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Galen Center

3.7 (102 reviews)
Closed • 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Tea T.

This place is nice. No matter where you sit, you'll have a good view. We got through the check in quickly. Bathrooms were easily accessible. There is no parking garage though. We started to park at the Shrine. But it was $45 to park. So we taken our chances and parked in the street (2hr max) and paid the meter. Luckily the volleyball game we went to see was less than 1 1/2hr and we paid like $3. Didn't buy any food here even though they were selling it.

TNA WRESTLING!
Daniel M.

The event was super cool! Parking was across the street. Not too bad or confusing. Getting into the venue was easy but actually getting to the ground level for our seats was a pain in the ass! About 5-6 workers kept telling me to go to another worker to get let down to the ground level seats. After walking back and worth, and talking to close to 10 different employees, I finally was able to get to my seats. It was so ridiculous how hard it was to get to my seats. One of the workers told me I can literally sit anywhere in the venue. Why would I want to do that if I have specific seats that I bought? She literally kept only telling me that and that was the only thing she was told by her management. That's just idiotic through and through. Beyond stupid.

Dominique M.

Horrible security! I came right on time to see my college Cal battle USC and once getting past the line was told I had to check my bag which in a completely different MF building with a crazy slow line. I ended up missing the first quarter. The food was garbage. My friend ordered the nacho supreme and when I think supreme I think tomatoes sour cream guacamole no no no we're talking Costco tortilla chips the round ones that if you were to throw at someone's face could probably cause a laceration with nacho cheese and a little bit of cilantro and chicken. Quite laughable actually. Once inside, I had a great time! Saw my cousin play for Cal, great time being Cal Alumni! Cal Alumni and fans were DEEP, and I recall this night feeling proud, Similarly like going to ram stadium when they're playing the 49ers and you look around if you see the whole stadium is red and not blue... Yeah like that Posted from a review draft. This review is from 2020.

This bag was deemed too large to bring into the Galen Center.
Nick A.

I've been there a few times, but not during the pandemic. We went to a volleyball game last Saturday. I'd advise you to purchase your tickets online. It will save you $5 on each ticket. They shake you down hard for your ID when you pay with a credit card, so be sure you have it. I haven't been asked for an ID along with my credit card in well over a decade. Still, no biggie, but it does slow things down considerably. After that, we started to go in but we were required to present our COVID vaccine cards. My friend left hers in the car. We had to go all the way back to the parking lot to get it. When we got back, they said here tiny little pack was too big (see picture) so we had to go back to the parking lot again and leave it in the car. We missed the entire first set. They should be more upfront about their expectations to avoid these kinds of delays. We should have been told when purchasing tickets about proof of COVID vaccination and their bag policy. What could have been a really fun evening was marred by bad communication. The entire match only lasted an hour and fifteen minutes. We were there for less than 40 minutes. What a waste of time and money.

a red and yellow sign with the word fight on it
Brionna K.

Love going to my alma mater to watch basketball games. Nice arena with comfortable seating. Any seat gives you a good view of the court!

Happy Fans at the Galen
Matt S.

Perfect size basketball arena with rare comfortable seats...USC basketball is the BEST bargain in sports...the Galen is easy to find parking...has a great a sports bar next door to grab a pre-game beer...and is quick and easy to leave after the game...We go to 6-8 games a year and we love it!!!

Me with my daughter.
Loretta A.

Enjoyed a USC basketball game with family last night. We found a parking garage close by for $10 too! Nice arena and we had decent seats, snack bars and restrooms close by. Nice and loud! Fun night! We lost, but still had a great time.

$10 beer...:  they dump the can in a cup.  This is the full beer!!!
Crystal L.

