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    Basement Tavern

    3.5 (474 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Basement Tavern Photos

    BASEMENT TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Loud
    Hipster
    Classy

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    Jules B.

    Basement Tavern became known as the post-Bungalow spot for an extended evening with friends in Santa Monica. If you believe that the combination of very dim lighting, awesome happy hour menu/prices and live music are elements to a great hang out spot then you'll love Basement. Oh, I shouldn't forget to mention, no cover charge at the door. Happy hour is Monday - Saturday 5pm -8pm, Sunday 5pm till closing. From $3 beers to $13 for Chili Verde Nachos. Pretty sweet deals happening here. Decent bar food -I've had worse. Basement has historically created good times for me with a good friend and friends of my friend. As during the summer and fall of 2015, a pretty fun reggae band called Bohdi Rock would play a couple nights at Basement. Between the live music sets, there was music overhead and videos playing on the ceiling and one of the walls as well. And, if you aren't a bit entertained by that neon sign in the stairway (see my pic) -we probably won't get along

    Backdoor entrance gives a great Speakeasy feel!
    Daniel E.

    Hidden Vintage with amazing drinks and a loud fun vibe! Great Bartenders and a National Landmark!! You have to ask people around for directions to get in since it's very well hidden- But great service overall, music assortment, and Mexican Food! No bottom shelf liquor- all top shelf !! YELP** On weekends, Basement Tavern is open at 5pm!

    Dirty Honey performance
    Clyde V.

    Cool venue for live music It's a basement, obviously. But it doesn't feel all claustrophobic despite the large crowds on weekends. Park in their designated lot or opt to park 2 lots over for free after 9pm Great chandeliers; great staff!

    Mary P.

    I've been coming to this bar for a long time and wanted to review it now because after all of these years I am still so so happy with the service, atmosphere, food and drink that I get here!! This soy-rizo pizza is TO DIE FOR and the drinks and events are always on point I come here first and only when I am on main Street In Santa Monica and Venice and have been for YEARS! Favorite place servers are great, food is amazing and drinks are always on point!

    Jenga. jenga, jenga!!!
    Rey L.

    Came by on a sunday nite to check out the happy hour. I was told this was a good nite to come. Not as packed or crazy as weekend nites, from what I was told. Very good prices for beers and house wines. The speakeasy aspect is a nice touch. Reminded me of the Room in Hollywood back in the day. Kind of tucked away in the back and only known to those in the know. Dark down there as it should be. Very cozy and melo vibe. The "games" they have are an excellent complement. I sharpened my Jenga skills this evening! We tried the connect four and battleship as well. Considering all the pieces missing, we still had a blast. Most definitely coming back.

    Kathryn T.

    I really really like this place -- especially for happy hour. I'm surprised that I don't come here more often. I need to. The happy hour drink and food prices are extremely reasonable and the quality is good. I had the Snakes on a Plane -- which was a whiskey based cocktail. It was gone in five minutes. My friend had a vodka cocktail of some sort. It was also good. We split a plate of truffle fries were were a great size. The fries were not those wimpy shoestring fries or way-too-thick-cut-it's-actually-half-a-potato. They were in the exact middle -- which made them perfect. The drinks are pretty good but the vibe is the big sell here. It's an upscale dive bar with plenty of standing room and comfy couches. It can get a little loud depending on the time of day. Only downside (or upside depending on your situation) is the fact that there isn't any cell service. It's great because you can really talk to the people you are with but difficult if you're trying to get in touch with each other and find your group when the place is crowded. Overall, it's on my list of bar suggestions in Santa Monica if you wanna just settle with a drink and catch up with friends.

    Ernest goes to.... great drink!
    Tiffany G.

    Tuesday night stopped in for a nightcap with a friend. What a cool spot. I loved the chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, the comfy couches and ottoman type seats all around the bar. They had live music, a mix of jazzy rock. It was great. With the music and people it is loud so if you are going to converse be prepared to work it! The drinks, wine and beers are written on a giant chalkboard on the wall - actually it IS the whole wall!!! I cruised along reading the concoctions until I decided on the "Ernest Goes to....". My friend had a beer. If I hadn't been with someone who knew where to go I probably wouldn't have found it. But now I know, just park in the lot where the Victorian is on Main and then go to the back corner on the parking lot side and you'll see a little chalkboard, enter here. You then descend down some stairs and voila you're in! it's a totally cool vibe worth checking out.

