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901 Bar & Grill
Categories: Nightlife Bars Restaurants American (New) Bars, American (New) [Edit]
2902 S Figueroa StLos Angeles, CA 90007
Neighborhood: South Los Angeles
(213) 745-7900
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:30 am - 2 am
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Wed, Thu
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
70 reviews for 901 Bar & Grill
Review Highlights
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"Can't beat this happy hour in town." In 19 reviews -
"...you'll see tons of quintessentially USC broads and fellers." In 29 reviews -
"Crazy delicious waffle fries-- a must eat." In 5 reviews
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70 reviews in English
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Review from Tom M.
Los Angeles, CA
2/25/2012
College Dive Bar.
This is a Dump with Televisions and Eye Candy. Concrete floors, About 20 TVs with sports on, Background music too low to hear, but too loud to ignore, Bad Food. Crowded. But if you want beer and burger to watch the game with other sports fans in an unpretentious atmosphere, this is for you.
I happen to like Dive Bars. -
Review from Alyssa B.
Los Angeles, CA
2/9/2012
I'll be honest: I've never actually set foot in this place, but we did order delivery.
The pros: The food got here fast, like 30 minutes, when the wait was expected to be 45. The food itself was okay, nothing special. This is why they get 2 stars instead of 1.
The cons: I was fine, but the next morning I got a text from my boyfriend: "I just barfed so hard it came out my nose." We called them to ask if they treated their salad with anything, because he's gotten the pukes a few times in the past couple of years and the common denominator has been salad, and the manager was absolutely adamant that they had nothing to do with it. Not even a "We're sorry you puked your guts out after eating our food".
We don't think we'll order here again. -
Review from bushpilot b.
Long Beach, CA
1/21/2012
I was part of Bryan T.'s group (see review from today) though I left early and so avoided all of the unpleasantness that my coworkers had to endure.
That said, it doesn't surprise me that it happened. I've never felt that this place is run by people who care about their patrons (their staff has never impressed me in any way, and I've been UN-impressed numerous times). This place instead seems to be one that cares only about all the money they make off of their regulars: college kids (an age group that rarely makes discerning choices about where their dollars go... if you're a college-kid hangout, I can be pretty certain I'm going to be unhappy with the level of service - I avoid these places like I'd avoid the plague).
Every time my coworkers have encouraged me to go here, I've always agreed with a sense of rueful resignation: I simply wouldn't spend my precious time or money here, ever, but have agreed to do so in the past because precious people in my life have wanted to.
Never again.
PS: ride your bike or walk if you do come here, there's zero parking, and college kids: look forward to the day you realize that you don't have to eat an expensive (monetary or spiritual) bowl of s*** to enjoy yourselves, and that there are indeed places that are grateful for your patronage. I'll buy you a drink when you arrive. -
Review from Christina B.
Las Vegas, NV
3/24/2012
My brother, a USC student, took me there one night about a week ago.. I was a little out of place being that I'm FAR from college age and the place was packed with college students. But I really had a good time. Got an overpriced but excellent gin and tonic. We found a place to sit on a raised area up against the wall. Good place to people watch. Music was really loud but if you have wimpy ears, stay the hell out.
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Review from Val L.
Whittier, CA
3/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Happy birthday J. Can't believe white boy had an alcoholic beverage. Good seeing you! Packed after 11, great bartenders
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Review from Marsella M.
Gilbert, AZ
10/31/2011
Ok, so really they are a like a super divey 2.5-star bar but they get 2.5 extra stars for USC nostalgia and the high likelihood that I will run into a bunch of fellow alumni I haven't seen in 10 years and end up partying my ass off! Everything was awesome after the Stanford game, except that USC lost in triple overtime of course, but oh well this is a perfect place for getting bombed and forgetting. The restrooms were appropriately gross and haven't been repaired or updated in like 15 years but hey, that's the kitsch right there! I have no idea how they get the floor so sticky that it actually can make you trip and fall but it's genius. I have never enjoyed falling over in a bar more than I do here at the 9-0.
I don't think I've ever had food here, not that I remember anyway, so I can't comment on that. Just have a superbly-poured jack & diet or 5 and be prepared to feel like ass and remember nothing the next day. YAY 9-0!Listed in: Goin back to Cali, Cali,…
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Review from Bryan T.