Came for game 3 of the WNBA Championship (GO SPARKS!)... when you're a WNBA team you just play where ever you can I suppose so instead of the usual Staples Center, the game was at Galen. If you don't know the area well (and I don't), it's tough to find parking. The neighborhood is very congested and it isn't a typical sports venue like Staples with lots of off site parking options and signs directing you to parking lots. We only managed to find ONE parking structure, a school garage, and it was $20 to park. Whatever... there didn't appear to be any other options. I'm sure there are other parking choices but we just didn't see any and again, it's not easy - so budget in a lot of time if you're not familiar with this hood. The stadium is old and old fashioned. To get to upper levels your choices are a couple of very small elevators or a large flight of stairs. Seats are tightly packed and very uncomfortable. My armrest kept falling off. You are going to get to know your neighbors because they're pretty much sitting on top of you. Bathrooms are too small - especially women's - again as an older structure they didn't get the memo about women just needing more stalls. There are concessions. Standard stadium stands offer hot dogs (not bad actually), pizza (awful), popcorn (also awful) and nachos. You can get beer. I paid $10 for a can of Corona, which they are required to pour in a plastic cup. No problem. But then they hand you a 2/3 full plastic cup. It's a sad moment for everyone involved. No words were spoken. We all just looked sadly at that tiny little beer. And I handed over my money. Other food stands around the stadium offer tacos, cotton candy, pretzels, draft beers and cocktails. Prices are what you'd expect to pay at a sporting event. This is NOT a vegetarian's paradise... only thing my SO could eat was that awful pizza and equally bad popcorn. Taking food to your seat is a bad idea anyway because there is so little room to move. If you're going to eat something, do it before you sit down. SPARKS WON and that made the two hours of being uncomfortable worth it. Getting out of the parking garage wasn't too bad since parking is paid when you enter. I'd really only go to an event at Galen Center if it was a show that I just HAD to see. And I'd just prepare myself for being uncomfortable.

The entrance
Emily S.

This place is not that bad. I went here to see a concert. The prices were good. It's pretty big, but not big enough so that you can barely see what's going on onstage. The seats are okay. Although,we all had had feet up on the chairs in front of us. If I had to have it on the floor, it may have been a little uncomfortable. There are 2 nearby structures to park here. And it was pretty easy to find parking, even after showing up 2 minutes before the concert was to start. Also, most of the people who went to the event were USC students... so after the concert, they just walked home. I thought that getting out of the Galen Center, and getting out of the parking would be a hassle, because it usually is for things like this, but it was not that bad at all. It probably took only 15 minutes total to do both. And there wasn't traffic for us getting onto the freeway from the campus. Also.. No outside food or beverage are allowed inside. I think only unopened bottles of water are.

Eliza J.

Thank you Mr. Louis and Mrs. Helene Galen for USC Galen Center. What a sports complex! It's a multipurpose athletic arena that serves USC, the community and so many others with great sporting events. Thank you for supporting LAFD/LAPD community events.

Clippers practice
Marcus L.

My most recent visits here were for the Clippers' open practice and for my graduation. As always, this facility is clean and comfortable. The people that work here are nice and courteous. The lighting is great and it is all that you would expect from a professional sports arena. Parking: It's best to park at one of the parking structures (i'd suggest the one at radisson or the one a little further at fig and exposition

Mike M.

I came here for the first time to watch a hoops game. Easy to park for $12 and easy to find beers and food close by. It's a beautiful building with good sight lines. Bummed they would not even upon up the curtain to see out that iconic window. Geez, maybe just at halftime? Is it that hard? Soft cloth seats, long lines at the restrooms, decent food options.

Yvette R.

I want to start off with the staff, they are all so helpful and welcoming. I felt so comfortable as soon as I walked in the entrance. Very clean and well organized. Definitely recommend coming to a game. They have a great variety of food and snacks to choose from. I definitely had a great time here. Thank you USC staff!

empty seats and a table with drinks on it

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Disorganized - poorly ryn and long wait to get in .... what a mess. would not recommend having or going to an event here

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3 years ago

Terrible service. Machines are broken. Can't figure out how fix a computer. Better get to your game an hour early.

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Review Highlights - Galen Center

“First off the Galen Center gets five stars just because USC built it to get out of the decrepit sports arena.”

