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    Row P
    Brian T.

    Sometimes, I forget how much entertainment is available in LA, from theaters to museums to outdoor excursions and more. I had previously seen advertisements for The Ford LA through various outlets, but I am frequently reminded of my introversion and often avoid driving through LA traffic. However, my wife wanted to check out the The Natural World of Studio Ghibli, and what a night it was! We have seen nearly all of Miyazaki's creations, but this was our first time watching "Howl's Moving Castle" in an outdoor theater. It was lovely! Fresh air, a few butterflies flying across the projector, stars in the night sky, and the iconic backdrop were some highlights to mention. The Ford is as fun as advertised, and I've already begun recommending it to my friends. This place has history, and you can feel it! Additionally, there isn't a bad seat in the house! We sat in Row P, and when I arrived, I took it all in. There's certainly a bit of magic here. The only negative is the parking. It's stacked parking, so you may end up waiting on other visitors to get to their cars before you can even think about moving. Otherwise, we already have plans to return to The Ford Theater!

    EXPIRED RANCH DRESSING SOLD TO CUSTOMERS AT FORD THEATER FOOD COURT
    Kenya J.

    I've attended the FlyPoet event for several years now with my sister at The Ford Theater. She bought chicken strips and fries from the food court area. She paid extra for ranch dressing. When she got to her seat, she noticed ranch dressing had expired. I offered to take it back & get her refund. I asked for the manager. The staff asked why & was there a problem. I said yes, food quality. They asked what. I said expired ranch dressing. They called & she apologized and said mine was the only one. She opened a new box of dressing & asked if I wanted a refund. I said yes. She said she needed the receipt. I explained I came on behalf of my sister who wasn't able to come back to the food court. She insisted that she needed the receipt for the refund. I asked her where did she think my sister got the expired ranch dressing from. I returned to our seats & told my sister what the manager said. My sister said they didn't give her a receipt; it's on her phone. I didn't return to the food court. My sister said it was not worth the hassle. But she was very upset. VERY unprofessional. Not customer service oriented AT ALL! Do better Ford Theater with your vendors!

    Get Out 10.30.25
    Victoria W.

    It had been several years since I saw the movie Get Out and Halloween was the perfect holiday to reprise its screening. I used the Cahuenga park and ride which had plenty of shuttles and then was dropped off to the venue. The venue is great with lighting and intimate atmosphere. We were able to bring in our own snacks which made the film watching even better. Came with several friends and made new friends with those in our row. Restrooms were well stocked and had plenty of staff checking their cleanliness throughout the screening.

    Inside
    Mark H.

    Wow, where do I even start? I had the honor of meeting John, who graciously invited me and my wonderful woman to the FlyPoet at the Ford--and what an unforgettable night it was. From powerful spoken word to incredible live music performances, the entire experience was nothing short of amazing. The Ford Theater is truly a gem--there's not a bad seat in the house, the food was delicious, and the customer service was top-tier. Huge thanks to John and the FlyPoet team for creating such an inspiring, soul-stirring event. We're already looking forward to the next one.

    Taylor J.

    I'll admit it, I love my little life! I have an affinity for solo adventures and live music. My recent trip to The Ford was the perfect combo of the two. Although, I have never been to the Ford previously, I've heard many positive things. Someone likened it to a "baby hollywood bowl" and that was the perfect description. Beautiful outdoor venue. Pro tip: Drinks are pricey (paid $15 for a seltzer) so having a few sips of wine before leaving the house was a good choice. I went to see The Mizell brothers produced music, put on by Jazz is dead. Absolutely spectacular show with incredible talent. I am so lucky to have bought my tickets to the show early and snagged such an awesome seat. (Pro tip 2: if you can get your tickets early, do it. You'll be able to snag a great seat) Totally lovely time at the Ford. I already bought tickets to 2 more shows which means i'll be back very very soon.

    Box Office
    Kevin C.

    Great outdoor venue to see a show. The size is much smaller than neighboring open theater spaces but still draws in full crowds. Despitie the small size, there is still great seating options at the venue. The seats are auditorium style seats so you may have to stand up to make room for people shuffling past you. Better to arrive early by a few hours if you'd like to picnic before your show, otherwise the lines can get really long closer to the showtime. There is a security checkpoint at the ticket entrance. Parking options are onsite or from other nearby paid lots that have shuttles waiting. From Ovation Hollywood parking, you can follow the same shuttle signage for Hollywood Bowl attendees; employees will direct you to the correct Ford Ampitheater shuttle. It is not recommended to park onsite because it is stacked parking which means everyone has to be leaving at the end of the show in order to get out of the parking area; however this is still an option to consider if you arrive hours early to your show.

