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El Rey Theatre
Rating Details »
Categories: Music Venues, Venues & Event Spaces
Neighborhood: Mid-City West5515 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 936-6400
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- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 7:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet, Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Thu, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
150 reviews for El Rey Theatre
This business is a Yelp Sponsor
10/20/2009
11/6/2009
11/5/2009
10/22/2009
10/19/2009
10/17/2009
10/26/2009
9/20/2009
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10/8/2009
10/9/2009
10/12/2009
9/18/2009
8/27/2009
8/25/2009
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10/1/2009
7/26/2009
6/29/2009
5/27/2009
7/20/2009
7/23/2009
9/21/2009
5/27/2009
4/18/2009
Updated - 5/29/2009
8/25/2009
1 photo
8/25/2009
5/18/2009
3/11/2009
5/20/2009
6/7/2009
5/26/2009
3/16/2009
1/29/2009
12/23/2008
12/18/2008
1/20/2009
10/17/2008
12/6/2008
3/1/2009
One of El Rey Theatre's Favorite Reviews What's This?
Oh the El Rey!!!! I bought tickets to see Juliette Lewis months ago and thought...I've been to the El Rey a million times but I don't remember a thing about it. Boy, was I glad when we pulled up Saturday night.
Um...this is only my FAVORITE place to see a show!
I forgot how many great shows I've seen here, but it all came back to me when I saw the marquee. Street parking was EASY..but I think it was because the show wasn't sold out. I've been to other shows here where we had quite a hike. Drinks were pretty average price for a LA venue. Red bull and Kettle One plus a Grey Goose and tonic was $19.
Watched the Ettes (their drummer is out of control!! amazing!) open the show from right behind the sound guy area and it was a great spot. My friend wanted to sit down but the balcony was closed :( So we made our way to the chairs that line the perimeter along the walls. We ended up sitting right next to the cordoned off VIP section where Ellen Paige (tiny pixie lady) was sitting with a friend.
Once Juliette took the stage, we quietly side stepped the VIP rope and VOILA suddenly I was a VIP! We had a great view of Juliette's amazing stage show.
If this wasn't the best show I've ever been to, I don't know what was.
Now that I remember how much I love the El Rey, I will definitely try and go to more shows here.
There was NOTHING bad about this place.
1. A Mexican/Indian fusion restaurant.
2. Street parking if you're willing to walk a few blocks.
3. Extremely easy-going and friendly door-staff unlike any other LA venue I've EVER EVER been to I am EYEING YOU SPACELAND.
4. Old and beautiful.
5. Ample seating.
6. Ample pit (not arm pit, please wear your deodorant) room.
7. A very well-stocked bar.
8. Good ticket prices.
9. Nice bathroom.
I had the best concert experience here that I have had in a long time. Just magical. I would see anyone here.
Tonight was my first experience at the El Rey (watching White Rabbits perform - excellent!) and it did not disappoint. I love this venue because it reminds me of my all-time favorite live music spot, The Fillmore in San Francisco. Similar colored lighting, gorgeous chandeliers, and a generally cool and historic feel.
My night was great the moment I stepped through those doors. But one star dropped off because of our weird and unpleasant experience trying to get through the doors. Whoever they have outside herding those in line and giving out wristbands needs to be seriously reprimanded and whipped into shape. The guy outside was so busy barking at people that he failed to check our IDs and give us our wristbands. He was so scary and unfriendly that we were scared to ask him. Then another man shouted at us to move up to the box office, then another man yelled at us that we were 'blocking my area.' Your area? Wow, I didn't know I was standing in front of the owner of the famed El Rey Theatre! Once we got past that gauntlet, it was smooth sailing. The people in the box office, those checking tickets and everyone else was lovely and friendly.
We had access to the balcony and I was glad to take advantage of the tables and chairs there because we were really early and my knees aren't as strong as they were in my younger days, when I'd fight men three times my size to get to the front of the stage. A consequence of that was sitting by industry types who were completely uninterested in the show. If I'm in the same situation next time, I'll sit upstairs for the openers and join The People downstairs for the main act, where they give a hoot about the music.
