Babe's & Ricky's Inn
Category: Jazz & Blues [Edit]
Neighborhood: Jefferson Park4339 Leimert Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 295-9112
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Music: Live
- Best Nights: Mon, Sat
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking: Outdoor Area/Patio Only
- Coat Check: No
31 Reviews for Babe's & Ricky's Inn
Monday nights soul food buffet and open mic night is the best time to go. I kind of feel bad revealing this since it seems like such a secret spot. Mickey Champion is an amazing singer if she decides to perform. She used to sing with Billie Holiday.
We love momma Laura and Mickey Champion. This place rocks! definitely worth the drive....and the fried chicken speaks for itself. been going here for years and its a treat everytime!
If you like blues, you really can't find a better venue in LA to find real authentic and talanted blues artists than Babe's & Ricky's. The ambiance is simple but fitting. Everyone that works there is a kind as can be, and the music is incredible. I went on an open mic night and it seemed like everyone in that venue had a turn on the mic and was worthy of taking the stage. There even ended up being some homestyle buffet at one point, but I am not sure if it was a regular thing. That food was amazing though if it is a regular thing.
The only reasons I take one star away is that the neighborhood isn't the greatest and this isn't the type of place I normally go to so I don't really have much to compare it to. Plus, if you don't like blues, there is a good chance you won't enjoy yourself. If you do like blues, or even love it, than this is a place you definetly need to check out.
Good soul food and blues music. Nothing else in town like it. I'm sure to return!
Awesome place!!! Babe & Ricky's is the oldest blues club in Los Angeles, it's been around for almost 40 years. Live music five nights a week, really great time. Maybe not quite John Lee Hooker though he has played there, it way up there. FUN vibe, these musicians are having a good time, no doubt about it. Open mike night on Monday, had some talented people in addition to the very together and rockin' house band. Cool place!! Mixed crowd, young, old, different colors, cuties too.
Soul food buffet is served late, 11pm, included with the cover charge. Fried chicken drumstick only, spicy louisiana sausage, hush puppies, collard greens, green beans, black eye peas and potato salad. The fried chicken is similar to Roscoe's though better, more fried coating and moist. I also like the hush puppie (deep fried corn bread) and potato salad. Some good down home cooking, we scarfed it down stat.
Living legend, old timer Mickey Champion made a quick appearance. She sang with Billy Holiday, and also performs at Harvelle's, Little Pedro's, and the Ritz Carlton in Pasadena. Apparently, she isn't nearly as LOUD as she use to be. That must have been pretty awesome. This place is bangin', gaudy, and ballsy. Totally comfortable place, I'll be back. Beer and wine only. $8 cover, with minimum two drinks though that wasn't enforced. Street parking wasn't a problem at all. Thanks to SiMonster C for setting up this event. Stay as you are, Babe & Ricky's!!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (10)
Funny (6)
Cool (15)
I was transcended to back to some southern soul blues bar from the south when i stepped in here. This place has the kindest staff and people, very good music and good food. I'm from the durty south, and this was a nice hit to make me feel like i was back in Atlanta.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
nice lighting, feels good
OFF THE HOOKER! FO SHIZZ-EE! I don't know what I've been missing all these years! Dayam, I almost felt like I was being swept away HURRICANE KATRINA style. They got some MAD talent up up in there. There was even a drunk asian guy, I think japanese that was jammin on the Bass guitar. And the band was composed of white guys and latin guys... yeah I was like WTF, white guys and blues no way! They were pretty damn good tho. Tom Cruise showed up too! He was jammin on the guitar. I thought he was gonna sing, 'goodness gracious great balls of fire!' I'm glad he didn't. Watch out the for the chicken nazi. We tried to get seconds.... they gave us everything except more chicken. She said it was for the band. Okay so why is there 2 big buckets full behind the table?? Oh well. They only charge $8 for good food and great music. I'm not perturbed.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
babe & ricky's is one of my favorite things about la. it just has that down home feeling that i can't see to find in any other place. the food is delicious and the music is even better! this is a great place to show out-of-towners, because it is off of the beaten path. mickey champion, the 80 year old blues singer, is an absolute joy to watch perform. also, there is NOTHING wrong with fried chicken, black eyed peas, and collard greens. i dare you to prove me other wise.