    Fun times in the basement
    Sevag D.

    Possibly my new favorite bar on Main Street. I had never even heard of it before, so I don't know if it's new or I just wasn't cool enough. I accidentally ended up here after 3 other places I tried to go were either closing or had huge lines (it was already past midnight). The doorman doesn't make you "stand in line", but takes down your cell # and calls you when it is your turn to come inside. You could even take this call while drinking at one of the other bars next door, or in front of the liquor store next door, or out of the trunk of your car which is likely parked next door. Once inside, you have 2 options, the basement or the "roof". The roof looked awesome, typical outdoor area with people smoking and drinking and hangin out. It closed the moment I stepped up there so I can't say much more about it. The basement is the crown jewel of this place. The decor is amazing, they have cool couches and armchairs to sit on, the drinks are great (this is one of those places with mixologists, not bartenders, get it right!) so order something fancy, and of course the gigantic chalkboard lining one entire wall of the place. Never underestimate the power of a gigantic chalkboard. Drunk people love to write on walls. You'd expect this type of old school chalkboard to have math equations and graphs up on them, but unfortunately, the westside drunks usually stick with "Sev was here!" or "this place rocks!" and the like. Anyways, I had a blast, great spot.

    Vodka soda + lime AND included a Sprite for the designated driver! So nice!

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Attempted to go today for happy hour (5-8 pm) however once we arrived they stated they didn't open until 10pm

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    5 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    3 years ago

    One of my favorite iconic bars. I used to live nearby. I still love going here. Great music and atmosphere.

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    8 years ago

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    Basement Tavern Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Basement Tavern

    Is this a different, separate venue from the basement inside the Victorian? Waited 2+ hours at the Victorian to go down to the basement & was told it was going to be a DJ, no live music. None of the staff members seemed to know what was going on.

    Is this place still open for business?

    How much does the Calamigos wine cost during happy hour?

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    Review Highlights - Basement Tavern

    (Thanks Landon!) It's right next to the Victorian (a pretty poppin lounge) and it's a little crowded but I can honesty say the vibe is on point.

    Mentioned in 42 reviews

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    Bar Chloe

    3.9
    (512 reviews)
    1.1 mi
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    Bar Chloe was a great cocktail bar with intimate speakeasy vibes. The drinks were delicious but as…read moreyou could expect a bit on the pricey side. Our bartender was very nice and friendly and gave us lots of good advice for places to visit around to city. I would definitely visit again for a night cap.

    Intimate setting speakeasy, perfect sized room, great for date night and conversations. Nothing…read morememorable or impressive, not bad if you're around the area and want to stop by for quick drinks. Left after one drink, and went to another bar. Most of the bars are dive bars in downtown Santa Monica, and parking is quite accessible for this place. So I'd recommend for that reason. In terms of the drinks, I'm a huge fan of cocktail but I would say their menu selections are a bit limited. Nothing in the signature cocktail looks interesting to me, so I had the bartender make a classic cocktail instead. He's very attentive and friendly, didn't take forever to get a drink either, no attitude. Drinks aren't watered down either. Nice! You come here to grab quick drinks when you don't feel like being at a loud dive bar in the area, it's in a hotel but not too upscale, no strict dress code. Music is not loud and they have couches and booth if bar table if not your thing, you don't have to yell or pretend you hear everything to hold a conversation here (lol). ** Keep in mind 20% gratuity is automatically included in bill, it's my first time here. But I think I've other spots I'd prefer to be in, even at Santa Monica. Wouldn't be self-motivated to come back because there are better places that specialises mixology, and there are also better upscale hotel bars to be at. But if you're around the area it's a great intimate bar for date night that's not overly pricey. Wouldn't travel all the way to here just for this (if you know what I mean).

