This place! Unassuming, great jazz, atmosphere and vibe right there in the shadow of LAX and so close to the So. Bay community, no excuse if you're not checking out this unique space, esp if you're a lover of jazz. read more

Jazz club/bar by LAX with live music. Came here on a Tuesday around 9pm and they were already playing music, but the bouncer let us in and we paid a $15 cover charge per person (we didn't have tickets beforehand). There's a small parking lot that's shared with other businesses. Credit cards accepted. It's super close to the airport but the crowd seemed to be quite local (and eclectic). They do have food, but we just got some gin and tonics to enjoy the show and hung out afterwards. read more

Amazing place, a must visit place definitely. What's your collection of dark liquor?I had a drink of dark liquor and really enjoyed it but I forgot the name of the bottle. read more

Cool, chill place for a date night or to just relax & listen to some Jazz. Small venue, $15 cover the Sunday I went. No talking during the playing, It was different but was great to be able to really enjoy the music. So put your cell phone away and be present. Take your phone out only to discreetly take a couple of photos or videos to reminisce later (or for your yelp review) Bartenders was as attentive as he could be as there was no waitress and it was only him. So sit back and enjoy the music until he gets to you. Seating was good if you arrived early, otherwise you may be stuck in the corner until something opens up. Gender neutral restrooms. Parking lot does have spaces for this business & if you don't find one, drive around the block for street parking which is t metered late.. which is a plus. read more

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Grrreat music and awesome bartender/bar staff!! Highly recommend! Can't wait to return! Also listened to their live streaming (again reasonably priced) because I had to work and such great music! They are reasonably priced all around and I definitely will be back! Went here for a much needed date night and my boyfriend also enjoyed the music and ambiance! Met some cool, friendly people and had a nice conversation in between sets. There's also a nice, cozy outdoor spot for a meet and greet. I had the best old fashioned and if I wasn't such a light weight I would drink a lot of their other cocktails! The venue is cozy, intimate with just the right amount of people present to comfortably enjoy the music. It's not overly packed with people and it's not too loud. Parking is slim pickings but because the cocktails are most delicious, a cab/ride service may be best. read more

I went to this place with a friend to view their late night jazz session. Walking in you can see a variety of seating options. Had to grab a couple drinks and I appreciated the options and that the bartender was skillful. Got a couple of old fashions and I was definitely feeling good. My friend and I shared a charcuterie board and it slapped hard! Pairing that with the beautiful crew of performers and we had a good night. The only sad thing was the night went by too quickly :(. Even if you're not a jazz fan, check this place out the next time you pass by LAX! read more

Great jazz bar near LAX! I wanted to drop by Sam First before my red-eye back to NYC and I'm so glad that I did. First off, it's a very comfy venue. You can sit at the bar, a table, a plush couch, or a lounge chair, your pick! More importantly, I have been loving Sam First's bookings as of recently. They have a great diverse mix of acts ranging from traditional jazz to more adventurous electronic jazz. Sam First is definitely a top place to check out some of the most exciting jazz musicians in LA in a nice atmosphere (no talking too thankfully) and great drinks. Also, as noted on their website, they really are just ~10 minute walk to/from LAX (the sidewalks are good and there are plenty of signs around LAX so that you can find your terminal easily) and there was plenty of space to keep my luggage with me during the show. And finally, thanks to Mark and Peter on staff for making my first visit definitely not my last! read more

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Great and talented musicians of all ages! I paid to get in, but felt it was totally worth it. Might be a great date night for an intimate one on one setting. read more

Great ambiance and music! I will definitely go again. My only suggestion is to go to the 7pm show than the 9pm so you can enjoy the experience more with rush! read more

Had the best time. Fantastic jazz and great drinks. Was able to buy tickets at the door, but would recommend purchasing before.

