The Dresden Restaurant & Lounge

(323) 665-4294

1760 N Vermont Ave (Vermont & Kingswell)
Hollywood, CA 90027 34.102874 -118.291769

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Neighborhoods: Los Feliz, Central LA

thedresden.com

Years in business

Established in 1954

Hours:

Restaurant

Mon - Sat 4:30pm - 11pm

Sun 4:30pm - 11pm

Lounge

Mon - Sat 4:30pm - 2am

Sun 4:30pm - 12am

Live Music

Tue - Sat "Marty & Elayne"

Sun - Mon "The Drinks Trio"

Price:

$$

Last updated 1.24.11

Category:

Restaurants, New Year's Events, New Year's Eve Events, New Year's Eve Parties, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Happy Hour, Live Music, Bar Scene

Cuisine:

Traditional American, Italian

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About The Dresden Restaurant & Lounge

Featured Review

Mar Yvette

Contributor

Built in 1964, this Los Feliz institution was going strong long before it was immortalized in "Swingers" and gave Vince Vaughn a career. The grand dining room is a kitschy wonder of high ceilings, white booths, bright-orange accents, faux Asian screens and an Italian-leaning steakhouse menu. But through the arched walls is where the real action is: Walls made of rock, gold metal-encased pendant lamps and sienna leather booths set the scene for Marty and Elayne, the black-clad duo who've effectively owned this room since 1982. Taking on everything from Captain and Tennille to the Bee Gees, the…

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
Marty and Elayne also host--and accompany--an open mic every Tuesday, with vocal talent ranging from quality amateurs to poor imitators.
Parking:
If there's no street parking, pull into the alley behind the club and valet for $3.50.
The Extras:
A full menu of old-school steakhouse fare with an Italian emphasis is available.
Know Before You Go:
Marty and Elayne perform Monday through Saturday from 9pm to 1am. There's never a cover, but the bar occasionally enforces a two-drink minimum if it's packed.
ambiance
91.66999816894531% positive
  1. “The decor is amazing; sense of humor or not.”
  2. “Good drinks, Not your typical bar atmosphere and friendly staff.”
  3. “love this place when it comes to drinks, cool older and experienced bartenders, and atmosphere.”
  4. “The decor was fun, I just wish the music was not so loud, I would have enjoyed myself much more.”
  5. “The atmosphere is certainly enchanting and crowd was so mixed - everything from lively older couples to attractive singles to crowds of hipsters.”
  6. “Prices were decent for the huge amount of food and the ambiance-- they range in the $14-$23 territory.”
drinks
78.85000228881836% positive
  1. “She forced me to order a drink (I'm pregnant and was simply there to be with my friends, and I ordered an expensive meal thinking that it would make up for buying a drink), she said I couldn't replace a drink with food so my only healthy option was a $5 b”
  2. “love this place when it comes to drinks, cool older and experienced bartenders, and atmosphere.”
  3. “Good drinks, Not your typical bar atmosphere and friendly staff.”
  4. “An eclectic crowd, good tables, stocked bar and fantastic music.”
  5. “The food was good and the portions large - I had pasta primavera in white wine sauce, and the bf had a steak with a giant baked potato.”
  6. “the door staff was friendly, we were approached by a waitress in the bar who helped us find a little table (imagine that - proactive service!)”
  7. “arrived before the lounge act started and was able to enjoy conversation and my glass of house wine.”
  8. “The Dresden is not only a great bar, it's a great place to enjoy a nice dinner for two, or more.”
  9. “The red room looks like an old time bar, so we opted for the famous dining room with the white booths.”
  10. “we then carried our coffee into the bar to see the 'show' and the waitress was rude and hustled drinks if we were going to stay for the "show”
  11. “Our waiter was hilarious and provided helpful hints with the menu and wine list.”
  12. “All the drinks I ordered were great even the Dirty Martini I had for myself.”
  13. “enjoy this bar in the afternoon, not that I dont like Marty and Elaine, but it is a great looking lounge and I like to be mellow.”
food quality
74.23999786376953% positive
  1. “Prices were decent for the huge amount of food and the ambiance-- they range in the $14-$23 territory.”
  2. “He also kept fresh garlic bread on the table and constantly refilled our glasses.”
  3. “Some of my friends ate there and did enjoy the food.”
  4. “She forced me to order a drink (I'm pregnant and was simply there to be with my friends, and I ordered an expensive meal thinking that it would make up for buying a drink), she said I couldn't replace a drink with food so my only healthy option was a $5 b”
  5. “The food was terrible and the waitress was rude.”
  6. “Basically, this is a place with a very unique look that is beautiful and you don't have to settle for bad food to get the experience.”
  7. “AWESOME food!”
  8. “The food is not good, i think the dresden is not all that”
  9. “The food is pretty go.”
  10. “The food was delicious!”
  11. “The food was good and the portions large - I had pasta primavera in white wine sauce, and the bf had a steak with a giant baked potato.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “Our waiter was hilarious and provided helpful hints with the menu and wine list.”
overall
93.75% positive
  1. “used to live on the same street as the Dresden, so it was a great place to just walk to with a friend when we decided to go out for lunch.”
  2. “Thus, the Dresden is a great and special place.”
  3. “The Dresden is not only a great bar, it's a great place to enjoy a nice dinner for two, or more.”
  4. “The Dresden Lounge is a great place for eating, talking and relaxing, because the Dresden is located in a cool part of LA, contains 40's style architecture, feels like LA, and has a history with visiting movie stars.”
service
59.38000202178955% positive
  1. “Excellent service hinting at Hollywood's glory days.”
  2. “The waiter was awesome!”
  3. “we then carried our coffee into the bar to see the 'show' and the waitress was rude and hustled drinks if we were going to stay for the "show”
  4. “and our waitress was attentive and friendly.”
  5. “Bonnie gave us the best service, Marty and Elaine are quite the sight to see, and the crowd is awesome!”
  6. “love this place when it comes to drinks, cool older and experienced bartenders, and atmosphere.”
  7. “Our waiter was hilarious and provided helpful hints with the menu and wine list.”
  8. “This afternoon when I checked my online bank balance, I'd been overcharged from last night's dinner, and the owner was extraordinairly rude to our entire party.”
  9. “Good drinks, Not your typical bar atmosphere and friendly staff.”
  10. “We were greeted by an incredibly friendly staff, and seated immediately.”
  11. “Terrible service”
  12. “the door staff was friendly, we were approached by a waitress in the bar who helped us find a little table (imagine that - proactive service!)”
  13. “Overpriced, low quality, bad service, over crowded, they mix up our orders three times and overcharged us.”
  14. “The food was terrible and the waitress was rude.”
  15. “Love Marty and Elayne, HORRIBLE service”
  16. “For the most part the staff was nice.”
value
78.5699987411499% positive
  1. “the dinner was inedible and NOT inexpensive.”
  2. “The food was good and the portions large - I had pasta primavera in white wine sauce, and the bf had a steak with a giant baked potato.”
  3. “Amazing value.”
  4. “She forced me to order a drink (I'm pregnant and was simply there to be with my friends, and I ordered an expensive meal thinking that it would make up for buying a drink), she said I couldn't replace a drink with food so my only healthy option was a $5 b”
  5. “Drink prices are also very reasonable - was surprised by how little the bill was.”
  6. “great lunch deals.”
  7. “Prices were decent for the huge amount of food and the ambiance-- they range in the $14-$23 territory.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/16/10

