Diviest of dive bars. Not much to it on the inside, kind of bare and uninteresting... BUT! Whoever was working last night made me such a tasty dirty martini. I love my martini to be mostly olive juice with a splash of alcohol and that's exactly what I got, lol. It was perfection. Didn't stay long as we had a dinner reservation across the street but next time we're waiting on a dinner again, we'll be back! read more

Kibitz Room - Music Venues Near Me - West Hollywood, California

I was told by bartender I should either pay cash or be a man if I want to be able to pay the tab for my friend and myself (he never even took my card, though I tried to give it to pay). He yelled at me in front of multiple people because I tried to pay. I truly think the bartender is a racist based on how he treated me, he skipped over me to take non black patrons drink orders and close them out. We instantly left the bar. It was my boyfriend's birthday, and again all I wanted to do was pay a tab for myself and another friend. Do yourself a favor and go to blue collar, they will treat you kindly and with respect. Will never be back to this DIRTY, sexist, racist, establishment . read more

Always a blast...it is like being in a beer commercial. the atmosphere is very welcoming and when there is a band playing it seals the deal. Go in and grab yourself a nice cold Pabst Blue Ribbon and have some fun. read more

I stopped in for a quick drink while my son and wife finished their meals. As a married man, bar visits are rare. I got permission for one drink and a quick return. I chatted with the bartender and a friendly patron. I ordered a Pickle Back, made with Jameson Whiskey and pickle juice from Canter's. It was delicious - I haven't had one in ages! I'd love to come back when they have live music, but I'm not sure I'll get the Wife's permission. ;) read more

See all

Really don't like the overweight bartender guy that works here he always has such a nasty attitude. Rolled his eyes when I asked to taste the white wine he had opened and said "they all taste the same". Like wtf read more

I want to give a special shout-out to James at the bar. I love my girlfriend, and whenever she came through Canter's Deli, I went over to check on her and make sure she was okay. James went above and beyond -- he looked out for us, made sure we were safe, and didn't let anyone bother us. His energy was comforting, respectful, and genuinely caring. On top of that, the drinks were great and the whole experience with him behind the bar was amazing. Thank you, James, for treating us with so much kindness. We really appreciate you. read more

Super awesome dive attached to an iconic greasy spoon. Drinks were solid and of a comparable price to contemporary establishments. Nice ambiance. Service was professional and prompt. Would definitely return. read more

bartender w the glasses is a f*ckin a$$hole. Told my friend he was in the wrong place to ask for wine and that he had better things to be doing. We ended up not getting anything. Don't be a bartender if you hate your life so much. (I just wanted to watch a local band and enjoy a libation.) read more

Great atmo, decent beer prices for LA. I'd come back here next time I visit the town. read more

Kibitz Room - Music Venues Near Me - West Hollywood, California

See all

It's attached to Canters Deli, so food is outstanding! Service adequate; ambiance is dive bar chic!

THIS PLACE DOESNT LIKE BLACK PPL! The bartender was extremely rude! My friend worked with this venue to have a bday celebration until 2am. Only for us to me met with a nasty bartender who yelled, told us to shut up, and caused a major issue with a female friend of mine, he was yelling at her after he took 20 mins to take her drink order. It wasn't till I step in when he changed his tone, it was clear he was intoxicated. After I complained to the manager Lee, she decided to close the bar over an hour early because "there was no server". And after I told Lee about everything, she smiled in my face as if she was going to handle it. Only to threaten to call the cops on us. So to recap. A group a black people had a peaceful bday event, the bartender yelled and cursed at us. Then the manager threatened to call the cops on us after we brought over 50 ppl and we all brought drinks. I will be sure to never come back and ensure my entire friend group WILL NEVER COME. And to be clear we all were buying drinks at the bar up until they kick us out. Do not come here if you're black. Don't come here if you're looking for a good time. But if you want to be bearded by a half wit bartender and an incompetent major who only knows how to smile on your face when confronted with discriminatory behavior. Then you will have a blast! read more