    Conductor Christopher Rountree
    Jennifer N.

    What a beautiful intimate outdoor venue on the Hollywood hills!! How does a person (me) that loves live music and concerts did not know this venue existed until August 3, 2021?! Shame on me! We were here to see an intimate concert by LA Phil for essential and law enforcement workers. Conductor Christopher Rountree lead the Chamber Music with the LA Phil. What a stunning performance and we were lucky to have gotten 2nd row seats! I hope some of my favorite artists will start to perform here as we are living in a covid-19 pandemic world now and outdoor venues will be my first priority to concerts, (at least for now) Like the Hollywood Bowl you can bring your own food and drinks inside or you can buy food their. Todo Verde, their cater has delicious tacos there! We got the jackfruit taco and mushroom mole tacos. Outstanding!! It has 2 picnic patios with tables and chairs on the main level and terrace level. They sell drinks and food that you can eat out or take it in the Auditorium. My suggestion is NOT to eat or drink during the show as you can annoy people next to and around you by taking your mask off!

    Shannon N.

    I lived over this way for seven years plus, and once I moved to the other side of town, I finally had a chance to visit The Ford Amphitheater. Although it still appears to be currently closed, there was a recent screening for an AppleTV+ program. I figured I never saw the show, never been to the venue, so knock out two birds with one stone. I knew it would become a little chilly come nightfall, so I'm glad I dressed appropriately. You entered the area and a guy working there directed you down a narrow curvy road to the main parking area. This parking was stacked which i was a little put off by, but several attendants were there to guide you into the spot with no issue. I was grateful to be the very last car in one of those stacked lines, so I ended up having an easier exit. Had to wait outside until they allowed entry but once in, be prepared for a lot of steps, although I'm sure there was an elevator somewhere. On one level were the restrooms (the women's is kind of a trek compared to the men's location) and then up some more stairs where there are several doors leading to seating. As for that, I was fortunate to be on the lower center level and due to safety protocols, there was an empty row in front and behind, and I only had 2 other people in my row down the way. I was very pleased with this as I hate it when people are right on you (yeah, I don't go out much anymore) and someone starts getting on their phone during...don't get me started. Back to the topic at hand, the Ford was the setting for a lovely evening, and I would gladly go back again, even though they may start opening things up more as we go back to a sense of 'normalcy'.

    View from fourth row
    Lindsay R.

    Loved this venue! Seating: Outdoor amphitheater with reserved seating not a bad seat in the house (although the 4th row was amazing!) Tips: Merch: if you're wanting to get merch get there when the venue opens and get directly in the merch line. The line was so long the rest of the night Food: you can bring food and even drinks into the venue but the food with is served in the venue was a delicious as well. The sourdough pizza was incredible as were the arepas (Venezuelan street fair food the avocado chicken salad arepa was delicious!)

    Beautiful backdrop
    Diane T.

    Wow, they never cease to amaze me here at the Ford theater! Great tics for members early in the season- this is the last of the season but line up is excellent at this folk festival with 7 acts tonight! Always a treat here and best acoustics I've truly ever heard from any other venue in LA County.

    Calexico, Jun 2022
    Alex D.

    Very cozy venue for small scale events. Looks well maintained and clean. You can bring wine and snacks in here. We didn't get metal forks and knives just to be on the safe side. Security was very friendly and easy going. Staff was very friendly and help us get seated. The sound was pretty decent. Parking was $12. There's 2 parking lots and they aren't big so the cars are parked in a stacking order so you may not be able to leave before the event ends and all the cars in front of you leave. We got free tickets to see Calexico on a Friday night and we had a lot of fun. I'd be happy to be back.

    Raegan N.

    Live very close to the theater and was waiting for it to open after the remodel. Came for the first time to watch the movie, the shining in partnership with Street food cinema. Ample parking but stacked parking. Very attentive, well-dressed employees and staff. A special canine to check for bombs, etc. Felt very welcomed and safe there. Watched the Dodgers on the outdoor TV while we ate our food before the movie started. Very lovely display of fog on the ground surrounding the theater. The sound was lovely. It was nearly sold out, and every single staff member was very very accommodating. Beautiful venue I highly recommend this place. My only complaint is the majority of all of their acts that perform here are unknown. Maybe they ought to give us more information on their artist that do perform there. And possibly branch out and get more acts that are different than what they have. Maybe some classic 70s bands or something more mainstream. Hope to come back!

