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Bordello
Categories: Nightlife Dance Clubs Nightlife Bars Lounges Dance Clubs, Lounges [Edit]
901 E 1st StLos Angeles, CA 90012
Neighborhood: Downtown
(213) 687-3766
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ages Allowed:
- 21+
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
250 reviews for Bordello
Review Highlights
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"The Burlesque show is unique and worth checking out." In 49 reviews -
"...who doesn't love black chandeliers with pink lightbulbs." In 16 reviews -
"And as others have mentioned, the stage is gorgeous." In 51 reviews
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250 reviews in English
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Review from Ed R.
Los Angeles, CA
3/21/2012
Pros: Good for people watching, hearing live bands, a good alternative to Hollywood and Silverlake scene, good random fun, very interesting decor, clean restrooms, average priced drinks, they have Hefeweizen! and a Zooey Deschanel look alike! whoever she was, she looked awesome, very pretty. I dug her style. Also, the bartender whom we thought was a bit of a douche ended up to be a cool guy! haha. He gave my DD a free non-alcoholic drink!
Cons: I could barely hear the background music, and they really should step it up with that, because it was a little boring up until the time the band started playing. We went elsewhere to end the night.
Also, when is the burlesque show? A bit disappointed because there wasn't any when I went on a Friday night! I wanted to see! haha
I would come back. -
Review from Javier O.
2/18/2012
IF YOU WANT TO SEE RED COME HERE!
Now I'm not talking about communist propaganda...every thing in this place seems to be red! If it's not red it looks red because of the red lighting every where in the bar. Last time I went to Bordello's was about 3-4 years ago...apparently before a management change. Seemed like a chill crowd and little bit on the hipster side. Had the the whole burlesque/cabaret feel too it. Almost like you stepped into a time warp and landed in a wild west saloon. Pretty cool and should experience it at least once.Listed in: Downtown LA Bars - Must visit…
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Review from Matthew S.
Long Beach, CA
1/14/2012
I discovered Bordello after perusing Yelp in hunt of some random fun. I was intrigued, but skeptical... but I'm glad I went! I ended up having a great time. The atmosphere is fun, and the burlesque shows were lighthearted and humorous!
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Review from Lauren Y.
Los Angeles, CA
6/12/2011
Ahoy Amigos!
If you can catch this place on a night when it's not crowded, it will always be a great experience. Every time it's crowded, we turn around and walk away. We have heard WAY too many stories about it being a terror on crowded nights because of the lines, the rude staff etc. But we went this past Friday (and things had seemed to improved as of late) I am thinking that maybe they were impacted by bad Yelp reviews? Let's hope so. The bartender was nice enough, no complaints there. Saw some great live music.
This place has lot of bad reviews about experiences with the owners and staff, but to be honest, we haven't experienced any of that. From what I can tell (based on Yelp reviews) it is either hit or miss these days.
Good:
-Friday, no line, plenty of parking, sweet!
- Five stars for décor. I felt like I was in a hipper version of the Tower of Terror ride. It was sick!
-Great music
Bad:
-Not so much a dance crowd, I think my crazy friends were the only ones dancing, the only ones not "too cool" to get down. Well...us and one drunk girl in front who was doing the same "sexy dance" to every different band.
Tis all for now, till next time happy Yelping! -
Review from Chris B.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 6/24/2011 32 photos
The PEEPSHOW MENAGERIE Burlesque show has moved from Bordello to CLUB MONTE CRISTO on 3100 Wilshire Avenue on the corner of Wilshire and Westmoreland (2 Blocks east of Vermont).
We loved our many years at Bordello and loved the amazing and beautiful decor of the place, but when the takeover happened, we and our audience felt the effect right away during our next three shows there.
The quality of the bar went down immediately to the point where we felt our advertising of the place as having a "full bar" was not correct. One of our regular customers told us that it took four drink requests until they had a drink he wanted. We hope that this is something that they have remedied since then (March 2011). Mind you, this was also right after the transition.
We had also lost our Sound person which was a big pain on the show's side. Frankly this was our main reason for leaving as we are now able to work with him again.
We harbor absolutely no ill will towards Bordello and their new staff and definitely not the new manager Garry Ventura who worked closely with us as soon as they took over. Frankly we liked the guy. Unfortunately he was just caught in an uncomfortable position having to deal with all the mess that followed.
I've had a lot of good times at Bordello. We put on some great shows there and saw the place grow from a place that people had trouble finding to a great destination for burlesque. We were growing to the point where the main complaint we would get was about how crowded the place was. (Yes, you'll read that over and over again here in the reviews on Yelp.) As our new location can hold 700 people, we're not going to have that problem again for a while.
We hope that any of our regular crowd finds us again at the new location and we wish the new staff of Bordello the best of luck.
~ Chris Beyond
co-producer peepshow menagerie
http://www.peepshowmen...Listed in: Burlesque Venues
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/6/2009
It's a little strange writing a review for Bordello as I do co-produce the monthly burlesque show… Read more »
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Review from Aja D.