Years of the Dresden Room

by zane de arakal at Citysearch

A bit of history,. My father, Paul, owned a beauty shop across the street from the DR from 1922-1962. The DR still a favorite and Sarno's was great just down Vermont.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/02/10

Throwback vibe and great tom collins to oot

by eringold at Citysearch

The first time I walked into this place I immediately thought of my ostentatious grandma's living room. I have never had the chance to eat at their restaurant, but when walking into the bar it was like taking a step back into the 1960s in the best way possible. The bartenders really know their drinks and I had one of the best Tom Collins ever. The only downer to my experience was that with the crowd it was a little difficult order a drink. I definitely want to give the restaurant a shot.

  • Pros: bartenders who know their drinks, good bar scene
  • Cons: can get very crowded, difficult parking
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/02/10

Get comfy in an old-school booth

by LaMaria at Citysearch

Who goes to live music at a place like the Dresden and says it's too loud? Go back to bed then and the rest of us will enjoy it. The Dresden takes you back to another world time, feeds you well, and gives you classic entertainment. Love it.

  • Pros: Live music at this classic spot
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/11/09

A Los Angeles icon!

by DaveHaar at Citysearch

If you live in Los Angeles, you know you need to hit up The Dresden at least once. A great spot and a step back to another point in time!

  • Pros: Great vibe and old school ambiance.
  • Cons: None.
1 Star Rating: Poor

09/02/09

Terrible service

by Annouchka at Citysearch

I went there with my husband on our first date after our baby was born. The food was terrible and the waitress was rude. She brought me the wrong order and told me right in my face that it was my fault. I will not got back.

  • Pros: Ambiance
  • Cons: Service - Food

The Details on The Dresden Restaurant & Lounge

Place Categories:

  • bad food
  • great place
  • bad service
  • rude drinks
  • friendly door staff
  • really enjoy dresden room
  • fantastic experience
  • memorable marty
  • rude waitress
  • nice dinner
  • inedible dinner
  • beautiful unique look
  • memorable elaine
  • fun decor
  • very reasonable drink prices
  • enjoy bar
  • great lounge
  • awesome waiter
  • never famous twosome
  • cool bartenders
  • happy customers
  • helpful hints
  • expensive meal
  • great spot
  • enjoy conversation
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