    The stage

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    Amazing venue and so intimate. I just saw Brandon Flower there and it was epic! The food and drinks are delicious as well.

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - The Ford

    What time do shows usually end at The Ford during weekdays?

    Hello, how much is parking? Thank you!

    It depends on what event you are going to. The big World Fun is $5. I believe The evening shows are more expensive.. $12.

    View All 3 Questions

    Review Highlights - The Ford

    The stacked parking is not a problem if you are patient, I say get there early if you can to park!

    Mentioned in 16 reviews

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    The Hollywood Bowl - The iconic lights of The Hollywood Bowl

    The Hollywood Bowl

    4.2(2.9k reviews)
    0.2 miHollywood Hills
    $$

    Since I started coming here as a kid, The Bowl feels so magically best-of-LA. It's been a bit…read moresince I've been here, and last night was a beautiful reminder of how special this place is. Our seats were up high in Prom 5, W2, but with the Bowl's acoustics and big screens, we missed absolutely nothing. Surrounded by the lyrics, sound, and the vibe of One Republic's collective, amazing talent, augmented with LA Phil's strings, plus the season's spectacular fireworks finale, I was swept away on a glorious wave of summertime joy that makes the Bowl under the stars the dream venue it is. I've had catered meals, ordered at the window, and brought my own food and beverages in before. It's the only place I can think of that is generous with its policies in this way. This also makes the Bowl exceptional. Tonight we opted for snacks as we'd already had dinner prior. We were glad for that, as it's pricey. We took a shuttle in from Schabarum Park in Rowland Heights. Reservations for this were made through the Hollywood Bowl's website. This makes traveling to and from exponentially smoother. Locations are available throughout LA county, and I would encourage anyone attending a concert here to go this route. I'll be back again next weekend. I can't wait.

    I haven't been here in awhile. Coming from the OC, traffic can be quite challenging. I got to…read morecome recently with a friend and we had parking in the A Lot which was stacked but it was close. You just have to wait when leaving though depending on how many cars are in front of you. The venue to enter can get crowded and they kept saying go up the hill for less crowds, well that wasn't true. We went all the way to the top and had to still wait in a long line. So if you can't walk, just wait where you are. We had decent seats and it was fun. You can only take in closed water bottles and you have empty your water bottles which is sad because I like having ice. We did buy and ice cream for $8 cup/ $9 in a cone. A bit steep but what can you do. Fun. :)

    Photos
    The Hollywood Bowl - Great view!

    Great view!

    The Hollywood Bowl - Burning Spear

    Burning Spear

    The Hollywood Bowl - Troup vertigo

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    Troup vertigo

    The Fonda Theatre - Pay public parking lot next to Fonda Theater

    The Fonda Theatre

    3.8(513 reviews)
    1.1 miHollywood
    $$

    I went to see The Warning last night and loved this venue. Small and intimate, and it has old…read moreschool charm with its Hollywood art deco decor. The real reason I am writing this review is because of the staff. Everything was well organized, staff is incredibly friendly, and very accommodating. I had a rather embarrassing incident at this concert, where I passed out on the balcony, and the staff had to carry me down to see the on-site EMT. When I tell you the care, patience, and professionalism they exhibited dealing with me- was astounding. I took a small edible, but ended up getting cross faded because I hadn't drank in a while. After I was able to sober up, they were able to sit my friend and I in the ADA section - so we could enjoy the show. Thank you Fonda staff and special shout out to the on site medical staff that had to carry my heavy ass up and down the stairs and deal with my obnoxiousness. 5 out of 5 stars.

    As long as I've lived here-even within walking distance-I've never been to the Fonda. Recently, a…read morefun event cropped up and this happened to be the venue, so majority of my review will be based solely on this visit. Checking in at the front, we were let in and there was pizza set up on the left side. The (ladies) restrooms was directly to the right but if you stayed straight ahead, the bar was after that. Proceeding a little further, you encounter the seating area with another bar. For this event there were a couple of food tables set up with snacks. I did notice a balcony area but secured a good seat downstairs, so I stuck with it. Although I was right next to the tech booth/FOH (front of house) area, I could still see pretty well all things considered. Sound was great, and although Fonda has nothing to do with this, performances were funny and had everyone laughing. They sure picked a great venue for this; apparently they overbooked and there were a large amount of people standing by the bar. Staff was also helpful and prompt; when we went to receive our gift at the end, they cut off our wristband to ensure everyone got one which was a very organized setup. I'm glad I was finally able to visit The Fonda Theater!

