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Bootleg Theater Want to find the latest concerts at Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles? Check out Party Earth for updates on Bootleg Theater and experience this top Live Music Venue for an amazing show! Los Angeles United States 34.067351 -118.272171

3.8 6

Bootleg Theater - Bar | Live Music Venue | Theater in Los Angeles.

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6 User Reviews

User Reviews (6)
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INFO Westlake performance space Bootleg Theater doesn’t limit itself to the Angeleno art of film; here, dancers, musicians, fine artists, and stage actors find a place to stage inventive and experimental works. With... ... read more

Neighborhood:

Silver Lake
Address:

2220 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90057

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Phone:

213-389-3856
Hours:

Varies with showtimes; check venue website
Links:
Official Website
Tags:

30s, Beer & Wine Only, Budget-friendly, Casual, DJ, Dance, Early 20s, Good for Groups, Live Band, Live Music, Music Lovers, Outdoor Area, Photo Booth, Spoken Word Poetry, Theater Types

Recommended as:
- Night Spot

First to review Nikki L.

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Bootleg Theater Schedule of Events

May 2013

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May22Wed May 22, 21:00PM	Tele Novella Concert / Singer / Songwriter 9:00 pm Tele Novella	Add to Calendar
May23Thu May 23, 21:00PM	Speck Mountain Concert / Indie Rock 9:00 pm Speck Mountain, The Far Country	Add to Calendar
May24Fri May 24, 21:00PM	Nathen Maxwell of Flogging Molly Concert / Alternative Rock / Indie 9:00 pm Nathen Maxwell	Add to Calendar
May25Sat May 25, 21:00PM	Stornoway Concert / Alternative Rock / Indie Rock / Pop / Rock 9:00 pm Stornoway	Add to Calendar
May29Wed May 29, 21:00PM	Still Corners Concert / Pop 9:00 pm Still Corners	Add to Calendar

June 2013

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Jun01Sat Jun 1, 21:00PM	A Hawk and a Hacksaw Concert / Pop / Rock 9:00 pm A Hawk and a Hacksaw	Add to Calendar
Jun12Wed Jun 12, 21:00PM	Snowden Concert / Indie Rock 9:00 pm Snowden	Add to Calendar
Jun19Wed Jun 19, 20:00PM	Come Concert / Rock 8:00 pm Come	Add to Calendar
Jun20Thu Jun 20, 21:00PM	The Dig Concert / Rock 9:00 pm The Dig	Add to Calendar
Jun21Fri Jun 21, 21:00PM	Zo! Concert / Soul 9:00 pm Zo!	Add to Calendar
Jun22Sat Jun 22, 21:00PM	The Staves Concert / Folk 9:00 pm The Staves	Add to Calendar
Jun23Sun Jun 23, 21:00PM	Treeptop Flyers Concert / Folk 9:00 pm Treetop Flyers	Add to Calendar
Jun26Wed Jun 26, 21:00PM	David Ford Concert / Pop / Rock 9:00 pm David Ford	Add to Calendar
Jun27Thu Jun 27, 21:00PM	Colin Stetson Concert / Jazz 9:00 pm Colin Stetson	Add to Calendar

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Bootleg Theater Information

Westlake performance space Bootleg Theater doesn’t limit itself to the Angeleno art of film; here, dancers, musicians, fine artists, and stage actors find a place to stage inventive and experimental works. With institutional support, Bootleg Theater helps bring together all these creators—as well as the odd puppeteer or two. Housed in a 1930s warehouse, Bootleg Theater holds about 200 people. It features nightly musical acts in both the theater space and the bar space, focusing on underground acts. Resident dance acts and literary shows like the national reading series Write Club tend to schedule weekly or monthly events. The minimalist space can be reconfigured for other events, and seating is a mix of first-come, first-served stadium-style seats and open dance floor. Other rooms feature couches for pre-show lounging, a patio for smokers, and the odd performance by a smaller act. Hipsters mingle at the two bars (beer and wine only) or check out the old-school photo booth. Bootleg is more like a cool bar that supports artists than a “theater.” Street parking is plentiful, and the venue has its own lot for $3. Most shows run under $20.

