(323) 936-7070

5515 Wilshire Blvd (Dunsmuir Avenue)
Los Angeles, CA 90036 34.0624 -118.3487

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Neighborhoods: Miracle Mile, Central LA

THEELREY.COM

Hours:

Varies nightly

Last updated 5.03.12

Category:

Bars & Clubs , Attractions , Restaurants , Lounges , Movie Theaters , Arts & Entertainment , Bars & Pubs , Entertainers , Halls & Auditoriums

Payment Methods:

Visa , MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Dance Floor , Bar Menu

Live Theatre Services:

Will Call

Bar & Club Type of Music:

Folk & Bluegrass , Alternative Rock , World , Punk , Funk, Soul & R&B , Rock & Pop , Hip-Hop & Rap , Electronica

Bar & Club Special Features:

DJ , Live Music

What People Are Saying About El Rey Theatre

Featured Review

Melissa Gage

Contributor

Built in 1936 as a movie house, this indie music venue can pack in about 900 for standing-room-only shows in the atmospheric grand ballroom. Beyond an art deco lobby with sweeping side staircases and a small lobby bar, the main room features sky-high ceilings adorned with three giant chandeliers and maroon everything, from carpets to walls to curtains. A large bar anchors the back of the room, and if you really don’t want to stand, plan to get there early. You can try snagging a precious seat in the single row of chairs against either wall of the always-packed side sections. If you end up…

Editor's Tips

Parking:
Street parking on Wilshire is free after 7pm, but if you're in a pinch, valet it in front of the theater or use the pay lot across the street.
Know Before You Go:
Live shows usually end early so the club can chase everyone out and fill it back up with a dance-club crowd.
ambiance
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. The place has so many stupid rules that it can really take the fun out of the event you're attending.
  2. Either way, you can enjoy a show with an actual chance to view it.
  3. And the decor inside is awesome -- rich, classy art deco.
  4. The El Rey is a great venue with some nice historic ambience (see their web site) and they tend to host the best shows coming to town.
  5. Valet parking is recommended.
  6. And lastly, but not leastly, the decor is beautiful.
drinks
75.0% positive
  1. The blonde bartender who usually works the front bar is cool.
  2. At the bar, the drinks were decent and cost what they usually do at these things.
  3. Parking is tough (get there early) and drinks are expensive (beer is $5).
  4. There are so many great places in LA you dont need to go to place where there are rules as where you can sit, drink, stand and walk.
food quality
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. The restaurant in front might look sketchy but the food is actually quite good and it's a great place to kill time before the show.
overall
88.88999938964844% positive
  1. There are so many great places in LA you dont need to go to place where there are rules as where you can sit, drink, stand and walk.
  2. I've seen a couple good shows here, but what has gotten to me is the way the place is operated.
  3. The restaurant in front might look sketchy but the food is actually quite good and it's a great place to kill time before the show.
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. But the venue itself seems cool and I'd be curious to come back for other bands to see what the deal was with the sound.
service
75.0% positive
  1. Staff is rude.
  2. The blonde bartender who usually works the front bar is cool.
  3. The staff is very helpful and relatively laidback.
  4. They always have great sound ,great service,and 2bars.
value
0.0% positive
  1. Parking is tough (get there early) and drinks are expensive (beer is $5).
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/20/09

One of my favorite venues

by BigRoger

I enjoy concerts at El Rey. It's the perfect size venue. Most importantly, the sound system is excellent. And the decor inside is awesome -- rich, classy art deco.

  • Pros: Great sound system
  • Cons: parking
1 Star Rating: Poor

02/09/09

wanna have fun DO NOT GO to el rey

by khashi1966

wanna have fun go somewhere slse. There are so many great places in LA you dont need to go to place where there are rules as where you can sit, drink, stand and walk.. Staff is rude.Its a complete waist of time

2 Star Rating: Below Average

12/17/08

Fascist Management

by ccfoodie

I've seen a couple good shows here, but what has gotten to me is the way the place is operated. The place has so many stupid rules that it can really take the fun out of the event you're attending. Tonight as I reached the ID check, I was told I would have to remove the gum from my mouth because there is no gum allowed inside the theater. Excuse me?! Inside the theater, along the edge of the risers on both sides, there are these curved sort of walls reminiscent of private boxes. Their height and the way they're positioned makes them ideal for leaning against while standing on the main level and watching a show. But, you know, you can't! Some guy spent the whole concert shining a flashlight at people because the management has decided you can't stand there. That may be for fire safety reasons, but c'mon, the amount of space they've made unstandable is wide enough for three or four people abreast, whereas the standable space for part of the way is so small that one person can barely teeter there.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

12/15/08

Nice Venue!

by vivaciousdivah

El Rey is a nice venue in the Mid-Wilshire community. The staff is very helpful and relatively laidback. There is an opportunity to be close to the stage, sit on the sides, or chill in VIP. Either way, you can enjoy a show with an actual chance to view it. In regards to parking, be careful and read the signs very carefully. Some street parking has signs saying that you can't park there after 11pm, so know the hours of the show and how long you are staying so you won't be stuck with a $55 ticket like my friend was. Valet parking is recommended.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

12/08/08

havent been yet

by grabtrees

but im really excited to check this place out, the best part of LA is going to different venues and knowing which ones you love and which ones such to see a show at. ill be going next week to see murs, so hopefully it will be good!

The Details on El Rey Theatre

Place Categories:

  • great show
  • great places
  • great sound
  • rude staff
  • love el rey
  • decent drinks
  • unique lay
  • rich classy art deco
  • excellent sound system
  • great service
  • good photos
  • beautiful decor
  • stupid rules
  • pretty good security
  • nice historic ambience
  • clean bathrooms
  • horrible accoustics
  • cool blonde bartender
  • cool theater
  • great 2bars
  • quite good food
  • recommended valet parking
  • favorite size venue
  • enjoy concerts
  • sketchy restaurant
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