LOVEDDDD! We came here for my friends bday last night. It was so much fun. It was dark but not too dark. The upstairs did have different music from the downstairs but they both played really good music. My friends and I had to go up and down. The bar made my drinks really well. Majority of the people were in their mid 20s to early 30s. No one was rude or belligerent. I loved how security was on top of things. Shoutout to those guys because I felt super safe at the bar. read more

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General Lee's is a hip two-level cocktail lounge located in the heart of historic Chinatown (within Chinatown Central Plaza). [Parking]: Metered parking wasn't super easy to find and I had to park two blocks away (near intersection of Yale St & W College St) from Chinatown Central Plaza. [Event]: General Lee's is best known for hosting weekday Hong Kong style Mahjong night (sponsored by Mahjong Underground) and please check the IG page for the exact date (e.g. February 2026 was every Wednesday and March 2026 is every Monday). No RSVP is required and our party just simply walked in at 8 PM sharp. Free admission, but 21+ only. [Pro tip]: Please come as early as the cocktail lounge can get pretty crowded within 15 minutes of opening time (8 PM). Otherwise Mahjong tables will be taken up pretty quickly. [Experience]: There were 7 beginner tables on the 2nd level and 9 advanced table on the 1st level. The lounge had DJ playing music so the lounge can get a bit loud. The beginner tables had two laminated pages on how to read Mahjong tiles and how to play Hong Kong style Mahjong. The players at the beginner tables were friendly and our table played open-hand, but it would be great if an actual instructor can teach us more advanced rules. Restroom (unisex) was quite clean. [Conclusion]: Expect packed crowd on Mahjong nights with friendly Mahjong players, but this is not exactly the best place to really learn how to play Mahjong. I see this lounge as more of a place to socialize with other strangers. read more

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Finally stopped by General Lee's! So many recommendations and good reviews, I had to. On a Saturday night; it was a packed house. Solid, inventive cocktail menu. (No food served here) They also serve red wine and Cava. A plus if you ask me. Every server I talked to was nice. Good Dj and good music. A cool hang out in the middle of Chinatown. Unpretentious and eclectic crowd. Loved it! Maybe more bathrooms downstairs would be nice? But I'll be back ASAP! Happy holidays everyone! read more

Context for review: I'm not the main demographic for clubs/lounges/bars, because I don't drink at all. I just go occasionally to socialize and make new connections. I came here with a couple of friends after a Mahjong event in SGV. We got here at around 11:30pm and the line was already quite long and people were still coming in and out despite of how late it was. The inside has two levels, and two very distinct dance floors. The place was absolutely packed to the brim and it was difficult even to navigate around it. The 2nd floor has its own bar and dance floor, and even the line to go and use the restroom was super long (you'd think there was like a secret, cooler, hidden speakeasy or something due to how long the line was on the 2nd floor, but nah, it's just the restroom line). Music was loud, floor was sticky and there was barely any space to walk around, let alone dance. I managed to talk to a few people but not without difficulties. Cool place if this is your vibe but I rather try and make new connections in other contexts. read more

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4.5 Stars OMG! I had no idea that Chinatown was bumpin' on a Saturday Night. For a second, I thought I was in Hollywood. A friend of mine had her birthday celebration here. I was happy to finally have an opportunity to check it out. I've heard great things about General Lee's over the years. The bar has gained recognition for their inventive cocktails, which are created by skilled bartenders. The downstairs area was packed on a Saturday night. Thankfully, we had a private area reserved upstairs because it was packed up there as well. Most likely because the DJ was fantastic! I ordered an Aviation to get the party started. It was perfectly balanced and did not disappoint. Late in the evening, a big punch bowl was brought to the table. It was a tasty gin-based cocktail that was an easy sipper. I had to refrain from drinking too much because it's one of those drinks that will creep up on you. In addition to great bartenders, the bouncer is an absolute doll! The crowd was lively, fun, and not pretentious. I'd absolutely come back. I heard it's calmer on weeknights with live jazz on Tuesday and Mahjong Night on Thursday. *Street parking or nearby lots. Prices vary. *Upstairs bar opens at 10 pm read more