All in all, this theater is beautiful and fantastic, with gorgeous sound and a great vibe. Can't wait to see more shows here!
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I like old theaters. I went to see Gavin Rossdale and Nico Vega here. I was really looking forward to go to The El Rey I had looked it up on yelp and the site so I was prepared to know exactly where I was going.
When I got there they seemed to have everything pretty organized with the lines so that was great, I had been to another place where I waited in line and was told the line I was in was correct until a half hour later and had to get in the back of another line. When it came to going in the lady in the line was extremely rude to me, she checked my purse made me pull out my makeup bag and open that and put everything away in 2 seconds, she pretty much shouted at me. Not cool. Oh and I had to spit out my gum, weird but understandable.
When I entered the theater it was larger than I had expected! I thought 'Wow it's so nice in here.' However, it's still a small venue. RED RED RED! the inside floor is red and you take two steps down to this large standing area. The stage barrier is about 2 ft away which I find perfect for interaction with the performer. The sound quality sounded awesome nice and loud but didn't bust your ear drums. My drinks were moderate tasting and price, come on it's LA what do you expect?
I am not reviewing the concert here but the chemistry from the crowd and performers were INSANE! I can't wait to see either performers again. It defiinitely felt like home to these two performers (obviously)
Besides having the rude lady in the beginning who happened to help me in the end with this stupid dude take my photo with his cell this is a wonderful venue.
I can't wait to go again.
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I lurve this place. It's dark and lovely.
The bathroom attendant is a bit wierd, though. She has a MAD creepy stare.
I came to see the Local Natives over the summer. Sound was excellent. I would have liked to see Bat for Lashes, but she sold out.
Wah wah wahhhh.
Went here last Wed to see Junior Boys, I love this venue! They have valet, which is much needed in that part of LA. Full bar and restaurant! Decided to head upstairs to take a seat, eat a little grub drink a couple cocktails and enjoy the show. Decided to share Marsala fries, they were alright, but being upstairs was kick ass. Being up there, we could see the stage perfect! Can't wait to see another act there
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One of my favorite LA concert venues. Fairly intimate, nice dance floor, great selection of bands, and parking prices that don't make me cry. Drinks could be cheaper, but you could say that about any LA venue (perfect place for your flask).
Very nice venue with a good vibe. It's small and nicely decorated, which lends a classy and intimate feel. Decent sound in most areas, and seating along the sides at the SRO shows.
Best of all is the step-down in the center of the dance floor, which makes for great sightlines even if you're farther back (see photos). A short person could stand on the top step and not be blinded by all the tall mofos who normally crowd down front.
Beer prices are high but not out of line with standard concert gouging. And the attached Indian/Mexican take-out shop looks pretty good too - tandoori chicken tacos? That's worth a try.
Overall a great small venue in the middle of LA.
No back packs allowed which is annoying for public transportation folks and or bikers. Way to many rules in order to enter. Little to no seating. Small dance floor despite large carpeted area. Red velvet interior shrinks the sound system to wedding rental quality. A glass of water from the tap is $1. To many staff may explain the ridiculous charge for water. I go to shows fairly regularly and this venue was disappointing.
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Little Brother put on one of the most intimate, amazing shows here! The place really makes you get close to the audience members, and that helps make the show that much better. The design of the side stands, along with the balcony in the back make it feel epic and open. An unrivalled location for a show in L.A.!
Great Venue. Not too big, not too small and they have a great sound system. The drinks are pricey but then again that's the case at most concerts. I really liked the decor of this place...classy. Too bad I didn't see the best of bands but I would definitely go back to this venue for another event.
I came to a Box Elders/ Mt. Saint Helen's Vietnam Band/ Cursive show few months ago. My boyfriend go us tix for my bday and I was super stoked! The interior of this venue is classic...lots of rich reds. It does have some seating on the side if you would prefer that instead of standing in front of the stage. It was a bit colder and sometimes the sound or acoustics were off or something. Awesome show though. Loved it.
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The El Rey is perhaps one of my favorite venues to check out bands.
