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    The Dresden

    3.9 (1k reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

    The Dresden Photos

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    THE DRESDEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Live music
    Quiet
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Dresden

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    Faith T.

    The Dresden is thee spot for a nice dinner with live music. From the moment me and my friend walked in, everything was so quick and easy. I recommend making a reservation considering how packed it got right before the jazz musicians set up. Our server was amazing, attentive and I can't help to mention, gorgeous! The food is simple and tasty, not over the top but it was very well made. There's a dining area which is where you should sit if you plan on eating and enjoying a meal (it gets packed in the lounge area) The lounge area tends to get crowded quickly as everyone wants to be there for the live music and the bar. Amazing musicians on top of that, they allowed recommendations and beautifully played their instruments!

    Prime rib dinner
    Lee C.

    The best prime rib, the best atmosphere, and the best service in LA! Loved the Dresden room and wi definitely be back!

    Salmon
    Raquel K.

    The Dresden has the vibe and history, but the food has really slipped into mediocrity the last couple of times I've been. I usually order the salmon, but it's been consistently bland and forgettable. My husband's second attempt at the filet mignon came with a béarnaise sauce that was way too thick, lumpy, and gritty, with a strange chemical taste. It completely lacked the smooth, creamy consistency you'd expect from a proper béarnaise. The steak itself, however, was cooked perfectly medium rare and was excellent. His sides of potatoes and broccoli were just basic. The Caesar salad was another letdown -- very mild in flavor and in desperate need of more lemon and some anchovies to give it that tangy, umami kick that makes a Caesar shine. The escargot was just okay; two shells were completely empty, and the ones that did have something inside were tough to remove. Honestly, I've had better escargot on a cruise ship. Service is usually a highlight here, and our waiter was as nice and friendly as ever, but this time it was slow and dragged the evening out. My husband's martini was even forgotten and didn't arrive until after our food. That said, once the drinks came, they reminded me why people still love this place -- strong, classic cocktails that fit the iconic atmosphere perfectly. Bottom line: come for the cocktails and the old-school vibe, especially with the live jazz, and you'll have a good time. But if you're looking for a memorable meal, you'll probably leave disappointed.

    Garlic and peroni
    Martin C.

    The blonde hostess was very kind and sat me down even with a wait! I didn't even really want food so I went ahead and ordered garlic bread which was delicious. And peroni beer. Fantastic, and the ex prince with the jazz was cool I was here Saturday night that played till midnight. Good easy jazzy tunes nothing to crazy or more then fundamentals, but chill vibe. Lots of people at bar so expect that too but you can stand and have drink. Dining room isn't large but it's got a lot of tables.

    Calamari Fritti
    Aryo S.

    The Dresden is a Hollywood landmark located in Los Feliz and it has been operating for over 70 years, yes you read that right, it all started back in 1954! Recently I had the pleasure of experiencing a great night there for dinner and drinks and then more drinks in the lounge/bar area with some awesome live music. After entering the establishment and facing the small lobby/lounge area, you'll see separate sides to the place. On your right will be the dining area/restaurant side featuring red stained walls, white clothed tables and white leather booths, tall wooden pillars, and awesome light fixtures. On the left is the main lounge/bar area featuring a bar countertop and a bunch of tables where you can also grab a bite; the bar area features live music on Wednesday-Sunday evenings with mostly jazz music. The whole place has a great feel with dim lighting and a perfect classic retro type of feel. Currently the restaurant features a menu offering a mix of American, Italian and French type fare. There are different items/menus for the restaurant side and lounge/bar side. For the restaurant side starters include calamari fritti and escargot bourguinonne, they have soups and salads such as a French onion soup and caprese salad, and main items include items such as prime rib, chateaubriand, chicken piccatta, cacio e pepe and various pasta dishes. The lounge/bar side features soups and salads, various sharables such as mozzarella marinara and baked mac n' cheese, and finally various sandwiches including a angus burger - yes a burger is a sandwich. On the recent visit I had the following: Calamari Fritti - Crispy golden rings and tentacles served with house-made cocktail sauce. A little chewy for my liking but good. Escargot Bourguinonne - Oven baked and served over white wine garlic sauce with bread. Haven't had escargot in awhile and it was really good, loved the bread to dip in the juices. Chateaubriand - 20oz tenderloin, hand carved tableside served with mashed potatoes, parmesan-roasted half tomatoes, button mushrooms, and seasonal vegetables. This was a shared item since really it's too much and in fact it's presented as being for "the table". The meat was extraordinary and so tender that I was able to cut it with a fork. The mashed potatoes were fine and the vegetables were good as well. Vesper Martini - Gin, vodka, Lillet Blanc, lemon peel. Nicely made and delicious. Ordered several negroni's in the lounge/bar area and enjoyed! Service was great both in the restaurant and lounge/bar and on the particular night enjoyed some funk music. Prices are fair and comparable for the type of establishment and to the times. Parking includes metered street parking but also various valet around the back and in a alley. Can't wait for my next visit!

    Escargot
    Darian E.

