Loading...
- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Mr T's Bowl
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Nightlife Bars Music Venues, Bars
5621 1/2 N Figueroa StLos Angeles, CA 90042
Neighborhood: Highland Park
(949) 422-7602
- Hours:
Fri-Sat 9 pm - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- Live
- 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:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
98 reviews for Mr T's Bowl
Review Highlights
98 reviews in English
-
Review from Patricia V.
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA
1/30/2012
Great vintage bowling alley converted into the new L.A hot spot!! Great bands great DJ's If you missed the M.O.P party you missed out, but expect more at this great location!
-
Review from Leticia C.
Los Angeles, CA
12/28/2011
This is my review on what it is like to both hang out and watch shows at Mr. T's Bowl.
First, let's start with the obvious: the place is a hole in the wall. If you want to go and have an awesome hang with your buds for cheap DON'T GO HERE. Drinks are WAY to expensive - it's HIGHLAND PARK, not freaking Old Town Pasadena! I don't think the owners get it. Trick the hipsters, but not the locals man! They don't even offer a great selection of alcohol, so that's something to avoid.
As the wife of a guy who has a band that has played there, and as a musician, I'm disappointed in the equipment and layout of the stage for the performers. They really do need someone from EXTREME MAKEOVER or Bar Wars or whatever to come in and redecorate or - dare I say it?- remodel the damn place. I don't like the awkward setup of the stage and the random seats on the middle of the place offsets the "pit" area.
The bouncer isn't welcoming at all. He makes you want to leave. Immediately as I was getting ready to take out my I.D., he tells me how much it costs to get in. I can't remember off hand, but it was NOT $5, like I was told and like that band had promoted the night I watched my husband's band. Really? The place wasn't even packed! I proceeded to tell him that the band had advertised that their show would be $5 on Facebook. I didn't want to bother my husband to get in free because he was setting up his equipment, so I just paid the $5 and got in.
I'm SO OVER Mr. T's. -
Review from Peggy S.
Los Angeles, CA
10/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place was a major disappointment...granted I wasn't expecting much but when I showed up it really was like another yelper put it, exactly like my high school auditorium during a dance. The venue wasn't really my issue though, my issue was with the bar...
HORRIBLE. what most dives have going for them is they have a heavy hand when it comes to the drinks. This place definitely doesn't have this going for them.
I felt like I was just drinking juice. I gave up on the TINY, OVERPRICED drinks and moved onto beer. Before halfway through the night they were out of corona AND Stella, not to mention their bartenders could use a major attitude make over...
Come on Mr. T's you need to have something going for you aside of being so close to my house ... -
Review from Casey T.
Los Angeles, CA
5/12/2011
In a few words - hipster heaven. This little old bowling alley turned dive bar/venue is a diamond in the rough. The drinks are pretty reasonably priced, and everyone there is pretty friendly. A bunch of us went to support my friends' blossoming indie band and were delighted by all of the vintage decor (most of it probably original) from the "grandma's house" smell, to the bowling alley still in tact behind a velvet curtain, to the juke box and equally aged tunes it plays.
A few highlights -
$5 cover
huge parking lot with freeeee parking! (its also really well lit)
This place is the real deal - I'd come here again for a show anytime. -
Review from Jason S.
Monrovia, CA
Updated - 2/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm sorry guys, but I have to revise this. I like this place. I really do. Last night the ceiling in the men's room was leaking enough I was worried it would collapse on me. It was FANTASTIC, just added to the atmosphere of a true dive bar. All the graphic description in my first review is so true, this place has all the ingredients of an iconic dive bar.
The sound was great, the people were fine... But the drinks, my god what happened?!? Gone are the blindingly strong pours. Gone are the $5 drinks (maybe that's just week days). $6 well drinks now, and I may as well have drinking soda!! It was the same bartender that poured round after round of scorchingly strong drinks last time I was there, and this time she poured round after round of duds. After wasting $36 on what tasted like soda or juice with a splash of dirty dish water, I gave up and moved on to beer.
This place has so much going for it, yet the fundamental flaw of shitty drinks wrecks the ENTIRE thing!!
Poor form, Mr. T's! Pouring some of the weakest drinks I've EVER had is a serious shot to your dive bar cred. I've always had fun here, but this is unacceptable. Step your game up.