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    THE BUNGALOW

    THE BUNGALOW

    3.5
    (1.5k reviews)
    1.5 mi
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    This is one of the bars we frequent regularly, but surprisingly, this is my first time leaving a…read morereview. We ended our Santa Monica evening here tonight and had another good experience. I can honestly say that we've never had bad service. After reading some of the reviews, I guess we've been pretty fortunate because our experiences have always been positive. I actually appreciate the security team for helping ensure everyone stays safe, and they've always been friendly and professional with us. The bar has plenty to enjoy, including a pool table, fireplaces, and various games. The bartenders are organized and efficient. Don't expect a lot of engagement, as they're typically very busy, especially when the place gets crowded. Tonight, we had no problem finding a seat, and other guests were very accommodating about sharing space. Overall, it was a great night and a wonderful way to wrap up our evening in Santa Monica. Tips: It can get noisy, but hey go in with that expectation and you'll be fine. Expect the ladies restroom to have a line, It's a 2 stall. Finally, regarding street parking follow the times of payment, they do ticket.

    WARNING: They require you to have your photo taken before you go into the bar…read more Yes, they checked my driver's license and I am over 21. I asked for my photo to not be taken, they said I can't go in unless I have my photo taken. This isn't the TSA. I am not sure where my photo is being stored. Will they sell my photo to some data broker? Are they collecting photos of faces to be sold to an AI company? Who knows. No thanks, I walked off. Not impressed.

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    The bar of the house
    The bar of the house
    Free pool table, good luck finding that in LA!
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    1212 Santa Monica

    1212 Santa Monica

    4.5
    (4.9k reviews)
    1.4 mi
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    Amazing, Fun dining experience!…read more Live music - hip and trendy atmosphere - great staff! Menu is fun - can't go wrong! Pastas are amazing!

    Every time I walk by here, this place is BUMPIN'. Music, vibes, so busy, such a party! Like, in a…read moregood way and still, not too much for those who are looking for a chill vibe. Came here on a Saturday afternoon and even without a reservation, they were able to seat us right away. Definitely 5 stars for service and not being rude, but friendly and attentive even at a busy time (World Cup was on tv!). I heard alllll about the happy hour specials so I was stoked when we were able to get the best outdoor seating and the happy hour was going on until 7pm he said. So naturally, ordered a bunch of things to try. Unfortunately, that was a solid 3 stars for me. It was just fine. I was actually bummed because I was so excited to try the menu items. They were okay. Ordered sliders (kinda dry and without flavor), Parmesan fries (seasoning was there but not very flavorful and the sauce was bland, the krab rangoons resembled egg rolls (that was new!) and fish tacos were meh. My friend ordered the chicken and it came with fries (the dish not happy hour selection) and that looks more substantial but maybe not worth $32. The drink was sweet (pink lady). Outdoor vibes were cool and def a great spot at the end of 3rd street but probably wouldn't come here for the food. Again, indoor (big tv!!) and outdoor set up was awesome, but food is just okay. Great for large groups but make a reservation!

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    1212 Santa Monica
    Our new outdoor setup
    Our new outdoor setup
    Outdoor patio & View of the main bar.

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    Outdoor patio & View of the main bar.
    Harvelle's

    Harvelle's

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    Great atmosphere great music great ambiance. Great drink specials, friendly staff, good eats tooread more

    I never miss an opportunity to catch a burlesque show, and after seeing more than my fair share,…read moreI've come to really appreciate the difference between a good show and a great one. Harvelle's is the latter. Tucked close to the beach in Santa Monica, this tiny little place might not look like much at first. The setup is a tightly woven arrangement of vintage chairs and tables, with a long row of couches hugging the wall. But once you're inside, you realize they have their reasons for their layout. If you're lucky enough to grab a front-row seat or one of the coveted bar stools, you'll start to notice the details: metal pipes, and rods that spark the imagination. You're in for a treat! What I really appreciate about Harvelle's is that they don't charge you an arm and a leg for tickets. The artists are humble, talented, and consistently engaging. I've been to burlesque shows where the performers feel like they're just there, going through the motions. But not at Harvelle's. Every time I've gone, the women bring something artful, classy, and unapologetically bold to the stage. It's burlesque, yes, but not cheap in style or spirit. Anytime a friend's visiting from out of town, this is the spot I take them to. It's a must-see in Santa Monica. And honestly, what other place is giving you burlesque seven nights a week?