While the staff can be a bit on the fascist side of things (NO STANDING IN THE AISLE!!!) and won't let you bring in gum (because I am guessing I look like an animal who will stick it somewhere?) it still is one of my favorite venues to see bands.
I have seen so many bands here from Ted Leo and the Pharmacists to Josh Rouse to Minus the Bear (on my Birthday no less!) and each time, it never seems to fail to be a good show.
Good acoustics, chairs along the walls, chandeliers, dark wallpaper, and mini balconies to lean against so you can be above the heads of the people in the sunken-in dance floor area, I have yet to have a really bad show experience at the El Rey.
I always like seeing bands at this venue but I may be a bit bias since I live few minutes away it.
You can probably find street parking but they also have valet which I do not recommend. What ends up happening is everyone gets out at the same time, so the valet people can't keep up which means you're stuck outside for awhile waiting for your car. You can also park behind the Hollywood Video lot for about $10.
El Rey has a great sound system, and last night when I went to a sold out show (on a side note everyone should see Friendly Fires live) I didn't feel as if I was in a sardine can with sweaty people; it was nice.
They don't have set times posted on their web site for shows nor do they announce it on the phone. However, we were able to retrieve one for the Friendly Fires show on Golden Voice's Forum, so something to definitely look into if its a Golden Voice show. (http://www.goldenvoice...)
Maybe its normal but it was a bit of a shocker when 2 vodka sodas (Absolute) and 2 beers (Coronas) came out to be $45. With tip that tab ended up being $50! I'm all for spending money on tasty beverages and food but just a plain old house vodka and beer for $50? That hurt a bit...well actually hurt my boyfriend who paid for it.
I was dying to try their Cowboys and Turban, Indian flavored tacos but will have to come back on Taco Tuesdays, its only $1!
3 Things that are extremely important when visiting a new music venue.
1) sound quality
2) having a comfortable place to relax between bands
3) reasonably priced drinks
El Rey has all of these, from sound to ambiance.
Comment from Jane Y. of
El Rey Theatre
9/29/2009
So glad you enjoyed our venue! Hope to see you again…
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Love this venue - drinks are strong, the bands are always good, the sound is great and there's a great little cafe next door that has good samosas to soak up that alcohol and give you energy to dance your butt off.
My friends and I went to the El Rey last night for the Girlie Girl show, and we had a fantastic time. We loved being in the big, general admission crowd and worked our way up to a great spot by the catwalk.
The show itself was spectacular, opening with a pair of old school, sixties style go-go girls in tinsel bikinis who shook it for a solid twenty minutes! The action moved into a really funny story line about a secret agent being tortured by a gang of weird rapists (funnier when they said it, trust me!) including a man aptly named "Rapey" who came out from the wings halfway through the show with a giant tent in his pants.
Again, funnier when they said it.
The wrestling portions of the show were equally entertaining, and honestly, the fact that the drinks were strong (and not crazy expensive considering that it is a venue!) didn't hurt a bit either.
I've heard that these Girlie Shows happen every few months, and I will definitely be back to the El Rey to see another one!
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Wow.
The El Rey is absolute live music perfection.
Comparable to the Nokia Theatre in NYC, the El Rey has a low stage, a great acoustics, generous standing room, decent drinks and a second-level balcony for those that just want to sit and chill from above.
I came here to see the ethereal Bat For Lashes aka Natasha Khan, and was blown away. I could not fathom seeing Bat For Lashes at the Music Box/Henry Fonda... the acoustics are so terrible there.
There isn't much for me to elaborate on as there are already 130 reviews before mine, but out of all the places in LA to catch live music, the El Rey is most definitely at the top of my list, and I'll be back in August to see Emiliana Torrini.
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Saw Lady Sovreign with Chester French here last night. Great Venue!! There are some places I avoid like the plague even if I love the band or musician, but this is definitely not one of them!
*It's small-just how I like it
*conveniently close to me-just west of La Brea on Wilshire only took about 15min to get there
*parking was easy- there's a lot right across the street that had plenty of spots, and there wasn't a long-ass line to get out when we left
*drinks are cheap-$8 for a Sky rocks, not bad!