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General Lee's is alright with me! Visiting from out of town and this name popped up twice from recommendations of friends who live in LA. Did not disappoint at all! It is a bit tucked away so if you arent familiar with the area you could miss it. Went on a Thursday night and wasnt looking for an over crowded space, I saw some times it does get really packed. Luckily, it wasnt the night we visited. Dj was rocking! Really had the vibes going would come back just for his set again. Bartender was very friendly and patient while we picked. I dont remember what drink( a had a few that night) I had but it was good and wasnt overly priced. Nice decor and set up as well. If you are in the area and looking for a good vibe check General Lee's out! Most definitely would recommend! read more

General Lee's - Had two of these but cant remember the name! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Parking is street parking and we came here for their mahjong night. It is really dark inside and they have small table lamps that provided light. For a small bar space, they filled it with about 10 mahjong tables down stairs and about 5 (that I could see) upstairs. The players are super friendly and was willing to teach us the advanced rules. I learned a whole new perspective on how to play. I didnt realize how many people actually play mahjong. What I do love most about this venue is that it is casual play. Of course the advanced tables have rules such as not taking longer than 30 seconds to make your move (not sure of the correct time limit). Each player gets two turns win or lose. Then rotates to the players who have been waiting behind you. They also provide your table with rules and a guide. There were water stations set up throughout the bar and a Dj spinning upstairs in the back. Im not sure if they had food, but we just came for the mahjong. What i thought was super amazing is their restroom! Its open to everyone, with a note on each door stating "one person only" stall. Ive only ever seen one other bar/lounge that had this set up and that was about 20 years ago. Their handwashing station was in a circle! I thought that was amazing! read more

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What I love is that on a Saturday night, people starting pooling around 9:45-10:00. 10:00 is when the DJ goes live on the first floor. Second floor has a disco hanging and where people dance. There are two bars located on each floor. Parking: Found street parking by coming to the place early. There are very small parking lots near the plaza but you would have to get here early because there's also a night market people parking at the lots. Music: Mix of RnBs, 2010-2015 pop, Indie alternative, Latin. There's a variety of races that come to this club, that's why there is a mix of songs curative for the whole audience throughout the night. If you're into a specific genre of music then I would check out other clubs. Cool vegetation: Strong drink and you can really taste the pan dan flavoring. I like to wait for the ice to halfway melt so the alcohol is much softer to drink. Watermelon high: Strong drink. Didn't detect that much watermelon. Also prefer some of the ice to melt to soften the alcohol flavor. Ginger beer: Absolutely so good, $6 for their price. Highly recommend getting this drink. They make it in house and its light and fizzy. Vacation Time: Alcohol is easier to down and drink is sweeter. read more

General Lee's - Right: cool vegetation Left: watermelon high - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Mahjong night was so much fun here! They do mahjong here on Thursday nights and it is packed. I would definitely recommend trying this out to learn the game, meet some cool people, and try their drinks. Their drinks are decently strong and taste really good. There is a bar upstairs and downstairs so lines are not too long. The ambiance is amazing and feels like Hong Kong inside. They even have a DJ! I will definitely be coming back. read more

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Decided to take a chance and get out of the house .... on a weekday no less?!?! I had heard about General Lee's as my instagram was advertising mahjong night on thursdays. Felt that it would be a nice change of pace to get out and interact with people. For how quiet chinatown is at night, General Lee's is bustling during this time. Despite the small occupancy load, it gets so packed with all the mahjong tables and the folks waiting for the tables. Upon entering, it's 2 stories with a dj/dance floor at the top and bars on both floors. The aesthetics are immaculate , like giving me a taste of the asia bar scene with hints of western aesthetic. Oh right the drinks: I ordered their signature ginger beer, and boy does it give you a kick. For $6, I think it's worth for freshly made ginger beer at a bar, especially if you're a responsible adult that needs to get to work the next day. read more