Long Beach, CA
1/21/2012
READ THIS TO FIND OUT HOW DANGEROUS THIS BAR IS FOR WOMEN: I've been to this bar close to 20 times, both alone, with a couple friends and several times I've gone with very large groups of coworkers. To break it down very simply, when I go alone or with a couple friends, we sit at the bar, and everything goes fine. The second we bring more than a couple people, we have to sit at tables and we end up getting ripped off by the servers. This has happened now 4 TIMES!! You might wonder why I would go back to a bar that has ripped me off 4 times, and the reason is that I couldn't convince other people to stop going there until it happened to them as well. One at a time my friends and coworkers started to find that they were being cleverly ripped off by the servers during happy hour. Extra drink here, wrong price there. Once I even tipped the server in cash, and got home only to found she had ADDED HER OWN TIP TO MY CHECK!
After last night however, they won't have to worry about any of us ever returning (35 of us who were all regular customers). We decided to use them to give our Assistant Principal a going away party. They reserved 3 tables for us, which isn't that much, but we grew larger and larger as people showed up. The difference this time was that the server refused to do split checks as they had EVERY TIME we had been there, and instead took 1 credit card and said she would split all the checks at the end. Well, the end came, and after everyone split off their food there was still $91.00 left on the check and the server had no clue who had eaten what, even though it was her choice to wait until the end to split checks. THEN, we realize as we're paying our checks, SHE ADDED GRATUITY TO EACH CHECK!! No wonder she wanted to keep it on one tab, what a dumb @$$. What server doesn't realize you make WAY more money when you split checks than when you have one big check? People tip smaller percentages on larger checks. Anyways, people kept offereing more and more money to pay down the bill (multiple people paid for more than they ordered), all the way until there was only $21.00 left on a tab that had begun at over $500.00. But that wasn't good enough, so finally everyone just decided to leave and let the manager eat the mistake his server had made. But I realized a few people hadn't left yet, so I walked back in only to see that the manager and a bartended had cornered the last female in the group and were towering over her threatening not to let her leave until she gave them the last $21.00!!! THEY PURPOSELY CORNERED THE MOST INTOXICATED WOMAN IN OUR GROUP AND THREATENED HER UNTIL SHE PAID!! Then when we walked outside there was some Armenian guy sitting a car with a 901 shirt on staring at us like he was some kind of mob enforcer smoking a cigar waiting for us to leave.
Oh yeah, and after the manager forced the last innocent female to pick up the remainder of the tab, he looked at her and said "DON'T EVER $#!#ING COME BACK HERE AGAIN!" Great way to treat a group of people who have contributed thousands to your bar over the last 4 years. Bye bye 901. -
Review from Alex V.
Long Beach, CA
11/1/2011
The place to be if youre an SC kid on a night where you want to go out.
But what people always forget is that the food is BOMB. I tried their normal burger the other day, and it was to die for. -
Review from Kimberly B.
Downey, CA
7/31/2011 1 photo
Typical college dive bar super close to USC
but 2for1 drink specials for happy hour...
what's not to like!?
And they have happy hour every day!
The chili cheese waffle fries are DELICIOUS.
The rest of their menu looks pretty good too. -
Review from Mike R.
Santa Ana, CA
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
We walked into this place because we wanted to find a local place for happy hour before we saw Morrissey at the shrine. First off they didn't offer happy hour specials because it was USC game day. The staff was rude and bartenders would not even look in our direction. We stood near a group of waitresses and neither of them even acknowledged that we were there. After being in there for about 15min we had to leave. And everyone in there starred daggers at us. This place was douchebag central!
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Review from Laura F.
Los Angeles, CA
10/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you are close to USC and have nothing better to do, just go.
Yes, it is a college bar.
The food is ok and they put the games on T.V. which is great. -
Review from David M.
Los Angeles, CA
1/5/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I come here for the drinks. great 2 for 1 happy hour. Usually full or half full with college kids. The fries are amazing and the pizza is decent.
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Review from Lauren L.
2/7/2011
When you're bored, it's fun.....
.....but 'tis a trashhhhhhhy dive bar. -
Review from J D.
Phoenix, AZ
9/27/2010
During one of our Bar Hopping nights around the USC Campus, we decided to stop by this bar at the recommendation of the bellman at our hotel. What a big mistake.
After scarfing down some Mexican Food at Chano's Drive-In down the block, we stopped by here for some Beer and fun. A few of us arrived a little early while the rest of the group was finishing their food to scope it out. We paid the $5 cover charge and went to the bar to order some Beer. I ordered a Blue Moon and sipped on it while the rest of the guys went to check out the place.