make sure that you bring ones so that you can tip the performers!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
4/3 you're killing me with that picture of the babe n' ricky's soul food. i might need to go next monday to feed that need.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
so rad. you MUST experience this place @ least once in your life. super deal @ $7 for a huge southern dinner AND an amazing show. Mickey Champion kills it on the mike. she literally gave me chills hearing her voice.
did i mention they have tall boys of old english????!!!!!! damn good with that fried chicken and greens.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
We came here for my friend's birthday on a Friday night. It is located in south central but it seemed the appropriate location for a good blues club. At first I was a little nervous about the helicopters flying overhead and the guy that just walked by with his hand in his pocket as if he were packing, but my fears were dispelled quickly by the friendly old men sitting outside a nearby store who let me know that the meters were free after 6pm and that I needn't make an extra donation to the city by feeding it quarters.
Walking into the place I was greeted by Mama Laura who told us to come in and that she didn't bite =) If you are a guy I would really recommend either paying for the females or getting the money from them beforehand and paying for both of you. Mama Laura is a bit old fashioned and she gave the guys a little bit of a hard time for not paying for the girls even though we were just friends and the girls were paying for themselves. Also it is cash only. The cover on Friday nights was $10.
It was quite empty when we got there and it seemed as though Friday nights were not their popular night. Of course we were there pretty early at 8pm for dinner. The dinner menu selection is quite small. I opted for the fried chicken wings with black eyed peas and collard greens as sides. It also came with fried cornbread. For drinks I tried the Old English, a malt liquor, which was really tasty and went quite well with the food. The food is a little bit greasy but good southern home cooking.
The band was great and everything you would expect from a blues band. Even the one token asian in the band seemed somehow appropriate. Too bad nobody got up to dance though. I think I'd like to try coming back and checking this place out on a Monday where it sounds like they are more crowded.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Rules for enjoying Babe and Ricky's.
Note: I have never been on the famous Monday night.
1) Park your car in the lot behind the liquor store - don't be scared, no one is going to take it. If it's that nice, you should have that tracking device on it anyway. If you're really worried, the security guard in the liquor store will watch your car if you even so much as smile at him.
2) Realize that a lot of brothers are more, um, obvious when they hit on women than you might be used to - they are not trying to rob or rape you. Don't walk faster if someone says, "Whew, you are so beautiful, girl!" when you're walking from your car to Babe's. Just come back with some witty repartee aka "Yeah, that's why my husband gave me his money to come out tonight," or just a "thank you" and keep walking.
3) Don't only go on Mondays. Go on Saturday! The Saturday band - Mighty Balls of Fire - is insane. I mean, the jerrycurl guy on sax, the small Asian man who sings the blues like he was born to a black mom in the Delta, a skinny geriatric guy who jumps up on tables and flirts with women...my Baptist mother jumped up and down in here more than she does at church.
4) Talk with your friends, but pay a little attention to and tip the band. They use a Deli-Cat container for tips - how can you not?
5) Stop worrying - you won't be the only white person in there. Even on a night other than Mondays.
6) Know that the person who takes your food order is different from the person who does drinks. This woman who takes your food order doesn't smile much, she's straight to the point - this does not mean she doesn't like you. If you've ever lived in the hood, you know this woman. She works hard, she cooks well, she'd give you the shirt off her back, she just don't have time to talk right now. The fried chicken wings are great. The hot water cornbread - not so much, but maybe because I was raised on packaged stuff.
