Bordello

(213) 687-3766

901 E First St, Los Angeles, CA | Directions   90012

34.048784 -118.233691
Recommend this business?
?
79% 100 38
19 Votes

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

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

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Bar & Club Special Features:
After Work, DJ, Late-Night Scene, Live Music
Bar & Pub Special Features:
Dance Floor
Payment Methods:
American Express, MasterCard, Visa

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At a glance

good drinks, great spot, great atmosphere, great place, nice door people, super friendly door staff, excellent service

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Bordello

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From The Owner of Bordello

One of L.A.'s oldest and most beloved neighborhood bars reopens as a brothel-themed live music lounge.


 

Tips for Bordello

1.0
October 01, 2009

Too expensive. 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.

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1.0
February 22, 2009

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

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3.0
January 27, 2009

A Little Crowded. 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!

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5.0
August 19, 2008

Loving the Friday Nights.... 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...

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5.0
August 19, 2008

Friday Nights are the nights!. 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!

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5.0
August 04, 2008

Great vibe and decor, dark enough, strong good drinks, no hassle bouncers. This place may take a couple visits before you warm up to it. Every time I go, I feel as if I have stepped in into another world. They have theme nights so you never know what might be playing. But I love it for being a hassle-free, friendly, fun neighborhood bar. I'm sorry other people didn't have fun but I will definitely keep going back. Maybe they went on an off night because I always see people that are almost all over 30, 40 and even 50! It's great to see an LA club/bar that invites people that are just there to have fun.

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1.0
July 14, 2008

Not worth it.. I 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. The drinks are not cheap, but the service is and when we tipped the girl she looked at the money as if we should have given her a 40% tip instead of the 20% tip which we did give her.

This place gets really crowded so we only stayed awhile but I will not go back. Some of the guys are really pushy and you can't really talk because its so loud. We paid about 30.00 for 4 drinks total and left a 10 dollar tip. I don't think its such a great place and I doubt I will go back. Driving into Hollywood you can find better places where they do treat you better at the door too.

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1.0
July 14, 2008

This one gets three strikes. My girlfriend and some friends of mine have been to The Bordello three times. The first time it was too crowded, the drinks are reasonably priced, but I caught the bartender pouring from the well when I asked for a better quality vodka. She claimed I didn't call the name and insisted I pay for it as if it were a call drink. Later we heard a singer that was really awful and realized she had friends in the audience who probably would have clapped for her if she had thrown up. 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. The drinks are strong which is why the crowd is pretty young...and pretty immature as well so don't be surprised by the language. The third time we went against my better judgement but it was to meet friends who liked the place. This time we didn't even stay for drinks because they had another singer who was shouting at the top of her lungs. Again this really is a place for kids, amateurs who like to drink, and by the way parking is terrible. The area is not well lit in some parts and this is not the best part of LA. Cheap drinks do not make up for poor service and some really bad singers who need to take lessons. There are other locations where you can visit with friends and hear music and not get robbed by the servers....but this place is not one of them. We will never go back. It would have been fun when we were 21 or 22 but if your over 28--- stay away. Its not cool and most of the people that go are college kids with nowhere to go. The interior is fine, but they would do well to spend money on training the bartenders, checking ID's, and doing a little crowd control. The language is really annoying when kids get drunk and think they are cool. And they should hire a DJ and never let anyone sing there again or at least hire professionals.

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5.0
June 08, 2008

bordello's. I was taken to Bordello's as a complete surprise for my birthday and I completely enjoyed everything about it. Some of the waitresses are rude but it gives off that burlesque old fashion new age feel to it. I absolutely Loved it!!!

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4.0
June 02, 2008

Great drinks at fair prices!. I never do these review things but, i just had to for Bordello. You walk in, with absolutely no drama at the door, and your greeted with dim lighting and red all around, which happens to be my fav color. There's great booths for privacy and large areas for groups. Antique beautiful furnishing and candles. Vibe is cool and the drinks are good! Totally check it out. Parking isn't hard to find but DON'T walk alone...it looks kinda scary.

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