(323) 665-6810

4356 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029 34.0957 -118.2841

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Neighborhoods: Silver Lake, East LA

akbarsilverlake.com

Last updated 6.15.11

Category:

Nightclubs, Gay & Lesbian Bars, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Dance Floor

Bar & Club Type of Music:

Ska, Rock & Pop, Punk

Bar & Club Special Features:

21 & Over

Minimum Age:

21

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Akbar

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – A Moroccan theme and Renaissance-like nude paintings provide the perfect setting for this very mixed gay and straight libido-laden crowd. The bar is the center of attention in the front--and with just the right mix of luck and timing, the bartenders may spin the drink wheel and offer a few minutes of whatever special it lands on. Cozy couches and tables make for comfortable lounging options in the back. The friendly neighborhood vibe is augmented by a conversation-enhancing jukebox. Clever notes from the staff aid with song selections, but expect a mix of everything from…

Editor's Tips

Save Money:
Happy hour is Mon-Fri, 7pm-8pm. There are also drink specials every night, like happy hour prices all Monday night for everyone, and all Thursday night for women.
The Extras:
Get some home cooking at the Kitchen next door. It'll be open when the bar closes on weekends.
Save Money:
Happy hour is Mon-Fri, 7pm-8pm. There are also drink specials every night as well as different themes, like free dancing on Fridays on Saturdays.
ambiance
90.4800033569336% positive
  1. “Everyone there is relaxed and cool, making it a comfortable environment (with good eye candy).”
  2. “It's another great night at Akbar: a fun cruisy friendly young crowd, Bowie cranked on the juke box, you and your friends celebrating the end of another tough week or maybe a birhtday or special occasion.”
  3. “But it doesn't really matter because whoever's there is really fun and really friendly.”
  4. “This place has loads of atmosphere, stiff drinks, and friendly people.”
  5. “The crowd is warm, fun and friendly.”
  6. “The decor is warm, funky moroccan sort of theme; really nice vibe.”
  7. “While it IS agreed here that the bartenders can be rude and curt and very easily agitated, the place is quite fun.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “good place for a drink.”
  2. “This place has loads of atmosphere, stiff drinks, and friendly people.”
  3. “Neighborhood bar, hip and friendly crowd.”
  4. “Akbar is the perfect bar for the friendly folks now living in the 'hood.”
  5. “the bartender was super friendly and had amazing tats drinks were fantastic and it wasn't untill a few hours had passed that we even realized it was a gay bar.”
  6. “Great bartenders, strong cheap drinks, and about the best juke box in town in the front room make this a fantastic neighbor hood bar.”
  7. “For a better night at the bar, stop in on a Tuesday (live DJ), Wednesday or Thursday night, when the place is less crowded and conducive to conversation and has a genuinely friendly neighborhood vibe.”
  8. “the drinks are nice and stiff.”
  9. “and then, it's time to order a drink.”
  10. “usually my drinks taste too juicy but here, one sip and I already felt a buzz.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “good place for a drink.”
  2. “With a little less "I'm Silverlake-cool so everyone annoys me" attitude, it could be the best place ever.”
service
88.88999938964844% positive
  1. “Great bartenders, strong cheap drinks, and about the best juke box in town in the front room make this a fantastic neighbor hood bar.”
  2. “The $20 credit card minimum is a bit annoying, as suggested by other reviewers, more actual bartenders might improve the overall experience as well as their attitude.”
  3. “But it doesn't really matter because whoever's there is really fun and really friendly.”
  4. “Neighborhood bar, hip and friendly crowd.”
  5. “The music was non-stop great and the people were so friendly.”
  6. “The crowd is warm, fun and friendly.”
  7. “If you're looking for good service, go someplace else.”
  8. “It's another great night at Akbar: a fun cruisy friendly young crowd, Bowie cranked on the juke box, you and your friends celebrating the end of another tough week or maybe a birhtday or special occasion.”
  9. “the bartender was super friendly and had amazing tats drinks were fantastic and it wasn't untill a few hours had passed that we even realized it was a gay bar.”
  10. “This place has loads of atmosphere, stiff drinks, and friendly people.”
  11. “You'll see couples, big groups, people by themselves, and the small-ish space makes it easy to meet and interact with others.”
  12. “The bartendars are nice and boy, do they not play around with thier alcohol.”
  13. “Akbar is the perfect bar for the friendly folks now living in the 'hood.”
  14. “While it IS agreed here that the bartenders can be rude and curt and very easily agitated, the place is quite fun.”
  15. “For a better night at the bar, stop in on a Tuesday (live DJ), Wednesday or Thursday night, when the place is less crowded and conducive to conversation and has a genuinely friendly neighborhood vibe.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “Great bartenders, strong cheap drinks, and about the best juke box in town in the front room make this a fantastic neighbor hood bar.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/06/09