7) The woman at the door is Mama Laura or Ms. Laura. Don't be all "Laura Mae!" like you know her cause you saw her on the website. She is sweet as can be and will want you to have a good time. Compliment her hat.
8) Get up and dance, scream, whatever - this ain't a Hollywood lounge.
I took two women with me - one was thirties with two kids, one was my mom. My mom was dressed in her Sunday Best, the other was in jeans. They both had an equally good time. If I lived nearby, I'd be in there every night!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (6)
Funny (6)
Cool (5)
I went to Babe's & Ricky's last night with a couple of friends and we had a great time. But, one of my friends is a huge fan of Mississippi Delta Blues so the music was a letdown for him and I can't say that I disagree. When we first arrived the house band played for quite a while but there wasn't anyone singing! We were actually having fun making up our own lyrics to the songs. Monday night is jam night so other musicians and performers kept joining in throughout the evening. One woman dressed up like a flapper jumped onstage and sang a dreadful version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Not to be cruel but come on, this isn't the American Idol tryouts!
The buffet that they bring out at 11pm is a huge hit with the crowd. I didn't try it but one of my friends did and he really liked his meal. But, I should mention that he was pretty buzzed so, who knows what it actually tasted like. It looked like it was potato salad, black eyes peas, collard greens, and fried chicken. The crowd was scarfing it down so, it was probably good! It wasn't vegetarian friendly so, I stayed away.
We were anxiously awaiting the infamous Mickey Champion to come on stage. She finally sang around 11:30 and the crowd LOVES her. All night long folks kept going up to her and hugging her, shaking her hand, and talking to her. She has a strong voice, she doesn't need a microphone but it was slightly stressful when she stood in front of our table singing for a tip. Very uncomfortable! I didn't have any change at that point in the evening and didn't know what to do! Thankfully she moved on to the other tables and people were wildly throwing dollar bills at her. Very odd, I felt like I was in a strip club but where they have 90 year old strippers!
It was packed in there by the time Mickey Champion went on. The vibe inside was strange. We loved Mama who took our money at the door. She was very friendly and people seemed to really dig her. But, there were more hipsters there than I normally see out at a club and I live in Silver Lake, can you believe that? People were friendly though and everyone was having a great time.
Not sure if I ever need to go there again but I did have a lot of fun hanging out with my friends. I really love blues though and listen to it often so again, I was slightly disappointed with the music. On the way home I was still craving good blues music and I had just come from a blues club!!!!!!! UGH! To be fair, we all know Los Angeles is seriously lacking blues clubs so I probably shouldn't complain but....well, some of the music was not good. Cozy's in Sherman Oaks is better but that is just way too far away. But, when the musicians you like are all dead this may be the best you could come up with in Los Angeles without having to go over the hill!
I don't want to dissuade folks from coming here just because I didn't really like the music. It wasn't bad but I think I am just too picky when it comes to blues! I would say that the music is worth about three stars but I had a lot of fun so I am rounding up and remember you can get a buffet dinner for $8! Oh, and the beer is cheap! So, go check it out, it is fun.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Funny (7)
Cool (8)
Monday nights are the shizz...mmm soul food. There was a 2 drink minimum, but you can order non-alcoholic if you're driving. The singer and the band were phenomenal. Street parking was non-drama during the week. A must see if you're in LA.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
an amazingly genuine place in an ungenuine town.
i've only gone on monday nights, which are "open mic" nights, but they're fantastic. $8 cover charge, cheap drinks, and a real, down-home southern soulfood buffet (included in the cover, includes sausage, fried chicken, cornbread, collard greens, etc.) served at 11PM!
the musicians, especially the house band, are amazing, and the treat of the evening is definitely experiencing micky champion perform. if you saw her walking down the street, you'd probably think, "what a dear, sweet little old lady." but at babe's and ricky's ms. champion is a national blues legend, belting out tunes WITHOUT a microphone and STILL drowning out the band! amazing. be prepared to fork over some ones as a tip, because she'll stand in front of your table and howl the blues in your face until you do. it's actually quite charming.
