About my favorite get-away and designer Gene White, a Disney designer who contributed to the Pirates of the Caribbean gave it an underground grotto look and very romantic with soft jazz playing and an old rustic feel. Prices on the high side but worth it for that special occasion.
I come dancing here very often because I love the Afro-centric beats and just how down-to-earth and fun the crowd is while swaying to the music. I never thought to eat at the restaurant till a friend organized her farewell dinner here. The food was very delicious.
This place is charming and so much fun.Its tucked away on an unassuming street. You walk into a gorgeous, but small, bar area and then you find out that down the hall, almost speakeasy-like, there is a much bigger, equally colorful room. The entire places evokes New Orleans from the drinks to the nibbles to the decor.
Amazing Theme - great vibe and atmosphere - was a little hard to get a drink, but expected in such a vibrant environment
This is definitely a bar for those people who love to snap and post everything on Facebook. Tiny, expensive, and not worth the hassle, IMO.Its a Speakeasy type bar and cigar lounge. Its the size of two studio apartments and just as filthy. For a bar that is supposed to be exclusive, Its so crowded one can barely stand without bumpin and grindin with the stranger next to you. It pays to get a table if you can afford it. At least this way you can have some room to yourself.Might go back for special occasions but definitely not a regular spot to go to.
I had such an amazing time at Weekend On Wednesday at the DB Lounge . The club is really big and upscale. The security is not rude or gross, the drinks are strong and reasonable. It a really nice place to go and listen to song bomb music and enjoy the night without any problems. My new spot to function. #Weekendonwednesday
Every time Ive come to this bar its been because of David! His service his sincerity and his drinks! Such a great place to hangout any night of the week and the music isnt half too bad. Definitely a must stop by when perusing the Downtown nightlife!!
An excellent mixology lounge. Warm and inviting with excellent music played at just the right volume, comfy couches, superbly crafted and excellent tasting drinks. Plus, its new so no one knows about it yet, keeping the crowds very low. Oh, and theres shuffle board. Yeah, thats right.
Best mashup mixes in the area. Cover charge isnt terrible especially if you get there before 10. Tons of rooms and levels with a pizza place attached next door
Such an amazing fish wrap! And the owner was so kind and welcoming. Would definitely recommend.
Had a great time. This place was off the hook on Halloween night. We did run into a little incident with a drunk guy and the security was on it and the owner took the time to see what had happen and to make sure we felt safe. I will frosh be making my way back.
Came here for NYE 2019... A couple of friends met up with us... You know you had fun when you dont even take pictures (just personal videos). The place is gorgeous from the chandeliers to the downstairs dance area. They had 2 photo booths and all you can drink booze (all included with your tickets) lol OMG!! what a fun night. If I they have an event next year for NYE I might consider buying tickets.
Best event in San Francisco PERIOD... Such a great crowd that goes there
It has become more difficult to just show up on a weekend night, and be able to get in right away. Which is an indication the place has become more popular. RSVP a week in advance for that. Love the atmosphere, but it gets too crowded to freely dance on the main floor. Stay for the Burlesque show, the friendly bar staff and their wonderful concoctions, the elegantly-dressed men and women, and if you like cigars, theres a room where youre allowed to smoke them.
Went on Thursday night. Place was a little too packed- hard to actually dance salsa. Drinks were strong. Bartenders were friendly, prompt, and cute;)The burlesque dancer was phenomenal! Included fire eating act and several different costumes. Overall enjoyed experience
Speakeasy spot thats kind of in a random part of town. Its a super cool spot with awesome latin/salsa music and even a cigar room in the back. Theres burlesque shows with live music couple times a night which were great to watch. On some nights it does get packed so get ready to fight your way across the room/at the bar.Valet parking is $12.
Two thumbs up for flavorful, original, fun food! All three times weve dined there the food has been consistently remarkable. Music tends to be too loud sometime, but they are happy to turn it down if you ask. This local gem is highly recommended.
I get the allure.. Cool idea, great music BUT.... This place is crazy overcrowded. If you are not paying for a bottle service, this place becomes quickly annoying as you are being pushed on every few seconds (not exagerrating). We couldnt enjoy ourselves at all, not even while dancing. Wish it was a bit bigger, ended up leaving in the first hour we got in. Probably would try it again if with a group and buying a bottle otherwise would never go there again.