Great intimate venue. Very close to LAX. The staff was very nice and the seating is clean and comfortable. It's like watching jazz musicians in a nice living room. read more

Sam First Bar - Gluten Free option - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Service was awesome and bartender really helpful. Nice atmosphere and great place to listen to jazz. Fair warning though , talking is not allowed in the restaurant. Your best bet is to seat outside and you can still enjoy the music and talk. A different band every night, but the Brazilian jazz band is one you don't want to miss. Their is a twenty dollar cover charge per person, but I think it's worth it, if you're really into jazz. read more

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Hidden gem! I can only rave about how great this place is. I will be back for sure! Tips: 1. Arrive early to secure parking. 2. Do NOT talk during the music sets. 3. DO order an Old Fashioned. 4. Eat before you come as the menu is great for drinks and bar treats, there are no full meal options. Such an intimate venue, great for dates or close friends. We were fortunate to visit when the Sam Barsh Trio performed and what a treat it was! read more

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My new favorite spot in LA! I honestly love everything about this spot - a fantastic spot to enjoy live jazz, great decor, and great drinks thanks to Mark the Bartender. We were greeted as soon as we arrived, and my husband thoroughly enjoyed the Sam's Old Fashioned (repeatedly!), and I was thrilled to see that they offered my favorite Pinot Noir (Hitching Post Winery). While the drinks are great, people come here for the jazz. Two sets of music, and the diverse clientele is there to enjoy the music in this intimate venue. No talking with your friend while the musicians are doing their thing - go somewhere else if you can't be quiet! The bar also has some really interesting decor, and my favorite design element is the fun house mirror above the bathroom sink. Cannot wait to return - this will definitely become one of my regular hot spots! read more

Sam First Bar - Nice large pour of Pinot. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Anazing. Jacob Mann is legit. Good jazz and good cocktails. Never been and it was amazing.

The ambiance was great the music was great. I recommend this place for a first date to set the tempo.

I don't know if I can add any superlatives that haven't already been submitted here. This is a simply wonderful jazz club that happens to be a few blocks from LAX. So if you're in town for a while, perhaps staying at an airport hotel, all of your evening entertainment needs are met! They have nationally known acts on a regular basis, with generally a nominal cover charge (maybe $10 or $15). The bar is very well stocked and the bar staff are pros. When I was there, I had wonderful charcuterie that was more than enough to serve as my dinner there ($23 or so). If you're a jazz fan, or think you might someday be a jazz fan, or if you just want to soak up some cool jazz ambiance, look no further. Locals, get your butts down here and support this place! I've seen some mention that this is a "dive" bar. Not according to this dive-bar lover! It's actually a nicely appointed, well-furnished club atmosphere. So have no apprehension, it would make a good first date venue, etc. read more

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Free Parking on the side. Mark made the Long Island with love . The Tom Collins was 5 stars alone . And Mark got creative with a drink that was just amazing. I hope it gets out placed the menu soon. I need to fly out more often so I can stop by Sams First. read more

Sam First Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I love this place. One of the best kept secrets. Cool room. Great place to see live music. A hidden gem of a jazz bar!

If you are a Jazz aficionado or just lover of the music, this place needs be your go to place as often as possible. Great music plus great cocktails. read more

This will be the last time I go to Sam First. I'm sure that doesn't matter, but I'm going to post anyway. Last night on 01/18/23, my friend and I were basically kicked out for no reason. We were not being disruptive and antagonistic in any way. We drove for hours to come and see one of our favorite groups. We arrived for the first set and had a total of 3 drinks. After the set, my friend said the bartender whispered in his ear to "sober up" and would not serve him anymore. I saw him leaving and went outside to see what was going on. The bartender then served me my check outside and threatened to call the police. So insulting! read more

Perfect! A cool chic bar which attracts mind-boggling talent. As Joe Labarbera himself said (I'm paraphrasing): "Sam first bar: everyone's favorite place to see jazz, and every jazz musician's favorite place to play it." Long may this bar live. read more

