Backstage Bar & Grill

What a great hidden gem! We caught happy hour and the prices and food were excellent! Cat was one of the BEST servers I've ever had. She's friendly and helpful and seems to really enjoy what she's doing. We were also there for karaoke. The line up was LONG so get there early. The singers were great and very entertaining. It seems like a small neighborhood bar but as an outsider, I felt welcome.

0 Stars (If I could) ​Avoid this place if you aren’t a "Regular" or a Seahawks fan. ​I am beyond disappointed 😒. I recommended Backstage Bar and Grill for a surprise going-away party for 10–15 people this past Saturday (Jan 3rd) because I’d had great experiences here in the past. We did everything right: called ahead (no reservations allowed due to the Seahawks vs. 49ers game), arrived at 1:30 PM to secure seats for a 5:00 PM kickoff, and spent hours in the rain waiting for our group. ​Once the bar started filling up, the vibe turned incredibly hostile. Here is why you should stay away: ​Blatant Exclusion: Even though we had saved seats, the bouncer started refusing entry to our friends. They then put a "Seahawk Fans Only" sign on our table. ​Targeted Treatment: While the manager claimed everyone was welcome, the reality was different. Our group was Black (49ers fans) and the rest of the bar was white (Seahawks fans). We were singled out, questioned, and blocked from entering while white "regulars" were cherry-picked from the back of the line and let in immediately. ​Zero Empathy: A friend drove all the way from Thousand Oaks and was stuck outside in the pouring rain. When I offered to swap places with her so she could at least get inside, the bouncer flat-out refused. ​Hostile Environment: We were heckled and harassed by other patrons over our seats. Management did nothing to help; in fact, they facilitated the exclusion. ​We ended up leaving—soaked, cold, and humiliated—to find a venue that actually wanted our business. We missed out on the karaoke we were excited for and had our celebration ruined. ​It’s clear this bar doesn’t just prioritize a sports team; they create an environment that is openly unwelcoming to Black patrons. I will never step foot in this establishment again.

We were just looking for a quick bite and drink before Jeopardy. So, based on other recent reviews, you may think this place is fun, hip, cool, and welcoming. Well, welcoming it was not 11/7 Friday afternoon around 1pm. Although the atmosphere was pleasant with perfect dim lighting, there was a nice vibe but the service was slow, no greeting upon walking into this humble establishment and there was a feeling of unwelcomeness. This is a hit or miss for me. Because other reviews didn't mention this. I will say this... if you're looking for fifty-fifty chance of feeling unwelcomed and neglected when its not busy then go here. We left after waiting 25 minutes to be acknowledged.

Servers were exceptionally well organized and efficient. In the chaotic, loud, fun space that is Backstage, the ladies who took and brought our orders were friendly, fast, and accurate. We had a great time and enjoyed the food, the singing, and the service. Delicious food. (My pics don't do the food justice!)

If you are a lover of karaoke this is the place for you. The vibes are always on point and everyone is there to have a great time. A fun performance floor where singers and people dancing collide. Be sure to get there before 9pm as the list fills up quickly to be able to adorn the stage. Drinks are always good and staff is friendly. I've been to a many places for karaoke and this one is still my favorite.

GreAt local spot the bartenders make you feel like they known you for years great service and fun atmosphere a must for any karaoke lovers as well

Backstage Bar & Grill is the perfect mix of great food, good drinks, and a fun, laid-back atmosphere. The menu has plenty of tasty options — from juicy burgers to flavorful appetizers — all cooked just right. The drink selection is solid, and the bartenders know how to pour a perfect cocktail. Live music and entertainment give the place an extra spark, making it feel like the night is always young here. Whether you’re catching a show or just hanging out with friends, this spot delivers every time.

Classic dive bar near the Sony Pictures lot in Culver City. Long standing bar with history. There are stories of old Hollywood players coming in and wreaking some havoc. Supposedly the munchkins were known to raise hell in here after wrap. (Yes it’s been around that long) The food is a step above your typical bar food. The drinks and service are solid. Apparently it’s a superb karaoke bar.

Honestly, I'm surprised I hadn't been here sooner dive bars are usually my go to. I met up with a friend and we ended up having a great time. It was definitely busy for a Thursday, but when we asked the doorman, he said we had walked in on karaoke night and a few birthday celebrations, so the crowd made sense. Despite that, the ambiance was still solid and comfortable. Parking was easy to find, although the surrounding neighborhood requires permits, there were plenty of open meters nearby. The staff was friendly and attentive, and ordering at the bar was straightforward. We grabbed our number, and the food came out quickly along with our drinks. Overall, a fun, lively spot that I'd happily come back t

This place was perfect for a rainy, chilly Saturday afternoon. We arrived just before 3 p.m., when there were only a few people inside, but by the time we left nearly every table was filled. The atmosphere is dark, cozy, and inviting, with warm lighting, candlelit tables, and a classic pub vibe. There's plenty of seating, including high-tops and comfortable banquette seating, and they even have a cozy fireplace that adds to the charm. Multiple TVs are scattered throughout, making it a great spot to settle in and linger. We ordered at the bar--water, Chardonnay, a vegan Beyond Burger, garlic fries, and chips and salsa. My husband ordered a sandwich and a Coke. The food took a little while, especially considering no one else seemed to be eating at the time, but we didn't mind at all. We relaxed, sipped our drinks, and watched ice speed skating on one of the TVs. Once the food arrived, it was absolutely worth the wait. Everything tasted freshly made, including the perfectly crispy chips. The garlic fries were delicious, and my vegan burger was light yet filling. We ordered another round of drinks, and by then the place was hopping. Huge kudos to the bartender, who was essentially running a one-man show--taking orders, making drinks, and delivering food--all without looking frazzled and always with a smile. I was genuinely surprised he was handling the entire crowd on his own, especially since the place was nearly packed by 3:30 p.m. Parking was easy; we found a spot just around the corner. We'll definitely be back!