*staff was friendly
*plenty of standing room b/c it wasn't too packed-im getting too old for GA, but this one wasn't bad. I didn't feel like I was in a mosh pit the whole time with teenagers' (there were unfortunately plenty of those!) sweaty armpits in my face. Nice!
The only downside was that the doors opened @ 8 and they made us wait outside in line until like 8:30. And they could use another, or a larger, women's bathroom. It was kinda cramped in there. Other than that I have no complaints. I can't wait for my next show at the El Rey!
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I came to this venue once and I hope I don't have to go back.
The venue itself is beautiful. The acoustics are spot-on. It's spacious enough to feel like a concert, but not large enough that the people in the back have a bad view.
They will also treat you like they are your babysitters. No gum. Stand in line like a duck. I was expecting a pat on the head and an M&M for my good work at the end of the night. Which, would have worked since the crowd I was there with were all about 15, but I suppose that just reflects my terrible taste in music, not the venue.
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I used to talk a lot of crap about the El Rey, but after my last two experiences, my opinion has changed.
The floors used to be sticky and the security guards used to be douchebags. Not a fan of waiting in line, which I had to do before because they didn't let people in at doors. They let you in about 30 minutes after doors, at times.
No, you can't bring water in, and someone might yell at you because of it, but that's probably just because they hate their job.
BUT once you get in, there's a great indian cafe (?) to your right, which has a great tikka masala, I must say!
The bathrooms could be bigger and you can see the guys using the urinals since they leave the door open, but whatevs..free show. All in all, the sound is good, if you stand in the right spot you have a great view the entire show, and the drinks are cheap(ish).
Free parking is possible, too! Woohoo!
As fancy as it looks,its great for punk rock.No bouncers.The stage is HUGE so imagine jumping off that (it hurt).It was a long drive,so i wouldnt go unless its a band that hardly plays.Pretty good.
Really great venue! The stage is low, the place feels intimate, and the main floor is slightly sunken in, giving shorties like me the option of standing up a step or two right near the stage and I can still see! Both walls are also lined with chairs, giving plenty of options for good viewing no matter your height or mood. The audio quality was great, and my ears weren't even ringin' when I left. Oh, and they actually put alcohol in their drinks! Friendly staff - would definitely prioritize this place up there with the Troubador.
One note: Los Angelians - could you please, for the love of god, move to a beat once in awhile? I know you like lookin' pretty, but it's live music!
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The El Rey has always been one of my favorite venues in LA, because of its excellent sound, relative small interior, easy-ish parking, and central location (which makes for ultra convenient post-concert K-town eats). We made our way down there for the My Bloody Valentine show a few days ago, and had a great time (duh). Just a few comments...
1) Gum is not allowed inside the venue, in any way, shape, or form--because the El Rey is a "historical landmark." But for some odd reason, cameras, cigarettes, lighters, and weed are A-OK.
2) The band seemed to be experiencing some issues with the sound guys. They seemed a bit agitated and none too pleased with the way that things were going. El Rey, please get with the picture. This is MBV for fuck's sakes.
3) Thank you for the smoking section/patio thing.
4) Three stalls in the women's restroom? You've gotta be kidding me.
5) Some sustenance would be nice. How about serving up some pretzels or Slim Jims or something? I hadn't eaten anything before going to the show, and being on my feet for 5 hours straight, sans food and hydration, nearly knocked me off my ass.
Overall though, great place, great show.
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Comment from Tessa S. of
El Rey Theatre
5/6/2009
1) Gum is more to keep our carpets safe. Cameras, cigs and…
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And it wasn't until yesterday evening where my faith in the El Rey was restored. I think I've fallen for you all over again, dear venue..
Saw St. Vincent here last night and I must say the night was amazing. I had forgotten that Luna Park was just around the corner. Dinner before the show was tasty and convenient and just a short walk away. Street parking was plentiful, and even lot parking wasn't too bad. 10 bucks? Not too much to ask, I think, for safety and ease of leaving the place without hassle.