After about 10 minutes, one of my friends said "Let's get out of here and go somewhere else"....he was insistent that we leave right away. With 1/2 a Beer left, I was a little upset, but left anyway.
We found the rest of the group and headed somewhere else. During the walk to the next bar, he explained that there were 3 hood-rats at the bar next to us with a set of Brass Knuckles sitting on the bar in front of them.....that means they were looking for trouble. With a group of 30+ people, we didn't want any part of that.
The baffling part is why would the bar allow that? They should have been tossed. We didn't say anything because it was not our place to do so.
Will I return? Hell no!Listed in: Hall of Shame
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Review from Elle E.
Los Angeles, CA
10/13/2011
If you are looking for a casual place to grab a burger and a good happy hour, this is it. 2 for 1 is always a win. The waffle fries are a must. Yum!! The only con is how crazy packed it gets. It will actually have a wait outside the door at times. Ummmm, not happening.
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Review from Daphney B.
San Diego, CA
12/23/2010
This is (unforturnately) one of the first places you hear about when you get to USC-probably because it's the place closest to campus that you can get into under-aged that is not a frat house. When you're legal, it just becomes the place you go to close to campus before you go to your actual final destination. They re-did this place a couple years ago, but I liked it better sans the flat-screen TVs when the likes of Matt Leinart still roamed around the hood.
No, I wouldn't recommend making a trip out of your way here, but if you're on campus-why the heck not. -
Review from Sebastian L.
Beverly Hills, CA
11/27/2010
Another 'SC/Notre Dame game (really, Mitch? Really?!!)...another opportunity to get reacquainted with the 9-0. God, how I love you, 9-0, and how I've loved you for such a long, long time now.
Back in the day when I went to 'SC and was in a house, we spent many a night there. They even used to have painted footprints on the street leading back to the Row so you never had to worry about being too wasted and getting lost. And back then, the 9-0 was a pit. The ceiling was about 9 feet high, no windows, a few lightbulbs, someone puking by the pinball machines in the corner...and they would ring a cowbell like clockwork at last call to let everyone know it was time to leave.
It wasn't a pleasant place, but it was THE place to hang out. To this day, I have no idea why, but it just was.
Times have changed, and so has the 9-0, and it is STILL the place to hang out before games.
A few years back, this place underwent a complete renovation. The ceilings have been lifted to almost 20 feet high, giving the interior a barn-like feel. The original windows have been re-exposed and the place is filled with natural light. They installed a designated seating area along the wall, which makes perfect sense because everyone used to just sit on the top of the booths anyway. They installed probly 10-12 flat screens around the room so there's not a bad seat in the house. And the food has gotten better.
Here's the thing about this place: if you aren't a student or an alumn returning for a game, I can't imagine why in the world you would ever want to go here when there are so many better places to spend your time. But in an ever-changing world, the 9-0 is one of my happy constants. -
Review from Eva V.
8/14/2011
Never heard of this place, but I came here with a couple folks for a friend's goodbye celebration. It was definitely their off night, since we were some of the only people there and it was a Thursday night. I was really impressed with their service-- we had the nicest waiter and the food and drinks were prompt. Not a terrific selection of beer on tap, but they did have Sierra Nevada and Blue Moon which isn't too bad. Crazy delicious waffle fries-- a must eat! We could have done a lot worse and if I'm ever in the area and looking for a place to get a casual drink, I'll come back. Note: parking is, however, terrible... carpool.
Listed in: Bars, Bars, Bars
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Review from Quisha H.
7/14/2010
This place isn't much to look at....okay it's NOTHING to look at but by golly I will come here every chance I get!! And I say this as a NON USC STUDENT!! 2 for 1 on ALL drinks weekdays until 9. It is impossible to leave here even remotely sober. I use to frequent this place after work when I worked down the street.
PLEASE USE CAUTION...with the cheap prices and strong, tasty drinks it's easy to get carried away. 2 large Adios' are only 10 bucks. I always have the same waitress cute little blonde girl with glasses who always remembers what I like and is *super* nice I luv her!!
Just a FYI once happy hour is over at 9 they clear all the tables out because apparently USC kids like to pack into this tiny space and dance. Also parking can be a beast as the lot only holds 15 cars (maybe) at the most.Listed in: My favorite hole in the walls
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Review from Nicole L.