I will start with the hostess which was great, the entrance (no spoiler) is a fun and charming surprise. The place has something very chic and special about it, even though a bit crowded and small. The music was good and the performer put on an amazing show. So far so good.The amazing experience so far was completely ruined by the bar staff. I am sorry to say it, because everything else was great, but the bartenders earned this 1 star. Extremely arrogant (no, I am not doing them a favour for going there and they are not the reason that I have gone there, but it sure felt like that by their attitude. Very arrogant and jumpy, not to mention they kept removing our half full drinks on the bar. Constantly.I would maybe get why this attitude from world renowned mixologists, but honestly the drinks were mediocre.
DANGEROUSLY CROWDED. This place used to be fun. The issue is this: the city made them stop selling alcohol in the cigar lounge. You cant go into the lounge if you have a drink in your hand. The result is everyone packs in the front bar. They let people in based on the capacity for the entire space yet everyone packs in on half the venue. This produces an unsafe overcapacity situation thats waiting to become into a tragedy for someone. You cant even walk and you can feel people getting anxious and pushing you while you try to walk around. Time for the city to become aware of this problem and fix the capacity loophole by applying the same logic as the alcohol licence for the cigar lounge.
Pretty cool dive in a hidden part of town. Will be back soon.
The food is great here. Great music, great atmosphere. Large crowd but he had a great time.
My experience was not good because the doorman was rude and embarrassing to me and my wife. We rented a limo, we are in our 50s, we went to the front door and the doorman would not allow us in when our turn came because we did not hand him money. You know the silent slipping of cash into his hand. We left even thou we were invited through the Houston Brothers email invites.
Love La Descarga... so fun. Love the performers... cigars are good. Bartenders are always super cool.Can be strict to get some people in sometimes due to reservations. But once you know people it’s totally fun, highly recommend.
One of my favorite places to hang out and have some fun and drinks. Very unique and hidden location. Great atmosphere. Must visit place!
I came here with a group of girlfriends several years ago and had a blast! Amazing show, delicious cocktails, evocative atmosphere. None of us are smokers but we all lit up in the cigar lounge just for fun. Remains one of my best nights out ever in L.A., and its right in my neighborhood now, too!
Great dancing, staff, atmosphere, and drinks. Also has a good lounge at the back to relax.
Of all the places we visited on our romantic speakeasy/bar-hopping trip, this was by far my boyfriends favorite, and the place he requested to add to his return birthday trip. First of all you NEED reservations. Go on the website and make them in advance, at least 24 hours, preferably more. We didnt know this going in. We were lucky to come twenty minutes before they opened. We let them know that we were from out of town and unaware of protocol so we were lucky to be let in. You enter through a wardrobe, like in Narnia! A true speakeasy entrance, which I really respect. Youre immediately transported to Cuba. You walk across a long balcony and down a spiral staircase into a dusky bar area with a total South American vibe. Their specialty is rum, and their selection is impeccable. In that room they eventually have a live band and burlesque dancers that move through the crowd. This helps keeps the energy alive and exciting throughout the evening. The music style is almost salsa. Theres a back room that has more club style music if thats what you prefer to dance to. Theres also a fantastic cigar bar with a phenomenal bartender, Justin, who knows his whiskey and cigars like the back of his hand. He kept us company and made us laugh for hours. Such a wonderful experience. We will be back!!!!
Food is delicious! Tacos and quesadillas are great. The nachos salsa and guac are great!The happy hour is the ticket though, cheap beers and cheap street tacos! This is my local happy hour taco spot!
They played great music! They have two different floors. They played salsa and reggaeton, alternating the music in each floor.
First trip to LA and stumbled on this place. I wanted a cigar bar with some character and this is the place. The entrance is memorable and pretty charming, like stepping into another world. This place is small, but love it. The cigar bar is well ventilated and dark. The bartender was really friendly and funny enough came from my home state. Give this place a try, especially on a week night if you want to get in. I was able to park on the street and get in no prob on a Tuesday night. Plus brought my own cigar, no problem.