To be honest, no one hangs out by lax unless you are picking someone up from lax or staying @ hotel row, so i was pleasantly supposed to find this hidden gem while my cousins & I needed to kill time before their flight. Sam first bar is a modern speaker easy jazz bar, without the gimmick. The decor is quite chic, modern, relaxing, colorful with interesting furniture and the best gallery wall of photos. The bar attender - Mike made our drinks and @ first I expected a quick pour here and there is liquor & ice, but Mike elevated the experience ... I mean, these drinks were crafted & delicious. The is a great place to hang out after a good dinner, since they serve just drinks and snacks. The jazz band for the evening was rehearing before their session, so we had the pleasure of enjoying their rehearsal time. I've found my spot by lax to chill and take my guests . I would no longer be so reluctant to pick up guests from the ve lax. read more

Sam First Bar - Cousins... last cheers before their flight! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Super cool place. Wayyy too out of the way unfortunately. Would be cool to stop by before a flight at lax. Being next to the airport was not a concern or problem for us. We got lucky with street parking & could honestly hear cars on the outside street better than any planes above. Forgot we were so close to the airport! Sucks that it's 45 mins drive from me :( read more

If you are staying in hotel row at LAX, Don't even spend a single dollar at a hotel bar. They suck and over priced. Sam's offers a relaxed hang with local jazz and excellent cocktails. I'll call it now, you can find me here most Tuesday's or Wednesday's. Cheers! read more

Sam First Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Service horrible! Horrible uncomfortable seats! Will not go there again. I wouldn't recommend this place! Small cramped first time and last time.. smh read more

This is a fantastic jazz bar in the hotel district near LAX! They open at 4:00PM daily! This is a great spot for a drink if you are staying at a hotel that does not have a bar. I went twice during my stay in Los Angeles. One day right when they opened and another late evening. Very nice craft cocktail menu. I tried a couple of different drinks during my two visits, but the Aperol Spritz was my favorite. They also have a little snack menu. The cheese board is quite good. During my late evening visit, there was live music which was very enjoyable. It is not a huge place but quite comfortable with several little seating areas for intimate conversation. There is plenty of seating at the bar. They also have a nice patio if you care to sit outside. I will certainly return to Sam First when I am staying in the area. read more

Trendy, current, intimate, loungy, relaxing, are just a few characteristics of Sam First Bar. And it's conveniently located right next to LAX next to the H Hotel. The staff is beyond friendly and attentive, which I really appreciate. We came on a special jazz night to see Jane Monheit perform, which was cool. It was my first jazz show and I'd say I really dig it; will probably do more of these. Would be great if the shows could be at Sam First. I had some good wines, but I will suggest that they add more varieties of reds to the list, preferably pinots from the Russian River, please, and thank you. Oh, and parking sucks, like really sucks, so good luck. But, it's a great new bar, so check it out. read more

I travel A LOT for my job, so trust me on this one. The area around LAX generally a wasteland of mediocre hotel bars. Sam First is a cool laid back modern lounge with excellent cocktails and a very nice beer selection. You can get some snacks (nibbles) here too. The live music is a wonderful addition to my Manhattan. The prices are about the same as the hotel bars but there is so much more here, better atmosphere, booze, and bartenders. read more

Sam First Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

If you are looking for a bar where you can get an average mixed drink that you could order absolutely anywhere then don't go here. If, however, you want a handcrafted artisan beverage with natural and house-crafted mixers for a good price then head down to Sam First! I was in LA for a conference next door to Sam First and stopped in for what I thought would be an average glass of wine. I ended up with a delicious mixed drink using a rum base with a house-made grapefruit mixer. (The Olives are to die for too!) The atmosphere is relaxing and the bartender and barback were wonderful! I would highly recommend! read more

Sam First Bar - From the patio (edited on Snapchat but it still looks this cool, I promise!) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I enjoyed attending this venue until tonight. After Jacques and his band performed, I came up to Marvin Smith to introduce myself because he performs with one of my bassist friends. I called him by his first name and he started bad mouthing me in front of everyone because I didn't address him as Mr Smith. It completely ruined the vibe and my overall experience. I don't recommend watching any shows that include him. read more

True jazz lovers will definitely appreciate this club. Attentive bar service. Cozy atmosphere. Excellent musicians.