Camarillo, CA
3/25/2011
I absolutely LOVE the decor, but after these three strikes, I'm out. And I won't be back. It's a shame too. The new owner sure seem to love screwing people over: performers, fans, djs, promoters, and their entire former staff.
From what I understand, there was a "silent partner"/owner that loaned money, let the other partner do all the work (they also own the Monte Cristo) and then recently forcibly broke things off. During this "hostile takeover" were the following two events:
Event 1.
2/13/11 "Cairo Nights"- A Full Egyptian show featuring the bellydancing of Sonia Ochoa & Aubre Hill and live music/drumming was planned to take place.
The new club owners simply DID NOT SHOW UP to open the venue.
To quote another reviewer: "The dancers, musicians, photographers and fans were left lined up outside for hours, waiting and hoping we hadn't been forgotten.
Well, we had.
After 2 hours, the ladies putting on the show were forced to announce that the show was canceled (after numerous efforts to contact the club owners) and needed to be rescheduled. Needless to say, it won't be here."
Event 2.
2/15/11 A friend was part of a show that was planned for this evening. Once again: lots of rehearsing and preparation by the performers was rewarded by a no-show from the new owner. People stood around with huge musical instruments, props, and annoyed fans....no response from the managers.
So..... now that they have NEW management (or rather, the silent partner took over and kicked the other folks out), all the old staff is gone. I just went through this crap with 1933 Group and my ex-favorite bar Saints & Sinners: the entire staff was fired without notice.
Now for Event 3.
A friend still had a great club going at this venue and despite our worries, the club was unlocked by the owners and the party went on as usual until.....
All new wait-staff. I felt bad for the old crew.... New guys are making really weak drinks and there is no more wine served at the bar, amongst other things that have all "run out." One bar tender is really sweet, but can't mix a drink to save her life and kept being rescued by her co-worker who'd pour new drinks for her.
But it was this one bar tender...
A friend steps out for a smoke and covers her drink with a napkin. She comes back just as the bar guy is about to dump out her drink. She shrieks "No no no!" and the bar guy mimics her "no no no" as he pours out her drink.
"Wow, you're really a dick." My friend says.
"Wow, looks like you really want to get removed from this bar."
"Now you're just being an ass hole."
Some more dialog ensued and she almost DID get kicked out.
My friend isn't having his event at this venue anymore and many others who used to/were slated to perform here are taking their fabulousness elsewhere.
I suggest you do the same. I'm never returning. -
Review from Melissa T.
Los Angeles, CA
3/5/2011
I used to really like coming to Bordello's, but my last experience just made it horrible! You shouldn't have to wait 30 minutes to get a drink when it's really not that crowded.
I heard they got new management? I'm assuming they did because I didn't see any familiar employees. What a shame. This place used to be fun. -even the music they played while waiting for the bands to set up was bad [as in not good!] .
the area where the couches & chairs used to be had the lights turned off. i thought that was weird & what made the deal [that this place sucks now] was the couches. Made of plastic. I laughed & thought of my grandma's house. I feel bad for the people that lost their jobs. -
Review from Paulina V.
Azusa, CA
3/18/2011
Wow Borderllo is a very unique experience, an ultimate LA stop.
The drinks were not that great, but when I returned it to the waiter he gave me a new one on the house. Not Bad!
FYI- it's sneaky to find the place because it looks like and old, empty "has been restaurant from the inside", but its in the corner right next to the metro line. -
Review from David N.
Glendale, CA
3/10/2011
So let me help out my fellow yelpers..
GRINDHOUSE FRIDAYS HAS MOVED!!!!!
We are no longer at Bordello Bar.. There has been a management change & we have decided to move on. We've moved our weekly Burlesque show to 1616 Club 1616 E. 15th street LA CA 90021 it's minutes away.
http://www.1616club.com
In comparison, upsides to this gorgeous new venue are:
-On site valet parking which is only $5
-A full dinner menu available until 3am
-4 burlesque performers AND your favorite 80's, top 40, and other varieties from your favorite DJ's Herick Hell, Joey Radikal, Jose Shuton and more
-Conveniently located off the Alameda exit from the 10, minutes from the 110, 5 and 60.
-NEW VENUE with great central air, plenty of seating room, a variety of unique bottle service areas
-Friendly staff
-Larger capacity than Bordello Bar
-Private rooms
-A back patio for smoking
Look for the spotlight and you'll know where the best Friday nights are. Feel free to contact me at boomboxevents@gmail.com for more information, this place is impressive! -
Review from Beebe L.
Alhambra, CA
2/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
(Would be a negative star if possible) I've been here before for other shows. Nice place, prices reasonable for a bar, friendly staff. Love this place till we were locked out in the cold for two hours, watching the metro go by. They do have a running reputation for opening up very late for events. That's why we waited and waited in the freezing cold for them to open up the venue, so we could watch the show and have a few drinks.
Appealingly, there was a break up in the ownership or something two days before this event but they never bother call tell the show promoter( who double check everything with them 4 days before the show) or post anything on the club to let people know. So unprofessional, unethical, and will never go back the bar, as long as its under the current owners.