Great environment with Cigars bar i will highly recommend for friends and for birthday celebrations!. they also have live bands at nights which is super cool
Respectable night club perfect for the working class. Dress code: Smell clean, No stained, smelly, or decrepit clothing. Laundered clean modest ware is just fine. Be prepared to spend around 30.00 per person for three high quality beers, or two superb and potent cocktails. All in all a total recommendation.
The experience, the music, and the staff are all awesome. A must do in LA
I love this place. Its speakeasy style so the entrance is pretty hidden. When you get past the doorman, they take you up the stairs and to a small room where you walk in through a wardrobe. Such a great touch to the ambiance!! Once youre in, you walk down a metal spiral staircase into this beautifully decorated and dimly lit bar. Its very intimate and elegant. They have burlesque dancers and a cigar bar. The atmosphere is fantastic and they really know how to make a cocktail! Highly recommended.
The staff is terrible. Mainly just two individuals in particular. I was unable to get the 2 mens names, but wow. Both people said things to me that were so unprofessional, and not how you treat a guest. I have been healing from a broken foot for almost 8 weeks, and havent been out much lately, and my friend wanted me to come out for once to join her. I wasnt going to drink (and dont really drink much anyway), but thought it would help me to get out of the house- being that I have been stuck inside for 2 months. Me and my friend politely asked one of the door men if we might be able to not wait in the line since I am on a broken foot, (it was just a question), but the guy rudely replies by saying Why are you out here to party if you have a broken foot? That was unprofessional, bc I wasnt there to party, and second who is he to ask me that? A professional/courteous response would have been, Im sorry maam, we cannot grant your request. I do apologize. That would have been okay, not a rude response such as his. Then after waiting in line for over an hour, me and my friend get in, and one of the security guys pushes me, and I look back at him thinking- okay, no regard that you just pushed me, then yells Maybe you should get a drink that way you wont be such a B**ch. Im just shocked at this place, because of these two experiences. I am a nice girl, and have had a hard two months being injured, going out and being treated like that was pretty lame. Not going to return to this establishment. Too bad too, because I love dancing, and I am a bartender myself and have been working in nice/upscale restaurants for 14 years- so I know class when I see it. This is not that.
I’d wanted to visit for a while and this was my chance, we’d booked in relatively early – when you’re with people who need a sitter to go out for the night, you know you aren’t going to be out late!We arrived not long after opening and it was quite quiet. We walked past a building that had its doors open to the street, and then to a side door, once our reservation was confirmed we were allowed inside and up some stairs. The receptionist confirmed our reservation and showed us to the ‘secret entrance’ which had been left open and so was completely unsurprising. Through the door we were shown into the bar and down the spiral staircase to find that the open doors we passed earlier were the exit from the bar – nice way to maintain the ‘secret’ atmosphere of the speakeasy!As it is, the bar is a good one, the bartenders know how to mix a drink and there is a HUGE range of bottles on offer, with rum and whiskey being the main ones to choose from. There are three areas, a main bar, a cigar room with its own bar and a more private room, probably for groups. We chilled out in the cigar room for a little bit and got ourselves a few cigars for the experience. Unfortunately no Cubans. Then we moved back to the main bar for more drinks and live music. It being a Houston brothers place, there was a Burlesque dancer that performed at 10pm wafter which the recorded music was back on. A few more drinks and the baby sitter needed to be relieved.As it is, I’ve experienced it, but I had a better time at No Vacancy, given the choice, that’s where I’m going next time.
My wife and I stopped by here for a couple hours last night. We arrived about 8:20. There were only a few people there at that time, but the crowd gathered until it was packed by about 10.The intimate setting, the speakeasy atmosphere, and the crowd was all very pleasing.The burlesque dance that started at 10:20 or so was top notch! The choreography was perfect. The dancer really put herself into it with great energy and style. Loved the Latin flair to it. She was the star of our night on the town. We only stayed for the one dance, so at cant speak about the other dancers.Our only complaint was the lack of seating. We got there early and were able to sit at one of the tables on the cigar lounge for a couple hours until that tables reserved party arrived. But by then it was almost time to move to the other room for the burlesque act anyway.If you want to be able to sit, youll need to reserve a table, or get there early. However, be aware that from most of the tables you wont be able to see the burlesque dance on the balcony without getting up out of your seat.Kudos to the burlesque artist! For that reason, we would definitely come back.