Los Angeles, CA
10/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
BEST HAPPY HOUR AROUND. 2 for 1 drinks every day, and deals with a student ID. Super friendly staff & lots of TV's for sports, etc. The food is surprisingly awesome. Boneless buffalo wings are my fav, mac n cheese and the Italian salad are really good too. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area and need a good place for some bar food & drinks.
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Review from Alex P.
2/12/2009
Oh the 901 Bar & Grill, what wonderful memories you hold. Once part of my regular stomping grounds back in my collegiate days at SC, we called this place the nine-O, which then turned into the nine-hole (for the simple fact that it is just a hole-in-the-wall bar), we spent many many countless drunken nights here. A perfect place for broke college students to go to fill up on $3 kamikaze shots or $2 beer nights, my fellow fraternity brothers, a mass of sorority girls, and just the student body in general would get smashed on some random Wednesday night.
With Winamp for a DJ and floors filthy from spilled drinks and countless cigarette butts (they used to allow smoking inside; no it wasn't back in the 80's damn it - I'm not that old) we would drunkenly dance and sway the night away. When it finally came for closing time we would all drunkenly jay walk back to frat row with blackened nine-O-toes (for those brave enough to have worn sandals) with the satisfaction of another night of debauchery under our belts.
My last trip to this bar/club/hole was my graduation day. In our caps and gowns, we all wandered into the 9-0 one last time at 6:30 AM to grab one more memorable drink. Why? Because it was our way of leaving the school just the way we came in - drunk. -
Review from Julie C.
San Francisco, CA
8/30/2006
This place is so filthy they have a nickname for the grime that accumulates on your shoes: 9-0-sludge. It's a dark, dank, dirty hole-in-the wall. The bathrooms are indescribably disgusting. You can buy a Bar Mat Shot for $1, at which point the bartender picks up the sticky bar mat he's been pouring drinks on all night and dumps it into a shot glass. It's a hot order. I'm pretty sure I've got mad cow disease from the burger I ate there in '94.
Yet for all it's repulsiveness, it's the most happening bar in South Central. Pretty much the only bar near USC, it's going off at any time of the day. Hot sorority blondes and I'll-be-taking-over-daddy's-company dudes cram into the joint with such furor that the irony is overwhelming.
It's my favorite bar for many reasons: the least of which is not that I had my first kiss with my husband there.
;) -
Review from Lindsay M.
Los Angeles, CA
1/1/2010
More commonly known as the '9-0,' this is the pride and joy of USC's fraternity and sorority population. Now, I'm not bashing on the row or anything, but merely stating that as a known fact. Take it as you will.
It is quite unfortunate that it is one of very few options for USC students to drink around campus. And more unfortunate that 90% of the crowd is peering around to find the hot girl/guy they want to makeout with in the dark corner by the bathrooms. Let's just say it's not exactly the place to 'keep it classy.'
The music is your basic top 40s playlist blaring from the speakers that slowly tranforms into a medley of 80s metal songs around 12AM only to end with a rousing rendition of 'Don't Stop Believin' sung by all the bros in the room. So really, in finding your hottie of the night, it's gotta be all about the eye contact, cause you won't hear shit in there.
They have the lowest variety well drinks, but they are cheap...I did enjoy the 2 for 1 deals.
BEWARE: I've heard many rumors about watered down alcohol and Grey Goose bottles being filled with well vodka--I think this would be an appropriate time to use the word 'sketch'
Basically, don't go here if you're not a college student.
1. You're wasting your time
2. It's weird and creepy
All in all, you can expect yourself in a small room with a sticky floor, pushed up against girls way overdressed and guys in polos and fraternity shirts who are more concerned with what's under those $500 silk frocks. (I'd drop a label name, but I don't really know designers very well...rodarte for target, anyone??)
Two stars, not one for the following few reasons:
1. Panda Express and Chano's are right next door, convenient to stumble to after your run in with the Captain, or better yet, Mr. Daniels
2. I have to admit I had some amusing run-ins at the bar (with that other 10% of the crowd)
3.When anyone mentions the 9-0, I find myself cracking a grin and enjoying a small chuckle followed by, 'oh the 9-0.'
...It's like that person from high school that you really didn't like, but looking back, you have to admit they provided some good times. -
Review from Unicorn Y.
