(213) 687-3766

901 E First St (Vignes Street)
Los Angeles, CA 90012 34.0487 -118.2337

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Neighborhoods: Civic Center / Little Tokyo, Downtown, Central LA

Hours:

Daily 7pm-2am

Last updated 9.11.08

Category:

Nightclubs, Bars & Clubs, Neighborhood Bars, Singles Bars, Lounges, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Dance Floor

Bar & Club Special Features:

DJ, After Work, Live Music, Late-Night Scene

Minimum Age:

21

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Bordello

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – On a gritty strip in the Little Tokyo-adjacent area thus far untouched by gentrification, the former Little Pedro's space has been transformed back to its 19th century roots, when it first operated as a brothel. The goth-style space embraces its history with scarlet-red walls and a cathedral-like stage area with crystal chandeliers and gilded woodwork. The space is now used as a live music lounge for budding local musicians and the hipsters that follow, along with flashbacks to earlier eras with bands like Royal Crown Revue.

Editor's Tips

Parking:
There isn't much of a problem finding free street parking, and secured pay lots are available.
Know Before You Go:
The door policy is incredibly welcoming with rarely any wait or attitude from the rockers/bouncers.
When to Go:
Shows normally start at 9pm with a selection of budding "first generation" bands like the Morlocks and the Martini Kings making their L.A. stage rounds.
ambiance
87.5% positive
  1. “Great atmosphere, nice escape”
  2. “Good drinks and fair price, beautiful setting, friendly people, a lot of fun, not a club but a definate place to go hang out.”
  3. “The decor inside was really cool, all red lights with chandeliers and huge mirrors.”
  4. “But I love it for being a hassle-free, friendly, fun neighborhood bar.”
  5. “The decor is unbelievable, the service is excellent, and it's unlike anything available in downtown L.A.”
  6. “Again this really is a place for kids, amateurs who like to drink, and by the way parking is terrible.”
  7. “Great vibe and decor, dark enough, strong good drinks, no hassle bouncers”
  8. “Easy to locate and the atmosphere was great.”
drinks
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “Good drinks and fair price, beautiful setting, friendly people, a lot of fun, not a club but a definate place to go hang out.”
  2. “Great diverse crowds and great drinks.”
  3. “Great vibe and decor, dark enough, strong good drinks, no hassle bouncers”
  4. “And for it being a bar type place, I had one of the best Mojitos there in my life.”
  5. “the bartenders were very nice and drinks are well priced, we got 5 drinks for 27 bucks and they were stiff!”
  6. “Cheap drinks do not make up for poor service and some really bad singers who need to take lessons.”
  7. “The second time it was less crowded and my firl likes the room so we and my brother and his wife sit down and realize you can't talk without shouting-- its too loud, but this time they got the drinks right.”
  8. “the music is great, the bartenders are super hot and they pour out the alcohol to every drink.”
  9. “Vibe is cool and the drinks are good!”
  10. “But I love it for being a hassle-free, friendly, fun neighborhood bar.”
  11. “At least the drinks were good, once we got them!”
  12. “Again this really is a place for kids, amateurs who like to drink, and by the way parking is terrible.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “Great diverse crowds and great drinks.”
overall
50.0% positive
  1. “don't think its such a great place and I doubt I will go back.”
  2. “It's a very cool setting I kept thinking "this would be a great place for a first date!”
return potential
0.0% positive
  1. “don't think its such a great place and I doubt I will go back.”
service
81.82000160217285% positive
  1. “the bartenders were very nice and drinks are well priced, we got 5 drinks for 27 bucks and they were stiff!”
  2. “the music is great, the bartenders are super hot and they pour out the alcohol to every drink.”
  3. “Good drinks and fair price, beautiful setting, friendly people, a lot of fun, not a club but a definate place to go hang out.”
  4. “have never posted one of these but after what happened a few nights ago at The Bordello I thought I should tell people the servers have a really rude attitude They had a singer who can't sing and the service was slow.”
  5. “Cheap drinks do not make up for poor service and some really bad singers who need to take lessons.”
  6. “It was really pretty inside and the staff was super friendly, but it was way too crowded and the place is crazy small.”
  7. “Loved the look and the staff is very friendly.”
  8. “Door staff is friendly.”
  9. “The door people were nice and not snobby.”
  10. “But I love it for being a hassle-free, friendly, fun neighborhood bar.”
  11. “The decor is unbelievable, the service is excellent, and it's unlike anything available in downtown L.A.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “the bartenders were very nice and drinks are well priced, we got 5 drinks for 27 bucks and they were stiff!”
  2. “We got there pretty late though maybe around 12:30, the cover was 10 for the night but they let us in for 5 bucks for our group of 4 which was cool.”
  3. “The decor inside was really cool, all red lights with chandeliers and huge mirrors.”
  4. “Good drinks and fair price, beautiful setting, friendly people, a lot of fun, not a club but a definate place to go hang out.”
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. “The band played for 45 terrible minutes (loud, impossible to make out the singer's voice over the horrible sound system, terribly unappealing band in general - reminded us 5 times they had a MySpace page.”
  2. “have never posted one of these but after what happened a few nights ago at The Bordello I thought I should tell people the servers have a really rude attitude They had a singer who can't sing and the service was slow.”
  3. “Once they wrapped, we had to wait another 20 long minutes for the burlesque show to start at which time 2 "burlesque" dancers came on, did a lame 2 minute dance then we were told we would have to "take a smoke break" because it would be a while before the”
1 Star Rating: Poor