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    Blues type of night
    Blues type of night
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    Shutters On The Beach

    Shutters On The Beach

    3.9
    (827 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$$

    My husband, toddler, and 5 months old stayed here for 3 nights on Memorial Day weekend…read more We had a great time from the moment we walked in: - the hotel is beautiful and location is everything - the staff is very nice, tries to call you by name to make you feel special, and everything screams quiet luxury - the room was very nice, well decorated and comfortable. The tub is the highlight. One comment would be that when we checked in with Anthony, who was so sweet to our toddler, also kept telling us we were getting upgraded to a very nice room. We got all excited. It was a normal room. The "very nice upgrade" just meant that we were on floor 5. I barely call that an upgrade but ok. - we asked for a crib, and we go a nice crib with a cute little baby soap kit from noodle and boo- very nice touch. And baby robes for the kids- my toddler loved it. My toddler was on a rollaway bed and they were super accommodating about it- great experience on that front. - balconies are tiny and I never saw anyone out when I sat out - pool staff was super nice. It was a chilly weekend and the pool could have been warmer (I couldn't get in, but I really don't like cold water). - the beach chairs are also very nice and we were surprised to find them available - they were extremely pleasant about our friends visiting us every day! - the lobby waiter during the day was almost inexistant. We had to go to the bar to ask for drinks. The woman at night was great. Now for the food...: - coast has a great breakfast, the lemon ricotta pancakes are excellent (though stupid expensive for pancakes) - pico is a good spot for shrimp cocktail and calamari. Hasn't seen shrimps that big in a long time. - overall the food was good everywhere but way overpriced.... The kids menu are ridiculous... hard to justify spending $28 on kids pancakes. That being said, the portions were the same as adult portions... maybe make the portions smaller, and price more accessible? Overall we had a great stay, and while on the expensive side, we agreed we would come back. Nicely done!

    So I used to live across the street at The Stanley before I contracted E.Coli poisoning from a…read moresteak and eggs breakfast on a Sunday morning by myself with my pup. This happened on 7/28/2024. I walked home and within a few hours, I began projectile vomiting, among other things. I definitely know it was the breakfast steak, which I usually never get. I thought it would pass in a few days, no big deal. It did not, and it turned into Sepsis and Pancolitis within a week. I was bleeding internally and by the next Sunday, I called the paramedics to my home because I could not stand up. I almost lost my life. I spent almost 40 days in the hospital over the next 4 months - it's now May 2026 and I still need one surgery that my insurance does not cover. I had every complication under the sun. I lost my home, my new office that I just signed the lease for with an ocean view, my vehicle, my good credit, but most importantly, my good health. I had never been admitted to the hospital before in my life. I am a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, so I lived a very healthy lifestyle, working out frequently, clean diet. I contacted ETC Hotel group, Edward, who owns the Coast Restaurant in Shutters along with Casa Del Mar next door. They had no response for me. I am forced to get a lawyer now. I was supposed to join LAXPD that year. I already finished testing. This has, clearly, been put on hold. Edward was the one who did not get back to me. I emailed corporate and his personal email. Update: June 9, 2026. Hello Elica Y. I am highly offended by your response. Please, no response is better than a lie. There was no comprehensive review. Your insurance company, United, requested information from my lawyers which has not been sent out yet. In fact, according to my bank statements, I dined at your restaurant, Coast, the evening before AND the morning of this incident. Chef Vitorrio would always bring out food for me as we were very friendly and I was a local. Do better. Say nothing.

    Photos
    Look at that nice changing table!
    Look at that nice changing table!
    Fruits
    Fruits
    Mushroom cheese omelette

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    Mushroom cheese omelette

    Basement Tavern - newamerican - Updated August 2026

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