La Descarga is a very sexy rum bar. Cool spot to bring a date, impress clients or treat yourself. Its a speakeasy, their entrance alone is quite creative. Drinks are on the pricey side and if you want to sit down, reserving a table is a must. They have a cigar lounge with a decent selection of smokes and usually have a burlesque show starting at 11pm. I really enjoy their mojitos.
Pretty awesome speak easy themed bar! You enter through a closet in a building in the middle of LA. It was very hard to find at first but totally worth it! The drinks were great and the bars were awesome! Only reason it wasnt a 5 star, was it could be very small and tight in several areas in here, which means it can get very stuffy and crowded. Overall amazing experience though!
One of the few locals go to bars in LA that get everything spot on the moment you walk in the door. Multiple rooms, great music, proper classic and yummy fresh cocktails, live music with early salsa lessons on Tuesdays, patio smoking room, local street food and taco trucks nearby help keep the good vibes alive. Love this place!.
Never answer the call o imail for confirmation the reservation .
Place is awesome. Rum and coke all night with a fresh cigar. 5 stars from my side. Guy at the door looks like Christian Bales. He wouldnt tell me where the bat cave was lol.
I have tried making a reservation online but nobody gets back to me. I have also called and nobody answers the phone. This is horrible customer service. I also showed up in person but was not allowed to go in without a reservation, even though I have tried to make one before and never receive a confirmation. La Descarga needs to improve on communication and customer service.
We had a blast! From the very minute you walk in. Its certainly worth the wait for a reservation. Great music and very entertaining. The drinks are made with precision, craft and enough rum to give you just the right amount of pep in your step! Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. One of the best places to visit for tourist and if you are a native like myself, what a treat to have La Descarga in our own backyard. Diamond In The Rough.
It changed since the first time I was here!! No more closet entrance, no more speakeasy vibe. But... It still has burlesque, is great fun for dancing, and the rum is delicious. They do let in waaaay too many people, so the dancing is rough until past midnight. But if you hang in there, lots of non-dancing folk leave, and you can swing your butt to your hearts delight.
This place is tiny, lets get that out of the way first. But I dont care; we had a blast! Love the cigar room - it is really well ventilated to the open air. We splurged on a private table with bottle service which i highly recommend. The entrance is memorable and the nightly shows are great fun. But I will just say it again; this place get BUSY and even trying to dance is difficult; but as long as you know what you are in for you will have a great time!
Ive had a blast every time Ive been here. It gets extremely packed and you need to make reservations a few days in advance even for standing room. Dress to impress and then hang out in the cigar lounge. Around 1 am there is a lot more room to dance and the main room is a blast.
Its a good place to have a nice dance and fun time with your date, especially if you want to impress her.
Once again i have found a secret speakeasy! This time entering what looks like a New York size apartment into an office, then though the secret passage and boom its the 1920s. A huge bar with three different rooms including a cigar lounge. A burlesque show and sax performance and great cocktails make for one heck of a night. People do dress up and try to dress more in the era at this bar which makes the atmosphere a lit of fun.
Nice atmosphere and entering through the wardrobe was fun. Service was terrible, we had to keep asking the busser for drinks because our server was on her phone in the corner the whole time. Also, the A.C. was blasting and we were very cold all night. Live dancing and a live band was a nice treat. Dont come here for the drinks though, the cocktails, wine beer were pretty boring.
If you like waiting in line for over 30 mins watching people get ahead of you because they have a connection in dont bother wasting your time. Ill spend my money elsewhere.
Awesome place. Drinks are good and the crowd is fun. A bit small, but overall a good place to have a few drinks, listen to music and chill.
La Descarga was so much fun. From the entrance through the coat closet to the free salsa lessons, this is definitely one of my favorite places Ive been to for a night out. However, when ordering a drink, Id stick to the menu. Some bartenders are welcome to make a drink up with some basic direction; our bartender definitely wasnt.
I have traveled all over the world, and I can say without a doubt that La Descarga is one of the most exciting bars I have ever been to. It is a destination. Whenever I take someone there, I never tell them about it, because it would ruin all the wonderful surprises I experienced my first time - from how hidden it is to the entrance to the way above par cocktails and the band and Cuban style burlesque. Who would think that in L.A. a bartender would pay for your round of drinks simply as a thank you for coming back a 2nd time? Amazing.