If you go, drink hard stuff outside before you come in and once inside just have beer. Otherwise you're wasting your money.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
6/6/2010
Since when did reviewing a business or venue on yelp become about rating a neighborhood and the… Read more »
-
-
Review from john s.
Rosemead, CA
7/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Arlo always makes shows here sound great, and is BY FAR the coolest, and easiest sound man to work with in all of LA. Remembers you, treats you like a friend, and makes sure you sound good. As a band, what more can you ask for?? Except Free beer, and that ain't gonna happen here....
Mr. T''s Rules!! -
Review from Mike S.
Glendale, CA
5/7/2011
Fell into Mr. T's Bowl last night with a buddy after his wife "suggested" we go out and leave her at home with the big TV.
$5 cover was OK as there was some live music that was pretty entertaining. The main act, Ghost of Searchlight (or something like that) was preceded by a pretty bad comedian who's hecklers were funnier that he was.
The place was probably a quarter full and most of that was dudes - but hey, i was there with my buddy so its not as though we were helping even things out, right? So I really shouldnt complain about that.
Beers were, IMO, expensive for that kind of place.
I wont rush back. -
Review from Chassidy S.
West Covina, CA
4/13/2011
I Read Many Reviews About This Place And Expected It To Suck But Let Me Tell You...
THIS PLACE IS AWESOME!
-AMAZING Mix Of Music
-STRONG Drinks At Moderate Prices
-And GREAT Mix Of People
Made Me Feel Like I Was At A High School Dance Because Of The Gym-like Floor And Strobe Lights.
Had A Great Time! Loved The Atmosphere. Would Defffffinetly Return! -
Review from Anthony Y.
Rowland Heights, CA
11/2/2010
this place is a total dump. ive heard a lot of cool stuff about this place from friends that are quite a few years older then myself. And boy! are they wrong. im gonna have to tell them to visit this shit box again. the place again is a total dump.
i mean its cool if youre just gonna go watch a few small bands play but mann, the booze is such a rip off.
the old man at the bar is 1st off extra rude. 2nd of all he cant hear a god damn thing. i think that old fart needs a hearing aid. 3rd off it takes forever, and i mean foooorever to get something to drink.
just to add to all this the beer selection is pretty weak.
just to give viewers and readers a heads up. if you plan on going to this venue to watch some bands play you are better off drinking in the parking lot before entering this joint. if not your bank account is gonna be left high and dry. -
Review from Jim M.
Irvine, CA
8/4/2011
One of the best in Los Angeles went for a Show. Good times.
-
Review from Jenny C.
Long Beach, CA
7/12/2010
The last time I visited Mr. T's was about 10 years ago, and it was one of the coolest places for bands to play in LA. I've heard nothing but great stories about the golden days of this converted bowling alley. I'm sorry to tell you, my friends, that those days have been shot execution-style through the back of the head and buried in a shallow grave next to an outhouse. And it's thanks to the SHITTY SHITTY booking they do, for the most part.
We signed on to play this past Saturday night about a month ago, and we chose a good time slot. We heavily promoted that prime spot. And the idiot booker not only put us on a bill with bands that we have NOTHING in common with (screamo, sexy-funk, emo, prog) but he also booked SIX bands that night and moved us back into the wee hours of the night, or should I say morning. This is after telling us that he's taking a chance having a Long Beach band. Long story short we had many friends cancel once they saw the time change on Mr. T's website.
Bands, Mr. T's treats you like shit. You will not get paid unless you have 150+ guests and you'll be generously offered one drink ticket that entitles you to PAY $3 FOR A CRAPPY BEER! Avoid this place like you would a cheeseball pay-to-play club back in the 80's.
p.s. The sound guy is super nice. I hope a music lover buys it and keeps him on.
p.p.s. I should also mention that the other bands were really cool people. They deserve to be on a bill with bands of a similar genre, whose fans will become their fans! -
Review from Alfred M.
Los Angeles, CA
10/4/2010
I play in bands everywhere, I see all kinds of shit, THIS place takes the cake.
Poorly organized, TERRIBLE bar service, HORRIBLE prices, and SO much potential. GREAT sound guy, ok P.A. system, but really, they need to get their bar act together. If they expect people to not drink in the parking lot, they need to stop asking $6 for a beer. its ridiculous.
