The paramount is a small venue that has an attached ny pizza spot that's very tasty. It's great…read morethat it has a free parking lot for their patrons The only issue w the parking lot is that it's a few blocks away and there isn't any signage to tell you where to park. But once you find it, it's large, gated, and has a couple attendants watching the cars. You go upstairs and it opens up into a decent sized space. Large enough to hold people and dance, and small enough that you can see the band from every point in the bar. It has a long bar when you enter and looks like they'll take care of you for the night. At the far end of the venue is a little space. I'm not sure if they use that as their green room cuz it wasn't inviting you to come in. Overall, I think it's a decent venue. Not sure if the sound was an issue w the bands' equipment or The Paramount. I'd go back if a fave band of mine is playing.

Recently visited to see Rubio in concert. The parking lot is free, clearly marked once you are on…read moreFickett St. Once parked, you walk about a block or so to the venue, takes about 6 minutes or so. I don't recall seeing an elevator so call before hand if you're in a wheel chair or are on crutches, because you have to go up a flight of stairs to get into the venue. Inside, it's cute and definitely looks like an old dance hall from the 1900's. I'd say this was a medium sized venue. The stage wasn't terribly high off the ground. There's a big, beautiful, bar and a disco ball and it has a lot of charm since it's an older venue. Seeing a show here feels less stressful than seeing one in downtown or Hollywood. It's not my favorite venue but it's definitely a good time and more intimate than the downtown venues and free parking is always a plus.

The memorial for Jennifer Perry was amazing. Thank you Troubadour for hosting such an important…read moreevent. I felt good to go down memory lane!

Fun evening watching Jonah Kagen at this well established spot. It's one of these history ridden…read moreplaces with everyone and anyone who's performed to become someone or at least tried. The walls can talk for sure. It's small and intimate which is a perfect setting. parking can be a tad frustrating but it's doable. full bar on sight with nibbles and plenty of restaurants all around.

Strong drinks, dim lights, and the best new artists!…read more Its been almost 20 years since I first went to a Hotel Cafe, before they had the second stage (which is a great room), when they still had a parking structure in back. It was all a foreign concept to me. Booking three or four or five acts in one night, charging you admission only once based on which act you came in for and most of the time if you came to the first you could stay through the 5th, or as most did, they came to see who they intended to see and maybe saw some of the act that was after and then went out to Hollywood to get some eats with their friends. Hotel Cafe is going away in 2026, but it is not gone, they will just be moving from their iconic Hollywood location, that small room that barely held 150, a small stage in the corner, a few low tables and a bar in the back to a new location in Los Angeles. It is the place where the singer-songwriter movement of the mid-2000s to the mid-2010s hard launched a revival. It's like what the Troubadour was to the Laurel Canyon singers in the 1970s. Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Greg Laswell, Priscilla Ahn, Meiko, Cary Brothers and many others. Adele even played here before her first album released in the US. I saw Sara Bareilles here once and she left everyone in tears after her song and bolted out the back door. I went to the front of the house and her family were blowing out the last of the signed copies her tour posters for only $10 since it was the last show of her tour. I bought a few. I have come here to see a friend like Big Phony sing, and then exit into the back room/lobby and see Hollywood stars entering to see their friend who would be singing next. It's that kind of local spot. The sound was always great and the drinks were well crafted and strong. I recently saw Priscilla Ahn sing here again and it brought back memories of the first time I saw her here, when she only had a 5 track EP CD. When she sang Dream again this year, it felt like everything had come full circle, since that first CD released 20 years ago. I cannot wait to see what the new building looks like, but a huge part of me, like for everyone else that has been here, will miss that little room in the back of the alley, where young dreamers became singers, where singers became stars.

We got to go to the SoCal Sound's Women Crush Wednesday concert to benefit the best radio station…read morein the LA area. The tickets were very reasonably at only $36 per person. Glad we got there when they opened so we could snag seats. There were only about 25 seats with standing room behind. There is a bar. It was very dark inside. And the guitars were mixed TOO LOUD! But the concert was fabulous and ran for 3 hours.

Another fun night...a lively crowd with Western Standard Time Ska!…read more If you haven't been here for a show, look at their calendar. I wasn't looking forward to this because I was exhausted,, but hubby bought tickets and it was a great and lively evening listening to Western Standard Time Ska. Their front act was a great start. My apologies to them - I don't recall their name, but will revise this post when I find out. I love the water jug and cups readily available. Go, go, go!

