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Mother Lode
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 3 pm - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
64 reviews for Mother Lode
Review Highlights
"you can't beat that anywhere, let alone in WeHo."
(in 11 reviews)
"On top of the cheap and strong drinks, they play the best..."
(in 3 reviews)
"...to the gills with no attitude and friendly party goers."
(in 3 reviews)
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64 reviews in English
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Review from adrian d.
Azusa, CA
1/25/2012
This is another favorite spot of mine. The drinks are strong AND well-priced, Doug and Kyle are my particular favorite bartenders, when it isn't super busy (which isn't often), they are more than happy to chat it up with patrons. The vibe is chill, it may resemble a dive, but that never bothered me, and it works out because the scenesters who have their noses up in the air don't bother to go in. It gets mighty crowded on friday and saturday nights, so, be prepared to be jostled and bumped.
the music can be TOO loud sometimes, but otherwise, it's a great hangout. -
Review from Mike M.
Torrance, CA
1/19/2012
Its a dive on the rainbow road.
Cheap STIFF drinks. A trough to piss in.
No attitude.
Great to meet up with people, pre-party, or stay all night and make your own fun. -
Review from Felix S.
10/25/2011
Had a blast here.
After a whole day of drinking we ended up here and all i can remember is that i had fun. Went to the Abbey and ended up here after. Had a martini and it was YUMMO!! Fun place. -
Review from Bee Q.
Pasadena, CA
2/6/2012
STRONG drinks that are cheap and good music. Need I say more?
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Review from Tien L.
8/20/2011
At some point after passing this place so many times with guys out on the patio having a ball and hootin at you like its a construction site (gay one of course!), you just gotta go in.
And in the end what you find in this place is a laid back bar thats small in size but packs a punch with the high energy, the two leveled bar, and the fun music you can sway to.
I'd say its pretty standard in the whole scheme of bars not too crazy but not boring at the same time. -
Review from Brandon G.
Los Angeles, CA
6/17/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This certainly isn't the prettiest bar in WeHo, and that is probably why I like it. Its kind of dark, and less club feeling than Here or 11 but its a great place to start a fun evening.
While they don't accept credit cards (they have an ATIM at the door), the drinks here are priced better than most of the other bars and definitely stronger than any of the surrounding venues. Two drinks from Motherlode with not enough time in between can create quite a mess.
I like starting evenings here because its a good place to meet up with friends and still be able to hear them. The smoking patio allows for people watching and interaction with people on the sidewalk and the strong drinks set a good starting buzz for the evening.
The staff here are very friendly and serve quickly. You wont find many pretty plucked eyebrows here though; the staff and patrons tend to be older, more masculine and rugged (::read heavy::) and chiseled and manicured. You'll find plenty of Bears and Daddies here. -
Review from Celina L.
Placentia, CA
8/22/2011
Mother Lode is probably the only good thing in WeHo. The crowd is filled with fabulous and friendly gay men. None of them are afraid to approach anyone.
I'm not that hard to please, as long as the crowd is friendly, music is popping, and the drinks are good and cheap, I'm happy. And luckily Mother Lode fulfills all my needs. -
Review from Krystjan J.
Westlake Village, CA
5/10/2011
DIVE BAR
in the middle of much better options. It feels like MJ's in Silverlake. I find myself in here every so often, enjoying what seems like a bucket of whatever they've mixed up for me, and wondering how they stay in business. On the plus side, their drinks are quite strong.
On the downside, the drinks are also expensive and you're not getting anything top shelf unless you're really willing to shell it out. I waited a long time for service. I didn't like the crowd they attract (although I was also there, so what does that say?). The crowd is usually older and boys who are into older, and those are the only people to whom I'd recommend Mother Lode. -
Review from Tess B.
Burlington, VT
10/23/2011
I went on a Monday night (which happened to be my 21 birthday) with some friends. There were a couple people in the bar, but it was pretty empty. The bar was a little too dark and the music was a little too loud, but it was a fun place to be.