If you decide to risk it and go to this bar, you might want to call before you leave to make sure it's really open before you drive all the way other there. I would have posted this sooner but my internet was down. -
Review from Adriana K.
Alhambra, CA
3/10/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Great ambiance. I like red.
I LOVE this bar. Not only do they have a very cool decor - red galore with old fashioned mirrors and chandeliers, but so far I've seen some great shows there. The burlesque is fantastic and in the perfect venue for it and the bands are fun. I recently saw Gram Rabbit there which had the place hopping.
The bartenders make a strong drink, but I'd save yourself the money and not order the "specialty" drinks. I have always found street parking super easy. But then again, I get there early and usually on a weekday. If you plan to sit down - get there early for sure - seating is limited and first come first seated on the few chairs and bench/booths.
It's a mix of people, and every time I've met random strangers who are super cool. I recently found out that the owner of Bordello Bar also owns Villains Tavern nearby. Also very cool. Do both.Listed in: Theme Bars I like
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Review from Grace L.
Los Angeles, CA
1/29/2011
Love the decor, the red lights, and the burlesque show. What fabulous, fierce, fit women! I could stare at them all day.
Nice bartenders, too. And stiff drinks. -
Review from Sara C.
11/22/2010
-good band
-love the middle eastern decor
-average LA priced cocktails
-weird secluded neighborhood
-no line/no cover -
Review from Carla B.
***AWESOME DÉCOR + HOT BURLESQUE GIRLS + KICKA$$ BANDS + FRIENDLY BARTENDERS WHO CAN MAKE A DRINK = 1 MORE FAN OF THIS PLACE***
Black chandeliers with red lights, walls painted red, a stage with red curtains, big Marie-Antoinette-ish mirrors, a separate little room with Victorian style sofas... It's very Moulin Rouge meets Dracula, with a twist of Rock.
The crowd is definitely unusual, yet in a refreshing way, to be honest. Creative, yet non-pretentious. Bartenders Shawn and Sarah were awesome -- friendly, (they would actually smile, unlike so many other bartenders who can't make a drink and act like you're lucky to be there). They knew very well how to make a good martini with just the right amount of strong and not overly sweet.
The Burlesque show alternates with several bands playing throughout the night. The bands played all original material and the musicians were amazing. The genre (at least this Saturday night I went) was predominantly Nu Metal, with a dash of Neo-Progressive. Some groups were more rap style, some more melodic with high vocal range (male) singers. Think Red Hot Chili Peppers, Korn, Rage Against The Machine, Limp Bizkit, Marylin Manson, Pink Floyd. My only complaint is you'd get 3 bands play quite a few songs each, and then a girl would come and dance 2 songs of Burlesque, and next, another band. I wish there would've been more Burlesque interventions, but it was great.
I loved that many people were wearing masks -- not sure if it's a Halloween thing, or if it's the usual Saturday night. There were 2 people actually fully dressed in black and white kimonos with really weird Japanese/goth masks walking among the crowd -- AWESOME costumes, and they were big camera whores. Loved it! We actually met quite a few interesting cool characters.
A martini will cost you about $12, and straight up whiskey on the rocks about $10, so you get an idea. You may find parking on the street, but the club has valet for $10. Also, keep in mind that although the bar takes credit cards, you need to pay your $12 cover charge CASH at the entrance.Listed in: All Things California
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Review from Don W.
11/16/2010
I'm sure this place is great for dancing and burlesque, but it's also presented as a rock 'n' roll venue. Given that I was there to see a band, I'll have to judge it on those merits.
The lighting is terrible, so you can't see the band all that well. The band isn't on a stage, so you couldn't see the band even if the lighting was better unless you're one of the lucky few on a small number of raised areas (or in the front). Note to clubs: When I go to see a band, I want to see the band.
On the upside, the sound is actually pretty good. It's certainly an interesting place, though I didn't feel the vibe was right for rock 'n' roll. There were tons of people there, but most of them were at the bar and not the least bit interested in the live music.
If you're like me and you don't like valet parking, you're in for an adventure. You might be driving around for a while looking for a space, and run into some of the less-than-savory riff-raff in the area surrounding the club. They probably aren't dangerous, but they sure aren't welcoming. Too bad the school across the street can't open up for parking! Hi, LAUSD, I'm paying for that space...I should be able to park there when the school isn't open. -
Review from Staci C.
West Covina, CA
9/30/2010
I came here for my 22nd birthday a couple weeks ago. It's literally a hole in the wall in this really sketch area. I didn't feel that unsafe, but it's a pretty quiet area. When you go in, all you see is this dark red glow. It was so loud and dark that I could barely make out the faces of my friends who were already there waiting for me. I didn't have to buy drinks so I don't know how the prices are, but I got a few drinks and they were pretty good.
This is the kind of place where you can get lost in the music. I had so much fun dancing here! I saw this goth chick doing some hippie dance moves. It was kind of epic.
And then the burlesque dancers came out!! It was super hot. I think all the girls were more turned on by them than the guys. Everyone in the front row was girls! And I was really surprised when the girls stripped all the way down to.... PASTIES!! Yes.. they took their bras off.