For my 1st review of 2026, I choose the legendary venue The Lodge Room because it has hosted…read moreeverything from kick ass concerts, to wrestling, and comedy shows that featured everyone from DEFY Wrestling to POPPY and Dave Chappelle through the years of its continuing lifespan. Now, this area is pretty cool all around because they have random stores, bars, grocery stores and restaurants nearby. Parking can be a bitch, but that's life telling you to get to your event a little early. After 9pm, I believe it's FREE. When I saw POPPY perform here years ago right after COVID, it was my first concert here and this place is dope because you're literally so damn close to the artist(s) you watch because the stage isn't too high. The acoustics, bass and all around sound here is NICE for a small, intimate venue. ALL of the workers I've met/interacted with were all so damn nice and helpful as much as they can. This place also has a nice restaurant inside from what I've seen and NEED to check out in the future. I was blessed to even hang out at their Green Room for a gig and it's just so damn cool to know that Dave Chappelle and others have been inside the same room before and after shows!

Best venue for all things DIY and a great spot to express yourself been going here more frequently…read morethan ever for local shows and have had one hell of an experience would recommended anyone looking forward to having a actual genuine show memory to come here amazing spot and people at the front are chill

STEPH JUDGEMENT: An LA institution for all-ages art/performance…read more I have very mixed feelings about this place. On the one hand, great that they've been able to provide an affordable performance venue in DTLA, especially for the younger crowd, for 25+ years running--massive props for that. On the other hand, there's a reason why it's affordable and why it's called The Smell, lol. The entrance is in a very dodgy-looking alley with a perpetually smelly dumpster. The venue itself is quite large, but the sound isn't great and concessions consist of candy and soda (no bar). I saw "coffee" on the menu so I thought I'd get a cup of that but on the night I was there bo one seemed to know how to make any so I just settled for a la croix and skittles. My friends and I were there to catch a particular band, and it was great to see them in a small venue like that, but I'd never go there to just hang out.

I had the most fun last night!! This venue has a big open space where you can see people play ping…read morepong and pool and nights past 9PM amazing bands and artists come to play jazz!! The drinks are tastefully mix and you feel right at home. I was expecting my pretzel bites to be stale as most bars with food aren't that great but they were soft and salted. They consistently check your tables to check on you and remove finished drinks and empty dishes. PARKING was soooo easy to find. Right beside it there's a parking garage and the charge was $10 for a Friday night. I love this place and I can't wait to go again

I came here with a friend around 11:30pm on a Saturday night. We came looking to play billiards,…read moreand boy did we have fun!! We got on the waitlist for billiards and were able to start playing immediately. It was $20 for one hour and we played for two hours. The drinks were wonderful, my friend and I shared a purple ube cocktail and a fresh lemony gin cocktail. I can't remember what they were called but they were so tasty that we ordered a second round. The live music also made everything so special. The performers were absolutely incredible. It was a little bit crowded in there, which would be fine if people didn't keep crowding standing around where they shouldn't be. Last call for drinks was 1:30am, and I think last call for food was 12:30am. At 1:30 we were told to move away from the games area and go upstairs. Everythung was great until I heard a bartender say that me and my friend were overstaying our welcome ... it was barely 1:45 and we were finishing our drinks. That was rude... After that we were told we still had 5mins. I guess we'll leave early next time. It was just rude to see bartenders point at us and loudly say we weren't welcome ...

Everyone who knows me know that I am a huge music fan and enjoy all genres: If a song, lyric,…read moreperformer or arrangement resonates with me, it doesn't matter who the messenger is. With that being said, I was lucky enough to see one of my favorite rappers, Lupe Fiasco at the Wiltern on Saturday night for the 20th year anniversary of Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor, his debut, highly acclaimed album. Lupe Fiasco is a smart, incredible writer - his music is filled with social critiques, observations of systematic struggles - the intricate rhyme schemes and detailed storytelling is what draws me to his music. I sat in the first row of the Mezzanine and had a great view of the stage. Because the theater holds maybe 2,000 people, there's not a bad seat in the house. When I bought my ticket, I was asked if I wanted to include parking as part of the purchase and I was going to until I saw the price was $70 dollars - what?! For parking? I decided against it, did my research and took the D line, got off at the Wilshire/Western stop and crossed the street to the Wiltern. Best part was I paid $1.75 total to get there (parking was free at the station). Not only was it was inexpensive, it was so convenient and I didn't have to deal with traffic or parking. I didn't have any issues getting in, staff and security were friendly and efficient. It was a good crowd, a good mix of ages, some people took their young children, good male/female ratio, everyone behaved and I enjoyed seeing the super fans singing along - I sang my lungs out to Hurt Me Soul, Sunshine and He Say She Say. The show concluded with Touch the Sky and the crowd went crazy. Leaving the Wiltern was quick and easy. While I was standing on the corner waiting to cross the street to the train, someone pulled at my shirt, and it was the Best Kid in the World (aka Nephew No. 1). He was shocked to see me there, that I went by myself on the train and had no idea I was a big Lupe fan. We took a selfie under the marquee, I crossed the street, disappeared under the street back to train platform and headed home. There were so many other concert goers on the train headed to the Westside that I felt safe taking the train and making the transfer to the E line at 7th Street stop to my stop (La Cienega /Jefferson). My ONLY complaint of the night was the sound. At first, I thought it was me because I could barely understand what he was saying, but the crowd start yelling for him to turn up the mic. Lupe stopped the show, conferred with his sound people and reperformed two songs. The Wiltern opened in 1931 and is a great, intimate venue to see a live performance. The architecture at this iconic theater has been preserved and I love the unique art deco ceilings/lighting fixtures and the tiled water fountains. I don't like that the seats were pulled from the main floor during the remodel and its first come, first serve, standing room only. I can't do that - grandma needs a seat. Now that I know how easy it is to get to the Wiltern on the D line, I'll be checking the Wiltern schedule more regularly.