and the food... ahhhh, yes. the food. it's awesome. unpretentious. flavorful. authentic. abundant. and more than you deserve, given the paltry $8 cover charge and cheap drink prices... but exactly what you want after a couple hours of booze and blues.
make sure to show up early to claim a table, and leave all your LA pretenses behind, because mama laura and her staff are going to show you what real mississippi hospitality is about...baby.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
Easily one of my favorite places to go in LA. I've been coming here for about 4 or 5 years now and at one point was coming here almost every Monday.
I've only been on Monday nights and every time I go I have a blast. If you're from the Westside you might consider it the hood (although people I know originally from Crenshaw say its not) but this place is a classic.
The inside isn't your typical LA fare and is very much what a blues bar should be.
The house band is great and the local talent that comes through on open-mic night (Monday) is incredible. These axe-wielding maniacs know how to make their guitars sing, cry, and outright rock your socks off.
The volume can get a bit loud and excessive but its live music, get over it.
Drinks are cheap and with an $8 cover charge that includes great (but not good for you) food.
Every time I have gone I have had a great time without fail. Go for the food and cheap drinks; stay for Mickey Champion who can fill the entire place with her voice WITHOUT a microphone.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
there are no words to describe how wonderful this place is.
the music, the food, the people, the drink prices...
everything about this place supersedes your best expectations for a blues bar.
i've been going there for about 11 or 12 years... and it hasn't changed. the food is still sooooo damn good... the music authentic... and the people....tremendous.
every monday night is tony's blues jam. you pay a measly cover...i think it's still 5 bucks....but it might be 8 now... and that includes a free buffet dinner.
it is NOT all you can eat... but the fried chicken is simply the best i've ever had... the hush puppies are really good as well.
if you catch mickey champion singing, you are in luck... that tiny lady has a huuuuuge voice and the best stage presence in the world.
she really takes you back to the days where performer's actually interacted with the crowd.
she goes around to each and every table and sings right to you while shamelessly demanding tips... but she's worth it.
this place is a wonderful piece of los angeles history, and everyone should treat themselves to a visit at least once!
Look, I'm happy I live near this place ok? And I LOVE blues. I'm from Chicago. Of COURSE I love the Blues. And Jazz too.
I'm talking toe-curling, innards-swaying, slide outta your chair love for good blues.
And it's out there. But not quite HERE.
Which isn't to say that this is not a fun, happy place with a gloriously eclectic crowd really to collectively enjoy the Blues, with a side of greens and hush puppies. My goodness, for $8 cover, why WOULDN'T you?
And let's all admit, shall we, that there is a profound lack of decent Jazz and Blues in this city. So this place shines above and beyond the small stagnant pool of jazz and blues joints L.A. has to offer. If I'm going to go anywhere for some blues, I'll go here. For sure. Even without the free food, I'd come here. My head swayed, I was sweaty, and some of the guys were really innovative in where they took the music.
I just have somewhat higher standards.
It's a great place to go with friends, have some beers and fried chicken and enjoy some blues while you kick back on a Monday, and pretend its the weekend.
It is just not "Rock Your World Blues." Which is ok. Not everything can be. I just wish somewhere in L.A. I could find such a thing...even without the buffet.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
I've been avoiding this review for some time because I didn't want to let the secret get out. However, as I was sitting at Babe's and Ricky's last night, I realized that this place is just too good to keep to myself. I have been doing a pretty bad job of that anyway, as this is the first place I take out-of-town visitors.
Far from the cheesy Hollywood clubs, this place is quintessential Los Angeles. The drinks are cheap and the crowd is always diverse. Monday nights are my favorite. There's a soul food buffet and live blues all night. The best part though is when Mickey Champion performs. I cannot find the words to describe her, so I won't even try. Just know that she's a goddess.