There were SO many star spottings that I can't even begin.. And I won't even start, so as to not give away my geekiness.. Makes me feel like I'm one of the cool kids because people I love were there to be fans of other people I love. But besides that, the view was great. Standing on the stairs of the pit provides optimal viewing enjoyment. And I had forgotten that the smallish size of the place leaves you feeling like you were close to the stage, even if you weren't.
The sound last night could have been better, though. That's my one gripe. St. Vincent, I know you can rock it out. I've seen you rock it out at the Echoplex.. So I think the El Rey has lessons to learn when it comes to doing bands justice.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/5/2007
El Rey, why are you so pretty inside? Makes me feel fancy while hanging out here for a concert. The… Read more »
I went to the El Rey for the first time when I saw the Germs and Agent Orange play. What a cool venue! It's an older building but unlike the Key Club, they've put a lot of TLC into it. It's a very comfortable place to hang out, drink, and see a show. I like that it's general admission, too, so you can wander around to your heart's content during the show. Look forward to seeing more live music here.
I think the very last time I saw the Pretty Girls Make Graves play it was here, at the El Rey. I love this venue. It's big, but not so big you can't see or hear the band. It's not Hollywood, but it's still nice. The seating is always general admission, so you're not stuck in some bad seat. The drinks aren't cheap though, so if you are slick enough, I advise taking in a flask. Getting drunk isn't easy, but lets face it, its something we all need todo more.
What is great? The space (intimate, not too crowded) the bands they usually book, the new, tiny Cowboys and Turbans selling delicious Indian food during the shows, easy access to the bars and throughout the venue, they actually manage the crowds pretty well here. Also, even if you are not sure about the opening band, GET THERE EARLY. You may snag a seat along the wall which will make ALL the difference.
What is NOT great? The box office is not open except the night of the show. So of course, you COULD get raped by ticketmaster to assure a seat. Or you could go to the Music Box at the Fonda on Hollywood and...PAY a $5 service charge for EACH TICKET! Why do I have to pay you money to have the ability to BUY something from you!!!!
The El REy is cool, but be forewarned, go the night of the show or get ready to just add 10 bucks onto the price of tickets.
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Classic Art Deco!
No matter when i go, no matter what type of show, this place never blows. i would imagine even if the act sucks, this place can coax you outta the weeds of disappointment...
i've seen supreme beings of leisure, supergrass, digable planets, and some other bands i've forgotten about already.
you can't go wrong with the above average acoustics, a room that is intimate and slanted downward for good views virtually all around, and a bar that never seems overcrowded no matter how packed the place gets.
you can always move up closer to the band, slinking in and outta the sea of mostly chill peeps on the floor. And I literally mean, breakin' it ON THE FLOOR! gettin' down n gettin' off!
if you're inclined to grab some grub, the folksy little cafe next door has friendly service, tho the food's not the greatest. a bonus is you'll always strike up conversations with your jolly fellow concertgoers...
parking in the area is a bitch indeed, i was lucky when back in tha day i could walk here, 2 blocks over from my ex's place...tho when i zip into the area these days, i always seem to find closeby street parking, i guess i just know all the secret nooks and crannies spots to slip into like stealth...
DONE.
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This is one of LA's best venues. It was recently remodeled a few years ago, but they preserved the theater's original look. (Yes, those are glass chandeliers.) It's a good size, the sound is usually top notch, the staff is generally cheery (hey everyone has a bad day, yeah?), and inside it is welcoming and isn't intimidating. There's a smoking area, and the drinks - cost as much as you think they would at a concert venue. It's reasonable, but not cheap.
I am short, so having a good view of the stage is important to me and there's really not a bad spot in the house. I usually even stand towards the back!
DO NOT bring gum in. It is not allowed. I have probably spent the cost of 5 concert tickets in packs of gum that I've had to throw away because I absentmindedly brought those in.
Lastly, if you want to see a show, buy a ticket before hand. Though it might not state "SOLD OUT" the morning of the show, chances are if it's a hot ticket, it will sell out by the time the first band goes on. Don't sit on it!