The Wiltern is a beautiful, nostalgic old Hollywood feel venue. We've been there for a few…read moreconcerts, recently for the Calum Scott tour. It's an intimate venue that has multiple bars upstairs outside and inside the general admission area and downstairs. This makes it convenient so you're not having to wait in line too long or miss parts of the concert. We were in the general admissions, standing area. No matter where you are standing/seated, acoustics is good. Parking was easy, close and prices reasonable ($20) compared to today's going rates.

I came here recently for the Junny concert that my friend wanted to attend! I love that the venue…read moreis intimate where it feels like a private party with the performer. Didn't get any drinks, but the ID check to get the 21+ drink wristband was efficient and quick since it was done outside the venue while we were waiting for security check. Venue was strict on the GA standing area, which I'm super grateful for since I'm always worried for the safety of GA type of events. Parking is usually the biggest issue when it comes to most things in Los Angeles. We didn't come early, so we weren't able to find decent street parking. We went to two of the listed parking lot on their website: one was closed and the one other didn't allow 30+ minutes parking. We ended up parking at the structure connected with multiple restaurants: Chipotle, Einstein Bros. The parking was straight forward for the most part. Scan QR code and follow the directions. It was reasonably priced as well, you just have to remember to end the parking time so you won't overcharged.

El Rey Theater was a total bust! Came to see Protoje a…read morereggae artist. I had high hopes for this venue as im usually into smaller more intimate places. Concert was supposed to start at 9 with entrance entry being at 8pm. Long wait time for security to check everyone. This was the most intense security check ever. Like going through the TSA lol. They had so many rules. One being no gum. I was like seriously so not cool as I had a bunch of packs in my purse. Just had hubby take my purse back to car as I didn't want to throw away anything. Also hated that they had no smoking area for ganja as other venues do when hosting reggae gigs. We finally make it in the venue. Decided to grab a few brews. For 2 tall modelo cans 18 bucks a pop. That's the most expensive beer I've ever paid for from a can. So 40.41 for 2 beers. Absolute freaking hwy robbery. Didn't go back as at that price I could buy a 24 pack at the store lol. Plus the dude working wasn't friendly at all. On to the inside of the venue. Concert was supposed to start at 9pm. They did have a DJ but he really didn't hype us up before the main event. Didn't like the setup not inviting at all. Small dance floor & it got way too cramped. Unfortunately the show didn't end up starting until 9:35 & was done around 11.20. Love Protoje and all the music was awesome but this was one of the worst concerts. Felt very ripped off. Most definitely won't be returning or recommending. Hard pass!

Telepathic Birds played here and I transported from this earthly dimension. The whole night felt…read moredreamy, magical, and like I accidentally wandered into a David Lynch film. The venue is dark, cozy, and somehow full of the friendliest and most suspiciously attractive people I've ever seen gathered in one room. My only complaint: the bathroom starts to flood with toilet water (hopefully nothing worse) towards the end of the night.

My Band played a show at the Viper Room on Friday Dec 5 and as always the staff was so…read moreaccommodating. From Rita at the door, to the Sound man and the gentleman running security. It's always a pleasure work at this Iconic Club. If you're in the Hollywood area I highly recommend checking out the Viper Room for Great cocktails and amazing Bands!

I don't know much about LA and I was somewhat worried if The Echo would be located in a good part…read moreof town. To my pleasant surprise, The Echo was located in an area that felt like a small town. It was bustling with concert goers who seem to be conscious of everyone's happiness and safety. The feeling of community was strong. The venue was small but comfortable. The staff were helpful. Venue doesn't have a full bar so don't expect to order specialty cocktails. Paid $500+ for this particular concert.

Decent venue for live music in an intimate setting. Service was ok but limited drink options if you…read moredon't drink alcohol or soda. A cup of Coke with a ton of ice was almost $15 with tip but I guess that's normal at these kinds of venues now.. Didn't have issues with metered parking outside but it was a weekday night.