Pretty nice place. Fellas, only take a woman there if you really like her and want to empress her. Otherwise go alone, youll enjoy the options.
Wow this place is awesome. The way you get in. The bar. The Music. The Burlesque. All of it. Oh and the smoking bar is awesome. But they do really care about your attire.
Horrible customer service. No one answers the phone, emails, or voicemails.
Great music and fantastic cigars! I highly recommend coming during the weekday due to it being so packed but otherwise I had an amazing time!
Cigar lounge did it for me. I brought my cigars, called few of my friends and enjoyed couple drinks. If you go there early, you will enjoy the space while chatting with your friends or new friends.
Wonderfull place to dance..! I love
A great bar and loved being taught to dance
La Descarga is an amazing bar experience that may be a bit busy but well worth the exploration for those a fan of speakeasies and/or Latin-infused bar.Once you come in, you go up the stairs into a closet and out into a two-floor bar area. Sometimes there will be flame-eating dancers; other times there will be a burlesque dancer and a mariachi band. Its just a really cool time. Drinks are fairly normal for the club/LA bar scene (expect prices +$8).Try to get on the guest list beforehand for an easier time getting in and come a little earlier. There is some street parking available as well.
La Descarga is fantastic, wonderful combination of atmosphere and entertainment. Its on my to-do list now for each trip to LA. SalsaGeorge
One of the best places to hang out smoke a cigar and have few drink.
Super cool place, thought very very small dance floors for the amount of ppl they let in! but all & all good place; everyone respect (much older crowd) the music was mainly cumbia in the main floor & on the second one mainly reggetton.
Way to dark
This is a great Latin Club for Dancing. Come her to dance. If you are dude and just want to hang on wall its expensive to be a wallflower.
Really awesome atmosphere. The drinks are typical LA prices, $12-14 dollars. The music playing makes you want to dance salsa all night long. They dont serve food, but there is a very cute little taco stand right outisde, $1.50 for a taco. I will definitely be back.
Im giving this place a three only because my fiance asked me to. Honestly, I love the idea and decor...we got there early so all was well...then more and more people came in and it becomes a game of sardines. cant hear bartenders to order drinks or pay. maybe good for one time, go early, and leave after first band performance.
I gave this place a 3 because well other was too small inside and if your okay with just one kind of music then this is the place to be. Everyone that works there was great its just the atmosphere itself I was not so happy about.
Its a fancy sardine can with great music and dancing as well as live performances. Im old. I hate being packed shoulder to shoulder with people.
Love this place. The music and live burlesque show was amazing.
Another one of the secret speakeasy bars in Los Angeles. You enter into an office and then through a closet behind a few pieces of clothing. Once inside, there are several large rooms with a bar in each. Its a very crowded bar, but you can get drinks quickly. There is a sax performance and burlesque show that makes it more unique than most. The bar felt like it attracted a lot of couples in their mid-30s who were dressed up or dressed to fit the 1920s theme. Not a place to go if youre looking to meet people, but a great place to go with a significant other or a small group of friends looking for a different bar experience.
Its not what they make it seem to be, I made reservations to visit here, as they highly recommend you do, I guess to make it sound exclusive as per the web page, strict dress code and all, yet many people are casual. Anyways, we were greeted at front, went upstairs to second floor into a room just to walk Down another set of stairs back to where we started. Pointless... Now inside,place looks cool,very limited seating,bottle service required if you want one of the 4 small seating sections, 3 rooms, one specifically for smoking cigars, place is small so gets crowded, no air circulation, very stuffy, you feel the heat from everyones sweaty body, not fun.. I do have to say,the drinks are really good, a bit pricey but good. The music is good,it be better if it was continues, once the song ends you have that 10 second pause for the next song to start,and its not always the same genre,went from nice salsa to Justin beaver, despacito...really??The live music and show is good, no complaints on that.So would I go back? if Im in area and nowhere else to go id stop for a mojito, or two, mind you, no where to sit.
Heavy crowd, expect a toe to toe crowd in search of a great show
GREAT PLACE TO HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS, SMOKE CIGARS AND GREAT DRINKS!