New Orleans, LA
9/5/2008
Uh, I had a $10 well drink here. A gin and tonic with the shittiest gin imaginable. Ten dollars. At La Cita, it would be $5. I waited in a line to get in, which I believe was intentionally orchestrated. I was surrounded by boys I would never date and girls I probably wouldn't hang out with. $10 for a gin and tonic! Not even with Seagram's!
Sweaty guys who can't dance, shitty music, and a room probably way over capacity = not my style. Girls wear heels and boys wear flip-flops.
One star for the proximity to my home, the other for semi-exceeding my expectations for cleanliness. Big screen TV's and a giant Sierra Nevada mirror decorate the room.
Do NOT go here if you're not a USC student. Do NOT go here if you are claustrophobic, like cheap drinks, aren't in a sorority/fraternity, don't live in close proximity, etc.
...unless you want a very overwhelming experience. It's really great people watching, and you'll see tons of quintessentially USC broads and fellers. I just wouldn't come here again. Ever. -
Review from Sean M.
Glendale, CA
3/16/2007
I'm not even sure why I'm reviewing the 9-0 because if you're not a USC student, you would never go there, and if you were one, then you've already been there. But...it just has so many memories...
Showing up with one of my roommates as soon as they opened the doors for Wednesday $5 Jack and Cokes and being beyond plastered by the time anyone else got there an hour plus later. Random hook-ups on the dance floor. A machine to check people's IDs that was never plugged in. The infamous bathroom overflows. The little alcove where you could spit your game. Crowds that were way over the capacity limit. Chanos and Del Taco late night. And if you remember having burgers here, you were here before my time. Although a year or so before I graduated, they got busted for letting in minors and since the whole environment has changed -- they went back to serving food, not letting in minors, and keep the crowds to a limit. Oh...those were the days... -
Review from Michelle F.
Los Angeles, CA
4/22/2010
If you are a part of Greek system at USC you've experienced the "9-0" at least once...and for some it was more like once a week. I'm not big on the bar scene, but I still managed to go a handful of times. Its nothing too special but it is very apart of USC.
During the day they have tables and serve all your basic bar food. They've got your pizza, fries, buffalo wings, etc. All oily and hearty and taste better when you wash it down with a beer or two. They have a bunch of flat screen TVs around so you can watch whatever game is on at the time. At night when the college crowd comes they clear the tables and play music videos on the monitors. They also have a DJ playing music above the door. Literally above, just look up after you enter.
They have some nice happy hour specials if plan on staring trip between 4 and 8. It is usually 2 for 1 drinks and a special bonus deal. The bonuses are like dollar shots of sex on the beach or other fruity shots. I found that they make their drinks well and they don't skimp.
It gets really crowded on Thursday - Saturday nights aka college party nights. Now that I'm old and graduated, I don't see myself ever going back to the 9-0, unless I have a strong desire to have a tipsy walk down some of my college memories.Listed in: My USC College Years
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Review from mike j.
Cheviot Hills, CA
4/28/2008
The food really is very good.
The service is fucking terrible. like, bad enough to take away 3-4 stars.
We asked for 2 beers (assuming she knew that since it was happy hour, one would be free), she brought us 4. Ok fine.
We asked for a burger with well done fries and one of the unlimited toppings pizzas (assuming since we have 2 people, that it would be the 10in. one).
First she brought us a side of fries (not fries that came with the burger aka we didn't ask for these) before any of our food came out. We figured ok, fine, we'll just take it, even though they're pretty damn cold.
Then she brought us an 18in pizza. We were now like shit, we guess we'll just have leftovers.
Then our check came and she charged us for the 18in cheese pizza- charging us 1.75 for each topping we asked for (when it's really just the unlimited topping pizza). We got it corrected.
Could these all be coincidences? Doubt it.
Another time I went there, they $2-3 to the tip I gave them on a credit card.
They think you're stupid. Don't let them take advantage of you. -
Review from Ari C.
Brentwood, CA
1/30/2007
Some of my best college memories happened here. Where else could one find people with such high credit limits diving so low, and waiting in a line for the honor? This dank little hole in the wall is a typical old-school bar; bar on right, booths on left. Only we rarely sat IN the booths; we usually sat on them to get a better view of the talent coming in. Sometimes we put our heads right through the acoustic ceiling tiles from pogo-ing on the bouncy bolsters.