*Hollywood note: In the Corey Haim/Corey Feldman movie "License To Drive" the El Rey was their destination before grandpa's car gets towed.
I've been at the El Rey for lots of shows in the past, like Wolfgang (Philippines), We Are Scientists, Suzanne Vega, and The Cribs, and I expect (and look forward) to seeing more in the future, like Bat for Lashes and Friendly Fires. They always book great bands/artists. =D
The security is thorough in their searches, but pretty nice overall (just keep your pro cameras and gum at home). The main door/ticket-taker is always polite and informative of the cafe upstairs, although I've never tried it.
There are chairs available for those not inclined to be standing throughout the show. Also the sides are elevated! There's an elevated platform containing said chairs, and then a couple of steps down for the floor area directly in front of the stage -- this is so helpful for those of us vertically-challenged! Also the cool thing about this lower-floor area is that the crowd can go as crazy as they want -- like I witnessed for the Cribs -- and you can still be close enough to the stage without getting smushed. =)
If you're early or lucky enough, you can snag free street parking around the venue. However I've also tried parking at a structure nearby which was reasonably priced for L.A. (you may want to consider that before settling for the overcharging lot behind Hollywood Video across the street).
Went to go see The Virgins with friends and had a blast!
The venue was excellent. The dance floor was a good enough size to shake my big booty on. If you didn't want to stand, they had chairs set up on the side. The staff was friendly and courteous and pretty much left us alone.
The sound levels were amazing! I didn't come out of the venue with a complete loss of hearing, which usually happens at concerts. The sound was loud enough to be enjoyable, but not too loud.
The lighting was nice too. Dim and "magical?" or something like that. The interior was cool; beautiful chandeliers punctuated the wonderfully ornate high ceiling.
Don't buy tickets from ticketmaster! I bought tickets and the service charges matched the ticket price! I paid double what I could have paid if I bought at the venue.
This is one of my favorite music venue besides Wiltern and Hotel Cafe, I was here for the Yelle show last week, it was a last minute decision since Sara Bareilles postponed her show in Hotel Cafe.
But it was well worth it.
Price of drinks are alright, I used to Wiltern's $14 beer already. lol.
One down side was that they don't allow you to bring gum in, so you have to sneak it in, and no video recording, even from camera.
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I really enjoy this place too. It's a fabulous place to see a band. Like any venue, though, there are some big negatives. So with all of the beautiful decor, intimate venue positives aside, here's the real deal on this joint.
1 - Don't go between May and October unless you're ok with sweating. A LOT.
2 - The 9 oz drinks are excessively overpriced.
3 - Parking in the neighborhood usually blows unless you're willing to valet, in which case you get to pick your own car up at the end of the night in a parking garage that doubles as a toilet for neighborhood transients
4 - Yeah, what's the deal with the bathroom attendants anyway?
5 - Annoying smoking "corral"
6 - Before I had my California ID, almost didn't get let in cuz the bouncer "insisted" my Maryland ID was fake. She had no way to verify other than eyeball it, though, so after clearly insisting that she prove it's fake or else I'm not moving, I finally got through. What a pain in the butt, though.
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I understand the whole feel they're going for with the bathroom attendants, but is it really needed? With only two sinks, the time it takes to accept the towel and then feel awkward that you're not tipping and make a quick decision on whether you want to fork over a buck for a lollipop or a spritz of hair spray - by now everyone in line has peed themselves.
9 bucks for a beer? $13 for a cocktail the size of a juice box?
Prices aside, The El Rey is a great venue for a show. The floor is ever so slightly sloped, so all can see from all points.
Just get boozed up beforehand.
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Personally, I usually only like red velvet on cake... But I guess I can make an exception for the El Rey. The place is red, dark, and gaudy. There's this old Hollywood vibe about it which makes the place kinda cool.
Parking on the street was difficult, so we ended up at a parking structure. It smelled like pee. But we paid just a few bucks for parking. Which I guess offsets the pee? Nah. I would rather have pee-less, cheap parking anyday. But I digress...