To top it off, sometimes the drinks have a weird ass taste, like theyre using bad ice or soemthing. Sometimes it's REALLY bad, and it's disgusting. They see how packed the little cave across the street gets?
This place could DOUBLE that every weekend, if they got their act together, and got some good booking in there.
Every time I play there, its the same story. Disorganized, everybody mad about the bar, and the bands all get screwed.
Word. -
Review from Claire H.
Updated - 3/4/2010
These days, it seems to be on the tip of the tongue of everyone in Northeast LA and Pasadena:
"It's a shame about Mr T's."
Mr T's has long been a refuge for underground music and people who want a much more real DIY experience than any glitzy Sunset Strip venue could ever provide.
The rumor I've heard is that Mr T himself has passed on and his business is now being run by people who really couldn't care less about the music, the bar, the scene.
All I can say for certain is:
Mr T's is now open maybe, MAYBE once or twice a week. I know because I walk by it every night on my way home from work. (What happened to all those years when you could just pop by for a cheap drink and hang out with a friend when there was no band playing?)
If you try to book a show at Mr T's now, they will try to shove as many other bands onto the bill as possible to make more money, no matter how awfully those bands clash with the current lineup. They're pushy about it. "It'll make more money. It'll make more money."
The drink prices have gone up exponentially since the days I used to frequent this place, and some nights, they even have a two drink minimum. What the hell kind of bullshit is that?
Basically, it seems Mr T's is just being run into the ground. It's certainly a heartbreaker, as there are so few places left in real Los Angeles to see a good show.
For now, I can only hope someone buys it and restores it to its former glory, since lord knows I don't have that kind of money myself.Listed in: La Highland Parqueña
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
5/29/2008
I have so many crazy-ass stories about this establishment, I don't even know where to begin. The… Read more »
-
-
Review from Jolene M.
Los Angeles, CA
4/8/2009
Some guys from the other band were rough housing in the back for fun, and the guy who ran the joint pulled out a gun on them. I witnessed this two times in one night. It's nice to know I'm safe here.
I played at Mr. T's months ago. Arlo the sound guy made us sound incredible, and at the end of the set he shook everyone's hand and said it was a pleasure doing our sound. I told him no, it was a pleasure for US to have him as our sound guy. -
Review from G Y.
Ventura, CA
6/29/2007
Meh.
I've been here twice, and neither time has left me itching to rush right back. The first time I came, the show we were trying to see was canceled because the power was out, so there was a combo playing acoustic jazz under candlelight, and that was kind of cool and unusual. The second time was for the Invid/Go Betty Go show a few weeks ago - the bands were good (I'd have paid a cover if there was one for the show), but the crowd was kind of blah and the bartender did everything she could to ignore me and keep me from spending money at her establishment.
Suit yourselves, T's.Listed in: The Bar List
-
Review from Jessica R.
Los Angeles, CA
5/17/2010
I went here for PinUpGirlClothing's Operation Bombshell event, so I wasn't there on a normal night.
That said, this is a sketchy-ass neighborhood. You have to park in back and enter through a hidden back door. I got there around 11 on a Saturday night, and I was one of the only cars on the road. People on the street were just hanging out and staring at me as I drove.
Inside, the place is small but kitschy. Cocktails were $6, but they were super weak. And the bar was out of cranberry juice. Cranberry juice!!
The bartender was really nice so I didn't double-check my receipt when I signed... then I got home and saw that she'd done the math wrong and charged me $16 for two drinks instead of $12. I'm sure it wasn't on purpose but if I go back here I'll definitely double-check before I sign. -
Review from Joe D.
Los Angeles, CA
1/28/2009
The drink prices are way too high now but I can't imagine giving Mr. T's anything lower than 5 stars.
This place has always been very good to me.
As a music fan:
If you're on Mr T's mailing list, you'll be surprised how often bands that are playing Silverlake or the Sunset Strip play here first.
See a band playing the Viper Room and pay 10 at the door and 15 for parking. See that same band at T's the night before and the first dollar you will be spending will usually be at the bar.
There was a time in my life that I would just be here every Friday because I knew that I'd always be happy with the bands that night.
As a person in a band:
Almost every time I come to Mr. T's, I come up with a new idea for a song.