I recall eating many 9-0 burgers here, its salad was a wedge of lettuce with thousand island dressing on top. Quality dinner. The drinks were standard, prices to match. Luckily the bar was built for power, not beauty - semi indestructible materials from the '70s throughout, so rarely were chairs or tables broken. And rarely did fights break out in the day. Although plenty of bottles were broken on the concrete floor.
The bathroom was the worst ever; one time the men's toilet simply disappeared and you had to pee into the remaining hole in the floor. The jukebox typically was playing southern rock like "Sweet Home Alabama"... Always dress-up (er, down) time at the 9-0.
As a bonus there was (is?) a blue and white painted line out the front door, across Fig and right down 28th Street; terminating in front of the Phi Delt house. It came in handy for finding one's way home after too many kamikaze shots.
The 9-0 is a legend, and if its walls could talk... business and political careers would have been stopped in their tracks. The only bar worth mentioning in SC's neighborhood. Bonus points for grabbing after-drink meals at Chano's a couple doors down. -
Review from Andrew W.
Bellport, NY
12/2/2010
I am a Trojan saying this. Unreasonable drink prices, terrible music, way too crowded.
Terrible excuse for a college bar. -
Review from Ashley D.
Los Angeles, CA
12/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
2 for one drinks! i got 2 tall drinks for 10 bucks! the pizza is really good also... i would have gave 5 stars but the drinks can be a lil watered down im assuming cause of there 2 for one special they try n water them down buut thats still a good deal. 4 drinks for 20 bucks not bad at all, it did the job ;) i will be back :)
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Review from Joanne R.
North Hollywood, CA
10/9/2007
If you had asked me a year ago what I thought of the "9-0", my initial reaction would have been to vomit. Every college campus has "that" bar. You know . . ."that" bar which pretends to check ID's, smells of urine, and has a post it note on the wall next to the kitchen and call it their menu. But after this summer's renovations and the owner's valid attempt to clean up USC's most laughed at bars, I must say, I'm a fan.
While I was in college, the best time of year to go was during the summers, when people were more relaxed and the bar was less full. I'm not sure if things have changed much since then, but if you like your bars crowded with underage sorority and fraternity boys, then come during the weeknights and you won't be disappointed.
The reason I'm giving the 9-0 a good review now is because it's become a legitimate sports bar. With USC paraphernalia, plasma tv's, and a respectable menu, I don't mind coming here on game days to watch other football games and even grab a bite to eat. In fact, I'm happy to be one of those alums that can say she remembers the 1 inch thick sludge on the floors and the toilets that wouldn't flush in the women's restroom.
So, if you're an SC alum and feeling sentimental, stop by. You'll be amazed.
-1 star for the smell of vomit. After decades of being "that" bar, all the dollars the owner spent on remodeling this place couldn't get the stench out.
TIP: Try the Sunset Wheat on tap. My favorite beer there. -
Review from Scott S.
Los Angeles, CA
10/10/2008
if pat lanni has his shirt off you know the place is awesome. With a dark corner to let petey show off his dance moves i cant imagine any other place in the world that makes me happier.
it is a college bar by definition but a 2nd home Garrett
plus they have a great collection of sport memorabilia highlited by an authentic Jimmy Killian number 18 jersey
only advice: don't come with a girlfriend -
Review from Akkara S.
Los Angeles, CA
6/1/2007
If you're an undergrad, you'll probably love this place. If you're a grad student still clinging onto your undergrad days, you'll probably love this place. I love bars, music, partying, and drinks so maybe this wasn't much of a stretch to catch my fancy. It's just a fun place to go unwind on a week night, especially since I think they have specials.
Be warned, the place smells like vomit, the counters are wet, and the floor is sticky. But hell, isn't that what a college bar is all about?? Now go take a shot!! -
Review from Bianca C.
Agoura Hills, CA
8/28/2007
Ohh goddd. The 9-0.
I've been there, done that, and really don't want to again.
The 9-0 is absolutely nothing to write home about, but somehow manages to be consistently full to capacity with drunken USC students. Why?? You're askin' the wrong gal.
Since last year the "901 Bar & Grill" (as it's been renamed) has had a facelift. Long gone is the 9-0 Sludge and bouncers who you could slip a 20 to get in if your fake ID didn't work. Apparently it's under new management now - the interior and exterior definitely show the change.
HOWEVER. It is STILL JUST the 9-0. There truly is absolutely nothing special about this little, cramped, crowded bar. Do yourself a favor and don't get pulled into the hype of this USC "hot spot" -
Review from Dennis R.