Bootleg Theater User Reviews

dubbz1106 Mar 26, 2013 4.0 stars Love it too much I have multiple friends that work at the Bootleg so that may be why I love it so much. But even if I didn't I would make sure to get down to this venue asap. Judging from the entrance, you can't tell how big the venue actually is. It has three rooms but they're usually not all open on the same night. The back room has bleachers that they will usually pull down so if you're more about sitting and listening to the band (most of the indie music here allows you to chill and not rage your face off) it has that. An awesome thing about the back room is that the floorboards move. While some may rush to call this ghetto, a- you're in Silver Lake so what did you expect? b- if substitutes as an awesome spring board when the music really gets loud!. The sound system is awesome. Another great aspect is their monthly residences. They just had Mystery Skulls who put on an insane performance. The smoker's area outside is always filled with military booted girls and jean-vested guys with ginger staches but no one is quite as pretentious as they seem. Decently priced booze but don't plan on pregaming at a bar close-by beforehand as there really isn't much in the area. BUT HELLA FREE PARKING!

tiffany han Mar 20, 2013 4.0 stars Best Brews & Tunes in Town If you love music and you're looking for a casual night out with good music and good beer, this is the place to go. It's a bit of a trek from the westside but 100% worth it. For a small venue, the Bootleg's got probably the best sound system in all of Los Angeles. They consistently book fantastic up-and-coming bands, most of whom play in the bar, while bigger bands will take the stage in the theatre. Tickets are usually between $8-$15, but the Monday night residency shows are always free and usually fill up by the end of the month. The venue also holds movie screenings, plays, poetry readings, comedy shows...pretty much everything. There's a great outdoor patio with twinkle lights and wooden benches where you can catch a breath of fresh air or have a smoke in between sets, or even chat with some of the artists. What's great about the Bootleg is that the artists always hang around after the show to talk to fans or personally sell you their merch. There's also an old-school photo booth, and on weekends, they open up the back room, where people can mingle and/or play a round of ping-pong before the show. The crowd is mostly in their 20s, and, as already mentioned by others, quite trendy. Lots of denim, leather, and mustaches. The Bootleg is a bit isolated and not very close to any other bars or clubs, but street parking is easy to find, and chances are you'll probably want to stay until closing time anyway.

Ellie D Feb 19, 2013 3.0 stars Bootleg Theatre- Cool Silver Lake Music Venue My Take: Bootleg Theatre is a very cool, decent sized, LA music venue located in the heart of Silver Lake. Bootleg exists in what I’m guessing was a converted warehouse and it hosts an eclectic mix of bands, artists, and DJs. There are 3 main rooms and the place is sort of like a really cool maze. Once you enter the venue you are greeted by a small stage with a bar in the back and a few raised tables and stools are scattered about in front of the stage. Located in another room is the main dance floor and the DJ booth is elevated above it. The dance floor is very spacious and on one of the huge walls, they typically have movies or graphics being projected on it with no sound. There are also a couple of comfy couches and beanbags located along the walls and a long rectangular bar is underneath the elevated DJ booth. There’s also one more decent sized room and it is a bit quieter that the other ones. It has ping-pong tables set up and people are usually enjoying their beers and getting in a few games. The Scene: Remember, you are in Silver Lake, so expect to see your classic hipsters. However, that being said, Bootleg tends to draw a very diverse crowd. Although you will have your typical trendy Silver Lake hipsters, you will also see a diverse mix of people hanging out here. It really just depends on the type of band/artists/DJs that are playing there that night. Cocktails & Cuisine: No food or hard liquor is served here- only beer and wine, but they have an amazing array of beer! Prices: Ticket prices for shows here are very reasonable ($10-$20) but the beers can be slightly overpriced. However, as stated above, they do have a huge variety of beer to choose from and you are bound to find something that you will like. If it’s worth the price- now that’s up to you… What to Wear: Again, you are in Silver Lake… so really you can wear whatever you like, but you definitely tend to see more of the trendy-hipster clothing. Put on your hipster glasses! Also, the venue doesn’t seem to get great air circulation so it can get pretty hot in the building. If you plan on dancing, I would recommend wearing something light because you will most likely get hot and sweaty. Insider Info/When to go: Bootleg has a pretty big patio area, mostly used by smokers, but provides a great place to go if you need to cool off. There is also a fun black and white photo booth set up as well!