Security seems tight. The security lady made extra sure I threw out the gum I was chewing. I supposed I could have been carrying a weapon in my sweater, but that could not have been as alarming as getting gum on the garish red velvet carpet.
(Believe it or not I actually stepped on gum when I was standing in a fire lane near the stage. Ironic.)
There's seating on the sides, the balcony has tables and chairs, and of course there's the floor in front of the stage. It, of course, took hours to wait around for the main act so it was necessary to get acquainted with the bar. The prices were reasonable and the bartenders were friendly.
There was moshing on the floor which made it extra fun, but the security quickly put an end to it when people were throwing their drinks around. It was amusing how the security was staring down the moshers.
Food is sold at this small area near the entrance. The nice girl who took our order said we can eat out on the floor. And initially it sounded like a good idea so my friend took her panini and ate it near the stage area. Well uhm, let's just say moshing and eating should not mix.
I love the band Bamboo, but the tickets were more than I wanted to spend.
50 bucks. The sound quality was great, but the lead singer seemed to have technical difficulties. We took great pictures. Uploaded a video on youtube. So, it was all good.
Bottom line: If I love the band and they're playing at the El Rey, I'm totally there.
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What a beautiful theater! Went here last night to watch Edwin San Juan's SlantED Comedy with a lineup of Asian Comics guaranteed to make your cheeks ache (facial cheeks pervs!) and belly constrict with unabashed laughter!
The place was indeed beautiful with red velvet, chandeliers, balcony, and good acoustics and good stage lighting.
There was a full bar, but I opted not to drink being that the show was going to be taped by Showtime and plus I went by myself and it's no fun to be buzzed without my usual peeps around.
For those of you who like A/C - full blast, baby. I was a tad chilly, but laughing must burn calories or something because I started warming up during the show.
The place is big, but not huge, intimate, but not small. It's perfect for watching shows even from the back. You'll still have a nice view.
I loved it! Can't wait to watch another show there :)
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The first time I went to the El Ray was for a Jets to Brazil show. As far as I was concerned I could have been at any venue. I could have been in an alley... not to say that there is something wrong with listening to music in an alley. The show was hands down one of the better shows I've been to. Ship to shore do you read? S.O.S. j.t.b.
My other experience at the El Ray was more recent and I was much less innocent. Our first mistake was assuming that there would be any kind of bar within the vicinity of the El Ray. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there is NOTHING. We hung out across the street for like 5 or 10 minutes and waited for the doors to open and the people to go inside.
Despite the typical overpriced drinks, the El Ray is a pretty solid venue to check out some bands. A lot of goodness has graced their stage and the place just has a heavy dose of LA charm to it. To be honest, I'm kind of partial to the Troubadour, but the El Ray is happenin' too.
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It's a beautiful intimate venue...
And was a perfect fit for tonight's Mike Ness show (better know as Social Distortion... but tonight he was in honky tonk mode and there fore "Mike Ness and his band"... think Social D plus steel guitar)
Some people have said the sound was lacking...
someone else must have been operating the sound board when they were there because both Mike and his opener Jesse Dayton sounded great. (Great as in I could understand every word perfectly and hear all the respective instruments... well I could understand Jesse Dayton anyway, enunciation has never been one of Mike Ness' greater skills)...
I was almost on the barricade and was not overwhelmed by the sound volume. Now at a towering 5'3" (if I round up) I often find that I have to pick a place where I can see the show or a place where the show sounds good. The El Rey gave me both... good for them!
Now if they only didn't water down the drinks they'd get 5 stars...
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Great venue, small but not cramped. A spot in the back of this crowd would be considered a spot near the front at the Palladium. Easy to get a great view. Good lighting with chandeliers everywhere, nice decor with couches and seats, very clean. They have one main floor with a bar and a stage, and a small lounge upstairs with a bar and a special section that looks out over the crowd from above. Drinks are averagely priced and it's easy to get drinks at the bar, not a lot of waiting.
Go ahead and valet, because street parking is mostly permit only and the garages are expensive, I parked in one that was $15 on a Friday night.