Brooklyn, NY
7/14/2009
My feelings about this place are beyond love / hate. It's like that girl you've been seeing on and off for years, and at this point you know the relationship isn't going anywhere and she kind of sucks but you keep getting drunk and hooking up with her anyways.
I hate it because it's an expensive crowded dump that you frequently have to wait an hour in line for. I hate it because it's the only choice for bars within walking distance of USC.
But my oh my do I love it too. I love that I know the DJs, and that they play techno music to clear everyone out like rats at 2AM. I love how the Panda Express sign subliminally advertises the "after-party" that goes on there the whole night. I love how they blatantly allow smoking inside, almost as much as I love how everyone in there is blatantly underage. I love the hot girls doing coke in the bathroom, and I love that I'll usually run into someone I know there who is drunk enough to buy me a drink. I love that I can cut with the VIP line (or that a shithole bar like this can even have a VIP line in the first place). I love how I fell asleep there on a Sunday night once.
Most of all, I love how when I go there after a long hiatus, the bouncers all tell me "Welcome home." With sincerity. Well, I guess I kinda hate that too. Um, four stars.Listed in: Guide to the USC Area
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Review from Janelle R.
Irvine, CA
7/31/2011
Walking distance from USC, this place is good for getting together with friends after classes to blow off steam or whatever. The staff is really nice and they gave us free rounds whenever someone had a birthday or something to celebrate. Almost everything here is fried so, obviously, its deliciously fatty, cheesy, and a heart attack in the making. Avoid the buffalo wings, but the waffle fries and cheese sticks are great
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Review from Eddie H.
7/3/2006
Dancing? Well technically yes because they have music, but 95% of what's going on in there is not dancing. It's either dry humping or white guys snapping their fingers off beat as they bend their knees.
Sorostitues swarm this place on Wednesday & Thursday nights.
Plumbing here was awful when I was an undergrad - toilets were always overflowing...
Come here early for drink specials or come here on graduation morning for bloody mary's right before you walk the aisle to grab your diploma. -
Review from terry h.
San Jose, CA
8/12/2008
When I went to school at SC, this was THE BAR. It was filled to the brim on Wednesday's and Thursdays with frat boys and sorority girls looking to dance, eat horrible burgers and get really, really drunk.
You just had to be there on Thursday nights to believe how many people this place would pack in being in the perfect location, right at the end of the Frat/Soro Row on 28th Street. It was a rite of passage to get bombed at the 9-0 and stumble home in a blind drunk.
No TV's were there then and no pizzas. It was a real dump. Only a juke box for music and drunk dancing. Sweaty, hot, steamy, stinky, slimy, dark, singy, oily, filthy and in a wierd sort of way fun with a way to help make memories. I am a different person now and probably wouldn't do what I did then but I can't go back and change it either. -
Review from Geno B.
San Francisco, CA
4/18/2009
The one thing I have to say about this place is DON'T come for the food. The pizza is decent enough, but everything else on the menu is pretty bad. It's all very bland, and cooked horribly.
The drink deals are not too bad, and the bar service is attentive enough. Lots of "typical" college students crowding up the place. It is fun to go and watch the sorority girls tripping over themselves and the guys trying to take them home. Karaoke is also quite amusing to watch.
Definitely a lot of better bars downtown, with much more interesting people, and better drink options. It's nice that it's so close school, and the inside isn't as gross as it could be, but it's too bad that it's one of the few options around USC. If you're not living in the area, I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to come here. -
Review from Gary M.
Montebello, CA
12/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Well this spot is the best place to watch a USC game. So if you are looking for a lively hard core USC crowd this is the spot. There is a $5 cover charge on game day and they have no parking so look for street parking or a nearby lot but those run pretty steep about 10 - 20 bucks to park. Most of the meters there don't need money after 8 pm but if it's a day game the meters usually only give you 1 hour. The bar itself removes all tables and chairs, and is all standing room only but they do have some bleachers set up against the wall to watch the game. They pack the bodies inside and their drinks just keep flowing. Beers are $6 bucks and then we ordered a pepperoni pizza that was thin crust and it was delicious greasy goodness. I want everyone to understand that this is a whole in the wall spot with a great party scene. This is not your upscale trendy overpriced snooty bar in downtown or on Sunset BLVD. This place is comfortable and chill which makes it perfect for game day. I love that you get the feel of the stadium crowd without being at the game, of course it is never the same but it gets pretty damn close.