Arlo is one of the best soundmen in Los Angeles. He will make you sound great. He remembers every band. He remembers every member of every band. He plays THE BEST music in between bands. I've been introduced to a plethora of artists just hanging out with Arlo.
Everyone who works at T's treats the bands with respect and dignity. They are always stoked to have you back.
One more reason this place will always have a special place in my heart is because my girlfriend and I had our first date in the Mr. T's parking lot.
Hey, we're classy people.Listed in: My NEW NEW Neighborhood
-
Review from James B.
San Francisco, CA
10/16/2010
This is the funkiest place you will ever find.
A converted old bowling alley with live music.
I came and saw a dude playing a 'baloon bass'. just strummin a balloon!??
Weird ass place
there's an estrella taco stand nearby which is super bueno -
Review from Annie P.
Updated - 10/24/2008
Okay my band ASK ALICE (shameless plug) http://www.myspace.com... played here for the first time and it was GREAT. Arlo is an amazing sound guy and is super easy to work with.
Here are some hints on playing MR. T's
- park on the street in FRONT and load your gear thru the front doors. If you park in the back you have to deal with stairs and if you're lazy like me- that aint cool.
- bring beer money. they do NOT comp drinks or have bottles of water
- ask Arlo to mic your amps
- tell your friends EXACTLY how to get there. Its tricky to find.Listed in: Bars for Bands
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/26/2008
Any place that serves wine from a box is Ok in my book.
Mr T's Bowl is the kind of place you wish… Read more »
-
-
Review from Amy A.
9/15/2010
This review is for two separate shows that I played at, one in 2000 and one in 2008 and all the times I visited the place in between.
The most obvious highlight was the show in 2000, when my band was so purposefully awful and brazenly aware of it. One of the other bands told us that we were "so bad it was good" and that we were the "Ed Wood of bands." This band was called Castle Greyskull and they had a little person as their front woman. Her name was Brigette. I thought it was serendipitous that my quarter-sized bass guitar was also named Brigette, so I stumbled to this little woman after their set and blurted out, "Hey! You have the same name as my bass: Brigette the Midget bass!"
She didn't even scowl or hit me or anything. The magic of Mr. Ts. -
Review from Randy M.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 11/13/2009
I should have written this update at least a year ago. But as John Lennon once said, "Life is what happens when you're making plans."
As noted in my previous review, Mr. T's was one of the very best places to play or go to a show in all of Los Angeles.
Please note the key word here: "was".
Recently, a friend of mine asked why there haven't been any shows at Mr. T's (or at least any worth seeing). The answer comes in a compilation of what has been told to me by many promoters, bands, former patrons, as well as my own personal experience: it now sucks.
The beverage prices, treatment of outside promoters, treatment of bands, etc: all of it has been jacked. From what I've gathered, those in the higher echelon of the club's control and operation have decided to piss away the reputation that was The Bowl in its former glory when operated by Joseph "Mr. T" Teresa in order to make a few extra bucks, operating on the same model as certain clubs who also rely far too much upon resting on their laurels & legendary status, instead of continuing to build upon a good thing.
A look at their calendar gives the impression that they now book exclusively off of MySpace. This is not to say that MySpace bands suck or should not be given a chance to place live. But the lack of any bands that have an established name or notoriety should be a tip-off that something is amiss.
So who is to blame? Is it the patrons? Is it the staff, bouncers, or remaining promoters? Nope. Simply put, it's the owners who have looked at places like Johnny's and The Little Cave and have decided that they want a piece of that action. So up go the drink prices (seven dollars for a club soda?!?!?!), down go the payments to bands and promoters. The end result: the patrons go elsewhere, the talent dwindles, and the reasons to go for any reason evaporate.
But frankly, chances are that the current owners will not read this, nor will they listen to any patron (current or former) feedback whatsoever. The attitude seems to be "This is Mr. T's Bowl, motherfucker. Don't like it? Then go somewhere else." This type of 'we're the only game in town' thinking has caused the death-knell to many a good establishment. Especially when there are other places nearby to see bands that once would have played T's without question. Let's hope that this won't be the case here.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
12/31/2007
I've never been able to wrap my head around one particular trend that so many bars in Los Angeles… Read more »
-
-
Review from Mike D.