    Photos
    The Fonda Theatre - Side Bar Room (05/30/25). @FordTheatre #Hollywood #Concerts #LiveMusic

    Side Bar Room (05/30/25). @FordTheatre #Hollywood #Concerts #LiveMusic

    The Fonda Theatre - Side Bar Room (05/30/25). @FordTheatre #Hollywood #Concerts #LiveMusic

    Side Bar Room (05/30/25). @FordTheatre #Hollywood #Concerts #LiveMusic

    The Fonda Theatre - Fleetwood Mac Fest (02/2016)

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    Fleetwood Mac Fest (02/2016)

    Hotel Café

    Hotel Café

    4.4(664 reviews)
    1.0 miHollywood
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Hotel Café - Second Stage, front row

    Second Stage, front row

    Hotel Café
    Hotel Café

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    Troubadour - 4.4.2026 justin bieber at the troubadour

    Troubadour

    4.3(788 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    I took my daughters to see Em Beihold at the Troubadour... it was the first time seeing a…read moreperformance there, and my first time as well. It is a great intimate venue with lots of history and great sound. We parked about a half mile away and a public lot by the West Hollywood library, parking was only 12 bucks and it was a nice short walk to the venue and no traffic getting g out when we left the show. The event was sold out, and we got there right when doors opened. The line out front was not too long and security kept everybody moving really quick. Full bar and food inside. The main room is tiny, so anywhere you stand you will have a great view of the performers. I definitely plan to come back to see another show here, wish I had caught shows here in the past... Great venue.

    The experience was everything but the service was horrible!…read more So after standing outside for 45mins my baby and I finally got to go inside. We thought we were so lucky by standing by the stage but then one of the workers tells us we need to move because it was cleary handicap and we did. The manager a female came to yell at me and my son along with a father who was there with his autistic son and a young lady visiting from Nashville. We were told that once show starts and no one uses space we can return to our spots. Opener came on and we moved to our spaces but then we were told only four guests had permission to stand in those areas. A lady who had shown up with her babe and the father and son. The lady got loud with me as if she was there prior to my son and I, like lady it is not that serious and I have a child! Other than the terrible experience with customer service it was an epic show. Blake Whiten even handed my son a guitar pick he used which was super awesome for his first experience at a concert!

    Photos
    Troubadour
    Troubadour - ZZ Top - Birthday Bash for Billy

    ZZ Top - Birthday Bash for Billy

    Troubadour - Alice Merton with Juliana Madrid tonight at the Troubadour

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    Alice Merton with Juliana Madrid tonight at the Troubadour

    The Baked Potato - Baked potato

    The Baked Potato

    3.9(435 reviews)
    2.3 miStudio City
    $$

    This place is THE place for live entertainment, especially if you're a big music nerd like me. If…read moreyou're into jazz bars, you'll enjoy this one. They have some amazing musicians come through here doing jam sessions & full-on concerts. The ambiance is lively & great service. The only drawback I found is the size of the venue. Very small & only holds about 75 people. It was crowded when I was here so I wasn't able to get any pictures inside the venue but did get the outside. Next time, I'll make up for it. TIP: Parking is scarce here so it helps to park a block or so away from the venue & walk.

    I am a blues fan and follow a few bands. When I heard Joey Delgado was performing two shows, I…read morecalled a some friends to check him out. The venue is small, every seat has a good view of the stage. They are very organized in accommodating seat arrangements so you can sit with your friends. The menu is simple and specializes in LOADED baked potatos. It's a hearty meal with the proteins, veggies, sauces and cheese. I ordered a Grilled Chicken Salad, which had a good ratio of protein and crisp veggies. Our server was quick and on top of her game! There is a two-drink minimum, be prepared to order and make your purchase before the show begins. I had two lemon-drop martinis. They were shaken, not stirred with a sugar rim. I liked the mix of sweet and sourness of the lemons. Order tickets on their website, an email will be sent with the bar-code for admission. There is a small service charge, which I felt was reasonable. Thank you, John, Te-see, Doug, Dominick, and Nancy for coming out for a fun night and lots of laughs. Notes: - Metered street parking til 8pm. - Credit Cards accepted - Indoor or Patio seating - Loud and fun atmosphere Sincerely, Rosemary

    Photos
    The Baked Potato - Before the show, a view from the bar. No photos or recording are allowed during performance.

    Before the show, a view from the bar. No photos or recording are allowed during performance.