---
Take Metro #40, 740, 210, or 105.
Babe's and Ricky's shares so many of the same qualities with the music that is showcased there. It's full of soul and emotions. It's full of history. And it's relatively unknown to a lot of people.
On Mondays, you get to listen to the house band and anyone who is bold enough to show off their licks and chops.
Then you get treated to a show by Mickey Champion. She's awesome. She doesn't even need a mic. I love it when she demands tips as well.
Then to top off the amazing night, you get fed! A soul food buffet consisting of chicken, sausages, collared greens, and deep friend cornbread will only make your night exponentially more enjoyable.
It's truly a unique and memorable experience. What made it even more memorable for me, was that as I was leaving, these guys were playing chess under the street light at like 11 pm. And one of the guys had a duck on a leash. Maybe if you guys happen to see these guys again, look out for the duck. What's with the duck? I want to know.
A Must go on Monday's ! Mama Laura at the door is over 80 years old and the sweetest woman I have ever met. I drank Zima there last time I went but I do not reccomend it (I'd go with a Miller High Life instead).
Great Blues Music! Don't forget to tip the band! $8 INCLUDES your food ....Fried Chicken, Collard Greens, Black Eyed Peas on paper plates....what? I'm In!(Served family style at 11PM) - cover goes up to $10 at 10PM. Cash Only and No Hard Liquor.
Note: Some of the USC/ Silverlake/ hipster crowd have found out about this spot and are annoying to me and some band members.
Mama loves you.
"Boy, you're not going to make this pretty lady pay for herself, are you?", I heard founder Laura "Mama" Mae Gross inquire of the party paying in front of us. I furtively took the $20 bill from my friend's hand (she was taking me out for my birthday and I wasn't carrying any cash). I handed the money to Mama and she smiled and jovially shouted over her shoulder, "see, this gentleman knows how to treat a lady!" I sheepishly, guiltily smiled in return. Thus began a fantastic night at Babe's and Ricky's.
The club is intimate, the drinks are inexpensive, the staff is friendly, and the music is phenomenal.
Half way through the evening the chaffing dishes are brought out for a soulfood buffet with fried chicken, collard greens, corn bread, etc. "You best get in line if you're going to eat", Mama helpfully instructed us before the food was even out of the kitchen. Amazing.
All of my respect to Mama and Mickey Champion; each has done something special for L.A. and for anyone who visits this amazing place. I cannot think of a better way to spend a Monday evening.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
Finally! A great blues club. One of the best places in LA on a monday night. Going to this place is like walking out of LA and into the south side of Chicago. Like Chitown's Checkerboard and Lee's Unleaded Blues, Babe and Ricky's has good music, inexpensive drinks (like $3), and great atmosphere. Harvelle's and the other Leimert Park joints are cool, but this place is rollicking fun. The Monday cover even includes a late night soul food buffet! Be sure to catch Mickey Champion singing, she's by far the highlight of the evening, a blues icon, and has a voice that can consistently cut through a room of 200 loud people! Second best is the 11 p.m. spread of fried chicken, beans, hush puppies, and greens. Three cheers. Ooh! I gotta go back soon!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Have you ever had live blues performed in your living room for you and your closest friends? If you have, you're a lucky soul, but if not, Babe's and Ricky's Inn on Monday nights is near as I can tell the next best thing. There is no pretense about this place or the people in it. A friendly, and truly diverse crowd all there for the love of some good music and of course the Monday night fried chicken dinner. For $8 you're in the door for a three-hour set of blues, about 2,000 calories and true Southern hospitality. The other reviewers are right on about Micky Champion - she was in fine form this last Monday with an animal print hat and vocals to match.
On Mondays the music starts around 9 PM with the bulk of the crowd rolling in between 9:15 and 9:45. Come hungry but also don't expect the food to appear until 10:15 or 10:30. No one at our table got to the bottom of a beer without the chance to order another and for $3.50 on average, it wasn't hard to convince us to do so. Wine, soda and bottled water are also available but with 16-oz. Old English 800, is there really a choice?