South Pasadena, CA
5/7/2008
You want to have a good drink in a cool setting? Go someplace else. If you just want a nice cold b33r and some loud local music then hit Mr. T's.
Bands are hit or miss but you'll have a good time anyways. I once saw a Japanese punk band who played Brit style punk here. I hd no idea what they were singing about but it was great!
Don't sit in in the benches in front of the stage if you're not ready for mosh spits that spontaneously begin. -
Review from Winnie W.
Los Angeles, CA
7/15/2009
What can one say about Mr T's Bowl? Hmmm, where to begin?
Interesting venue, live bands, colorful characters, cheap but strong booze, sign outside that's falling off. And oh yes, this used to be a bowling alley and they offer free wifi for all. Unusual? Yes. Eclectic? Yes. Will you have a good time? If you shed your shells and be ready to embrace something different, absolutely. -
Review from stephy s.
San Francisco, CA
1/14/2007
The one and only time I came here was a good 5 years ago. And no thanks to stupid Yahoo Maps, it sent us somewhere into South Central and no where's near this place. After about 3 hours of backtracking thru God knows where, our 3 car caravan finally made it to catch the last song from the Kids of Whidney High set. Bummer.
Granted we were all suffering from alcohol withdrawls at this point, along with travel frustration, bitter betty syndrome and a few couple in car fights and so once we got here, all that was important was getting a drink aka DRUNK, but that even took awhile. Major bummer.
We only ended up staying another 15 minutes as the vibe was kinda lame, the place was a dump and I dunno, it just didn't sing "COME BACK SOON" to any of us so we split.
Now, I will say that I would go back again. Mr. T had no way of knowing what it was up against and so in defense of the place, I will go back again and check it out with kinder eyes, but until then, meh, there are about a thousand far cooler places to go in LA, so why go here.Listed in: Los Angeles Bars!
-
Review from Matt G.
Los Angeles, CA
1/3/2009
It doesn't get much better if you want to enter a David Lynch movie with a haunted carnival theme for a pleasant evening out.
The locals are fascinating! Whether you are fortunate enough to rub shoulders with the old woman in the wheelchair or the washed up man in the white suit carrying his luggage containing his saxophone who then proceeds to pass out face down at the bar, you will not be disappointed. Just make sure to say hello to the 7 foot tall beenie-clad homeless guy on the way to the restroom. Oh and between sets, you should definitely try to walk past the large dusty curtain and explore the relics of yesteryear. Pretty creepy.
Give Paulina a shout for me as well and if you could find out if they ever fixed the neon magic mushroom for me that would be great!
One last thing, make sure to park in the dark alley upon arrival. -
Review from Frank W.
San Diego, CA
5/8/2011
this place serves $6 dollar corona's and draft beers. Fuck Mr. T's
-
Review from Marvin S.
4/12/2007
This place is one of Highland Parks original underground Punk Spots. i remember going there to watch my sisters band, "Chon-Chon" back in 97, we also used to see punk bands like, The Dyslexics, The Mormons, and the Stalkers.
man that was fun. We used to get drunk in the parking lot hiding from cops and security guards so we wouldnt have to buy drinks inside. hahahahaha. but once we were in there it was mosh pits all night...! wooo hooo daaamn. i love this place. -
Review from Paul A.
Los Angeles, CA
8/1/2007
Mr. T's is one of those places either you get or you don't.
Highland Park is a charming throwback neighborhood (yes, some lingering questionable elements, but that's true of much of L.A.) that, like Eagle Rock, looks fairly unchanged since the '50s.
Come by and see Arlo, who's been soundman for what seems like forever, the bunch of regulars and the bands that play not to look cool, but because they are genuinely cool (i.e., normal, approachable people; living in Silverlake, I understand now how great and rare this is).
In a nutshell, this is the only place in L.A. I've ever been to that genuinely reminds me of home (New Orleans).
Very unpolished, and thoroughly unpretentious.
In other words, very non-L.A.
5 stars -
Review from Corazon R.
Los Angeles, CA
1/27/2007
"Once you go there, then you'll be there every Tuesday night
TV's jumping to the ceiling
Watch that kid take flight"
The place has been immortalized in a song even. Located in the heart of Highland Park off Figueroa and a pebble's throw away from the Highland Park Gold Line Station. It's not the easiest place to find at night if you're driving there, but it's one of the best lesser-known venues in LA. Plenty of free parking at night.
