Los Angeles' Sunset Strip is now on struggle street. The Post walked it for a week -- here's what we found

Key Points:

• Los Angeles' Sunset Strip, once famed as "the sexiest mile-and-a-half in America," is facing a severe decline with numerous businesses closing and many storefronts vacant due to rising rents, falling visitor numbers, and changing consumer habits post-pandemic.
• Commercial rents on the Strip are among the highest in LA, with retail spaces averaging $74.64 per square foot annually, pushing out many small businesses and nightclubs that once defined the area’s vibrant culture.
• Visitor data shows a significant drop in foot traffic, with 300,000 fewer people visiting West Hollywood in early 2025 compared to the previous year, and most visitors spending less than 30 minutes in the city.
• Iconic venues such as the Viper Room and long-standing restaurants have closed or are set to close, replaced by luxury developments, signaling a shift away from the Strip’s historic entertainment and nightlife identity.
• Despite the downturn, some locals remain hopeful that new, upscale businesses will revitalize the area, although many mourn the loss of the Strip’s authentic cultural and social energy.