08/16/09

Pretentious/dull/redundant

by rasputin888

Largo at the Coronet theater and the "little room" is full of pretentious Hollywood music snobs who think they know everything about music. However, after a few moments you'll realize you're smashed within the tale of "The Emperor's New Clothes" and the people there are just being fooled into thinking this "new hot thing" is really something "amaaaazing and groundbreaking"... but it's really mainly all totally redundant hipster garbage.

You'll be bored stiff and you can't even buy a beer because there's no liquor license. Also you'll be forced to pay high covers, wait in lines around the building (so to passers by it looks like there's "something going on"- yeah, you're not fooling anyone) and a bunch of people will "oooh and ahhh" at some mediocre overrated performer. Hollywood D list celebrities show up to be "seen" and look like they have good taste in music. It's all just so gross and slimy. Washed up record industry executives arrive to be spoon fed what's supposed to be hot because they're too lazy to actually think for themselves. The music is mostly '90s sounding, whiny BS or some overly pretentious free for all.

I'm a prominent industry recording engineer and I've heard a lot of band's sob stories. Most of the bands I know that played there didn't get paid a dime because the owner Flanagan goaded them in for some "big shot" at "Hollywood Glory." He's really just an overrated charlatan himself that's still riding on a wave of when Fiona Apple played Largo 800 years ago.

Be ready to take a long shower when you get home because you'll have to wash off your own regurgitations. Really, you should just stay home, kick off your knickers, spin some good records and make-out. You'll have a much better time.

On the other hand if you're ready and willing to be a total Hollywood cliche phony Largo should be at the top of your list!

• Pros: none
• Cons: expensive, overrated, dull

Relocated to Restaurant Row from its longtime Fairfax Village hub, this renowned spot still highlights the KCRW indie music crowd and similarly wired comedians.

by Contributor

In Short
A mixed group of music biz insiders and neighborhood youngsters gravitate toward this two-venues-inside-one gem on La Cienega. Touring acts like Josh Rouse, Loudon Wainwright, Rachael Yamagata, Sarah Silverman and Patton Oswalt play the Coronet throughout the week, but Friday nights are set aside for Jon Brion's residency where guests such as Beck, Aimee Mann, Michael Stipe and Robyn Hitchcock have been known to sit in. The "Little Room" hosts smaller acts.

10/01/07

Excellent music club

by gee_bee

I've been going to shows at Largo for several years now to the point where the staff knows me, I know where the 'hidden' parking spaces are and when NOT to stand out front and the best ways to get places to sit -even if the shows are sold out.

The music is outstanding; I've never seen a bad show; Aimee Mann (seven times), Jon Brion, Grant Lee Phillips ... it's a great, relaxing venue for the performers and the 'Shut Up And Listen' policy by owner Flanagan makes it pleasant for the audiences, too!

As far as big- city music clubs go, it's about average in price; jazz and supper clubs in New York or Washington, DC (where I live) are hard to escape from for less than a hundred bucks a person. Largo, including cover, drinks and tip will usually average fifty to sixty dollars. There are less expensive places, but I can't think of any that are as intimate and where the musical talent is so exceptional.

The food is adequate, beer is beer, stay away from the booths (broken) and bring a small flashlight. When the lights go down (and the back- ground music starts to get louder and louder) you need the flashlight to read the menu.

Whenever I go to LA, I visit Largo.

>>>>>>

• Pros: Music, atmosphere, friendliness... did I mention the music?
• Cons: Getting a bit frayed, needs some new food items, more lights and less din prior to shows.

09/09/07

Terrible food, overpriced, unfriendly waiter

by bob15

The food is awful, the waiter was rude, and you have to pay 3 separate minimums. If you get reservations for a table, you must spend $16 minimum on their bad food, you must spend a minimum $15 on drinks (this is per person), and you pay a $15 cover to get in.

The music was great, but I'd rather hear these great musicians in a place that actually cares about the people attending!!!!!!!!!!

• Pros: good music
• Cons: everything else

09/09/07

Beware of "Standing Room Only" policies, and food and drink minimums!!!

by thx1026

Went lo Largo last night to hear Jon Brion's performance, which was quite good. I was however, very uncomfortable, as I waited in line for 2 and 1/2 hours prior to getting into the club, and there was standing room only for the show. Needless to say, my feet and back ached considerably, distracting me from enjoying the show. Granted, the door man did explain the standing room only policy prior to our entering the club. But when you've already waited so long in line, you want to actually get in!