Met a friend who was visiting from out of town here a week or so ago. It's a real dive bar feel, which I really like being able to find in the middle of LA. The street had metered parking, the meters shut off at a certain hour, I was kind of amazed how easy it all went down. Me and my good girl friend stood outside while she smoked multiple times that night, and I never felt unsafe, despite having creepy men standing within close proximity to us...crazy right? Bar tenders are nice, but they are conversational, so if you are waiting to ask for water, you might be waiting for a while while they dig into a convo with another patron. My friend got me a water because she saw how long I had been waiting, so she came up and ordered a drink and got a water and just handed it to me. Trust me I get it, I hate being the girl drinking water, I know they live on tips, just be more outspoken and brazen than me, you'll probably be fine. It was like a Friday night in January when I went and it was a small crowd. Very small. Which I loved. It felt safe, spacious, and I really did like the company at that bar. The patrons and staff were really nice and helpful. The bathrooms are the cutest (at least the girl's bathroom). It's like a bright yellow retro feel, super cute. Def would go back, just bc it feels so low key, I really liked it. Recommended to anyone who wants a cozy bar that doesn't feel like a typical "LA nightlife" feel and is missing the more "small town dive" vibes. read more

So it's a dark and deep drinking spot with just a little bit of everything, but not too much. Some vintage Godzilla was playing this night. Dive bar but more for smarter folk, per Mr. bland! read more

Kibitz Room - Music Venues Near Me - West Hollywood, California

Must stop by if you're in the area! We stumbled upon this place and had so much fun. It's connected to a deli so you can order food and bring it in the bar. Great vibes, good music and lots of fun! Marco the bartender was amazing and will definitely come back!! read more

I loveeeee this dive bar. You can see into canters deli and it's themed like a classic rock n roll bar. The ceiling isn't even quite finished, and there are posters, a jukebox, and messy red booths everywhere. It's a perfect dive bar. It's completely inexpensive and so fun read more

A unique LA bar with occasional local live music. Eclectic and different kind of "dive bar" energy. Also, you can't beat the incredible manager and bartenders, especially Brett! Enjoy! read more

This was the first bar I'd ever been to. 21 years old. Went after a screening of a film I'm in. I felt famous. Felt like the HAIM sisters were going to walk in at any moment, see me, do a double take, and call me their long lost sister. Good vibes. Thanks Kibitz!!! read more

Very poor experience I had last night (Fri, Apr 26) at 9PM. I went to the bar and asked for a vodka margarita for my date. The bartender judged this choice and didn't believe I was 21 for this reason. I'm 29 years old. I said hold off until my date arrived and when they did, I realized I misspoke and that they wanted a vodka martini instead. The bartender accepted this and prepared to get our drinks ready. My date hadn't been inside of Canter's before, so I wanted to show them the fall leaves ceiling in the dining area. We walked away from the bar, gesturing we would return. When we came back a few minutes later, the bartender was VERY rude to us. They refused to serve us saying, "1. Because you asked for a vodka margarita and 2. Because you're leaving the bar randomly. What are you on?" Now, I'm not the biggest drinker, but I shouldn't be judged so harshly for misspeaking. But also, if someone actually wanted a vodka margarita, then do it! Don't judge just because you disagree. Also, my date and I are both black and this white bartender said we were on drugs. What the hell? And to be completely clear, we were very much sober. Asked for the bartender's name, he said his name was Bob. Sounds like a fake name, but whoever this racist white bartender was... they shouldn't be allowed to work there. What a terrible time at a place I've usually had fun at in the past. read more

Everything was great. I went with a group of friends for a goodbye party and we had the best evening. They do have a parking lot attached to the restaurant with a tenant and they validate your parking!!! The drinks were well balanced and delicious.The service for food was excellent. Very spacious and open lots of seating for big and small parties. Food was beyond tasty. We also got dessert and it was the best cheesecake we've ever had!! Looking forward to returning and having another event there. read more