    The Dresden is a quintessential LA landmark, featured in numerous films like Swingers and Anchorman. It is a mandatory visit for any LA native and a worth a small detour for anyone looking for a decent steakhouse with great vibes and history. Our group of three went on a Thursday evening. After drinks we started with the Escargot ($18) which were surprisingly dry and flavorless, paired with a garlic bread. Following we shared the Chateaubriand for the table ($125), which was a delectable cut of meat cooked to perfection and paired with mashed potatoes, broccoli, and other veggies. Finishing was the white-out cake ($9) which was fair but somewhat dry. The service was friendly but slow. Our waiter, who was kind, was terribly overworked covering too many tables, and our wait to take our orders and check was longer than expected for a steakhouse. The vibes are excellent. No doubt helped by the dim lighting, the historical, 50s era seating, plush tall furniture, and wooden scaffolding are striking and fitting for such a landmark. There is excellent utilization of vertical space. The space is cozy, perhaps a touch sleazy, but undoubtedly iconic. Perhaps the Dresden is feeling pressured by moderate reviews or a long list of competitors on its street creating challenges in modern times, but the prices are very good, or even inexpensive compared to what I would expect from a historical venue. A full dinner with drinks and dessert came to $65/person, a very reasonable final tally. The Dresden is a landmark worth a single visit to anyone in Los Feliz, or multiple visits for anyone who falls for the vibes and are looking for a well priced dinner in one of LA's hallowed halls of history. Food: 4/5 Service: 3.5/5 Ambiance: 4.5/5 Value: 4.5/5

    Dinner Menu
    Nick C.

    Parking is $8 if your eating at the Dresden but $9 if your going elsewhere and is Valet only. They will give you a ticket to pick up your car afterwards. This place is a nice step back in time. Loved the decor and the Ambiance. The food was good enough to enjoy and maybe warrants a return trip but nothing to die for except that carrot cake! Chefs kiss! It has outdoor seating with privacy walls lined with foax foliage and lights. Ambiance here is vintage elegance. Feel free to dress up if you'd like but the dress code is not strict. This place is small and has 2 separate experiences. The bar side w/ live band entertainment and the dinning side which is more romantic with the dim lighting and small booth seating. We were a party of 8 and it felt a little crammed. Our waiter was very attentive and spot on with the service and gave us plenty of time to peruse the menu. Ordered the Garden salad as a starter, Roasted Eggplant Fettucini, Eggplant Parmigiana, and a side of mashed potatoes. Everything is a pretty filling had to take some home. Good place for vibes.

    Back entrance
    Ale F.

    If you love Hollywood vintage this is the spot! The decor in every room is true vintage elegance. The bar area has booths and a piano with old rock walls and red leather couches . The dinner area has beautiful pillars and light fixtures with white leather booth seating. The calamari appetizer is one of the best in the city and the drinks are chilled to perfection. The food is delicious and I guarantee you will want to lick your plate (but don't do it) . The service is personable, professional and on top of our all of our requests and needs. It was an amazing family Christmas dinner ! Thank you so much Dresden and staff

    Efficient, unobstrusive waiters: Prime Rib, Veal Marsala

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    Page 1 of 26

    The Dresden Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Dresden

    Is it dressy?

    No, not dressy although at one time , long ago , it probably was.

    How much is the corkage fee?

    What kind of parking do they have? How much?

    2024 valet in the back is $8

    Can I make a reservation? It's a special occasion and need a nice table if possible

    Yes for sure

    Is the live music played in the lounge side? Is it hard to find seating in the lounge at around midnight on Saturday night?

    Yes, it is.

    Are reservations necessary?

    I've eaten here twice on Saturday nights and i didn't need a reservation

    Is there a cover charge to see bands there?

    BOOM! No cover. If you chose to sit at a booth, cocktail table or at the piano, do take heed... there is a two drink minimum. Also note that this doesn't pertain to those who… Read more

    What's the dress code?

    If you're dining, it would nice to be more dressed for the occasion, but not necessary. The bar area can be casual. But since this place is so old school classic - it's nice to have a reason to snazz it up a little. Always a winner in this mostly… Read more

    Must you be 21 to enter?

    The Dresden Restaurant has a dining side and a bar side. You do not have to be 21 to enter. If you order an alcoholic beverage they can ask for I.D.

    View All 14 Questions

    Review Highlights - The Dresden

    Great drinks and great food also Marty and Elaine performing in the lounge make it a great place to hang out.

    Mentioned in 312 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Bar Stella

    4.0(30 reviews)
    1.0 miSilver Lake

    We went to Bar Stella with Michael K. and his brother David K. a couple weeks ago, to catch up and…read morelisten to jazz. David is a jazz enthusiast, and spends a lot of time going to bars and shows around greater Los Angeles. He wanted to see his friend Adam Ledbetter, who plays piano at the bar on Monday nights, and we tagged along. We'd been to Cafe Stella once, many years ago, but this was our first time inside Bar Stella. The space was nice, an attractive lounge with comfortable seating and a relaxed European vibe. We did have to wait a few minutes for seats to open up on a Monday, so I wouldn't be surprised if it were a little less chill on a weekend night. Bar service was fast and friendly, and we had a few rounds of cocktails. I don't remember everything we drank, but I liked the C. Arthur, made with Artist Blend Scotch, lemon, honey, cold press ginger, and Angostura bitters. El Viento was good too, if slightly watery and sour, with Tequila Ocho Reposado, yuzu, grapefruit agave, and Thai spice bitters. The piano was lovely. Adam is an incredibly talented musician, and it was a pleasure listening to him play. I appreciated his music even when we were talking, and would love to go back to hear it again on another Monday night.