    The Baked Potato - Salad with steak

    Salad with steak

    The Baked Potato - Seating

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    Seating

    Avalon Hollywood

    Avalon Hollywood

    3.2(922 reviews)
    0.9 miHollywood
    $$$$
    Full bar
    Private events

    As is my wont to do and MO, if there is a door slightly open or ajar of an interesting or…read morehistorical looking place, I will go in like I belong. I have never been shot nor hardly ever told to leave. I have wandered into Courtyards, sacred sites in Old Jerusalem and all kinds of buildings that I'm not supposed to go into. Tonight I was invited to my old twin friends birthday party at the Lemon Grove at the Astor Hotel rooftop and I was a tad early. As I crossed the street there was a metal stanchion blocking most of the entrance to the Avalon Club with one door open. I wandered in and people were milling about setting up for an Emo night with the band called Waiting For April. I had seen this club change over the years but I had no idea it was still operating and it's a beauty with tremendous history and cavernous rooms with bars and side rooms. I wandered around and upstairs I found a merch table and a drum kit with guitars and some guys warming up. I started talking to them and it turns out that is the headlining band. We talked music and the struggles of a young band, I gave them some insight from my experience, they gave me their CD which is quite nice and I proceeded to check out the historic place. I wandered through every part of the club while the band was doing sound check including the Bardot room and unlike many clubs, you really feel the history here in the design and architecture of this historic venue. Here is the fascinating history: The Avalon Hollywood (also known simply as Avalon) at 1735 N. Vine Street in Hollywood, California, near the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street (across from the Capitol Records Building) was built in the Spanish Baroque (Churrigueresque) style by architects Henry L. Gogerty and Carl Jules Weyl, with decoration by Steffan Horbaczek, it has operated continuously as a live performance space since opening--never as a movie theater. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 as part of the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment Historic District. It started as the Hollywood Playhouse (1927-1930s). In 1942, the theater was purchased (reportedly for around $105,000) and renamed the El Capitan Theatre (distinct from the more famous one on Hollywood Boulevard). NBC acquired or leased the building in the early 1950s and converted it into a television studio. In 1963, ABC invested heavily (around $400,000) in renovations--including extending the stage, adding camera equipment, control booths, and other TV infrastructure--and briefly renamed it the Jerry Lewis Theatre for Jerry Lewis's short-lived (13-week) ABC variety series. From 1964-1970: it was The Hollywood Palace. From 1970s-1990s: The Palace Music Venue. ABC sold the theater in 1978 to businessman Dennis Lidtke, who restored it and reopened it in 1982 (or around 1987 per some accounts) as The Palace (sometimes called the Hollywood Palace). Seating was reconfigured for concerts (raked floor leveled, bands on stage), and it became a music club and event space. It hosted rock concerts, HBO specials (e.g., Sheena Easton, Bruce Willis), the Ramones' final show (1996), the American Music Awards, and film appearances. It operated as a live music venue through the 1980s and 1990s. 2002-Present: Avalon Hollywood Nightclub with a major renovation that transformed it into a modern nightclub, concert hall, and event space with standing-room/dance floor capacity (around 1,250-1,500), state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and visuals. It emphasizes electronic dance music (EDM), DJ sets, and live performances, with upstairs space later becoming Bardot, an intimate lounge/restaurant/club opened around 2008. Notable modern acts have included Tiësto, Sasha, John Digweed, Paul Oakenfold, Skrillex, Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz, Armin van Buuren, Kaskade, and many others in the EDM scene. It has also hosted award shows, benefits, screenings, political fundraisers, and private events. In recent years (2024-2025), Insomniac Events (founded by Pasquale Rotella) partnered with and then acquired the joint marking the first ownership change in about 50 years and ensuring its continued role in dance music culture. The Avalon has adapted remarkably over nearly a century--from legitimate theater and WPA productions to burlesque, TV studio, variety show epicenter, rock club, and EDM nightclub--while retaining its core as a live entertainment landmark in the heart of Hollywood. Its architecture and location have contributed to its enduring appeal. I definitely will return.

    Avalon Hollywood & Bardot is an entertainment venue located in Hollywood. It used to be a theater,…read morethen became a television studio, and is now a nightclub. The first floor is the large concert venue while the second floor (Bardot) is the smaller more intimate space. We bought tickets online ahead of time which were affordable, but when we arrived we overheard security charging more than double the cost in cash to get in. The venue was mostly standing room surrounded by tables for bottle service. When we were there the shots cost $13 but your mileage may vary depending on the night and the artists performing. Compared to other nightclubs this one is smaller so it's more intimate and you can be closer to the DJ or artist for a better experience.

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    The Ford - theater - Updated September 2026

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