I was not aware that we would be among only 15 people who were forced to stand as we watched everyone else in the club sit comfortably for the night.

We also got a lot of grief from a very frustrated waiter who barely had room to maneuver around the "standing room only" people. He tried to instruct us all to stand in a tiny corner, even though the door man instructed us that we could stand in front of the people seated at the bar. He got in my husband's face and was a real twerp!

Granted, we could have phoned in advance to get dinner reservations, but they are very overpriced for an Extremely Limited Menu! Plus there are really no vegetarian options, unless you want to eat their minimum spending requirement of $16 worth of bread and a crappy salad.

They also have a $15 drink minimum per person. So, after you've already paid $15 cover to get in, that really adds up.

What ever happened to the concept that clubs should try to accommodate their patrons, make them feel WELCOME and COMFORTABLE while they spend their money in your venue?

Instead, they practically extort you for all they can and treat you like a sheep.

If that's what you're looking for in a night out, then Largo is the place for you!

06/15/07

A haven for those who truly care about music

by babystrange

While last Friday was only my first visit to Largo, it is clear that no two evenings in this unique live music venue are the same. Largo certainly presents a case in which it pays to "know before you go." Unless you want to wait in line outside from as early as noon for standing space by the bar, you must have reservations far in advance. Check the online calendar regularly for updates on coming artists since there is no email list. Once you arrive and get seated you are repeatedly reminded to shut off your phone and refrain from talking during the performance, which I appreciated even more as the evening wore on. I was lucky enough to go on one of the evenings Jon Brion performed, so it was nice not to have extraneous chatter and texting bleeps taking me out of his eclectic set list of covers and original compositions. Unfortunately, the food is mediocre at best; as my friend (a veteran Largoer) put it, the bread basket is the best thing they serve.

• Pros: Atypically intimate music venue
• Cons: Sub par food

10/11/06

My favorite place to hear live music!

by elliottpaul

I can't say enough about this little gem of a supper club and music venue. Great acts and great atmosphere.

• Pros: Great performers, friendly staff
• Cons: The food is only average

10/11/06

Perfect place to see a great performer!

by elisehwall

My husband and I saw Colin Hay at Largo some weeks ago and it was the best experience! First of all, he is a wonderful entertainer. Colin was funny and he sang a lot of familiar Men at Work songs, which we know and love :-)

The venue was not too crowded and you could hear very well. I still had to wear ear plugs though, being that we were 5 seats from the stage. Get there early if you don't have reservations (we got there 1 hour early) to stand in line. The doors do not open until 8:30. We asked the manager to add us to a waiting list for a table if there were cancellations and we got a table at the last minute (otherwise there are a few seats at the bar and a small standing area). The food is simple and tasty, not too pricy. We can't wait to go back and hopefully see Colin again!!

• Pros: Great Seats, Cheap Eats
• Cons: Loud, Parking

04/13/06

best place in la

by rhotato

if youre like me, you read the bad reviews and bypass the good. but in this case, you SERIOUSLY have to ignore the bad reviews. this is by far THE BEST venue/bar ive gone to since moving here a few years ago. the staff is SO INCREDIBLY NICE and attentive. food was delicious and reasonably priced. and if you think about it, $15 for dinner is not a lot considering martinis in most bars are $10-15. the venue itself is very intimate and cozy. sound is great, music is awesome, and i honestly cant find anything wrong with it. just remember to make reservations. if the show is booked like ours was (it was aimee mann so go figure), get there early and try to snag a table if there are any cancellations. i HIGHLY recommend going to the largo and i myself plan on going back again and again.

• Pros: awesome staff, intimate , great music

08/22/05

The Wondrous Jon Brion

by kermisch25

After making dinner reservations well in advance, we were seated right next to the stage. The menu selection is very limited: you choose between five items, all of which cost $15.00. The food wasn't bad, kind of had a dinner-theater feel to it. But the reason to go is to see the musical genious that is Jon Brion.

Mr. Brion is a remarkable entertainer, combining sampling, piano, sound effects, guitars and drums to form very listenable tunes.

However, the best part of the night was his choice of guests including the lovely but unfortunately forgotten Fiona Apple. Ms. Apple sang a few songs before departing and hearing her bluesy voice was surely a treat.

Overall, a perfect place to bring a date that you're trying to impress, especially one who you don't have much in common with as there is a strict no-talking policy during the four hours of music.