Went back to Kibitz Room in November and ended up storming out after one beer because the bartender was talking loudly about Trump. It was the first time since the election that I'd really heard a server expounding on politics at any length, and while I probably would've been less annoyed if it had been anti-Trump (I mean, come on, dude, you're a bartender in LA--know your audience), I'd say flapping your mouth about a contentious election while you pour people's beer is generally not a good idea. We were there just long enough to sit down, order two Sculpins, drink them, pay, and leave, and he dropped several gems during that fifteen-minute interval. To be fair, he wasn't talking to me, but to a friend of his who happened to be sitting next to me. But he was loud as fuck, proudly bad-mouthing SNL (he dislikes both Kristin Wiig and Kate McKinnon, can't tell them apart and thinks neither is funny), Green Day ("I'd like to punch Green Day. Trump's a fascist? You're the fascists!"), and Hillary and Democrats overall. I kind of wanted to lean over and shout, "I'm right here!" but instead, I just asked for our check and bounced. He obviously called me "sweetheart." I am not his sweetheart. I really liked Kibitz Room, but unfortunately, I think I'm done with the place after just two visits. There are just too many great bars around where you can get a drink without hearing pro-Trump garbage at high volume. read more

If you want an old school type of dive bar than look no further! This is the place to go. Pretty affordable cocktails and beers. Bartenders are seriously awesome! Fun times and you meet fun customers. read more

We came here last trip up, after eating at Cantor's, the local legend. The bar seems quite separate and we spent about three hours exchanging jokes and stories with James the bartender and a few others who wandered in. We had a great time even though it was the afternoon (day drinking is always fun) and there was no music. Just a great dive bar-relaxed vibe. Just what we were looking for between our hurried vacation events and I'll be back. read more

Kibitz Room - The bar at Cantor's - Music Venues Near Me - West Hollywood, California

Just Cool This dive is a surprising find, we wandered in here on a Saturday night to find a rocking live band made up of old timers. Strong drinks, good happy hour, and so much history. Great story. Tip: if you get drunk you can get food right from Canters which this little dive bar is attached too. Thanks read more

Empty so far from 11-1 good price. Food is fantastic as it is attached to the famous Canters Deli. Bartender is a nice older gentleman, restroom is very close, and prices are good for beers (I am a beer drinker). read more

Kibitz room is it!! So much fun music and interesting people from all over the world. A wonderful tradition for generations.

I stumbled upon this place as Rosewood Tavern was declaring its last call... Amidst the chilly droplets of winter mist, my man and i followed the sweet tunes and pushed open an unassuming door located next to the legendary LA deli, Canter's. A roomful of people merrily tapping their toes and fingers to the beats of the drummer. I immediately thought that this was the best place to be at 2am on a Saturday night. I stood two feet away from the band, each melody tickled my body and I swayed to its beat. Precisely at that moment, I felt alive. I wore my existence in this beautiful city with the brash notes of the guitar and drums. After reading my review, I hope that you will drop by Kitbitz Room when you're looking for night to frolic with Los Angeles' history. Sway to the sound and whisper into a stranger's ear. You'll feel alive as I did. read more

Kibitz Room - So rad - Music Venues Near Me - West Hollywood, California

"I like my drinks like I like my men, strong!" Find me in the crowded booth among friends after deciding a late night meet up. Find me at the end of the bar counter talking with them, or dancing to a good tune played on the juke-box. Occasionally yelling at the top of my lungs while a mediocre band plays cover songs. Or, find Arti Vega with his dazzling threads and white outgrown hair living the past of an unfulfilled musician he once was and still is. Yes, that's the kibitz home to dreamers and late night drinkers.....if you can't man up and put away your attitudes wrestle with the bartenders (Jimmi & Rob) then chances are you belong at the bar across the street. Keep your energy spirited and your ego at bay...and if you're always glaring at it's timid glow, chances are you should step in and say "hello!" The neighborhood dive...5 stars for service, company, friends, and affordability, plus convenience. I rather have an old man tell me his war stories than a guy too trashed to handle his liquor and ask me my name. Party on Kibitz! see you on the weekends lovezies. read more

This is a really dark, older model bar with great leather stools. We had cocktails there before and after shopping on Melrose. The drinks were cheap but I guess it was happy house. I love drinking at noon! We had whole bar to ourselves on a weekday at noon. You never know who is gonna walk in. So Los Angeles 1970s. Highly recommend. The vodka was fresh and delish. read more