The bartender was beyond amazing. Go and ask if Charlie is working, he'll make you a hell of a drink! I asked for the bartender's favorite drink to make, and I got an amazing result. The drinks are really strong but not that expensive. I would definitely advise waiting between drinks or taking it easy. I had one drink and Charlie gave us a free shot, which was also amazing! I stumbled out of that place drunk.
I'd say check this place out. -
Review from Sean B.
1/5/2011 6 Check-ins Here
I'm just not a dive bar guy... but when I do decide to do a dive bar, I dunno, I want there to be something fun about it, something with personality. A place so awful that you're almost there in spite of its awfulness. I recall a bar in Mexico my best friend and I used to go to with a placard that read, "If our food and service don't meet your expectations, please lower your expectations". Awesome. This place just doesn't have that fun personality. It seems like it's where the dysfunctional drunks in West Hollywood go because it's cheap, low-end liquor and because there's no cover charge. Also, people say they like it because it's unpretentious... but... well, it's unpretentious for a reason. The bartenders aren't overly friendly, the drinks aren't overly strong, there's nothing interesting or fun about the vibe... it's just... off.
Pass. -
Review from Jason M.
Los Angeles, CA
1/16/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Just hung out here during a bar hopping experience w/ some friends.
The Good : They sell Liquor
The Bad: They don't take credit cards. Instead you have to use the ATM conveniently located near the front door and pay the surcharge fees.
We just grabbed one round of beers here...and then headed out. -
Review from Claudine S.
Los Angeles, CA
9/24/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Another dive-y, male oriented bar in West Hollywood. I only come here with one of my friends. We do like this place for two reasons: STRONG drinks and cheap pitchers of beer. You can drunk pretty quick in here, which I suggest in order for you to forget what kind of dirty place you're in. Every once in a while a gem walks in the door and you're like WHOA WHO IS THAT? But I try not to stay in here too long. I drink and move on to the next spot. FYI, they only have one stall for women in this joint and most of the time you have to wait because there is usually two men in there getting it on... SMH! Also remember, this is a CASH ONLY bar.
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Review from Angel T.
West Hollywood, CA
11/16/2010
A gay dive bar. Who knew that existed? :)
Good, fun music and delicious bartenders. On Thursday nights they have karaoke and there is a group known as the "gaysian mafia" that gets up and sings Sinatra and Dean Martin. It's magical.
One drink will knock you on your ass.
Two drinks will knock you on your face.
Three drinks will..... Have no idea..? Maybe it's on youtube?
STRONG ASS DRINKS.
:)Listed in: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
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Review from Matt C.
1/16/2011
Came here with some Weho veterans. Of course, started at The Abbey, or as they refer to it, "the straightest of the gay bars." After this, they suggested we check out "the dive bar" in Weho, so why not? I love dive bars, and I had no idea what a dive gay bar would be.
Sadly, this place disappointed me. It was a Saturday night, there was a DJ, nice lighting, reasonably clean. They were willing to mix a drink, and the bartenders were polite. Not very divey. It had that wood, almost Irish pub look. Drinks were okay, but the typical Weho high price. For the straight guests, like me, the bathroom's decor will leave you wishing for the dark, roach infested water closet at a true dive bar. -
Review from Carlos P.
9/8/2010
Probably the strongest drinks served on Santa Monica Blvd. AND they are under $10!
With daily specials like $1 draft beers and drinks so strong that they'll have your head spinning within minutes, I can see why this place was always packed during our stay in West Hollywood.
On top of the cheap and strong drinks, they play the best and most obscure pop videos throughout the whole night.
A great spot to finish (or start) your night off! -
Review from Beau F.
Henderson, NV
Updated - 6/20/2011
Still cheap. Still heavy on the liquor. Still fun. Not as big of a crowd as some of the other WeHo joints (at least on Sunday), but I prefer that.
Listed in: Gay Gay Gay
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/12/2010
Trashy bar. Nothing more, nothing less. Strong as hell drinks, and not just for people who have it… Read more »
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Review from anni b.