Check the calendar before you go! They have a $10 cover charge on Friday nights. The night we went, ladies were free before 10pm.
We weren't able to get the tables. I think you need to reserve them. But my group of 12 was able to find seating in the little room they have because we got there fairly early.
Overall, Bordello is a place to dance and have fun with your friends, not to meet people. DON'T, I repeat, DON'T, FOR GOD'S SAKE, meet people here. Seriously, in the dark, everyone looks hot! -
Review from Barry W.
*** Hmm, I dunno, I'm truly mixed about this place. ***
I love the decor ... a roaring 20'esque speakeasy vibe.
Red lights illuminate the entire place except for the stage.
Heavy burgundy colored drapes, rugs and you get the drift.
Problem here really is that it is an event driven venue imho.
I wouldn't wander up in here w/o knowing who's performing.
I came here to see Balandugu Kan, a percussive ensemble.
Flyer said 9pm-2am. I arrived 8:50pm only to find doorman
asking me to wait outside. For what? There's NO ONE here!
Then 20min later dude invites me in and charges $5 cover.
For what? There's NO ONE here! Then I ask where is the
bartender? Oh he's outside b/c hey, there's NO ONE here!
Prices are premium so I'd expect premium service. (urgh)
Well, I must say that I loved the DJ. He spinned some great
great world beat tunes. Kudos. But band did not start until
11:30pm. Cmon now, it's Wed! Band was ok, perhaps a
lil too much into showmanship rather than rhythm ... but ok.
*** I will return, but I'll do event homework beforehand. *** -
Review from Laura L.
Beverly Hills, CA
1/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I brought one if my friends here to experience a fetish burlesque show they were featuring. We're all for burlesque and fetishes so we thought it'd be super awesome. It was funnier than it was sexy.
90% of the performers were pretty yet overweight and out of shape. We were looking forward to seeing really hot girls and feeling fat. Oddly enough we wound up feeling skinny and bad for them. The performances were still cool but lacked hotness. The host was cute and funny so she kept things interesting.
The decor was really cool. It was really crowded and lacked ventilation. The drinks were ok and reasonably priced. There's plenty of street parking. It's not in prettiest of neighborhoods but our cars were still in tact. -
Review from Angela K.
Santa Ana, CA
3/2/2011
The interior is the best part of this place. It oozes this great vibe that screams sexy. I was expecting a burlesque show & we ended up watching maybe 2-3 minutes of burlesque and the rest was stand up comedians. Some were funnier than others but i guess we didn't really look up reviews or what to expect coming here cause stand up comedy was not what we were expecting!
So we were a tad bit disappointed but it was overall a fun night. =] -
Review from Chris M.
North Hollywood, CA
2/21/2011 6 photos
Fun place. There's no dress code, so if you're looking to have a classy night out you probably want to make it a large group and bring the class yourselves, because there are plenty of people inside that won't be playing along. Going with just one or 2 other people dressed to the nines will make you feel a bit like you wasted your time getting dressed.
Prices are pretty good considering they need to cover the cost of the entertainment. Balcony can be quite hot - keep your ice once you're done with your drink to cool you off - you'll be happier! -
Review from alexis b.
2/17/2011
I would come back here. I think coming on a Saturday, wasn't a great idea, since I couldn't see shit and I was in heels and still couldn't see shit. I like the lady that takes the money and gives you a raffle ticket, she's cool. Since I didn't want to wait for a drink with the honey, I sat on this couch in a hallway by the bathrooms, it was nice, because I was away from being smashed up standing for the show or in the hot mess of a non ventilated "vip" room. So my date went to get our drinks (he doesn't drink, but I do!) They were kinda weak and maybe thats because they didn't see me and they didn't feel like giving a suit a stiff drink LOL. I probably would have gotten a stiff drink, like I kept hearing about.
When it came to the show, what little I could see, I really liked and I liked the choice of music and the girls had some pasties on and lit them on fire NICE! I'd come back when its not so packed and sweaty. -
Review from Mayte D.
North Hollywood, CA
11/18/2011
You gotta go!
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Review from fran d.
Long Beach, CA
1/21/2008 ROTD 2/2/2008
BOOBS!
the great summoners. wars have been fought over them. extensive dissertations have been written. whole scores of industries based for them exist. there is no power out there that comes even close to the power of boobs .
nuclear power? nope.
the new york stock exchange? pfft! come on now.
OPEC? yeah, in their dreams.
tectonic plates? 15,000 years ago. maybe.
so you see, there is no match against boobs. they are the big disarmers, the great drool inducers. you want a person's (man or woman, or child) attention? show 'em boobage. it doesn't even have to be a bare breast, just the sight of cleavage will make any head turn.
and remember, the more cantilevered the cleavage, the quicker attention shifts.