This review is about the weekly Tuesday Night Jam at Kibitz Room... Some call it a dive bar - it is. Some say the drinks are strong, and the bartenders blissfully ornery - they are. Many like the fact that they can slide seamlessly between the bar and the infamous Canter's 24 hour deli for some pastrami, Matzo Ball soup, fries, or dill pickles. But not everyone knows about the killer jams that have pulsed through the thin walls of the Kibitz Room... especially on Tuesday nights. It's time you know - and go. In the early 90s, Kibitz on Tuesdays was a secret spot for everything from soulful swan songs to hardcore rockin' riffs played by members of the Wallflowers, Guns N Roses, and any number of equally talented local musicians. DJ/singer Morty Coyle (The iMPOSTERS, Men Without Sex, All Day Sucker) acted as emcee and frontman to a rollicking and regular crowd that gathered week in and week out to sing and play along. The jam rocked for a good many years until the original galvanizers went on to other things... but the Tuesday Kibitz was missed by those who started it, and those like me who just showed up to enjoy. As of January 6th, 2009, the Tuesday Night Kibitz Jam is BACK! Coyle reunited with Wallflowers / Foo Fighters Keyboardist Rami Jaffee and other local jammers Rick Torres, Jordan Summers, JJ Blair, Dan Rothchild, Paul Ill, drummer Gersh, Nick Sharpe and others to bring back the spirit of kinship, Kizmet and smooth grooves we Kibitzers all grew to know and love. Well, sometimes the impromptu and by request grooves are not so smooth... but everyone has fun trying! The later it gets, the louder. And the more you come, the more you feel like you're part of a unique and wonderful family united by a love of music and positivity. Check it out... you can't beat the free cover charge, or the happy ringing in your ears come 2:05 a.m. read more

See all

This is a trashy, divey, old school, funnest, best bar you hate to love! It opened in 1961 and I don't think one thing has changed since. Yes, the bartender is rude, the service is slow and it is very dark in there. But you will not have a better time anywhere else. My sisters and I came her one night while in town for a girlfriends getaway and stumbled across this little gem while looking for a bar on Yelp. Thank you my fellow Yelpers, Loved it! Cold tap beers, good selection for a dive bar, they get an A+ for the beer selection. We met great people chatted it up with the cranky bartender and even got him to laugh. It was one of the highlights of our trip. Rumor has it some great music has been played there. I think we happen to be there a little too early in the evening for the live music. It's cool, it's old school, it's a great little bar. read more

This place is just like your favorite dive bar in your own home town. Not to many people here on a Saturday afternoon. We were kind of late for the lunch crowd and early for the Saturday night kind of crowd. There were a couple of friendly gentlemen at the bar that gave us some background and history. They told us that some great musicians and bands have played here and still do from time to time. The drinks were cheap and well poured. The bartender however was not exactly friendly. Not rude or anything, he just wasn't going to put up with any shenanigans. But isn't this what we expect at our neighborhood bar? read more

Great Saturday night seeing Bad Wheelhouse. Best dive bar ever and the bartender was friendly too. Last Friday of the month, come see Schuck Schucky Saturday night. Mix of rock n roll with a twist of country and blues. read more