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Rhythm Room LA - Pear ty

Rhythm Room LA

4.3(426 reviews)
2.4 mi•Downtown
•$$

This was the last stop in a night where Conrad and I stepped out to LA to have a good time. So by…read morethe time I got there I was tipsy. I was not falling down the stairs, nor was I slurring my words, nor was I misaligning my pool shots, but I was definetely feeling the good inside my blood. I note this, not to highlight my cool factor as if I was a frat bro in a Florida party school, but more to describe how my experience was fogged by my consumption. This place was definetely a hot spot to hit, but I just will not be able to descrbie everything with speicifc detail, more, broad strokes of a good time. The place is reached by going down a flight of stairs, which feels like one is going to catch the J line in New York. I think I felt this more because of the Spring St sign- a famous stop in NY, NY. As soon, I got there, the goal was to continue the good time and this place allowed that at a reasonable price. They had these can drinks that I really responded and they were only 7 dollars. Ok, I know that saying something is only 7 dollars in this economy can seem out of touch. But a drink in LA most of the time will run you at least 12 to 16 dollars, and I think it is mostly on the 16 side. So finding a 7 dollar drink in a hot spot is refreshing. It was a Suncruiser- a vodka spirit based drink- that was part of their specials for their night. maybe is more expensive on other nights when it is not on special? After the drink Conrand and I stepped into their floor. It was the first time we were there and it is basically a basement game room on whatever it is that Bane takes to make himself go from puny human to muscle-on-muscle-on-muscle villain. There is a lot of pool tables maybe like 5, and I saw ping pong, and other table games. Additionally, instead of a speaker or a recorder- the one's that spin old timey records- there was a band. I took a short video of the band but I could not tell you if this band was good or bad or their name or their style of music. I was partly present, and I just heard the music, I did not appreciate the performers. It happens. So Conrad and I play all the time together. And I saw a guy playing by himself. We quickly introduced oursevles and then we played pool. Here is the thing that I am happy to write about this place. Unline a regular bar with a pool table, where every one knows your name, this place had the opportunity to meet new people. And I enjoyed playing with this guy. He was a new challenge. He had fresh stories. And he offered a view of the world I enjoyed. So this place offers the opportunity to meet new people over a game of pool. If pool is your thing than this place will make you happy an if pool is your way of meeting new folks then this place will make you happy and give you opportunities to find the folks you imagine you need in your life. In the final analysis, I want to go here again, and experience the place more broadly. Not sure if I will write a new Yelp, because even though I bared bone this one, it still gives the primary messages I want to. And to the guy who I played with thanks for having a good time with me, even if it was short. And sometimes, short, can be just enough.

Band AMAZING Drinks Good…read morePo boy 2/10 I was given my poboy on stale/hard bread. As a cook, how did you not take enough pride into what you're serving people to not notice? After picking thru it because I was hungry, I spoke to an manager and he just seemed as if I was not being honest, so I pulled the broken bread pieces out to show him; and he didn't offer anything in return. I won't be back.

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Rhythm Room LA
Rhythm Room LA - Fries and popcorn chicken

Fries and popcorn chicken

Rhythm Room LA - One of the delicious specialty margaritas

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One of the delicious specialty margaritas

The Teragram Ballroom - Conor Oberst & Friends residency night #2 - 3/14/24

The Teragram Ballroom

4.2(233 reviews)
2.3 mi•Westlake
•$$

Saw King MaLA here and it's a good venue -- albeit, not in the best of areas…read more Parking: I reserved on Spothero at 1136 Ingraham St for $20 prior to the event. It's a 5 minute walk, but it was an intense one. On my way from the parking lot to the venue, I didn't realize the venue was on the left side of the street. I didn't jaywalk, and went to the stop light to walk across. The bus stop lets off on the right side of the street, and there were random people either hanging out(?) in chairs and such on the sidewalk. I was fine, but the walk was a bit stressful. There's a parking lot directly across from the venue and I think it's $30, if you are alone that would be a better choice. But it's manageable. ADA: I didn't see any chairs whatsoever, it's standing room only and did not see anyone using a wheelchair or mobility tool. It would be difficult to see if you're in a wheelchair from the back. The front may work. The restrooms are located on the left side of the venue so there's a lot of people walking to get there. I saw a lot of people standing by the wall on the left side, so in that area towards the front may work. Smoking: They have a small smoking area outside. There's only one way in/out so if people are closer towards the entrance you'll have to excuse yourself to get past them and go back inside. Sound: I wore earplugs, but the sound quality was great!!

Quite a delayed review here, so my apologies. But we caught up and coming Scottish band High Fade…read morehere a few months ago and as electric as the band was, the ambiance of the space helped amplify the experience. Nice staff, great acoustics, and clean place. Didn't get to eat, but the food smelled and looked great.

