have a complete night out without drinking. There’s still that social, energetic nightlife atmosphere, but there’s something to actually do besides sitting at a bar.”
Moonlight also runs a Monday adult skate night, 8–11pm, 18-and-over — the move if you want the after-work crowd, full theme nights and an all-adult floor. Either way, it’s the same idea: a real night out, built around something to actually do.