HOWEVER! one man has risen from the ever so powerful cantilevered-ness to reclaim his identity and dignity! well, from boobage in general anyway.
how is it possible? well, you see, bordello is filled with such cantilevered-ness. the bartenders overflow with boobage. or so i found out through others that were in attendance last friday night. i for one did not actually witness such boobage as i previously mentioned i have become immune to it. i mean, there may even have been boobage shoved to my face for all i know but i couldn't tell you. why? because i am immune!
shocking, right? you're probably wondering right now what in the world could have helped me reach this unthinkable level of immunity? well, being in a relationship, that's what.
oh yeah, i noticed the lovely carnival-esque decor of the place. the beautiful chandeliers, the decked out bar. the stage area with plenty of seating and great view. the impeccable choice of tracks being played. but the boobage? nope.
you see, when you're in love, you reach a level of concentration towards your surroundings except boobage few in the history of human kind have ever been able to reach. plus, you know, having a beautiful woman like sofia m. as a girlfriend really will do wonders for your, uhm, concentration.
so while the whole crowd stood fixated and perplexed at the boobage walking back and forth, leaning forward and down, sideways even, i was actually talking to people, listening to them, and when i wasn't doing so, my attention was fixated on that beautiful creature named sofia m.
just don't ask me about her cantilevered-ness.
hey, superman had kryptonite! i have her.Listed in: Review of the Day
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Review from Stephy S.
San Francisco, CA
9/3/2009
Hard to find, but once you are in, yay, what a bad ass little spot this is.
If a club could ever be the hottest one night stand you've ever had, I think Bordello could be it. The lighting is hot and so sexy, the decor is spot on and grab you by the back hair delightful, the drinks are enough to slap you on your ass and well, yeah, I would maybe even call it 3 days later... if I remembered its name ;)
All in all, a definite place to put on your "hit it" list.Listed in: Los Angeles Bars!, Downtown LA Bars
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Review from Victoria C.
Sherman Oaks, CA
1/19/2008
I like boobs!!!
I like big boobs.
I don't like H_U_G_E boobs, but I do like big boobs.
I like round boobs.
I don't like banana boobs.
I like perky boobs.
I even like some fake boobs.
But I HATE bitchy boobs. And the boobs that I saw last night came with bitchiness.
No smiles.... no friendliness... and when one of the booby girls screwed up my drink, she didn't didn't apologize or anything. Not a sorry, not a cute lil' "oops"... Just "oh" and rolled her eyes. Uh, sorry booby girl, but is it too much to get the drink that I actually DID order???
Other than that, I liked the bar. The decor was definitely bordello-ish, which I really liked. Red.... chandeliers... low lightning. And my drinks were strong. Okay... that's one good thing about the booby girls.
Another bad point... it was hard to find. No sign... well it had a sign but it didn't say Bordello's. Weird.
So drinks good... booby girls bad. -
Review from Aunny D.
Los Angeles, CA
1/13/2008 4 photos
Most people would admit that it makes for a good story when you can say that you have talked your way out of a ticket. I admit that I have talked my way out of a few in my day. Let's face it, I'm a girl, I can be a pretty good actress (when I need to be) and I have a major advantage over the boys by having....well...boobs.
There happens to be an incredible amount of construction going on right now downtown, and those one-way streets are a bitch to maneuver when you actually know where you are going let alone going somewhere you have never been before. The other night me and a friend decided to brave the mean streets of downtown Los Angeles on our way to Bordello Bar to see my friend's band play. So as we drove down 1st street we noticed that the barricade in the middle of the street was keeping us from our ultimate destination.
So instead of driving further out of the way into what was sure to land us right smack in the middle of East LA, we decided to take our chances and make an illegal U-turn. Lo and behold, what happened? Yep, you guess it! The flashing lights of LA's finest right behind us. Doh! So as we pulled over to the side, and both of our hearts fell into our stomachs we rolled down the window, and in the most pathetic voices possible, explained to the cop that we were a little lost and were just trying to get to the Bordello Bar. It was then that something unexplainable happened, he didn't blink an eye and told us to follow him. Where? We weren't sure, but we were hoping he was giving us a police escort to the bar (who knew that would ever happen?!) and not to the LA jail there on Alemeda.
So we followed closely behind our very own private police escort and laughed at how ridiculous, yet really cool this was. As we entered the Bordello Bar I was concocting the story in my mind to wow my friends, but that totally fell by the wayside as I was distracted at how incredibly beautiful this place was. The bar is drenched in deep reds and fuschias, black chandeliers hang from the ceiling, vintage Victorian style chaise lounges line the sitting room off to the side of the ornately decorated stage.
The bartenders were all hot girls dressed up in corsets and fishnet stockings. The bar itself has a great selection of beers on tap, and the prices were right. There is plenty of sitting and standing room and in between the bands' performance they played a great playlist, which is always very telling in my opinion. Bordello Bar is a hidden gem in downtown LA, and the website says that the building itself (formerly the Little Pedro's Restaurant) is the oldest standing bar in downtown LA. I love this place, the management rocks and I'm looking forward to my next visit...hmm, this Friday sounds like a good time to check it out! ;) -
Review from Joanna J.
Los Angeles, CA
9/2/2010
Come on, smoking hot girls serving beer? Voluptuous, gorgeous gals, playing with their tassels on stage? If you're still not convinced, then you're an idiot.