Rodney Wrdl Feb 17, 2013 3.0 stars Versatility and a Can of Beer Indie music? Check. Poetry readings? Check. Comedy shows? Check. I’ve been to many different events at this venue and never grow tired of it. In fact it is one of my favorite venues in town. Bootleg Theater sits in a peculiar area near Silver Lake, Koreatown and downtown. The spot can be hard to find (day or night), as there’s no real signage outside. Just follow the sounds and the crowd and eventually you’ll run into the doorman. Similarly to the TARDIS from the TV show Dr. Who, the place seems larger on the inside albeit not THAT much larger. The midsized venue has a nice wooden stage, plenty of standing room along with tables and chairs in the back. The second level has a DJ booth/sound booth and an area for art shows and such. Thankfully the times I’ve been there the lines there have been either short or non-existent. The cliental mostly consists of hip 20-30-somethings with a spattering of older folks from time to time. Bootleg Bar isn’t much of a bar as it is a vendor of canned or bottled beers. It’s cash only, but the variety of beer is nice and the bartenders are pleasant. Bootleg also has one of my favorite smoking patios: a wooden deck, string-lights and a beautiful view of the city, providing the perfect venue for someone seeking a space that can do it all.

Daniel B Jan 22, 2013 2.0 stars Hit or Miss My Advice/My Take: The Bootleg is a small venue that caters to small scenes and emerging bands of the ubiquitous “indie” variety. If catching a hodgepodge of underground acts is your cup of tea, be sure to stop by the Bootleg to see next year’s big things. The smaller stage and room tends to pack out, making for a dancey vibe that’s perfect for meeting that pretty thing dancing next to you. Later, you can both step outside to the quite patio where you’ll inevitably meet said pretty thing’s jealous boyfriend. But hell, at least you can steal a smoke or two before heading back inside for the next band’s set. Need to Know/Tip/Insider Info: It’s highly probable that no one big enough to sell out tickets has ever set foot inside the Bootleg, so just show up a few minutes early and get your tickets at the door. The place is 21 and over and has a pretty good selection of beer for such a small venue. Who’s Hanging Here/What’s the Vibe: The Bootleg brings out a crowd that waxes and wanes throughout the night. People pretty much come to watch their friends play on stage and leave soon after the set. With the right show the main floor can get pretty crowded with an intimate dance vibe. The patio out back is where people go to meet, mix, and mingle over plumes of carcinogenic clouds. Entertainment: Just about any and every unsigned band in LA passes through the Bootleg at least once. I’ve seen everything from folk rock to dance-punk on stage at the Bootleg. The nights are pretty hit or miss and depend entirely on how well the spattering of local talent meshes together (although the last time I went, two bands were sort of talking crap on each other’s sets, which was probably more entertaining then either of their music). Food & Drink: The Bootleg’s got a really decent selection of beers, ales, and ciders. And it’s one of the few places left in the city that won’t scowl when you ask for a free glass of water. What to Wear: Wear whatever you feel like. Guys are spotted in everything from button downs and blazers to “ironic” t-shirts and flip flops. Girls tend to come comfortably dressed in jeans and flats or boots (it’s rare to see minidresses and skyscraping heels on the floor). What Does it Cost: Tickets to concerts at the Bootleg range from about $8 to around $15 depending on the night and lineup. Beers range from about $3 to around $8 depending on the selection. When to Go: There are shows at the Bootleg just about any night of the week. Lesser known bands tend to play in the beginning of the week with headlining acts coming out from Thursday through the weekend.

nlaureola Jan 2, 2013 3.0 stars True variety You can see anything at the Bootleg. They play theatrical performances, live music, DJ dance parties, spoken word... Plus they have regular artist residencies and gallery showings. The place is pretty much divided into the gallery, the Bootleg Theater, the Bootleg Bar, and the outdoor patio. The patio is quite pretty, with strings of lights and typically food trucks and smokers on event nights. The bar is cash only, and has a great open space with visualizers for dancing, etc. The theater has stadium seating, as well as a massive space in front of the stage for standing room when bands play there. The gallery has two stories, the bottom of which is open on show nights. They've really got space for everything, despite how compact the thing looks from the outside. It's like the Wiltern, the Perhspace and Villains Tavern put together. FYI, the bathrooms are filthy, and the wait is never short. It's just a good thing that the hallway the lines spill into is big enough to accommodate.