The Hotel Cafe

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frankiedes

Joined 6 years ago

Beautiful gem. Yes, the Hotel Cafe is in Hollywood, so there are bound to be jerks that end up in the audience on some nights. But the owners and the staff do an amazing job maintaining a chill, homey vibe that is all about the music. The bigger room has the stage in it and there is a reverence for the artist performing - loud "Hollywood" chatter is politley redirected to the other room, where musicians can chat up fans and people can gab as loud as they want. There is even a tiny smoking room with a piano! So. Cool. I love the Hotel Cafe and go there at least once a month to see some great music.

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lilgibs

Joined 6 years ago

people shouldnt rate this place based on the parking. The owners if Hotel Cafe have done a perfect job. The decor and vibe of the place is amazing and everyone who whines about he parking or the people standing next to them during the artists' performance should bite it, because that has absolutely nothing to do with the venue itself. just because you had a bad date on a certain night doesn't give you the right to bash the place you were at during the fact. The music here is amazing, and everytime I've gone, the people who work here have been beyond pleasant. I had no problem with the fact that they don't have their name and neon signs plastered on the door, because I can read street numbers, andby deductive reasoning, I could figure out where it was. I love this place, and I will continue to love this place, because it is the perfect place to chill and enjoy good music and good company. I definitely suggest hotel cafe to anyone who would love to relax for an evening.

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akira101

Joined 8 years ago

small, but worth the trip. the location is great. parking is always available somewhere within the area.

the venue is somewhat small. i believe capacity is around 250. there's a bar and a few tables available. maybe... 20 seats available. what surprised me the most is how small the stage is. still, the venue is a great place to listen to live music.

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juju13es

Joined 6 years ago

mellow, intimate venue. I came here a few years ago when Tristan Prettyman and Kate Earl performed, and it was one of my favorite acoustic performances. The venue is really personal and intimate so it felt like they were singing directly to us. Most of their musicians are local performers, but sometimes they have bigger names. The bar drinks are a bit on the expensive side (but then again, it's Hollywood), and their food is better than expected (I ordered quesadillas and sandwiches).

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sumo646

Joined 7 years ago

hotel cafe fan!. I?m not sure what the past 2 reviewers are talking about.. yes the place is small, but not tiny.. I think it holds 150 people or so.. or maybe more? and they have 2 bars. both bars serve full liquor, beer and wine and decent (but limited) food? The lighting is dark, and the mmod is great? yes parking is a bummer, as it is for any bar on Cahuenga or in Hollywood for that matter.. But its worth it? I found this place 2 years go when iu went to see Cary Brothers? and over the past few years I?ve been lucky enough to catch some of the best music LA has to offer in this little place... From regulars like Josh Radin, Priscilla Ahn and Jessie Baylin and others, to huge national acts playing unannounced or limited seating show (though I couldn?t get in, last night was Pete Townsend of The Who and Billy Corgan) its always great music, any night of the week... Ive also seen Imogen Heap there, and John Mayer, and Amos Lee, and The Frey? Usually acoustic or semi acoustic sets.. sometime they have full rock bands, though they can get a bit loud for the room? You can pop in just about any night of the week, and there will be something great on stage? Definitely recommended? Probably the best acoustic venue in LA?

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jojocool

Joined 7 years ago

good indi music. Cool little hang out but the parking is the pits. If you don't know where it is, better look really hard and add more time to find it cos it wont tell you! I hate that part these "too cool to put up a freaking sign" kinda places.. but there you have it. Once you find it and finally find parking, it's this tiny little place where if you get there too late forget sitting. The stage is really small and drinks aren't cheep. The music is hitt or miss, thanks to being an indi kinda place, but the atmosphere is cool and dark. Go there for the music, but don't have high expectations of anything else.

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freebie_grabber

Joined 7 years ago

Intimate = small. VERY small.. This is a great, "chill" little place, tucked away amidst the mayhem of the famous "Cahuenga corridor." Park your car in their tiny valet parking lot and squeeze through their tiny door (in the back). Cover varies depending on the artist that's performing that night. They have a tiny bar (beer and wine only; no liquor) and a few tables and chairs. Standing room is limited -- you're usually either blocking the view of the sound man's booth or you're blocking the path of the cocktail waitresses. The stage is cool: red velvet curtains, Persian rugs and an old piano accompany whatever instruments and amps the artists/bands bring along. They try to limit the volume and amplification because the venue's so small, which is probably why acoustic performances are common. I was lucky enough to catch both Sabrosa Purr and Libbie Schrader (and her backing band) perform there one night -- both with full amplification! Check it out if you get the chance.

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Tara Lis

Joined 10 years ago

Velvet-rope-free zone unites an unusual mix of acoustic music lovers.. The Scene
Arrive early to score one of the too-close-together rickety tables, a la a Parisian cafe. Otherwise, you'll end up standing three rows deep behind the seating area. Attention is always focused on the small stage, where talented local singer-songwriters--and occasionally notable names like Swedish sensation Jose Gonzalez--share their musical vision. The cappuccino bar of the establishment's early days has evolved into a full liquor license, but there is still typical cafe fare to nibble on.

The Draw
There aren't many places in Hollywood where one will hear lyrics like, "Well, you know old Jethro went crazy ..." In fact, it's hard to believe this place even exists, let alone in the trendy Cahuenga Corridor. Couples in their 40s sit side by side with undernourished, young rockers. The atmosphere is infinitely friendly--ask the guy next to you how his panini is treating him, and he might just tear off a bite for you.

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cmgork

Joined 9 years ago

Not just a hotel cafe. This has become my favorite music venue in the city. They always greet you with a warm welcome and nowhere else can you get up close and personal with the best unsigned and signed acts in L.A. If you love music this is the place to go almost every night this place is jumpin. The are many regular performers like Joe Purdy, Quincy, Jesca Hoop, Coby Brown, Tim Jones and many more you shouldn't miss.

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VintageSoul

Joined 9 years ago

My favorite place!. The Hotel Cafe is a great music venue and cafe. What matters is that whatever night you end up here, you'll find at least one great performer, tasty panini and brownies, and a comfortable, casual crowd. More well-known acts tend to pack the place, so get there early for a table. Got there late but spot a single empty seat? Just ask the people sitting at the table, they'll probably happily let you sit with them. When it gets crowded it can get noisy, though most of the time the focus really is the music. If you're looking for a bunch of hipsters simply rubbing elbows, this ain't the place. But if you want great acoustic music without pretense and attitude, the Hotel is the place for you. As an end note, for dinner try the panini or the bruschetta plate, and for dessert, brownies. It doesn't get anny better.