Brooklyn, NY
12/1/2010
Gay. Bar. Supreme. No mixing of genders. Hardly even any lesbians. I like my gay bars to be a bit more diverse, so, I found this spot a bit disappointing.
On a Saturday night, it was so full to bursting full of muscly guys standing around cruising, that it took 20 minutes to squeeze to the back just to get to the bathroom. That being said, the bathroom was large and cleaner than expected.
The drinks are like rocket fuel. We ordered one vodka tonic to share and it was a full glass of bottom shelf vodka. Undrinkable. I NEVER abandon my drinks at a bar! Here, I had to. Sadness.
Yeah, if you're a dude looking to get superwasted and pick someone up, this is the spot for that. But basically, no thanks. -
Review from Sam B.
Los Angeles, CA
9/12/2010
Nice place to go early in the eve before it gets overly crowded. Like all bars in weho...there is attitutde every where...but a bit less here than other places.
the drinks are priced right and you get the guy next doors going there. don't expect to meet your next boyfriend there, but you can have a good time -
Review from Derek A.
Los Angeles, CA
4/27/2010
I'm giving it 3 stars only because it's been here forever. It doesn't have shuttle busses going from one end of the place to another like the Abbey, the drinks are cheaper. The bartenders are also NOT STRAIGHT like the Abbey. The bathrooms are not any dirtier than the Abbey or Here Lounge although some of the pretentious queens who previously reviewed and made note of this would like you to think so. The toilets are just from the 1950s and not some modern cascading waterfall like Here Lounge. This place is small. Unlike the Abbey which by the way, if they do one more remodel it will need it's own zip code. The bathrooms have no closing doors so if you want to snort your coke go to Here Lounge.
They do have pool tables here but unlike Trunks the pool sharks are not 16 year old hookers looking for Daddy Warbucks.
Mother Lode is known for having a bit less "attitude" then around the corner but I just think since the drinks are cheaper the clientele is more drunk. As we all know about the only time gay men are nice to each other is when drunk or high. There is no room to stand and pose like Abbey, -
Review from Phillip S.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
5/14/2011
Drinks are strong. Old gay bar, bear feel.. if that makes sense. I drink and leave. Not a great atmosphere.
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Review from Ronaldy M.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
5/17/2010 2 Check-ins Here
How to Motherlode:
1. Bring cash.
2. Say goodbye to liver cells.
3. Down your drinks. Fast.
4. People watch for no more than 15 minutes.
5. Exit immediately and head over to anywhere else. -
Review from Josh M.
Los Angeles, CA
5/7/2011
Strongest drink in weho hands down. If you wanna watch some great music videos and get plowed before you hit up the abbey, this is the place to go!!!!!!
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Review from Maria L.
Los Angeles, CA
3/11/2009
Two words BLACK WIDOW ...ask for it at the bar, trust me!
I really like this place, its a great starter to a good night of bar hopping in We Ho, but it does get super crowded.
Oh and don't forget, its CASH ONLY! -
Review from Min T.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 3/22/2010
Cash only.
Still sucks.
The gay bf accidentally spilled my very full drink and they didn't offer to replace it. Hell, they didn't even ask what was it so I could order another one.
Oh, no difference between single or doubles, apparently.Listed in: The Sucktastic, Straight Girl's Guide to Gay…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/27/2007
I just can't bring myself to like Motherlode. I think the drinks suck and the last time we went,… Read more »
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Review from Lisa M.
Los Angeles, CA
11/7/2006
Ok- why is it that I'm the "First to Review," a girl and this is a boy bar? Anyways, The Motherlode is great. Go to the back bar and meet Doug, the best bartender in LA. Ask him to make one of his famous shots. You might hate me in the morning cause they pack a PUNCH but they're delish!
It has pool, TVs, nice boys, sweet shots, and a smoking patio so you can people watch. Does it get any better? -
Review from Robert P.
Los Angeles, CA
5/24/2010
cheap bar in the middle of west hollywood...looks like crap only cause of it's location Cmon people...it's cheap (cash only bar) and they have karaoke. The bathroom wasn't that dirty...lift the lid with your shoes and you are fine. What more do you want from it?