It's a very tiny place, but it offers a lot. From live jazz bands to transvestites raffling 5 inch sparking red heels. People go here to dance, drink, and especially admire the beauty of burlesque. I met a couple of pin-up models who went to show their support to the stage beauties. The classy decor is a cocktail made up of Victorian and Mexican art stirred by David Rose. The lighting is perfect. Never dark, never bright, just enough to see who you are locking lips with. They have a few large tables, but you have to make reservations. But fear not! They have a comfy, red couch to snuggle with your buddies or soulmate. Last, but not least, they had a great dj that made me put on my dancing shoes and boogey the night away! Towards the end of the night, the burlesque performers signed autographs and took pictures.
The only bad side, parking is hell! Since it's a small place, parking is small too.
Even though the night ended with me blacking out and the security holding me from going back inside. I had the best birthday ever and recommend everyone to check this place out. So, go ahead, show this gem off to your friends, you have my approval. -
Review from Maria L.
Los Angeles, CA
3/11/2009
This place is cool. The decoration is great and the drinks are good...try a Mistress..soooo good.
The problem for me is that A. it's far B. It needs A/C and C. if you are not there early enough, good luck finding parking.
I've been here about 4 times to give it a fair chance, but it's never really impressed me.
I'll go again if a band I like is playing, but other than that I'll pass on this one. -
Review from Michelle P.
Los Angeles, CA
9/1/2008
COOOOKIEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take it off! Wait... Leave it on!!!
Yes, it's difficult for me to give a bar a 5 star rating until I have been a few times on a few different nights, but I am soooo tempted to give a 5 to Bordello. I went on a Friday night with a big group of yelp peeps. But, I have to say that this is the first time I have been somewhere when I thought that if the yelpers weren't there, the place would still rock. In fact, towards the end of the night when most of the yelpers were gone, I was still dancing up a storm and enjoying the other patrons. Friendly people, great music, I think I danced a bit of my ass off.
Not to mention, Friday night had these great burlesque dancers (2 performers every hour or so starting at 10:30). Now, I'm a bit of a prude when it comes to watching women strip (well, not so much of a prude as "strictly dickly") and without a few male performers thrown in for flavor for the lady patrons, it was interesting, tasteful (meaning mostly just topless with nipple covers in themes to match the performance), but not my thing. That is until...
...Cookie Monster Burlesque appeared. OH MY GOD! If you have read my other reviews, you know that I FREAKING LOVE SESAME STREET.
So picture this, Michelle dancing with nice guy I met for the first time (name to be kept in confidence). Wink. Wink. ; ) The music dies down. It's time for round three of the burlesque and I happen to be up front near the stage for the first time. So, why not stay so I can see for once?
Curtain comes up and a woman dressed in a furry blue robe and a hat has her back to us. I can see two huge white plastic eye-ball looking things on her hat. Michelle - HANDS ON FACE SCREAMING OUT LOUD "COOOKIE!!!!! COOOKIEEE!!! COOKIEEE!" I'm telling you... Imagine those old Beatles films about young girls screaming and crying? Yup - me for Sesame Street!!!!
I may have scared off the nice guys I was dancing with, but sometimes you just have be who you are. Right? I mean, I only get this way over Lenny Kravitz and Sesame Street... well and maybe the Falcons and Dodgers. So, a few vices are that bad.
After all, You can get the girl out of the street, but you can't get the street out of the girl. (Sesame Street that is). Best part - I talked to the dancer afterward and she is a professional costume designer, fellow Sesame Street freak, designed this herself, and is willing to make me one. HAHAHA!
+2: Great mix of music to dance all night
+2: Great decor in mixes of reds, velvets, textures, 20 chandeliers on the ceiling above the dance floor
+1: Bartender who is HOT and says, "what can I get for you mamma"
+4: Friendly burlesque performers who are not all size 0 or 1
+1: Free entrance for woman before 10ish and no line
-3: Charging the guys a cover (get their early guys or quit whining!)
-3: Limited street parking
-20: Valet fee of $10
+20: Cookie Monster Burlesque costume and performance!!!!
Definitely, I am going again!Listed in: Joints to Frequent (Near work…
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Review from Ayelet I.
Los Angeles, CA
9/4/2008
According to some, it is impossible to imagine innocent ol' me as possessing genitalia, so rather than talk about the burlesque that took place when I was here, or if single what I wanted to do to the hot tatted up bartender that was so kind as to close two tabs for me fast as could be asked for on a Friday night, or what I could possibly know about a bordello, I'll talk about another aspect of what appealed to me and my supposedly pure-as-holy-water mind about this bar.
1. Music. I'm an Eighties child. I grew up with Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Tears for Fears, and while the music of the eighties can be cheesy at times, it's nothing if not good to dance and sing along to. I was also amused that the burlesque dancers all had their own custom theme songs.
2. The decor. Gold painted devils atop columns, black chandeliers over the dance floor, hooks under the bar for your purse or coat, that red lighting that makes undereye circles and cellulite disappear. Dude, when you do up a bar this hot I really don't care who else shows up to enjoy it. I am the nerd that looks at the paint job rather than the crowd. Oh well, kept me happy here until I imbibed enough alcohol to be at least minimally socially normal.