It's great for groups or a date but is the kind of joint you'd feel just as comfortable in alone. We were celebrating a birthday and storing our cake in the kitchen was no problem plus our guest of honor got a serenade from the band.
Babe's and Ricky's somehow takes the blues and manages to create utter happiness among everyone who walks through their door. http://www.bluesbar.com
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I once had my birthday party here. The food was great. The music was entertaining and fun. And let's not even get into how the owner baked me a delicious birthday cake herself and brought it out to the table as a surprise. I surrender. Thank you.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Walked through the doors and I felt like I walked into a Memphis Blues bar. This is one of the best bars I have ever been to.
Let me start with Mama Laura, the owner and the also the sweet woman that greets you at the door. She makes everyone feel so welcome as soon as you enter her doors, as if you are family. Make sure to give her a hug.
Then there is the food. Fried chicken, black eyed peas and potato salad for me. For $8, this meal is a deal. My plate was piled high with fried chicken wings and all my sides. Sprinkle some Louisiana Hot Sauce on your chicken and you're gravy.
Now let me talk about the music. The musicians at this place are top-class. I visited on a Thursday night, one of their slower nights, and they had a Blues jam. If you have never liked the Blues before, these musicians will have you changing your mind. Feel free to drop them a tip in the bucket if the music moves you.
I hear that the Mondays are their busiest night, the place gets packed and there is a buffet included. I will sure be there again for that since I promised Mama Laura, and I don't want to disappoint her.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Absolutely a must do for Mondays. Fabulous food, even better music, eclectic LA crowd. My boyfriend and two of our friends went last night, and had a great time. The place is old, with a feeling of history and familiarity about it. Babe herself takes your $8 at the door, and Ricky can be spotted bringing the food out from the kitchen.
The guest of honor, Micky Champion will blow your mind with her intense vocals, and the amazing reality that they are coming from the depth of her eighty-something year old 5 foot tall body. Her singing is so powerful, she ditches the mike and walks the floor, visiting each table as she belts, winning your $1 and $5 bills out of you.
Go! It's something different, special, and very yummy for both the belly and the soul.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
Ok...so if you are looking for something totally awesome and DIFFERENT to do in LA...head to Babe and Ricky's in Leimert Park. From the 10 frwy you go south on Crenshaw for a few miles--don't freak out, it's safe. lol MONDAYS are the BEST nights to go...open mic night. If you can play, sign up and jam if ya want to...or sing. Most people just go to listen and for the GREAT SOUTHERN COOKING. Monday nights-$8 cover which includes the blues music AND...drum roll here...Mama's home cookin and the voice of Mickey Champion. Mickey used to sing back-up for Billy Holiday among others and she belts out tunes without a mic...and she's in her 80's!!! AMAZING. Mama's cooking rolls out around 10pm so save room for the fried chicken, black-eyed peas, collared greens and corn fritters. Can't beat it for $8...and it's a cool date place at that.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
can we keep this place on the DL pleaaaaase??!?
Solid blues club in Leimert Park. You'll feel like you've left Los Angeles and found yourself in a friendly Memphis Juke Joint.
Solid local blues musicians and on Mondays a free soul food dinner (with price of admission)!
visit babe & rick's and support the oldest continuous blues club in los angeles. order up some chicken wings and a can of colt 45 at the bar while enjoying the kind of down home you can sop up with a biscuit.
its just good for your soul.
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
fun things to do when in…
something different, something new, something that…
Hot and New
- Dominick's Restaurant
39 reviews
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
- South
28 reviews
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
- Griddle Cafe
324 reviews
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
- Totoraku
10 reviews
Neighborhood: West Los Angeles
- Auntie Em's Kitchen
165 reviews
Neighborhood: Eagle Rock