NOT TO BE TRUSTED WITH CREDIT CARD!!!!!! DONT GIVE THEM YOUR CREDIT CARD!!!!!

by tonyt818 at Citysearch

I gave them my credit card and opened up a tab and the bar. At the end my bill was $26. I had the cash so I ended up paying and tipping them in cash. Two days later I see a charge on my credit card for $50 dollars. DO NOT TRUST THESE GUYS WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Pros: Price were okay, a little high but ok.
  • Cons: DONT GIVE THEM YOUR CREDIT CARD. THEY DO RANDOM CHARGES ON IT!!!!!!!!
3 Star Rating: Average

05/08/08

good place for a drink...

by jesloz11 at Citysearch

Been to Akbar a few times. Great place to relax and unwind. If you are looking for the pretentious weho scene, this is not the place to go. Very low key, lots of locals, and down to earth people. Met my partner at Akbar so I cant complain!!! Only inconvenience is the 20 tab on credit cards. Other than that not a bad place to go to.

  • Pros: drinks, location
  • Cons: parking, seating
4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/01/08

Cool place despite bartenders attitudes...

by manwest at Citysearch

While it IS agreed here that the bartenders can be rude and curt and very easily agitated, the place is quite fun. A very diverse crowd as opposed to a few years ago and more space than before. With a little less "I'm Silverlake-cool so everyone annoys me" attitude, it could be the best place ever.

  • Pros: Cute guys, gay, good neighborhood place, fun music
  • Cons: bartenteders attitudes...
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/13/07

in response to UNSCRUPULAS BUSINESS ACT

by jeffreynow at Citysearch

Jeffrey Wylie here, manager of AKBAR. Regarding the previous posting by "foodielover1": even after 11 years here at AKBAR (and 27 years total in the bar business), I am still amazed at how drunk people THINK they remember events correctly, and how they refuse to take responsibility for their actions. The bartender in question wrote in the bar journal book about this guy the night he came in, and how agro he became after getting drunk (even before he cashed out), and even said they guy might call to complain. He didn't, and he also never disputed his credit card charge. Maybe after his hangover cleared up he realized how rude and obnoxious he behaved toward the staff... Remember folks, if you can't be a happy drunk, don't be a drunk! Cheers!

1 Star Rating: Poor

09/02/07

UNSCRUPULOUS BUSINESS ACT

by foodielover1 at Citysearch

After a week of arduous work, I went there alone to drink and relax. And it turned out to be the worst night ever. My bartender, Fred, not only accused me for drinks I haven't even ordered, I later found out that he charged twice of what I had spent on my debit card without my authorization. I will soon deal with it with the consumer protection agency. There are bartenders who worked long enough and I prefer to deal with, but FRED...he's got be fired.

The Details on Akbar

Place Categories:

  • stiff strong cheap drinks
  • totally cool place
  • friendly young crowd
  • rude bartender
  • big people
  • genuinely friendly neighborhood vibe
  • best juke box
  • amazing tats
  • good service
  • friendly folks
  • annoying credit card minimum
  • pretentious weho scene
  • fantastic neighbor
  • good eye candy
  • good kisser
  • comfortable environment
  • nice bartendars
  • great hangout
  • perfect bar
  • big groups
  • like ti
  • incredible food
  • really fun whoever
  • non-stop great music

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