3. As for the alcohol, it didn't seem that cheap overall but my Tom Collinses came in giganto glasses and were $7. Bargain! They also didn't taste like sugar water, which is always worth note given how often Mr. Collinses are ruined by crap ingredients.
In all honesty though, the only naughty thing about this bar is their crappy parking situation (open industrial area with all the parking spots coned off? I call bullshit) and $10 valet. Yipes. If you're just looking for boobies you'll have more luck with Cinemax.Listed in: Tales of the Macabre
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Review from Edward B.
Los Angeles, CA
1/19/2008
Reasons to go...
Boobies...
Nice atmosphere...
Boobies...
Cool..."hidden" LA Bar....
Boobies....
Serves food...
Boobies...
Reasons NOT to go...
Sound system...sucks...
Not the most friendly employees...
Ghetto Downtown LA... -
Review from Lisa B.
12/17/2009
Thoroughly entertaining. Went there last Sunday night to see Harlow Gold. I was impressed with the choreography, the costumes and the way the girls got into character during the show. Three shows followed by 15-20 minute breaks featuring group and individual sequences. The decor is red, red, red kitschy bordello, as one would expect. They pull it off well. It's the whole package.
The show is campy, sexy and rather comical, so don't expect to grab strip club jollies here. Modern day burlesque doesn't go there. We grabbed the premium seats which are in the center which provides an unobstructed view of the action. Side seating is a few dollars less and there are standing room tickets, as well. Provided you get there early enough, you can get a seat at the bar.
We were graced with the presence of Queen Latifah (who obviously knew one of the dancers) to our left and Senior Black Correspondent Larry Wilmore from the Jon Stewart show to our right.
I'm thinking the reviewers who were "bored" by the performance probably belong at Scores. We'll go back. -
Review from David C.
Whittier, CA
8/26/2010
Bordello is a cool spot! The decor takes you back and it looks amazing, the beer selection is perfect and the people that come here are chill. The music is on point and satisfies everyone. I love having a drink here with my girl and i always have a good time!
Check em out yo! -
Review from Chris B.
Pasadena, CA
1/21/2008
Pros:
1. Hot female bartenders, scantily clad in sexy outfits.
2. Dark, loungey, comfortable atmosphere and decor.
3. Prices are average (slightly less than Hollywood spots).
4. Bandstand, so a decent band could play there...theoretically.
5. A good place to hide if your car breaks down in the hood.
Cons:
1. Bartenders look hot, but their service is ice-cold.
2. Sketchy neighorhood.Listed in: Punish Your Liver
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Review from Duffy D.
Los Angeles, CA
4/29/2008
This is a very cool bar / restaurant. Nestled in the Artist District of downtown (AKA: shady, under construction, full of dark alleys and wrong turns) this is most definitely a little bit of an oasis amidst the quiet streets and the grumbling bums.
The inside has a rad ambiance. Very old fashioned. Apparently it took over the space of "Little Pedro's", the purported "oldest bar in Los Angeles" (not anymore, right?). Well, they dumped a bunch of dough into the redoing of the space, and they did a fantastic job (though I never went to Lil Pedro's so I have no point of reference ...). Apparently, according to their website, Bordello compares the LA Downtown scene with New York's SoHo scene and now, to quote the website, "LA's Downtown Artist district arrived with the opening of its own high profile nightclub, Bordello". Well, I can agree with that statement. The Artist district NEEDED a bar like Bordello.
Well, anyway, 4 stars.
The food (got a pizza) was good, they have a good selection of beer at decent prices, their mixed drinks weren't pricey and the music sounded good (Saw my friend's band play there and it had good sound, better than most places). They have am ample amount of seats so I actually got to sit down for their set (though I did have to sit on the side and there was an effing pillar in my way, grrrrr ... ).
So, all around, it was a cool spot to go to and I definitely recommend it. -
Review from ericka L.
Pasadena, CA
1/21/2008
As I am sure some of you recall me reminiscing, I have some very fond memories of this place in one of its former incarnations as Little Pedro's. Let's just say it was a cop bar, and I used to love me some cops.
So that being said, I didn't have any trouble finding the joint, though all the construction in the area kinda effed up my sense of direction. However, parking was easy, since there's a ton of metered parking and it's free after 6pm.
The entrance, as others have noted, is on Vignes, and takes you right to the sweet spot, aka the bar. Of course, it took me a while to get to the drinkies, as I had to run the gauntlet of Yelper love, replete with hugs, squeals of recognition, and a few feelsies.
I ordered a Stephytini and was pleasantly surprised with the strength of my cocktail. I think I had two Stephytinis and two Gimlets, all of which were highly enjoyable and well-mixed. Regarding the bartenders, I don't particularly remember them being overtly friendly, but hotness, efficiency, and the ability to make a drink that will knock me on my ass matter more to me than a smile at this type of event. I thought they did an incredible job.