Oh...due to all the major making-out going on here you can do it too and not feel like a skank. bam. -
Review from Ilan G.
Dayton, OH
10/12/2009
Dirty S place! I know what you're thinking...you're in the area, you want to have a drink & use the restroom. "What a great idea!," you're thinking, "I can fill the hump and empty the tank at the same place!"
Oh fellow Yelper, your enthusiasm will end upon entering this establishment.
This place is FILTHY! I wouldn't touch anything here even if they just finished bleaching the place. This place is so disgusting I'm surprised the health department has not shut it down yet.
The bathroom here is worse than anything you ever experienced.
I have heard that it is extremely hard to catch a sexually transmitted diseases from a toilet seat, but I'm thinking this is the sort of restroom that can prove that AIDS can be airborne and be caught from a toilet seat!
If you have to pee that bad, let it run down your leg, this place is seriously not worth it!
Although drinks are strong & cheap, so it's a known ultimate spot to get few drinks and move on. That's how they make their money, they count on you to be so drunk that you forget where you were going in first place and stay there.
No credit cards! ATM at the door.
Clean your bathrooms!!!!!
Yucka bye! -
Review from Peggy S.
Los Angeles, CA
5/8/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I LOVE this place. The drinks were strong, very cheap and the people there are pretty friendly. Yes I am being a little generous with the 5 stars since this place is A LITTLE run down, but I can't help it, I had a great time here! Will definitely be coming back..Just make sure to take cash because they don't take cards!
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Review from Kuno M.
Los Angeles, CA
5/18/2011
Cheap Drinks! Sundays are always fun.
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Review from Jenn T.
Los Angeles, CA
7/9/2007
I walked into the Motherload a sober, happy-go-lucky gal and walked out 1.5 drinks later a not-so-sober and even happier-go-lucky woman on a rampage. But what else can you do when you order a simple unsuspecting drink like an amaretto sour (my personal drink of choice) and instead of getting some sour mix with a splash of liquor in a low ball glass I get a MASSIVE monster of a drink filled to the brim with amaretto with a *teeny* splash of sour mix.
Me: How much?
Bartender: That'll be 9 dollars sweetie.
Me: I love you.
If it's one thing this part of town knows how to do, it's get drunk on a bargain. Yippee ka-yay! -
Review from christa y.
West Hollywood, CA
3/23/2010 1 Check-in Here
First of all, if you're snarking on the accouterments of a bar called the MOTHERLODE, then you need to cross the street and find a pretentious club with a line (and cover charge) and get over yourself, guuurl.
This place is a dive. A gay dive. And it is awesome.
Sure, it's cash only and a pain to navigate through it's old school set-up (if I had a dollar for every time I almost tripped up or down the steps), but the drinks are strong- insanely strong. 10 second pour in a pint glass and a thimble splash of mixer for strong.
I've dragged straight friends here for a b-day or two, and a few escaped without a goodbye, but overall the place is fabulous, friendly and always a good time!
Randomly entertaining people watching activity: Standing on the patio watching people excitedly pulling into the "Taxi Only after 7pm" meter parking thinking the one the parking lottery. Fail fun at its best. -
Review from Jessica H.
Los Angeles, CA
4/25/2011
Too packed, and seems everyone is rude here! Only good to go in when passing by and you hear a song you wanna go in and dance to real quick. Then get out and go to the next spot.
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Review from jim z.
West Hollywood, CA
Updated - 4/24/2011
Time for an update. I like it here generally. Let's compare Motherlode to Trunks which is the other "real bar" in the area.
Bartenders:
-Trunks has efficient, no attitude, laid back younger straight guys. They treat everyone with respect and the same.
-Motherlode has chatty older gay men sometimes friendly, sometimes with major attitude, and inconsistencies in pour
Pour:
-Trunks is always the same. Not too strong, but as cheap as itgets
-Motherlode Varies depending on who you are. Veterans get free drinks. Newbies might get weak pours. Prices also vary. It's a jungle. ALSO CASH ONLY?!?!?
