Silverlake Lounge

You're all morons. One of the best sound systems to hear live music in in L.A. The bookers from The Fold, know their shit and book top notch quality talent. Have you heard of a little band called Silversun Pickups? Yeah, uh, guess where they got their name from? Uh, the liquor store across the street from the Silverlake Lounge you buy beer from before your show. Besides that tidbit of 411, There is only occasionally a cover and that money goes almost all to the bands so stop whining about paying a measely 5 or 6 bucks to see the same bands you might have to pay $50 to see in 2 years after their major label debut. Another thing....if you want a clean, bright and beautiful bar to see a rock band in...I dont really know what to say...kill yourself? Or just head on down to the House Of Blues for shitty band night they throw up every weekend. One night I was at the SL Lounge and Cedric from Mars Volta was there with his girl hanging and catching the local bands. This place is strictly for people who want to see and hear what is fresh and real, the envelope pushers. If you can't get that after your first time here than its just not for you. You stay where you are, Ill stay where I am. No one gets hurt.

Amongst dive bars, there is generally an unwritten rule: on any given night, there is an opportunity to experience something great (or, conversely, something terrible). On a particular Sunday night, I was lucky enough to receive the former. I stumbled in unknowingly, but as soon as I walked in I could feel something, and I knew exactly what it was: open mic night. After grabbing a beverage (it was cheap, and it may have been happy hour. And luckily I had cash, as they don't dig on plastic at the Silverlake Lounge), I surveyed the list (it was long. I didn't perform until about an hour or so after I signed up) and met the host, a friendly and slightly stout gentleman by the name of Andy Sell. This local comedian informed me that they run a weekly open mic, comprised mostly of comics, but also musicians, and other random acts (I was lucky enough to catch a girl do things with her body that I am not sure nature intended). It was a cozy environment, and the host made it fun for all. The bar itself is long, and the wall opposite the bar is lined with benches. This design makes it ideal for viewing the stage. There is also a lovely patio area. Overall, I think I will be back. It may not always be that much fun, but with dive bars, I guess it just depends on what's going on that night.

Cheap, very simple place, rarely more than a $5 cover charge. It’s a dumpy live music venue that also doubles as a tranny bar on some nights, I think. Gotta love LA. Nothing special décor or drink wise. But they don’t charge outlandish fees to see some local music, and you might be surprised by the band you find. They even do classical here sometimes, normally on Saturday once a month, I believe. Bartenders are routinely jerks, but I’m a dude so girls might have a totally different experience. Go if you know that band that is playing or if you happen to be strolling by and it’s Happy Hour. Don’t drive across town.

Silverlake Lounge is one of the first places emerging indie bands play before moving on to bigger venues like The Troubadour and The Echo. That being said, you're practically guaranteed to see a bunch of crap. But, every now and then you'll discover something surprisingly good before KCRW picks up their single and they make it big. Some of the great bands that have come through the Silverlake Lounge include Rare Monk and Sad Robot. Even if the music's a bust, the drinks are cheap(ish) and most shows are free. Even for the biggest headlining acts, I've never paid more than a $5 cover.