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Came here for Jazz Night on a Tuesday evening and had a great time. They start at 8PM but probably got there about 9PM and ordered a few drinks and just started listening to the musicians play. It was cute and interesting for a weeknight. I particularly loved it since there wasn't too many people and felt quite intimate--something I had imagined when going to a Jazz event. I read another reviewers response to this place for Jazz Night and although it seems that drinks are expensive, I feel like that's just everywhere in LA. I liked it a lot and would love to come back again and support local artists. read more

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This bar has obviously been blowing up because of Mahjong Night (Thursdays 8-11p). I think it's well deserved! The vibe in here is very well-tailored, and the drink menu definitely matches up. I have tried most of the menu, but here are my favorites: Cool Vegetation - the pandan flavor in this is amazing because it is so subtle, but still noticeable. It comes right at the end, so that you have this lingering coconut-ish aroma, so you finish off every sip with this nice sweetness. Sloe and Easy - this comes with a smoked stick of cinnamon, and it's so good as it slowly infuses your drink as you enjoy it. Stay tuned on their Instagram for fun themed events that they host. It's always popping with a good crowd, and it's definitely worth checking out. Beware, it does get extremely crowded, but parking is still never that bad. read more

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Love the ambiance and the music here. Only down side if you don't come at a good time you definitely have to wait in line. The drinks here are honestly different and good. I love their menu and how they name their drinks. The music is like hip hop with some 90s music. read more

Pretty vibey bar with Chinese inspirations in the heart of Chinatown. I came by on a weeknight, so it was very quiet and chill even with a DJ playing. For cocktails, we had the Bear on Bicycle and Snake Charmer --all for $16 each. It was kind of fun because they torched the dried fruit slice. I will say that I enjoyed the Bear on Bicycle more than was reminiscent of a spicy margarita. I enjoy that there's couches and tables, so had a nice lounge vibe. It does get busy like a club on weekends though. read more

General Lee's - Bear on Bicycle and Snake Charmer. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Stopped by here after DS night market and it was pretty dead prior to 10pm. There were not many seating options available but we saw them open up the upstairs area after 10pm since the place did fill up and got very over crowded. Very unique cocktail mix but also a limited menu. They can make your typical cocktails as well but we all wanted to try something curated by the bartender. Was intrigued to try the Clown Car which had 5 lychee vodka shots. Asian bartender with the mohawk helped us pick all of our drinks. Beautiful decor. They had a glowing lion dancing mask in the corner. Rest of the bar had traditional Chinese wooden chairs/tables/sofas. Intimate atmosphere and lots of vining plants indoor. We read that this location was a restaurant in the 1880s. There was a DJ that came and played some good music. read more

It's in China town, parking can be a lil challenging but good vibe if you like Sade music. Not your fancy lounge or area but the vibe was good, everyone enjoying the music. read more

I went for the Jazz Ambiance on a Tuesday night. The place was clean, the bartender was very helpful and the coaches were comfy. The amount of gifted musicians that showed up through night that shared their talents for free were amazing. I highly recommend it read more

Came to General Lee's for Mahjong Night on a Thursday and somehow--with a lot of help from friends--won my first ever game! The place was packed wall to wall with people ready to play, and the vibe was unmatched: lively, warm, and super social. There were beginner and advanced tables, and everyone was really respectful about taking turns. The bartenders were cool, and the coconut cocktail? Absolute fire. Whether you're a Mahjong pro or just Mahjong-curious, this is a fantastic third space to hang out, meet new people, and enjoy a unique night out in Chinatown. read more

General Lee's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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We came here in a post thanksgiving weekend, and it's popping, both down stair and upper floor. We had to wait until 10:30 for the upper floor to be open, and there's stage on the upper floor. The vibes are all out with the holiday energy! The menu is amazing! Renting looks fun to to try, so we tried fortune teller, the juggler, and the two head nightingale. All tastes amazing. My bartender absolutely did an amazing job with my fortune teller, classic and flavorful! This is my favorite lounge in Chinatown so far! read more