    They advertise closing at 2 AM, but around 12:30 AM they already start pushing people out. Staff…read morewere loudly yelling "bar is closed," and by about 1:15 AM security was going around telling everyone to leave. At one point, a security guard even grabbed my cup while I was literally in the middle of taking a sip, saying "ladies, we're done." It felt really unprofessional and unprovoked. If I just bought a drink 15 minutes earlier, why are you touching it and rushing me out? And if you're going to start clearing people out that early, why continue selling drinks until 1 AM?

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    La Descarga - Photo/Lighting: Bruno O'Hara

    La Descarga

    3.8(1.2k reviews)
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    This is a cuban bar that has bomb live music and shows which takes place in the upper part, thats…read morefor the main room. If you get tired of it you can go to the next room which and a DJ will be playing modern/pop music, if you don't vibe with it go to the next room which is the cigar lounge and chill. It is really fun and i often go there with my husband. Don't let these negative reviews hold you back! Yes, don't get a table because you are going to be dancing! And maybe watch where you are going since its pretty dark inside. Use your brain lol You should definitely go. I highly recommend.

    DO NOT GET TABLE SERVICE - La Descarga…read more I went to La Descarga for my birthday and the experience was a complete disaster. My card was charged THREE TIMES for table service. On top of that, there was ZERO security in the section where we paid for a table. While we were on the dance floor, random people sat at our table and drank the bottle we paid for. When we came back, the bottle was nearly gone. Absolutely unacceptable. What are you paying for if anyone can walk up, sit down, and finish your bottle? To make matters worse, I have called five times about the triple charge on my card and no one has followed up in over three weeks. No accountability, no customer service, no urgency. This ruined my birthday and left me both angry and frustrated. If you value your money, your time, or your celebration, DO NOT purchase table service here. The lack of security, billing issues, and complete disregard for customers is unreal.

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    Bar Henry - Inside - bar area - great selection of whiskey

    Bar Henry

    4.4(162 reviews)
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    Bar Henry is amazing! They have such a great selection of non alcoholic drinks and they are…read morefantastic. They rotate their menu, this place is definitely worth a try. It had a nice intimate vibe inside without being pretentious. Definitely recommend!

    Local bar not far from where I live. Hadn't been here yet, not sure why, so was out and about and…read moredecided to pop in on the weekend. Indoor and outdoor seating available, Bar Henry is a cool little for in Echo Park serving up tasty cocktails in a friendly, local feeling environment. We tried a few cocktails when we visited. The Butthole Surfer is their version of a pina colada which, while decent, could have been a little more flavor forward. Feel it is premade in batches as I didn't see it made fresh but was brought getting the back, but still decent. The Lucid Dream had the smokiness from the mezcal posted with the mandarin, but then the rosemary comes in and helps add a little balance to the drink. The Swimsuit Edition was more flavor forward, but the passion fruit didn't necessarily pop in the drink for us. And finally was the Snitches Get Stitches, another mezcal drink with mango and horchats. Interesting was my first thought, then you start getting the nuances of the different interested and it's a respectable cocktail. Overall, good drinks, friendly people, chill atmosphere, and a nice addition to the bar scene in Echo Park

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    Cha Cha Lounge - Bar

    Cha Cha Lounge

    3.7(773 reviews)
    1.8 miSilver Lake
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    Came here on a Friday around 8pm. There's about 6 parking spots in the back. We were able to park…read morethere. The first thing I noticed inside was the red lighting. It set the tone of low-key and chill. The music was more background noise which I liked. There's also a good amount of seating. We ordered the first round of drinks. Our bartender was nice. He didn't talk much. We sat at a round booth. We were able to talk without having to yell. This lounge is a place you can sit unwind, talk, and have a beer. There's a lot of decorations to look. The people that we saw that night were also chill. Nobody was overly loud. A good variety of people too; Straight, gay, black, Hispanic, white. I felt comfortable. We had a second round before we called it a night. Great place.

    Honesly.. fun bar but they do not care about their third party photo booth stealing your money so…read morethat's why they get one star. Their "third party" photo booth charges you 6$ and doesn't even print out your photos. I let the bartenders know and they said they couldn't help me because it's a "third party" photo booth. So in essence i was stolen 6$ with no photos printed and they couldn't help me . They didn't even bother to credit me for it towards a drink or something. Either they get that taken care of or get ready for a lawsuit soon. Thanks for the help cha cha lounge.

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    Cha Cha Lounge Photo Booth

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    Cha Cha Lounge - A really red interior...

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    A really red interior...

    The Dresden - lounges - Updated May 2026

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