Air Conditioned Supper Club

Popular San Diego bar opens its second Westside branch, with boldly styled supper club in Venice's former El Marquez space.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
On a grungy-strip of Lincoln Boulevard mostly known for used car lots, this much-welcomed spin-off is a cinnamon-colored architectural beacon for cleaned-up surfers and six-figure power femmes. The 3,700-square foot space is painted in shades of red-and-green light with UFO-minded artwork and bar of retro-swivel chairs. Patrons lounging on cozy two-seater couches and tufted booths make their way through tuna tartar, pastrami sliders and spinach fondue. Platform-level DJs spin funk and house for those on the small dance floor.

10/20/08

Avoid at all costs

by davejoe at Citysearch

So I went to the Air Conditioned Bar in Santa Monica and thought it was a really nice, chill sorta place and thought the same could be said of the Venice location. Boy was I completely wrong! First they keep the line outside long just to make it seem like it's the happening club even though once you go inside it is not even that full. Second, you have to pay a $10 cover even if you are on a guest list and drinks are still expensive. Third, at least 3 fights broke out throughout the night! Guys were punching each other on the ground, on the stage, and on tables. And where was security? Who knows... basically I could have gone to the restroom and come back and they would still have been nowhere to be found. Fourth, the music was all over the place. The DJ would be playing 2 or 3 hip hop songs and then suddenly switch to Gloria Estefan. Who does that? Overall, it was just a lousy experience.

10/06/08

Great Time!

by jolie714 at Citysearch

We always have a great time when we come here! The music is good and it doesn't usually get over crowded like other places. Fun Fun Fun!

• Pros: Fun!
• Cons: Parking

06/25/08

No shorts, no notice, no entry...

by orangepop_ at Citysearch

Remember to not wear shorts on a 95 degree night fellas. Even though it doesn't say it on their web site, at least nowhere I could find as of today, you won't get in. But it's okay for the ladies to wear shorts. Go figure, then go somewhere else. Wasn't worth the drive all the way down to the lower west side to get turned away for something like that. Lame.

• Cons: Out of the way, dress code not stated before we got to the door

06/12/08

Great music, lame crowd

by sarahjb88 at Citysearch

Was here on a Saturday night. Great music, but the crowd was soooo lame and rude! People trying to be Hollywood types, but on Lincoln. It just doesn't work. And who has a red carpet on Lincoln? Bizarre place. I wouldn't go here again.

• Pros: good music
• Cons: lame crowd

06/08/08

Worst Bartender Ever...

by RobG44 at Citysearch

Here is the letter I wrote to the venue....

"To whom it may concern,

Last night I attended an event at your establishment. I was very pleased with the set up and atmosphere of the club and had a good time for the most part. However at the end of the night there was an incident with one of your bartenders that upset me greatly.

I do not know her name (she was a younger asian woman) but her lack of professionalism disturbed me. Near the end of the night I went to the bar to get water for myself and a friend. I was waiting at the end of the bar the asian bartender was working. As I walked up she was engaged in a conversation with a male patron. In the time I was at the bar she served him two drinks, although she had already made eye contact with me. The man walked away and instead of serving me, she walked to the other end of the bar and engaged in a flirtatious conversation with the man, leaving our end of the bar without a bartender. I asked the bar back to bring her over so she could do her job. When she returned she said she wouldn't serve me because I wasn't nice to her. We exchanged some words before I walked away and had the other bartender serve me the water I was after.

Although I enjoyed myself last night, I do not see myself going back there due to the lack of professionalism of the staff. "

It was the worst service I'd ever received at a club, at that's saying a lot in Los Angeles.

• Pros: The Set Up Is Nice, The Drinks I did get were good
• Cons: Worst atttitude from bartender I've ever seen.

05/24/08

I've never been disappointed here

by rocketgrrl at Citysearch

Went here for the first time on a Saturday night in November '07 and loved it. The doormen & security are unbelievably polite, the onyx bar is mesmerizing, the space is inviting, and I danced for 3 hours straight b/c the deejay is that good. The crowd is friendly and fun. I've been several times since, always on Saturday nights and always have an outstanding time.

The line has gotten longer since then. If you arrive after 10, expect to wait and pay $10 unless you've reserved a booth/bottle service.

My tips:

1. Arrive before 10 PM and you won't pay a cover + the wait will be less than 10 minutes.

2. Instead of waiting forever at the main bar, go to the bar on the stage, opposite the deejay. The bartender on Sat. nights makes strong drinks and there's no wait.

3. The crowd is predominantly 20-something, but the age range is broad - from 21 to early 50s!

• Pros: Always fun. On Saturdays, patrons are encouraged to park - for free - in the huge lot right across the street.
• Cons: Looooong line if you happen to arrive after 10 PM

03/25/08

Awesome music, glitchy bartender

by cvcppln at Citysearch

Well, the music was great. And they have booze. Those are pretty much the highlights.

I've been wanting to check this place out on a Saturday night, since they always seem to have a huge line every time I drive by, so I wanted to see for myself what all the hype was about. Parking was no problem, which is a nice change in this town, and the door guys were super friendly. Didn't have too hard of a time getting in, and the DJ was rocking some great old school to a packed dance floor.

So far so good, and then we head to the bar. Now, I know that drinks aren't cheap in this town, and I also know that bartenders aren't always hired on their merit. That was my general impression of the blond bartender that served me my drink. Really not very friendly, and screwed up my drink. If you don't know what a vodka press is (you shouldn't be tending bar, first of all), then just ask. As it was, I ended up paying $9 for a drink that wasn't what I ordered, after having paid a cover just to get in. And I would have asked her to change my drink for me or said something if I could have gotten her attention again. After that I just stuck with the other two bartenders, who were both closer to the dance floor anyway, so it worked out all right.

All in all, I had a pretty good time. I would definitely give it another shot, but it would have to be a stellar experience for me to keep going back after that.

03/11/08

COOL and EASY

by keenan55 at Citysearch

For a Venice Bar this place is cool. . . .I found the doormen to be very polite. The Bar could use some lessons and speed. . . . but coming from NYC (Me) where the rents are higher I guess Bartenders tend to hustle better for bigger tips. Over all Nice music and everyone seemed to be having fun and that is what you want. You'll have fun starting off there then bounce.

02/03/08

Best clubbin music

by Patrize at Citysearch

Jumpin Music, Sweet Djay, got no smoke machines, and lazer rays..

Old school music from late nineties, early 2000 and a mix of eighties, banging bartenders, music will not make you stop dancing!! I've been to other clubs out at Hollywood that would play songs that you would normally hear on the radio, BUT at this club they'd take you back to what hip hop is all about!

07/28/07

I could not get in.

by partytime35 at Citysearch

I forgot my license and it's understandable that I could not get in. I am 35 and was not going to drink. What made me mad is that the bouncer looks at my girlfriend and says she can get in because he recognizes her, but won't let me in because he doesn't recognize me. My gf's never been there in her life. Look, bouncers, you don't have to want to sleep with someone in order to be cool. The other bouncer was going to let us in. Man, what a loser.

• Cons: up tight bouncer