Great little spot next to the airport. If you are in a hotel near there it's worth the walk. Jazzy music playing in a retro time when the cocktail reigned supreme. Decent wine selection. Wine was more than some cocktails (duh. Cocktail bar). The spirits lists was decent. Lots of good bourbon selections. I had an old fashioned that was presented well with a large block cube and 2 peels. I'd go back when I'm in the area. When you are looking for a quite place to relax - this is the place. read more

Sam First Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Westchester needs this! LAX airport hotels need this! PRO: Great ambiance, drinks, and acoustics. Free parking in the evenings Well-made cocktails (and custom cocktail by request) Has food to pick-on while drinking Live jazz vocal performances (need more of that) CONS: Single restroom (but I didn't use it so I can't comment whether it was clean or not). A hidden gem (for now). I ordered a "Lime in a Coconut" drink and the bartender made one for me even if it was not in the menu. Turned out good! Visited for the first time to check it out and Kathleen Grace was their live performer. After just having seen Diane Krall at Hollywood Bowl, I thought this was an even better experience at only $15, nearby, plus with drinks and Hors d'oeuvre to snack on in a rainy LA winter evening. I hope they book more jazz / ballad live performers. This is great treat for the hotel guests staying at LAX Marriott Courtyard and Hilton Homeward. read more

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As a musician, I've made a pact with myself not to yelp jazz clubs (don't shit where you eat, so to speak). But, also as a musician, there's never been a place that has inspired the need for such a positive review all around. Everything about Sam First is curated to a T. The mid century decor, the photos on the walls, even the rum selection is good. Moreover, the music is world class. And when I say world class I mean you could as easily hear these same groups playing at the North Sea or Montreux Jazz Festivals. Because when they're not on the road they're here. Best part is that the place is a listening room. So where you'll hear the same highest caliber music as you'd hear in a downtown NYC club, here, everyone has come to listen. It's got the best sound in town, and I've never heard a group that left me luke warm. So great to have a stellar listening room on the Westside again. Finally! Cheers to the owner and the booking person. Cover is usually $20 Thursday - Sunday. Seriously, where else are you gonna hear George freaking Garzone with a Peter Erskine for under $50?! read more

A very small intimate club across from LAX. Excellent sounding room. They tell the audience to be quiet before the performance. The staff was friendly, speaking with the bouncer afterward, I commented how I liked how they tell the audience to be quiet, he said. I do not tell them to be quiet twice, they are removed. Yeah!!! What a novel concept, going out to see and hear music and actually doing so and not chit chatting about crap during the performance. I will be back. read more

Not worth it. Rude people and endless waiting for an order. These people live on another planet thinking they are the only bar in lax vicinity. Good luck! read more

Stumbled upon this place when staying near LAX. One of the best hidden secrets in the city. Solid atmospheres, cocktails, and music. Didn't try the snacks but they looked good. Nice to see a place stand out from the usual scenes in LA. read more

I was the only person in the bar and the bartender wanted to know if I wanted to cash out or start a tab as he handed me my drink. I was sitting at the bar and there were 6 total seats at the bar so it seemed a little rude, like he was assuming I would bail on paying for my drink. I guess this is how L.A. is and I'm just not used to that in a spot that holds less than 50 people. There was also no attempt to make any kind of small talk. Not even a "How's your day been?" or a genuine smile. He seemed like he didn't want to serve me because I interrupted something he was doing upon arrival. My vodka martini was well mixed, though and I appreciated the real, quality olive in it. Drink alone was a 4.5 Star drink. read more

Sam First Bar - Vodka Martini, slightly dirty. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I am genuinely jealous this place isn't near me. Had a flight out of LAX cancelled and needed to find a place to relax and stumbled upon Sam First. Jazz? Cocktails? Accoutrements? I was in. Mark the bartender made me one of the best martinis I've ever had, served me a charcuterie plate the size of Texas, and was beyond kind and generous. I'd live here every day if given the option. read more

Sam First Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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