Crowd:
-Trunks skews heavily older, with some youth earlier in the night usually
-Motherlode also skews a bit older than most bars but has a younger crowd overall by far
Sexual environment:
-Trunks is not overtly sexual believe it or not, very neighborhoody feel and lots of light
-Motherlode is cruisy, very dark, has a tight open trough bathroom that makes Fiesta's look roomy, and porn playing on videos and on the wall. the crusiest gay bar this side of Crescent Heights.
Lately Motherlode on Tuesdays for "Manhole" has become packed. Dirty gogo dancers, shot boys, and lots of sleaze. Actually, at the time of this writing, "Manhole" is the most popular spot on a Tuesday night ever since Mickys Recess became 21+.
It's usually dead Mon, Wed, and Sun. OK crowd on Thursday for karaoke. Busy and fun on Fri and Sat. I like it here, just avoid the drinks unless you know someone.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/24/2009
A dive on Robertson Blvd, ok. I'll take Trunks anyday if I had to choose between the two dive bars… Read more »
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Review from Fabian R.
Los Angeles, CA
1/25/2009
Motherloade is a small bar/club on snat monica, not very noticeable...
it it looks small from the outside, wait until you go in... no good news here it is smaller from the inside... you walk in into a croder bar to your left and some a little higher area to the left with pool tables
i know what is the point of having pool tables in such a small place.. people everywhere, people playing kept hitting people there just drinking... an absolute mess...why play pool in such a crowded place
i think they have a patio, well the size of a closet but its there...
ther drinks are ok, and the prices too, they have screens (like 17in screens) playing old age porn (yeah from the 70s-80s)
no dancing space or moving space available ...once inside you will feel like a sardine in a can -
Review from Kim D.
San Jose, CA
4/22/2008
The dive-bar of West Hollywood.
I love dive bars. Gay dive bars are even that much more fun!
This is a nice addition to the gloss of the other bars in the area. People seem to have no attitude and there is a friendly atmosphere. No lines usually to get in here.
Definitely a great place to make a pitstop in between clubs. -
Review from Heather F.
Altadena, CA
11/23/2010
We went here for a b-day party this past Sunday. Okay, the drinks were crazy strong and the bartenders were sweethearts. I felt perfectly comfy even though I am a straight chick and the bathroom wasn't as bad as I expected. We had a good time. It isn't fancy but you can definitely have fun here. Plus it's fun to look at all the cute guys even if they aren't interested in girls. Actually a surprising number (2) guys told me that I was hot and that they were bi! LOL!
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Review from Marcus C.
Boston, MA
7/16/2007
As my drinking companion commented, it felt like the needle screeched off the record when we walked in and all eyes were on us. In addition to the drinks we ordered, the bartender gave us some shots - I think he thought we were all visiting from out of town.
It was nice to be the center of attention, and the drinks were big, but I could have used better music (really? you're playing songs from "Wicked"?) and some more hygienic patrons. -
Review from Christian P.
Los Angeles, CA
1/2/2008
Well I can't believe I am going to rate this place but had a great time here bringing in the New Year. It was packed to the gills with no attitude and friendly party goers.. No line to get in which was nice from the massive like at Abbey and Here.. Enjoyed cheap drinks and care free attitude.
Used to come here years ago for Sunday Beer Bust with their $1.00 pi** beer but heck in my 20s that was alot HAHA -
Review from Zach T.
Reno, NV
10/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
I am from out of town and we visited this bar while we were in WeHo. I loved it. The Bartenders are very friendly, often offering free shots to take with them, and they make some stroooooong drinks!
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Review from nancy r.
4/16/2009
Went to this place last year for a friend's b-day, had too many Long Beach Iced Teas and ended up singing to Madonna's " Like a Virgin "
Drinks are cheap and strong.
Crowd is mellow and not crazy like the other bars around there from the couple of times I have been there.
There is karaoke all night and a pool table in the middle of the bar that takes up the karaoke area but its not a huge deal.