Photos
The Teragram Ballroom - Conor Oberst and Friends - first night of the residency (3/7/24)

Conor Oberst and Friends - first night of the residency (3/7/24)

The Teragram Ballroom - Restroom

Restroom

The Teragram Ballroom

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Mal's Bar

Mal's Bar

3.6(102 reviews)
0.8 mi•Historic South Central
•$

As I was doom scrolling, I saw an influencer state that even if someone did not enjoy soccer the…read moreWorld Cup only happens 4 times a year, and thus one should experience the noise and loud of a famed soccer game a la LA. I am not a sports fan but I do enjoy experience and raucous, and thus I decided to immerse myself in foreign territory: an octane Watch party. Of course there was no shortage of venues to see the FIFA games. But I went to Mal's bar to participate in two Mexico game viewings. I am not sure how I decided to visit Mal's Bar, but I was glad I did. It was the perfect combination for me: a strong party without the promise of intense desmadre/pandemonium. I saw that on television and although it seemed fun, if I were there I think I would have been scared by the intensity of the wild and unrelenting partying. This is not a chic place, thus do not expect valet. As soon, as I entered I was part of the crowd, due to lack of space, not my ability to blend in with people effortlessly. But honestly, for me that was part of the fun. I know that most of the time, people do not want to be a sardine in a packed canned. But here we were not sardines in packed cane, we were sardines in a cramped aquarium but we were alive, the oils of our bodies lubricated against each other in the name of a good time. And that filled me with joy, up to my gills! Thus this place is not spacious, and it was less spacious due to the crowd. I am not sure how it would be on a regular Saturday but I imagine less crowded, but still packed. On my first visit, I had a mango margarita. And I think I shot myself in the mouth when I ordered. I told the bartender I want a margarita but not with well tequila. He named the other tequilas, and I did not really understand their levels of quality so I told him I was looking to spend 25.00 dollars. I wanted taste that I could stomach because well tequilas usually have a back taste that my taste buds interpret as liquid fire. So he named a top shelf tequila and I asked how much is that, and he said 25.00 dollars. This is where the boom came to my mouth, not because of the quality taste of the margarita but because I had upsold myself. Especially, since when I went the second time to Mal's I ordered a well tequlila Mango Margarita and I could not tell the difference between the first and the second. The first time I went and Mexico scored I experienced the gift of a new experience: Being inside of a scream. When the Mexico team scored the blast of screams, and bullhorns, and other amped up voices swirled all around me. My body buzzed, my skin heard the noise and shivered. I did not expect that. It was off putting in a wonderful way, like feeling a winter's nip on the ears first time--- frosty but it reminds one that they are alive and able to feel! After that I went outside to settle my skin, and I could not come back. I was too shaken, just a little. The second time I went the energy was higher. Mexico advanced and thus its fans were more invested. As I saw the game with other fans, more devoted fans, I braced myself for the yell of a score. But this time, I did not just experience the yell of the score, I heard and felt different emotions: anticipation at near scores, disappointment when these did not come to pass, and the crowd just being present with the game. For instance, when Mexicans were called to make noise, the crowd went wild with national pride. When Ecuador were called to make noise, the boos were present, and not offensive in nature. They were still good sportsmanship just veiled in smack talking. When Mexico scored the yell I was afraid of came, but this time, I joined in the fun and excitement and the jumping and my own participation in the scream of celebration diffuse the anxiety that I received when I did not jump for a score. Mexico scored twice during the Ecuador game and I was in line for the restroom when it happened. I was able to catch a brief video of the celebration, which meant that I was not inside the scream but viewing it. It was a better way for me to enjoy it, at least for me. The DJ or promoter did an excellent job. During half time show the Reggeton beats dropped. And people started to dance but not fully, and he came on and he said with street confidence, "this is a party" encourage all of us to treat this as a club situation. Thus, people tried to meet people. There was a girl who was trying to meet a boy. The boy was talking to me. The girl was pulling him to get his attention. I fully expected for him to part from me because a girl was calling, so I was bracing myself for an abrupt end to the conversation. Yet he dislodged his hand from hers and she got the message. I told him how I much I respected his actions and decision. He then told me, "that will always be there," and then he said "watch" and went to hit on another girl. I was flabbergasted! He had a sure thing but continued searching. So both times I saw and experienced something new!

I know for a fact they over charged me, I was too gone to dispute it. We totaled out at $230…read moredollars, my co workers frequent the spot but that's my last time unless I pay cash for each transaction. They have $3 hotdogs, popcorn and Grubhub is an option. I wouldn't suggest dropping money on the jukebox just vibe to what's playing. A better and fairer open tab system would suffice .

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Mal's Bar - From a seat at the bar...

From a seat at the bar...

Mal's Bar - Jameson

Jameson

Mal's Bar - Inside

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Inside

Galen Center - stadiumsarenas - Updated October 2026

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