See all

Scottie, Kaveh, and I have long wedged ourselves in a cracked vinyl booth near the entrance facing the bar. We've been back many times after the renovation, too. The stage is not the stretched narrow thing lined with photographs anymore. The manhattans no longer come with a separate carafe of manhattan. Kibitz is something else. It's changed. It's not quite there. Why alter an icon? Why defile the mother? The story goes... before painting, I worked in Risk Management for an LA art museum and a fourth grader defiled the mother with a ballpoint. Drew a squiggly line on her dress. I think of Kibitz as the mother with a penmark, a piece of chewing gum wedged onto her eyeball. I think of Kibitz glowing red and blue, the cheap drinks and leather jackets and smell of tuna fish. I order many sandwiches at Canters and eat them at Kibitz. I've kissed girls in this booth that I don't remember, and I'm sure they don't remember me. And, I've driven home. This was pre-Uber, Kibitz with the long stage. Kibitz just right. Kibitz when we valued painters with crazy lives. Writers who couldn't function. Slammed into curbs on the way home. Kibitz before people on Facebook opined about J.D. Salinger. Ives Klein. I've read my friends' work. They are no Salinger. I've seen their paintings. They are no Klein. They have not written the most influential novel of the 20th century. They have not had the gall to dip anyone in paint and drag them around a canvas. They should save their judgment. They should venture to Kibitz, look around and find that people are messy, and messy people are capable of greater things than boring safe ones. I'm a famous painter now and so thankful to fly under the radar, hang out here unbothered to later render a scene at Kibitz. Like anything with a larger than life aura, it's impossible to render. One can only think of Kibitz while painting and hope for it to rub off on a canvas, gently. Scottie's favorite thing to eat with his Manhattan is a pickled tomato and a potato knish. I render him with a green tomato and gold halo. Next to Kaveh, a blurry me at the booth griping about the LA art scene being a slew of uglies with tote bags. I laugh at my own jokes. Oversized sweaters and tote bags and too many opinions. Art people need to relax. Groom and get laid. Drink and say inappropriate jokes at Kibbitz. Be down low in the world and look inward. Leave J.D. Salinger alone. Listen to music. Dig the scene, contribute to it more than a boring essay published on some obscure journal riddled with typos. No wonder no one reads. No wonder no one goes to galleries. The Art scene = a snooze fest with tote bags, glasses, and uncontroversial ideas. The art scene is not what it was. It's just not the same. Kibitz however is always Art. Kibitz is always with beatitude. And many and self-destructive art people came here and judged nothing but their own follies. read more

A real gem and sincere to place to get drunk. Want to drink and don't feel like goin to SodoSoPa, then head right the fluck over. All of the bartenders are both solid drink makers and not shitty people. Wowser also, the humane drink prices help create an honest environment plopped on the middle of pretty Fairfax. And if you want, there is a cool deli entrance that connects in and out of 24 hour quintessential Jewish Food Wonderland; Canters. Top foods. It's got sweet tunes? Sometimes Good place for girls and guys. It seems very few A-holes(the bad kind) show up here. One time I danced with singer who opened up the show and she took me to do shrooms down the docks by the boats some twenty miles away. Good location. For dates or not dates, just cool Food delivered in the bar as well. Stand up is on occasionally good restrooms Comfy set booths Rational prices Matzo ball soup Herring read more

See all

These guys are the laziest bartenders I've ever seen in my life! After getting virtually no service at the table while waiting at least 10 minutes, I finally walked up to the bar and ordered 3 drinks. When I tried to order a coffee for my Mom, the bartender tells me to go to the front of the restaurant to order a coffee to-go. I'm thinking, "whatever, they just don't have coffee at the bar. No big deal." As I walk out into the restaurant, there is LITERALLY a coffee station adjacent to the bar! Why wouldn't you serve coffee at the bar when it's right next to you? I know you want to sell alcohol, but is it really that big of a problem to grab some coffee for my Mother who loves Canter's and has been coming here for years? Granted, this was a VERY busy night, and the waitress in the bar (who was great, btw) was completely slammed. But the bartender just stood back and did NOTHING. I sat at a filthy bartop for 2 rounds before my girlfriend grabbed the towel lying on the glass rack in front of us and wiped it down herself. Meanwhile the "bartender" (if you want to call him that,) Was finishing whatever he was eating next to the coffee station. Where he could have gotten coffee for my Mom! Trying to flag this guy down was like Tom Hanks trying to flag down a charter boat in the movie "Cast Away." I would've been happy with a raw coconut at this point, and my girlfriend hates coconut! Even after spotting his regulars at the bar, the bartender (if you want to call him that) failed to notice the four of us in need of service. At this point it felt just plain mean, but I wasn't trying to take it personally. A, "hey, what's up, you alright?" would've sufficed and made us a little more patient, but we never got that. Maybe he's not used to people ordering food at the bar, or maybe he's not used to such a busy night. But in my 10+ years of experience as a server/bartender, this guy was definitely not busy. Maybe if I would've given him a little more east-coast attitude I could've gotten better service. But I'm sure I could go all the way to China and not find a worse bartender than this clown. read more

