(213) 381-7047

659 S Mariposa Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90005 34.0614 -118.2989

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Neighborhoods: Wilshire Center / Koreatown, Central LA

CAFEBRASSMONKEY.COM

Last updated 6.04.11

Category:

Restaurants, Bars & Pubs, Nightclubs, Bars & Clubs, Lounges

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Karaoke

Bar & Club Special Features:

21 & Over

Minimum Age:

21

What People Are Saying About Brass Monkey

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Karaoke brings people together, especially at Brass Monkey. The low ceiling, oversized hanging lanterns and eclectic crowd are not for the claustrophobic. The place is usually packed by the time singing begins at 9pm--and as with the crowd, the songs are diverse, ranging from the Beatles and Billy Idol to Spanish songs and slow numbers. Some die-hard karaoke lovers even bring their own tunes. Luckily, food is available if you need something to snack on, since the wait to perform can stretch to two hours. – – The Draw – For those who need a shot of liquid…

Editor's Tips

Parking:
Free parking is available with validation after 5pm in the structure next to Brass Monkey. Enter on Mariposa.
Save Money:
There's no official happy hour, but drink prices double after 9pm when the karaoke starts.
Know Before You Go:
It's OK to sing multiple times in one night. However, the karaoke host won't accept a second song selection until you've already sung your first.
ambiance
77.77999877929688% positive
  1. Finally, at around 12:25 am I got up, I did my song, the crowd loved it, and I had fun.
  2. And one last thing - parking in the structure across from the bar can be expensive so don't forget to have your ticket validated.
  3. The atmosphere is a bit on the dungeon side, but it's all good cuz once in there you don't mind.
  4. the usual DJ, i always forget his name, is fun and keeps the place lively, even on a slow night.
  5. so the monkey is fun for getting drunk and singing badly.
  6. The place doesn't look like much, and it's a tough place to find, but the karaoke atmosphere is great.
  7. The Brass Monkey brings the best location and crowd for Karaoke in LA.
  8. Great atmosphere.
  9. Overpriced, unfriendly and unprofessional location!
drinks
60.869998931884766% positive
  1. the drinks are way strong, i personally like the "caramel apple": a butterscotch sour apple martini.
  2. They have the best selection of songs ever, bar none. The friendly party people. No cover.
  3. have a low tolerence, therefore i order one or two drinks and really want to enjoy my drinks.
  4. The drinks are great and the entertainment is well worth seeing.
  5. Sure, the service is a little lacking and the drinks aren't great, but when Lucas was the DJ, everyone seemed to have a good time.
  6. About five minutes later the drink was spilled (it was still full) by the person serving the bad food.
  7. Upon entering the bar we were (like the last poster) confronted by a cocktail waitress who was adamant about taking our drink order.
  8. The Dj was great totally had the whole bar rocking.
  9. We were surprised to see that Coors Light goes for $5 a bottle, especially after hearing about reasonable drink prices.
  10. left right after this and of course had to pay $7 for the worst drink on the planet.
  11. They then igored me and I walked back to the table with the awful drink.
  12. It is an intimate bar with dark wood walls and a great Karaoke crowd.
  13. The bartenders are nice but they cant expect you to even get a good buzz off the watered down drinks they serve.
  14. Sure, the beer's too expensive and the food's not the best--but for sheer entertainment value, this place cannot be beat.
  15. If the beer was a little less expensive and the cocktail waitress not as pushy and bitchy, we would surely be returning customers.
  16. My drink was way overpriced and when the waitress finally brought it to me it looked like someone had already drank half of it.
  17. And one last thing - parking in the structure across from the bar can be expensive so don't forget to have your ticket validated.
  18. The drinks were good and you got them in a timely matter.
  19. Good bar food, great selection of mixed drinks and "the place to be" for karaoke.
  20. agree with what many others have said about the overpriced, half-filled, watered-down drinks.
  21. the drinks are ridiculously overpriced and the whole karaoke thing is pretty lame.
  22. But the drinks are good and the food is decent.
  23. If you've got a big entourage, call in advance to reserve a table, or arrive early and cover the bar.
food quality
50.0% positive
  1. Perfect after work place but not good for lunch as the food will take some time to get to you.
  2. Throughout the meat of the night, the service was good, we weren't kicked out for a bigger party, and we got in 3 songs apiece before the rotation was 3 hours long (so go early).
  3. Sure, the beer's too expensive and the food's not the best--but for sheer entertainment value, this place cannot be beat.
  4. But the drinks are good and the food is decent.
  5. The food is good and prices are very reasonable.
  6. The food is not good at all.
  7. Service is a bit slow and during lunch, don't expect your food to get to you until your lunch hour is just about up.
  8. And the hot wings are good too.
  9. had the prime rib sandwich($8.95) some of the worst prime rib I have ever had in my life.
  10. Good bar food, great selection of mixed drinks and "the place to be" for karaoke.
  11. About five minutes later the drink was spilled (it was still full) by the person serving the bad food.
  12. The food was decent, (try the cobb salad w/ chicken) All in all, I had a great time and would recommend it for a night out with the girls, guys or a group of both.
  13. To add insult to injury the service was horrible (only one waitress) and no food is served on Sundays.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. Oh and the song list was very very extensive, their were even songs that had only been on the radio for a month or two.
  2. They have the best selection of songs ever, bar none. The friendly party people. No cover.
  3. Good bar food, great selection of mixed drinks and "the place to be" for karaoke.
overall
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. Good bar food, great selection of mixed drinks and "the place to be" for karaoke.
  2. Every other time I'd been to there and Lucas was hitting up the tunes, the nights were great and everyone in the place got to sing, not just the birthday parties that were excessively tipping.
  3. Sure, the beer's too expensive and the food's not the best--but for sheer entertainment value, this place cannot be beat.
service
81.25% positive
  1. After singing our last song, I asked the cocktail waitress, who had been attentive to us throughout the night if we could split the payment between my gf's and my credit cards.
  2. Let me preface this review by saying, in Santa Barbara I was a singing bartender at a popular karaoke spot and my girlfriend has KJ'd on a few occasions for her uncle who has one of the best shows you'll ever go to.
  3. My drink was way overpriced and when the waitress finally brought it to me it looked like someone had already drank half of it.
  4. Great customer service.
  5. The regulars are very friendly with new people and welcome new comers.
  6. . . .The wait staff were friendly and prompt.
  7. Go with a big group and be prepared to laugh a lot and meet nice people.
  8. Throughout the meat of the night, the service was good, we weren't kicked out for a bigger party, and we got in 3 songs apiece before the rotation was 3 hours long (so go early).
  9. If the beer was a little less expensive and the cocktail waitress not as pushy and bitchy, we would surely be returning customers.
  10. The staff is good about accommodating large groups.
  11. The doorman was cool but the manager, some idiot named Ricco was rude and kicked us out of more tables and chairs than we could stand.
  12. To add insult to injury the service was horrible (only one waitress) and no food is served on Sundays.
  13. It's intimate and the people are friendly.
  14. They have the best selection of songs ever, bar none. The friendly party people. No cover.
  15. Awful service, good karaoke
  16. Upon entering the bar we were (like the last poster) confronted by a cocktail waitress who was adamant about taking our drink order.
  17. Waitresses are very friendly (especially to guys).
  18. Friendly staff.
  19. The doorman was friendly & helped me find my party right away.
  20. The bartenders are nice but they cant expect you to even get a good buzz off the watered down drinks they serve.
  21. That being said, we know what makes up good karaoke and good service.
  22. The bartender was amazing!
  23. Sure, the service is a little lacking and the drinks aren't great, but when Lucas was the DJ, everyone seemed to have a good time.
  24. It is always packed and the crowd is friendly and knows how to rock the house down.
value
44.43999767303467% positive
  1. the drinks are ridiculously overpriced and the whole karaoke thing is pretty lame.
  2. Sure, the beer's too expensive and the food's not the best--but for sheer entertainment value, this place cannot be beat.
  3. agree with what many others have said about the overpriced, half-filled, watered-down drinks.
  4. The food is good and prices are very reasonable.
  5. We were surprised to see that Coors Light goes for $5 a bottle, especially after hearing about reasonable drink prices.
  6. My drink was way overpriced and when the waitress finally brought it to me it looked like someone had already drank half of it.
  7. The drinks are great and the entertainment is well worth seeing.
  8. If the beer was a little less expensive and the cocktail waitress not as pushy and bitchy, we would surely be returning customers.
  9. And one last thing - parking in the structure across from the bar can be expensive so don't forget to have your ticket validated.
wait time
50.0% positive
  1. About five minutes later the drink was spilled (it was still full) by the person serving the bad food.
  2. Service is a bit slow and during lunch, don't expect your food to get to you until your lunch hour is just about up.
  3. the usual DJ, i always forget his name, is fun and keeps the place lively, even on a slow night.
  4. Throughout the meat of the night, the service was good, we weren't kicked out for a bigger party, and we got in 3 songs apiece before the rotation was 3 hours long (so go early).
4 Star Rating: Recommended