I have to admit I haven't been there in a while, and I don't there half as often as I used to, but this place is great. No cover except on Saturdays ($5 then), drinks are cheap, and the music is great for the most part. Best of all, you don't get any of the hipster pretense that is so thick in other places that it suffocates you faster than a tightly wrapped scarf.
Yes, sometimes it smells (especially outside right near the entrance/smoking area because of the dumpster being there), the restroom may run out of toilet paper, some real shady character from the neighborhood may try to aggressively hit on you at the bar when you're just trying to find out the score for the Laker game, and they no longer use the actual stage set up (fire hazard, after Electric Eel Shock shut down the place back in '02, or was it '03?) and have the bands at the same level as the house, but that's what makes this place so great.
I'm trying not to rate this place on my sentimental value of the place, for I've made/met so many friends/bands/etc. and have endless amazing stories that come from this place. But if you're one to like like true dive bars and not the really cool bar masked as a dive bar from its neighborhood and name, then this place has everything you need. -
Review from justin o.
Long Beach, CA
10/5/2007
This place smells worse than my grandmother's bathroom AND my dirty sox, combined! im convinced that the owner was buried somewhere beneath the bar, still kickin' it in his vintage, 1963 team bowling shoes.
Way to go mr. t! Your place reeks of shit, but its still amazing! -
Review from Min T.
Los Angeles, CA
9/27/2007
What a fun place to see a show!
I heard about some event on Indie and managed to find myself to run on over to Highland Park. It was cold and raining so we were a bit upset finding parking far away but at least it was free.
Inside, they hassled her for not looking like her ID and had her pull out her credit cards to see if the name matched. Um, okay?
We were tired so we sat down most of the show but I found it funny some guy standing up on the bench behind me leaned over and asked if I could see. Um, yes? Around him or just see in general? I'll never know because we decided watching four bands was our limit.
We didn't try the drinks as we were fresh from The Chalet but everyone seemed to stick to beer.
I'll go back, possibly with a friend who looks like their ID though! -
Review from Aaron G.
Downtown, Los Angeles, CA
4/9/2008
Mr. T's rocks
The reason why I like it is because it feels like you're somehow in the middle of Nebraska, or Kansas, about to watch your friend's band.
It just has that "someone's-rich-uncle's-living-room" feel... in nebraska. It's great.
Definitely go there. The bartenders are cool too. Good beer selection (for me at least).
I give it 5 stars for the weirdness. -
Review from Tim K.
Oak View, CA
9/6/2007 6 photos
I'm not sure why this place is called a bowl. Since I was there anyway, I got these pictures. The place reminded me of a David Lynch movie and being that Diane Arbus was my favorite and this place would have been a field day for her, I'm giving it 3 stars.
( They would have gotten 4 stars if they really did have bowling.) -
Review from stacey a.
Pasadena, CA
7/25/2007
I've been going to Mr. T's Bowl for about the last 4 or 5 months now. I've only been on the first Saturday night of the month when the goth club "Nightshift" is going on. All in all, I quite enjoy it. The part of town Mr T. is located in initially seemed a bit sketch but I've never noticed anything even remotely nefarious going on so I've come to the conclusion that it's all good. I've always found parking easily - either right in front of the venue or behind in the lot. The interior is shabby and no frills but something about it works. Plenty of place to sit, have a drink, talk, listen to some live music, and then get your dance on. All my requirements are met. The bartender on Saturday nights is a lovely woman who always makes me a delish whisky and coffee beverage that is poured with a heavy hand. She's fantastic.
The only downside is that the venue requires that a band plays each and every night. Apparently they have a guy on staff who does the sound and he needs to get paid so a live act is a requirement to booking a night at Mr. T's. Personally, I'd rather just dance the night away to the songs the DJs spin. I usually end up sitting through the live acts, biding my time until the bands are over or I hang out with friends in the booth areas and talking. All in all though, a good time will be had over at Mr. T's. -
Review from Christine C.
Los Angeles, CA
4/5/2010 1 Check-in Here
Gross. I played here once with a band. I already knew HP was sketch, but this venue seemed to uphold the stereotype quite well.
Despite the name, this place hasn't been a bowling alley for a long time and is now converted into a dive bar / music venue. It's been re-arranged a few times, and the current incarnation of setup is pretty good.