Replace the typical LA douche-bag bartender and you got yourself a pretty cool dive. First time coming here Friday, and had a pretty good experience. The room is narrow, but roomy enough. There is a stage too for live music, although nothing going on that night. Also, full kitchen available (or you can just go to Canter's literally next door). My only gripe was the bartender. For a dude, he was pretty sassy. Not like funny sarcastic, but like spritz n spirit diva. Fucked up my change too pretty bad, which then got me another sassy comment when bringing it to attention. Easily the worst and irredeemable part of this other wise pretty cool find. Meh. 2*'s. read more

Um - why am I the first one to review this Los Angeles-area institution? Maybe it's because the Kibbitz Room is attached at the hip to Canter's Deli and is often overlooked. Anyhoo, as most of you know, the Kibbitz Room is a great place to watch young rockers get their groove on. Most of the bands are, uh, rough-around-the-edges, but their various hangers-ons, groupies and shills seem to have a hoot-'n'hollering good time while supporting them. Plus you can rub elbows with young foreigners (mostly from Europe) who are staying at Orbitz, that youth hostel around the corner on Fairfax. Of course, they've been warned about preying Los Angelenos, so you better be one charming pig to get YOUR groove on. Four stars. P.S. And if you get pissed drunk at the Kibbitz, you can stumble over to Canters for a mile high Reuben sandwich or over to Damiano's for a slice. read more

In all of the times I've eaten at Canter's and hung out at the Dime on the same street, I've never noticed Kibitz Room. Silly me! While on paper this place is super divey and borderline creepy, I have to say I loved it. It embraces its diveyness with relish and plays up its eccentricities. I visited for the first time to see a band that was playing there, and I immediately loved the older, grizzly bartenders with hearts of gold, the random old photos of celebs from the 80s on the wall, and the cheap beer and cocktails. I was surprised to find that the acoustics in the place weren't bad. While the bands play in just a random set aside part of the tiny space, the sound is pretty darn good! Way better than some fancier music venues I've been to in town. The crowd is mixed depending on the band,of course, but there are definitely the regulars that hang out by the bar as well as a few hipsters who seem to enjoy the novelty of patronizing this supremely divey spot. It's definitely a fun place and though I might think twice about suggesting it to those who lean toward the squeamish side, I appreciated its grimey goodness! read more

Yeah, so I still haven't actually eaten anything at Canters. Ally B wanted to get some pastries and we stopped by to get some. I mentioned I've only gone to the Kibitz Room. "What's the Kibitz Room?" Wha!? I sort of found it funny that while I have never eaten at Canters and she had been going for years, she never knew of their (in)famous bar. So we had to go and easily were the youngest people in the room (minus the one dude playing bass for the band). Where else can you go to watch old dudes in velvet capes talking loudly about their facebook pages and every guy has shoulder length (or longer) hair? Kibitz Room! I like how the older bartender insisted on seeing my ID and then remembered my name the rest of the night. In fact, that's how he established our tab (while taking cards from others). Drinks were on average $6.50 for well and $7 or $8 for call liquors. Yeah, I love this bar. read more

This dive is a surprising find, we wandered in here on a Saturday night to find a rocking live band made up of old timers. At least one of these dudes was about 70 years old. Wearing a black shirt with music symbols in silver glitter, he played some kick ass drums. The band of the night, Scott Columbo has their own drummer and the dude was a guest drummer for a few songs. We talked to him a bit and he said he's actually a lead singer with his own band, Artie Vegas which plays every other Sunday. For an old guy, he has a good ear and complete control of the drums. Damned good. Scott Columbo is a bluesy band with a harmonica player / singer. None of these old timers let up for a second. The peeps seem to be mostly the band's friends. This place is pretty divey, black vinyl booths, though way cool, no cover charge, either. 10-29-07 Update I ventured back here on a Friday and watched as a band was setting up. I was more than mildly traumatized from an extremely fugly looking band. Omg, one member had bald patches in his filthy, stringy hair that was hanging over his face, complete with a leer, baggy jeans and dirty flannel, plaid shirt as he strummed his guitar. What happen to decorum when in public, and even more so while on stage in a band?? Omg, I'll pretend I don't see him. Downgraded from four to three stars due to the inconsistency in booking talent that can jam and be presentable. Their saving grace, no cover charge. Also, my friend put some money in the juke box and one of the dudes just came over and unplugged it when the band got started. read more