05/08/12

A must stop in Los Angeles for good ol'

by nataliej292526706

A must stop in Los Angeles for good ol' fashion fun. Karaoke and happy hour is a MUST in this Koreatown classic. $3.50 margaritas before 8.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

03/04/12

Dave & Busters is better!!!

by tina chin

The Brass Monkey is a fun little Dive bar that i enjoy going to with small groups of people. I have fun, its good, but to be completely honest i left early to go to dave and busters on Friday night and they have cosmic karaoke in their "show room" You get to sing with a real band!! Its so much fun there. Plenty of space, Waiter service! Great atmisphere!! All around much better place then any other karaoke place ive been too! And when you get tired of singing you can play games to,. An all around great place for everone!! Drinks are tasty and food isnt bad either!!

1 Star Rating: Poor

08/19/11

Worst Karaoke Bar Ever

by Jim Morrison

I'd give it a 1/2 star if it would let me. The Karaoke DJ was horrible. He pointed out that he wasn't being tipped very well. It was an hour wait to get onstage when there was hardly anyone in the room, then it jumped to two hours when it got busy. Apparently, they don't have Sauza tequila even though it says it on the menu. I can say something nice about the food. The food was good. Other than that...I'll never go back again.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

01/19/10

Wack

Contributor

So, there's a two drink minimum the waiters wont stop bugging till u buy the damn drinks. It's small, gotta come early or you'll be standing the whole night. Eh, I don't think ill come again.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

01/19/10

Wack

Contributor

So, there's a two drink minimum the waiters wont stop bugging till u buy the damn drinks. It's small, gotta come early or you'll be standing the whole night. Eh, I don't think ill come again.

The Details on Brass Monkey

Place Categories:

  • good drink
  • just terrific particular place
  • decent food
  • overpriced location
  • friendly wait staff
  • loved karaoke crowd
  • friendly party people
  • less expensive beer
  • good customer service
  • favorite lunch spot
  • awful service
  • big party
  • good songs
  • fun usual dj
  • good karaoke
  • hate place
  • reasonable drink prices
  • nice bartender
  • cool doorman
  • great karaoke atmosphere
  • big only postive
  • not good perfect
  • suck cocktails
  • very extensive oh
  • worst karaoke dj

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