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A friend introduced us to this spot & we always look forward to coming back since! The cocktails are always AMAZING, very skilled bartenders that put so much craftsmanship into the drinks here, which I did not expect. Hands down THE best espresso martinis in LA!! The staff is all super friendly, even the bouncer here always has the best energy (super rare since bouncers in general tend to have a crazy power trip often lol). It's two floors inside with a dance floor on each & seating available throughout so it's always a good time! I need to highlight the crowd here because we always end up meeting the best & friendliest fellow Angelenos here so the vibes are nothing but great for a good social scene. It's also always super clean inside with great DJs, huge plus for no cover charge on the weekends! Parking in the area can be kinda hectic so definitely recommend carpooling if you can & don't let the long line outside scare you away as it always moves by super quick & so worth it once you're inside. read more

General Lee's - Plaza on a busy saturday night - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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cool spot to hang out with friends on a weekend in chinatown ~ 2 stories of 2 djs so different music the line gets longer after 10:30! read more

General Lee's - chinatownnn - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

What a night. We came to General Lee's for a friend's 40th birthday, and let me just say, this place knows how to hold space for a celebration. From the moment we walked in, the energy was high, the crowd was lively, and everything just clicked. We were upstairs in the back, where the loungy dance floor section lives. There was a DJ spinning, and the whole setup struck that perfect balance, intimate but alive, elevated but not pretentious. It felt exclusive without being cut off from the fun. Meanwhile, downstairs had a more classic club vibe, packed and buzzing in that Friday night kind of way. The bartenders were on point, efficient, no fuss, and clearly knew what they were doing. I ordered a Hugo Spritz, and they had real St. Germain, not some random substitute. That alone won me over. You don't always get that kind of drink quality at spots that toe the line between club, bar, and lounge, but General Lee's delivered. Honestly, I'm already looking for an excuse to go back. The space, the music, the drinks, the people, it all came together to make one of the best nights out I've had in a while. General Lee's has that rare kind of vibe you can't force. You feel it the moment you step in. read more

It's been awhile since I've been back here and it's still one of the best place for hip hop r&b music. Love the vibe and the workers were friendly! Definitely recommend. read more

Such a fun place I can't believe I hadn't found this sooner. We got here early on a Friday, which is a must. The first floor is a little more chill and upstairs they have a dance floor and a second bar. Super fun spot. When we were leaving the line was wrapped around the block to get in, because it is the spot to be! read more

My first time here. Great music on Sundays. I feel the vibe. The drinks are great. Friendly bartenders.

I finally made it to General Lee's after following the rise of the LA mahjong scene and WOW...why did it take me so long??! !!! They host Mahjong Underground nights every Thursday and the vibe is right up my alley. No cover, no table fee - just get a drink and you're set. Super beginner-friendly too. I had one of their whisky specials (can't remember the name, but it was $13 and delicious), and my friend ordered The Trapeze Artist off their regular bar menu - it was floral, balanced, and looked beautiful too. All the drinks have this cool Asian-inspired twist, and the bartenders are friendly too. The crowd was laid-back and fun, which is just the kind of energy I love. I'll definitely be back to try more drinks and work on my MJ game on another Thursday night! read more

It was my first time at General Lee's and the vibe was amazing. I came here on a Thursday night for a quick drink with my best friend. Apparently it was their mahjong night. The first floor was filled people playing mahjong and it seemed really cool. We decided to check out the second floor and the mood was much more relaxed. Very creative with their menu and theme. Limited tables and chairs so we were lucky to snatched a table for two before the crowd came. I was surprised how busy it got for a Thursday night. I'm definitely returning! read more

Came here for the first time to celebrate a friends birthday and had tables reserved, super friendly staff! The place itself is pretty small. There's 2 floors. 1st floor has a bar and a more chill laid back vibe. The 2nd floor is where they have the DJ and dance floor. There's also a bar upstairs and restroom as well. It can and does get pretty crowded. So expect a queue if you are coming later at night Parking: street parking read more

General Lee's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

What a beautiful location with tons of charm! The drink menu is incredibly creative, and we were really excited to try one of their drinks. Unfortunately, the bartender was so busy chatting with another customer that we had to repeat our order three times, and even then, she still seemed confused. Honestly, I think she might have been on something. We were really looking forward to enjoying one of their signature drinks, but it ended up being a letdown, the presentation was nice though. I thought it was going to be so good that I'd want another, but even my friend didn't finish hers because it wasn't great either. Such a disappointment after all the excitement! You live and learn. read more

