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Party Earth Review An all-ages, alcohol-free nightspot run by volunteers, The Smell is a cavernous, two-chambered live music venue that showcases indie, punk rock, experimental, and even unsigned garage bands. Originally dubbed “The Smell... ... read full review
247 South Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Red Line: Pershing Square; Purple Line: Pershing Square
Th–Sa 9pm–1am
Downtown, Los Angeles –
An all-ages, alcohol-free nightspot run by volunteers, The Smell is a cavernous, two-chambered live music venue that showcases indie, punk rock, experimental, and even unsigned garage bands.
Originally dubbed “The Smell” in mockery of a snooty nearby coffee shop – and not for the dumpster that marks the alleyway entrance – the venue has become a secret club for goth girls, postmodern punks, and high-school hipsters who sprawl on the random assortment of mismatched sofas in the smaller graffiti-adorned front room to listen to their favorite bands.
More popular or well-known acts tend to take the stage in the larger back room, where retro theater seats nailed to brick walls offer the only comfort in the otherwise sparse space.
Although the audience for these amateur rockers and up-and-comers is usually comprised of friends, family, and classmates of the band members – which makes for a slightly cliquish vibe that might put off the over-twenty set – The Smell has nonetheless created an affordable nightlife venue where young misfits and weirdos can groove out and where the focus is not so much on drinking or flirting, but on the music itself.
Musicians, artists, high school students, punks, goths, nerds, and music lovers, teens to mid-20s.
On average, three live shows a night with a range of styles including punk rock, indie, experimental, noise, electronic, and metal. Books available to peruse on the premises only.
100% vegan-friendly snacks include candy, cookies, pretzels, and Clif Bars.
Cover charge $5. Candy $1, cookies $1, pretzels $1, Clif Bars $2. Water/tea/coffee $1. No alcohol.
Dark colors, skinny jeans, Vans, neon hair, black lipstick, flannel shirts, Doc Martens, vintage band shirts.
Fridays and Saturdays for the most well-known bands. The headliners play the last set of each night around 11:30 pm.
Bar 107 (107 4th St) is good for a drink beforehand, while Pete’s Cafe and Bar (400 South Main Street) has a full dinner menu.
The Smell User Reviews