10/01/09

Too expensive

by LJP

Place looks cool but $10 cover? $7 beer. It's a RIP OFF! There may be clubs that can charge that and then deliver some live show that is amazing. Bordello isn't there yet. The scene has not arrived adequately enough at this place to justify that big a cover. There are a hundred other cool spots in LA that aren't trying to rip you off with a cover like that.

  • Pros: cool interior
  • Cons: Costs too much
1 Star Rating: Poor

02/22/09

Terrible. Waste of a night. Would NEVER go again.

by anonymanonym

Absolutely a terrible night. Here's how it went down: Went for the burlesque show (which we'd heard good things about... but which doesn't matter after tonight!!). The show was supposed to start at 10. At 11 (an hour late!) a BAND took the stage (even though everyone was there for a burlesque show). The band played for 45 terrible minutes (loud, impossible to make out the singer's voice over the horrible sound system, terribly unappealing band in general - reminded us 5 times they had a MySpace page... not good). Once they wrapped, we had to wait another 20 long minutes for the burlesque show to start at which time 2 "burlesque" dancers came on, did a lame 2 minute dance then we were told we would have to "take a smoke break" because it would be a while before the next pair of dancers came out. We left at this point. Anyone in their right mind would. And many did. Waste of a night. Waste of $13 cover. Would NEVER go back. Only redeeming quality: the DJ had some good moments. He needs to get a new gig.

3 Star Rating: Average

01/27/09

A Little Crowded

by SophiaNicole

A few friends and I went to check it out downtown. It was really pretty inside and the staff was super friendly, but it was way too crowded and the place is crazy small. It took forever to get a drink. We were kind of over it. At least the drinks were good, once we got them!

  • Pros: Cute Decor, Nice Staff
  • Cons: Way Too Crowded, Small Bar
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/19/08

Loving the Friday Nights...

by chunkeebutt

Absolutely one of my favorite Friday Night's... the music is great, the bartenders are super hot and they pour out the alcohol to every drink...Friday night's they have Happy Hour from 4-7pm and $1.00 shots and appetizers....I would totally recommend this spot to anyone wanting to come hang out and dance to a very selective crowd...... The door hosts are dolls and you can always spot a celebrity or two in there if you are paying attention...

I love this spot...

  • Pros: drinks, music, people, parking charge, great happy hour
  • Cons: area...
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/19/08

Friday Nights are the nights!

by DowntownDiva323

I walked up to Bordello last Friday after having seen a flier for "happy hour" at 5pm. I arrived at about 7, pleasantly surprised as from what I was told by their attractive bar staff this is very new for them. There were a few locals from the area, but aside from that I was pleasantly greeted by an employee who handed me her card and explained how the rest of the night would work. They have live DJ's playing anything from Top 40's to house music, and 8 burlesque shows in theme throughout the night. I ended up staying until after midnight, and when hungry was offered their late night menu which consisted of pizza, sliders, and chicken fingers to name a few.

I will most definitely be back this week to see how it progresses since I am half a mile away. I forgot to mention there is plenty of street parking should you care to save $5 for a cocktail instead!

  • Pros: Parking, food menu, live entertainment
  • Cons: It's still new

The Details on Bordello

Place Categories:

  • good drinks
  • great spot
  • great atmosphere
  • great place
  • nice door people
  • super friendly door staff
  • excellent service
  • very nice bartenders
  • really bad singer
  • beautiful setting
  • that big cover
  • fun neighborhood bar
  • lame minute dance
  • good fair price
  • cool bucks
  • really annoying language
  • horrible sound system
  • nice escape
  • favorite friday night
  • really cool decor
  • cool vibe
  • beautiful furnishing
  • very friendly look
  • terrible parking
  • best mojitos
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