Went on a Thursday for Mahjong night. Vibes are immaculate, drinks are INCREDIBLE!! I forgot the name of my drink but it had baijiu and goji berries (I was initially scared by the baijiu but it wasn't that strong at all). Excuse my blurry photo. Bartenders are also very knowledgeable and helpful. read more

General Lee's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I came here last Saturday and was disappointed by this fire hazard. Seating is nonexistent and staff here need basic customer service training. My party was kicked out of reserved seating that wasn't roped off or labeled twice and it was especially obnoxious the second time when the second floor had been opened because the whole floor had been roped off and seating across from us wasn't reserved. Only after they announced it did they start roping it off. Disorganized, disrespectful, certainly not ADA compliant, and way too cramped. Being apologetic and adding a please and thank you to communication might've softened these interactions, but they took a hood approach. Avoid! read more

Tons of plants, real plants! 2 story bar with a dance floor/lounge area on the second floor, bar with interesting very well made drinks, and a DJ playing live music most weekends. It gets very crowded after 10pm because it is a popular spot, but it is fun and lively the crowd is generally good vibes. Dresses formal casual here, this is a classy bar. It is around restaurants and sometimes they have a night market outside. No cover!!!! read more

The staff here is amazing ! From bartenders to the bouncer ! They're all absolutely sweet and have such great energy. It's my go to spot for a dancing ambiance. Shout out to the two workers who took a photo of my friends and I. they were so kind and supportive that we took their photo too! Hopefully they get to see this :) read more

General Lee's - The sweetest staff ! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Beware pick pocketers!! Two phones were stolen from my group on a Saturday night. Horrible experience.

Ambiance is fantastic! Crowd is fun! Drinks are great! Definitely a cool place to visit!

4+ a really fun spot in the heart of Chinatown in downtown LA. I like the decor of the place. Also, know that my experience is a tale of two different places. Earlier in the night, it feels more like a cocktail lounge where they have a really good selection. Not a big selection, but they have some hidden gems there from time to time. Later in the night, it feels like it blows up to a full on club with loud music and bigger crowds. So a group of us came here, waiting for a table at a restaurant nearby. We figured that will grab a drink until the restaurant gave us a text. My buddy and I was able to find this rare whiskey at a very reasonable price so that's what we were drinking. The bartenders were super friendly and liked to talk about the whiskey as well. We actually wanted to stop by after dinner for another pour of that particular whiskey. By then the music was really loud, and I felt like I was too old to get in there to get a drink, lol. Although it looked like people were having fun there. Overall, I would say, this place is a fun place to be and great for drinks earlier in the night or day if possible. read more

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General Lee's might be my new go to. The vibe was spot on from the minute I walked in. Music was fire all night, and the drinks were solid without being overpriced. I tried a few "guinea pigs," which is the bartender's choice, and each one was a fun surprise. The beer selection was impressive too, with options from Benny Boy and other craft breweries. Upstairs is where it really comes alive, great crowd, great energy, and even the bathroom setup is cool. Definitely coming back. read more

They played Happy by Ashanti. My dream of hearing that song and dancing to it at a club is complete. Now I can retire my partying ways and live a simple life of bars and wine nights with weird smelling cheeses. read more

General Lee's is a fun bar to hang out while in Chinatown. It is located in the central plaza where all red pretty lanterns are. I visited General Lee's during the Summer nights of 2023. The whole plaza was crowded and very festive. The bar is surprisingly spacious and had amazing drinks. Look forward to my next visit. read more

FRIDAY OLD SKOOL HIP HOP R&B NIGHTS This lounge gets crowded fast and there aren't many tables so if you're old like me get there early to snag a table or chair lol. Pros - Friday DJ plays ALL THE JAMS from the 90's 00's - ya can get in with sneakers - bartenders have a heavy pour - everyone's dancing and in a good mood Cons - not a lot of sitting areas - it gets hot so bring a fan like I did lol General Lee's is a fun little spot for anyone who wants to get their boogie on! read more