Ahh Muy CalienteIf you ever get the chance to find the hidden door, that leads you to a dark stairwell, which ends in an old deserted room...you may find that a shanty closet that has a trap door which leads you into a completely different world.Only then will you understand the lyrics:On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hairWarm smell of colitas, rising up through the airUp ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering lightMy head grew heavy and my sight grew dimI had to stop for the nightThere she stood in the doorwayI heard the mission bellAnd I was thinking to myselfThis could be heaven or this could be HellThen she lit up a candle and she showed me the wayThere were voices down the corridorI thought I heard them sayWelcome to the Hotel California.
Excellent place on a week night when it is less crowded. Dress nicely and be ready to dance.
Great place for a night out with friends or a date. Great savory drinks and friendly crowd!
Dont let the area or the outside fool you. Great experience wants you enter.
Make a reservation online... and then the night is an blast! The cocktails were well crafted and the live music and dancing were a blast.
Wonderful place. Nice people. Good music. Good cocktails.
Great late-night spot for dancing and good drinks.
Lively atmosphere, friendly staff, and great music maje this a trendy and fun place to hang out for cigars and drinks.
All i can say this is the best cuban bar i ever been too ill definitely recommend
It has a nice vibe, I love the Latin music, AND Dancing
Cool spot
Great ambience, friendly people, amazing service, really good music/dancers (live salsa band), great show!
This place was awesome! From the super cool hidden entrance to the throwback speakeasy decor it was the best themed bar/club Ive been to. If you can get a group together the table service was excellent. The live entertainment was amazing. The ladies enjoyed the mojito punch and for the second choice (group of ten is a 2 bottle/punch minimum) we had the 7 year aged flor de caña gold rum. The rum was paired nicely the cigars we had. The only reason I didnt give them 5 stars was the parking situation and the lack of any appetizers or snacks. Otherwise it was a blast.
Behind the closet,like Narnia but with more class,Cuban drink and dance!
Incredible place..had so much fun..I will be back!!!
Very nice bar, with live music and surprising burlesque mini shows.
I was so thrilled when I found La Descarga all thanks to yelp!!! After exploring a wondrous bar with a hidden door in New York, I figured LA must have something similar as well.La Descarga is a speakeasy cuban bar/lounge with exceptional cocktail drinks, a cigar lounge, a hostess thatll personally welcome you, salsa dancing, live music, cabaret dancers with fire and a hidden entrance!!! This is by far my favorite bar/lounge in LA that Id recommend to all my friends (who arent penny-pinchers)!I took my friend here for his early birthday present Friday night. He had no idea where I was taking him. I told him its a hidden gem thats so awesome that itll feel like he went to narnia :P I rsvpd for 9:15pm but showed up 20min early because there was no traffic. The bouncer was very hospitable and we chatted for a bit before he let us in :) Upstairs, there was a pretty lady who stood by her desk with a big smile. She welcomed us and gave us a brief description of the bar/lounge. My friend was surprised when she opened the wardrobe for us to enter :DHe seemed super thrilled with the place and he made sure he tried couple of their signature cocktails. Everyone except for the bartender at the cigar lounge were sociable. The place is cozy and its hard to find a place to sit during busy hours.Tips:- Show up early so you have time to settle down at the bar and the cigar lounge before it gets crowded (around 9:30 on a Friday night).- Reservation via phone/website is highly recommended- Pay $8 for valet, its worth it cuz the neighborhood is ghetto-y- Try their cigars! I had my very first one and it went well with my cocktail.LOVE:- The cuban themed atmosphere- Watching them make their quality cocktails (they look like they were dancing to the music while they shook the drinks!).- Live music and a sexy dancer twirling a fire around!DRINKS: Be patient with the bartenders during busy hours. If you watch them create it with fresh ingredients then youll understand that its worth the wait.My friend had- Old Ironsides- Shoreleave Wristwatch (his favorite)- Ramble on (his least favorite out of the 4 he drank)- 2 cocktails with pineapple juice that has a cool name. It came in a large fancy cocktail glass with orange and lemon garnish...ugh cant remember the name!I had-La Descarga Planters Punch (yum!!!)- Mojito (it had the perfect amount of sweetness)What my friend didnt let me have because I was his dd- Caipirinha (heard its really good)
The decor is unique. The place is crowded, but it makes up for the tons of fun you can have here.