The Smell
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone:
- Cross Street:
- Second Street
- Hours:
- Vary
Editorial Review for The Smell – by Peter Geiberger
In Short
Sharing the block with a ranchero bar and pool hall, the Smell is an anonymous building with a decidedly spartan interior. Essentially a non-profit, the club's cover rarely goes above five dollars, but for a warehouse in a terrible neighborhood, it manages to book some of the best indie bands on the scene. With attendance usually well below capacity, shows are always intimate. Audiences are rarely less than attentive, and with little separating the band from the crowd, the music is thoroughly accessible.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoFirst timers will drive around the block a few times before finding the place. The entrance is in the back. Turn left in to the one-way alley from Fourth Street, immediately before Main Street. Free parking is in the lot, just past the alley entrance.
The ExtrasThe Smell has no liquor license and serves no concessions. Music lovers with drinking in mind can head to the Jalisco, a boisterous ranchero bar right next door, serving $2.50 beers all night.
Look GoodCheck them out at www.thesmell.org.
User Reviews for The Smell
08/28/2006 Posted by julesf402
The Smell is aptly named. You can smell Skid Row and everyone pees on the side walk. It's basically just a place to see bands play - not a bar, not a club, more like a rundown house party. The crowd is mostly young punks and hipsters. I've seen moshing and crowd surfing. There's no A/C or ventilation, so it gets very hot and sweaty. You hang out in the alley to smoke, cool off, drink beer from your car. You will be bombarded by bums asking for money. There's no way around it in this part of town. It's a pretty fun place, but it's definitely not for the faint of heart.
Pros: an experience all its own
Cons: Hot, bums, teenagers
12/23/2002 Posted by aerosolburns
The Smell is unlike any other trendy venue/club in Los Angeles. It is the only D.I.Y. all ages venue around, with shows ranging from loud experimental punk to jazz. The cover is $5 bucks 99% of the time, which goes directly to the bands. There is an all vegan snack bar, with a vegan cook who makes affordable (everything is $2 or $3) food hot, to order, cold drinks, hot teas, and deserts. The showroom was recently remodeled with a brand new stage, new and better sound equipment, and a knocked down wall to expand the size of the show room. The venue is covered with miscellaneous art by various people, as it is an open art gallery as well. One has to also appreciate the character of The Smell, as it is in an alley of downtown by Skid Row and also next to a Mexican transvestite bar.
Pros: cheap/free parking, social, good affordable food
Cons: sketchy neighborhood
Users Like You Also Viewed
JC Fandango
1086 N State College Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92806
