The Hotel Cafe

06/07/2008 Posted by shawson

If you are going to a later show on the weekend, show up early or you will not find parking. There is parking on Selma but that area is not safe for people alone. Go with a group. Great shows but go during the week. Plus during the week, you can actually get a seat. Weekends are so crowded you need a reservation to see some musicians. If you are going on a weekend, make a reservation. Great music and good food try the panini. Definite recommendation for weeknights!

Pros: Music and less crowded on weeknights.

Cons: Parking situation esp on weekends. Some performers are sold out...so book early.

12/15/2007 Posted by deedorrito

Best to get here early to get a table. Carpool as you might have to park blocks away.My friend and I did not feel safe walking back to our car.By the time you find parking, the tables are taken. Good food and good music. This is a good place for a group.

Pros: Music

Cons: Parking is an issue every night of the week.

12/11/2007 Posted by frankiedes

Yes, the Hotel Cafe is in Hollywood, so there are bound to be jerks that end up in the audience on some nights. But the owners and the staff do an amazing job maintaining a chill, homey vibe that is all about the music. The bigger room has the stage in it and there is a reverence for the artist performing - loud "Hollywood" chatter is politley redirected to the other room, where musicians can chat up fans and people can gab as loud as they want. There is even a tiny smoking room with a piano! So. Cool. I love the Hotel Cafe and go there at least once a month to see some great music.

Pros: music, staff, vibe

Cons: people may discover this hidden gem!!!

11/28/2007 Posted by lilgibs

The owners if Hotel Cafe have done a perfect job. The decor and vibe of the place is amazing and everyone who whines about he parking or the people standing next to them during the artists' performance should bite it, because that has absolutely nothing to do with the venue itself. just because you had a bad date on a certain night doesn't give you the right to bash the place you were at during the fact. The music here is amazing, and everytime I've gone, the people who work here have been beyond pleasant. I had no problem with the fact that they don't have their name and neon signs plastered on the door, because I can read street numbers, andby deductive reasoning, I could figure out where it was. I love this place, and I will continue to love this place, because it is the perfect place to chill and enjoy good music and good company. I definitely suggest hotel cafe to anyone who would love to relax for an evening.

Pros: absolutely superb

Cons: not a thing

09/11/2007 Posted by akira101

the location is great. parking is always available somewhere within the area. the venue is somewhat small. i believe capacity is around 250. there's a bar and a few tables available. maybe... 20 seats available. what surprised me the most is how small the stage is. still, the venue is a great place to listen to live music.

Pros: location, ambience, always great performers

Cons: small stage (but then again, i'm not the one performing)

04/09/2007 Posted by juju13es

I came here a few years ago when Tristan Prettyman and Kate Earl performed, and it was one of my favorite acoustic performances. The venue is really personal and intimate so it felt like they were singing directly to us. Most of their musicians are local performers, but sometimes they have bigger names. The bar drinks are a bit on the expensive side (but then again, it's Hollywood), and their food is better than expected (I ordered quesadillas and sandwiches).

11/08/2006 Posted by sumo646

I’m not sure what the past 2 reviewers are talking about.. yes the place is small, but not tiny.. I think it holds 150 people or so.. or maybe more? and they have 2 bars. both bars serve full liquor, beer and wine and decent (but limited) food… The lighting is dark, and the mmod is great… yes parking is a bummer, as it is for any bar on Cahuenga or in Hollywood for that matter.. But its worth it… I found this place 2 years go when iu went to see Cary Brothers… and over the past few years I’ve been lucky enough to catch some of the best music LA has to offer in this little place... From regulars like Josh Radin, Priscilla Ahn and Jessie Baylin and others, to huge national acts playing unannounced or limited seating show (though I couldn’t get in, last night was Pete Townsend of The Who and Billy Corgan) its always great music, any night of the week... Ive also seen Imogen Heap there, and John Mayer, and Amos Lee, and The Frey… Usually acoustic or semi acoustic sets.. sometime they have full rock bands, though they can get a bit loud for the room… You can pop in just about any night of the week, and there will be something great on stage… Definitely recommended… Probably the best acoustic venue in LA…

Pros: great live music, nice staff, good drinks

Cons: traffic in hollywood, parking, sometimes crowded

11/06/2006 Posted by jojocool

Cool little hang out but the parking is the pits. If you don't know where it is, better look really hard and add more time to find it cos it wont tell you! I hate that part these "too cool to put up a freaking sign" kinda places.. but there you have it. Once you find it and finally find parking, it's this tiny little place where if you get there too late forget sitting. The stage is really small and drinks aren't cheep. The music is hitt or miss, thanks to being an indi kinda place, but the atmosphere is cool and dark. Go there for the music, but don't have high expectations of anything else.

Pros: Indi Music

Cons: parking

10/23/2006 Posted by freebie_grabber

This is a great, "chill" little place, tucked away amidst the mayhem of the famous "Cahuenga corridor." Park your car in their tiny valet parking lot and squeeze through their tiny door (in the back). Cover varies depending on the artist that's performing that night. They have a tiny bar (beer and wine only; no liquor) and a few tables and chairs. Standing room is limited -- you're usually either blocking the view of the sound man's booth or you're blocking the path of the cocktail waitresses. The stage is cool: red velvet curtains, Persian rugs and an old piano accompany whatever instruments and amps the artists/bands bring along. They try to limit the volume and amplification because the venue's so small, which is probably why acoustic performances are common. I was lucky enough to catch both Sabrosa Purr and Libbie Schrader (and her backing band) perform there one night -- both with full amplification! Check it out if you get the chance.

Pros: GREAT place to see live music, intimate venue with character

Cons: Small venue, crowded seating, parking is a pain

08/04/2004 Posted by cmgork

This has become my favorite music venue in the city. They always greet you with a warm welcome and nowhere else can you get up close and personal with the best unsigned and signed acts in L.A. If you love music this is the place to go almost every night this place is jumpin. The are many regular performers like Joe Purdy, Quincy, Jesca Hoop, Coby Brown, Tim Jones and many more you shouldn't miss.

Pros: great crowd, friendly staff, atmosphere