That being said, the quality of acts here can range greatly. It's a type of venue that will be willing to take struggling local acts that just want to find a place to to play without charging them, but once in a while they will bring in a decent act with a crowd. There are dance nights that pack the house, but also some indie nights that are almost empty.
Someone told me that the soundman and bartenders are the same since the last time they visited the place ten years ago, if that says anything. Sound guy is a very quirky man that has a love of jazz. The sound is alright but for performers a really grungy cheap setup since they don't have that many mics and no monitoring. Not like you'd need that stuff for this kinda venue, but jus sayin.
Bar has a $20 minimum on credit cards, but the drinks are cheap. Very small bar with only 2-3 booths. Security is very mean and pushy. Parking is easy since there is a HUGE lot through the back entrance. -
Review from Aaron C.
Los Angeles, CA
7/8/2007
I came here once for lunch when I had just moved to the neighborhood and didn't yet have internet (they have free wireless). I'm sure the entryway makes more sense at night with more people, and I think they were renovating as well when I visited, but there was an awkward moment when I was in the front hallway trying to decide whether I should forge ahead or retreat.
The bar has a bunch of black lights on, so you'll get to inspect the lint on your and your compadre's clothing. There were only a few middle-aged locals who ambled in while I was doing my email thing, and they were really friendly. I was expecting them to mutter, "Fucking yuppie," or something because of my Apple laptop, but they were totally cool. The bartender was very laid-back as well, and he even ordered a sandwich from across the street for me since Mr. T's kitchen was closed.
It's an interesting place to go around lunch time if you need to internet or want to discuss daytime television. The beer is cheap, and they probably wouldn't give a damn if you brought in a hot dog from the guy down the street. -
Review from jericha s.
Los Angeles, CA
6/18/2008
aaaah...sweet sweet Mr. T's Bowl.
i used to come here about 10 years ago, maybe more, for karaoke night.
yes, long before i was 21. i apologize to all the youngsters now who can not get in because they started ID-ing after i brought my 16yr. old brother and sister.
also, the wooden contraption built around the karaoke/soundboard came about after my friend and i tried to start the karaoke machine back up after they shut it off at 2:00am. Sorry Arlo, but it looks great now!
making out with mohawk dudes, knife fights in the parking lot, and getting lost on the way home and peeing in the gutter on a dark street in Alhambra...the good ole days.
r.i.p Mr. T, you were one cool dude. -
Review from Brian S.
Sierra Madre, CA
10/6/2008
All I know is I finally took the time to try to find this place last Friday right after work (around 5:00 ish) and after looking for 20 minutes, wahlah - there it is! Unfortunately, they were closed!
However, I'm not daunted and will update my review when I manage to get there when they are open. (I'll try 6:30 next time)Listed in: Leave the car behind
-
Review from Jean P.
Los Angeles, CA
4/17/2011
We had such a blast there last night! The bartenders were really attentive, poured delicious and strong drinks and were super friendly. The event was a drag burlesque show that was entertaining and funny. There was great music and dancing after the show. It's a funky place with a lot of room to get your groove on. I'm definitely going back on a regular basis.
-
Review from A. and M.
CA
5/20/2008
As Aaron G put it, it's like drinking at "someone's-rich-uncle's-living-room".
I'd say it's more like you decide to throw a party at your kooky uncle's house while he's away in the Florida Keys, he gets back early, and instead of kicking the kids out, the crazy uncle of yours starts serving beers and pouring syrupy cocktails into plastic cups for your guests (and all the while he's still in his bermuda shorts and aloha shirt).
I'm only giving it 3 stars because for a dive such as this, the beer isn't cheap enough. Half of the walls are covered in cheap brick-print wallpaper held up with far too few staples, and the other half mostly wallpaper with outer-space prints (which is pretty cool, actually). I would have been expecting some $3 PBR or at least some cheap tall cans, but I guess they have to make their money somehow.
The vibe is reminiscent of a type of high-school house party thrown by the only kid in the class with a big record collection. Lots of interesting people/ art school kids/ and younger kids in cardigans that probably did just come from a house party somewhere in the valley.
Not exactly an everyday joint, but it's definitely worth the occasional visit. Funny decor, and you're bound to catch an interesting show here and there.