I loved the red lighting and the cozy seating. I'd like to come back here and neck with somebody cute sometime. And if he's reading this, I hope he knows I mean him. :) -
Review from Min T.
Los Angeles, CA
1/22/2008
For a few years now, one of my best girlies has been trying to get me to go to Bordello. I would nod and brush her off.
Why didn't I listen to her?
This is my kind of place! I love, love, love the interior. Very classy whorehouse. Yay.
Sure, it's a bit hard to find if you're not familiar with the area. Fortunately, I grew up in NE LA so once I was heading east on 1st, I knew I'd be too far if I went over the bridge. I busted a left as soon as I thought it was legal and parked. There was plenty of street parking at just before 7 p.m.
The bouncer welcomed me in. The bartenders made stiff drinks. The music before the band started was great-- not my fave stuff but good for a crowd. A little Justin Timberlake, Beasties Boys, even our dear Britney Spears and other current dance-able tunes.
The only almost-bad thing was the sign for the ladies' room needs to be on the door rather than on the side wall. I couldn't find it and interrupted a couple about to make out to ask them where it was. Sorry guys!
A fun time was had by all! -
Review from Sarah D.
Van Nuys, CA
9/15/2008
Red walls, chandeliers aplenty, strong drinks, and great burlesque. What's not to love?
My boyfriend and I went to Bordello to see a friend's band play (The Whirling Dervish totally rocked it out). We wouldn't have found it without GPS; it's definitely a hidden gem. True, the building isn't marked, but it does have neon around the roof and there's *nothing* else nearby, so if you can't find it, you probably shouldn't be drinking.
The cover was $10 per person (which is pretty steep for a Sunday night), but the parking was free and right next door. So, it's a wash, I guess.
The fact that we drove from Thousand Oaks to downtown LA on a Sunday night--and were *glad* that we actually made the trip--says it all. Good times. -
Review from Rochelle R.
Los Angeles, CA
1/10/2010
The event intrigued me...Star Wars Burlesque show, how could I resist?
We arrived at the location about 20 minutes past 9P, the shows supposedly started at 9P. There was a huge ass line. Wow, wasn't expecting that. Bordello is located in a shady part of LA and I wasn't sure if our car was going to be safe where we parked, but we took a chance.
The crowd was very artsy and unique. Many rock-a-billy types. Me likes! I don't mind waiting in line, if it moves pretty quickly, but the line moved at a snail's pace. We didn't get in until sometime past 10P....that was almost an hour wait in line. Some people even left because the wait was too long. That is unacceptable.
The interior was cool, all lit up in red lighting. The girl bartenders wore burlesque inspired clothing...nice! It had a vintage, vampire, brothel feel to it. Pretty cool. The stage area was packed, since the place is on small side. I discovered that the burlesque show was going to start at 11:30P; there was band that played beforehand.
When the show began, the stage area got even more crowded. I thought I had a good view of the show, but I would soon be disappointed. All the tall people blocked my view and even if I tippy-toed, I still couldn't say anything...maybe a pastie or two, but I wanted to see the performance. It was disappointing too, since the girls sounded like they were giving a good show. The place was too crowded and too hot. After the 2nd number, we just left.
Bottomline (no pun intended...ok, maybe just a little): you need to get there early otherwise you may not even get in. Once inside, the best viewing spot would be on the side "upper" level or as close to the front as you can get. Once you secure that spot, don't leave. Have a friend get you some drinks and good luck moving around.
I am not sure if it was especially crowded because it was Star Wars themed, but the layout and size of Bordello really isn't ideal for a burlesque show. The stage should be more elevated. I heard they used to have these shows at El Cid...I think that's a much better venue.
Although I liked the atmosphere and I want to check out the burlesque show, I am not sure I'd come back if these shows are always crowded. The surrounding area is pretty shady that I am not sure it is worth coming out even if the aren't any shows.Listed in: Going Downtown...LA, that is!
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Review from Michael F.
Los Angeles, CA
6/13/2010
An interesting name for an interesting bar! I made the trek down to Bordello this past Saturday for the first time and found it to be one of the most entrancing looking bars that I have ever been to. It is a throwback to the early 20th century in its decor and atmosphere. There are large paintings and mirrors that adorn the walls, chairs and booths draped with plush looking red velvet, and the bar is dimly lit with red lights that perfectly set the mood. Every staff person that we encountered was welcoming and friendly, from the bouncer to the bar tenders. The crowd was chill and low key...my kinda bar!!
The purpose of our visit was to check out the Devil's Playground Fetish Burlesque Show. I really did not know what to expect since it was only described as being a Fetish Burlesque show. Fetish can really mean anything and I would have liked to see a more defined theme. This particular show had a latexy, bondage feel to it, and was pretty short overall. The MC kept advertising an upcoming Star Wars themed show which seemed like it would be more entertaining as it was a more defined concept. None the less, I still enjoyed the show, music, and especially the bar itself.
Bordello is an awesome place with a great vibe to it. Cool people in one of the most intriguing bars I have been in. It is almost like entering a fantasy world, and I can't wait to check out the other events that they have here.
