Red Lion Tavern

11/20/2007 Posted by like_eating_out

Now I didn't get a chance to eat or even get a drink so I can comment on that but I have never been treated so bad in a place (I call it place because I cant tell if its more bar or more restaurant.) To start be careful, the parking lot is very tiny. If you have the opportunity to park somewhere else I would take it, considering the only people coming out of this place have been drinking since 10am. We walk in the fount door, stand there a second and nothing happens. A group of people sit in a dimly lit room watching Sunday sports, no one acknowledges our presents especially any waiting staff. This is our first time here so we see a sign that ways something like patio and restaurant. We meander our way up a flight of stairs to a large patio area where many people are eating and drinking. Still no acknowledgment, waiters and waitress walking right by. I explore the patio myself to see that there is no seating, wait a little longer and decide to go back down stairs where there was seating. See this is when it gets good, we seat ourselves still with no service. I get up grab menus from the fount door at a station that looks like some type of hostess should be standing to great people coming in. We wait a little longer looking over the menu not knowing if they even serve food in this area of the bar. I decided to get up and ask the bar tender, an older germen woman, how we go about ordering food. She begins yelling at me about how shes busy and how she will get to me when shes got time. This was loud enough for my girlfriend to hear all the way on the other side of the room. We had enough and left at this point, maybe I'm just spoiled in America when I'm not accosted by the service staff at a restaurant. You know maybe its normal in Germany to order some schnitzel with a side of bruised ribs, toughens you up a bit.

Pros: none

Cons: everything else

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

11/04/2007 Posted by porkjello

It's a great place to have a beer and some German food. The Red Lion Tavern does tend to get crowded which can affect how responsive your server will be but this is the kind of place you want to just unwind and let time pass by. Foodwise, the beef rouladen and the red lion ground beef steak are nice dishes that pair well with a glass of Spaten or Hofbrau beer. You can always share a sausage platter and some potato pancakes with some friends if you don't want to have a big dinner. I would recommend getting here before 9:00 pm on a weekend if you want to score a table and even earlier if you want to get a spot in the beer garden.

Pros: A full German menu with authentic German beers on tap

Cons: Gets crowded on weekends

09/23/2007 Posted by indiefilmnoir

Having lived in L.A. for over 18 years, I've been to plenty of bars, clubs and so forth. But I have never experienced a more rude bunch of bouncers (or should I say thugs) in my life. And this wasn't even on the Sunset Strip, where you half-way expect attitude. A friend invited me to join him with some friends. I'd never been, so I thought I'd check it out. From the moment I was rudely asked for my ID (I'm 43, and hardly look under 21 -but that's okay, I suppose) I knew it probably wouldn't be a good time. Once inside it was crowed, which is fine, it was a Saturday night. But when I attempted to go out to the patio, I was physically stopped by bouncer. He put his hand on my chest and said it was too crowed outside. No reason to touch me, I'll respect his wishes. Then once inside the upstairs bar, I went up to order a beer and was apparently standing in the wrong area and was literally yelled at by yet another thug, I mean bouncer to move and move now. When I confronted his rude behavior, he said he's not paid to be nice. I have no tolerance for rude behavior. If I or someone was out line, or wasted and acting up, that's one thing. But I was just looking to order a beer. When I further asked him why he was rude, he asked me what was my problem. I bit my tongue and left, for fear if I said anything else, he and his fellow thugs would've thrown me out. Suffice to say I will never go to this, and I use the term loosely, establishment again - nor would I recommend it, unless you enjoy being treated like a second-class citizen by a bunch of thugs.

Pros: none

Cons: extremely rude treatment by the bouncers aka thugs

09/05/2007 Posted by mfriedrich

I live near there and can walk to the red lion for a pint. The atmosphere is nice for someone my age. It is not a college crowd, Even when it is crowded, its nice to share a table and meet some new friends (and i have) but the service there is so bad and the degree of the severity of how bad it is is so bad that, on two occasions, i did not tip and another time the server was soooo outright mean and awful i walked out with out paying.ALL THIS BEING SAID I HAVE WORKED IN RESTAURANTS SINCE I WAS 13 AND AM COMPLETELY COPOSETIC WITH SERVERS BUT THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THE POOR SERVICE I HAVE GOTTEN THERE. I would not gothere if it wasn't two blocks from my house and the customers weren't soooooo great. I suppose the next time i go i should talk to a supervisor if i didn't thonk i would get bad treatment from them! Service and manegement aside the peaople who go there are great and I can't say enough about them

Pros: the customers are great

Cons: THE WORST SERVICE EVER

04/26/2007 Posted by kmb04z

The beer is all imported and is only $6 a pint which is pretty good by LA standards. The beer is also has a little more kick for you buck so if your goal is to get fwasted then you'll be well on your way. The service has always been good for me and our food has always come in a very timely manner. There is no better place for German food in LA as far as I'm concerned. The potato salad is the best I’ve ever had. I would also recommend the bratwurst special on Saturday nights. It’s a great place to relax with some friends and enjoy the atmosphere. The crowd is very diverse. From you local silver lake hipster to a older business people to you occasionally typical college students. You'll see a little bit of everything there. Don't go to late though because you may have to wait outside. There are only so many people allowed into the building at a time. Parking can be rough so expect to walk a little ways. You can try the Bank of America parking lot next door, but be careful because they tow. All in all it’s a great place and I try and go at least once a week.

01/25/2007 Posted by johndoe1967

Used to go there...Drank a lot of beer, paid my tab, and always tipped well. Even got along with Ray, the bouncer. Bartenders shouldn't treat loyal customers like a piece of trash just because someone else is acting like a jerk...Get off your cotton pony.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

01/16/2007 Posted by panchamora

Im not too bright in the German food department and so when I was asking questions about what some entrees were or had, the waitress seemed annoyed...yes, i know it can get annoying to answer many questions but when it's someone's first time, you want to make the experience memorable....well the food did that job...and the entertainment upstairs...it wasn't until i had to use the bathroom did I realize there was a bar upstairs...the beer is great for the price....large glasses and high alcohol content, they are not playing with that! The decor upstairs was sooo cool and the ambience was comfort and entertaining...i sure miss the food...i need to go soon..

Pros: great tasting food

Cons: rude service

01/15/2007 Posted by anab1212

This tri-level establishment is unrivaled in its atmosphere and all-around tavern vibe. This place can get crowded but once seated the service is steady. This is the place to go for German beer and German sausages.

Pros: beer selection

Cons: Can get crowded

12/14/2006 Posted by joecougar5

OK place to find some good German beer. Dissapointed that they removed the TVs from the beer-garden.

Pros: Good beer selection

Cons: tough parking,no TVs,occasional lousy service

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

10/24/2006 Posted by liae

I love this tavern. Each time I've gone, I've loved it even more. The bottom floor isn't much. I've not eaten here, but there is food served. Also, sometimes a pianist plays live music. Upstairs is a different bar. The atrium is amazing, with waitresses in Bavarian outfits and one of the largest selections of beers I've ever seen. It's perfect atmosphere for a gathering of friends.

Pros: Atmosphere

Cons: parking