Ambiance: it's an old fashioned dive bar located in Culver City, usually very loud and busy inside, full bar service and multiple TVs, good for large group hangout, although the odor inside and restrooms weren't that great Service: friendly but so slow, it was a busy sports night, and apparently they were understaffed for a while, it took forever to place the order and receive the food Food & Drink: variety choices for drinks and happy hour items BACKSTAGE GARLIC FRIES - *** average BACKSTAGE SLIDERS BEEF - *** three sliders choice of beef, dry bread and patty BACKSTAGE NACHOS - *** CHEESE, BEANS, TOMATOES, GREEN ONIONS, CHICKEN, burnt chips and overly salty RAW VEGGIES & RANCH DIP - ** stingy portion and meh taste TEMPURA ONION RINGS - ***** crispy and tasty, highly recommend LA WORKS "LUNAR KITTEN" IPA - **** recommend TARANTULA HILL "LIQUID CANDY" HAZY IPA - *** average Price: decent portions and affordable prices, minimal increase over the time, expect about $30 per person for food and drink, I've been back here ten times over several years, overall pleasant experience

Stopped by on Friday, 06/28/25 to meet with my old coworkers - catching up!!! PARKING: Can be a bit tricky, so read the signs (street parking) AMBIANCE: Upon entering the place was extremely dark and dim, so it will take time for your eyes to adjust to the environment. A bit small but a great place to mingle and chat. FOOD AND DRINKS: We ordered drinks. I personally ordered 2 drinks: 1 Island Margarita and 1 Watermelon Margarita. We ordered appetizers and shared: - 1 backstage garlic fries - 1 guac and chips - 1 cheese quesadilla - 1 chicken skewers with thai peanut dipping sauce RESTROOMS: Only one stall for women.

This is my second time coming to this karaoke bar, and it's been a blast every single visit. The song selection is great, and the overall environment is so much fun. I love watching other people sing karaoke while jumping in myself. The staff is super friendly and brings great energy. The drinks are always good, and overall it's a great spot for a birthday celebration or a girls' night out.

Great spot! Went one time and I will definitely be back! Cassie was awesome! The burger was delicious and you really get a lot for the price! I went Monday for happy hour which is till 8pm, but they also had their backstage burger special. Can't wait till another Monday to go back!

I was waiting in line in the rain, I saw a few people in front of me were not able to get in due to clear racism. Once I got to the front ; I too experienced this. My boyfriend is black and they did not let us in, but let 9 white people in behind us. I was looking forward to seeing this Seahawks , but this establishment is next level racist and please boycott immediately. Ps they hate hate if you're wearing niners gear.

The breakfast burrito was TOP TIER!!! It came all by itself, but it was sooo good. My drink was good and the bartender who placed my order and made my drink had really good customer service. The wings...my friend said the wings were too small, but "hey." lol The music was great. I love karaoke!!! Great spot. Glad we came!

Went for a former coworker's retirement party. I thought it was going to be open bar, but for the price of the drinks it made sense she made guests buy their own drinks and food. The cocktail was about $14. Pretty strong drink, glad I only got one. I wasn't that interested in the food on the menu. Just looked like basic bar food. But the service was good and the ambience was great. Kind of dark, but work a giant tv screen for the sports junkies, which I am not. Honestly don't think I'll come back as I am not really a bar hopper.

Service food and ambience are always above and beyond great place to hang out. Very chill bar with great ambience and great bar tenders

I went to my friend's bday here and it was so fun so i wanted to have mine here too. I emailed them twice and called them all for them to never get back to me about having a reservation. Rude! When i called them the woman i spoke to basically said the person who does the reservations are best reached from that email. I gave her my info over the phone and i asked if they would get back to me tonight since it was the day before my reservation was supposed to be and she said she "hopes so". I emailed them again just to make sure and included a number to reach me and still never heard back. I asked my friend how she got the reservation when it was her birthday and she said even though she emailed them 2 weeks prior to her birthday, they didn't confirm until the day of!

I am a Seahawks fan. This is a Seahawks bar. I've been coming here for two years. Love it. Wished I lived closer. It's a football atmosphere. Food is what you'd expect from a bar. Not Michelin Star but not bad at all. I like it & have never had a bad experience w it. Service is great. They're All very attentive/ quick.

My office party was held here. It's dark, loud, and lovely! The bar food was definitely above and beyond expectations. Sliders, Sweet potato fries, and fabulous service made a great evening!

I love this cozy nook. This is a place you can visit alone and have so much fun. The pool table and juke box are all the company you need. The staff know what they are doing and make you want to come back. I even went to karaoke by myself one night in another lifetime and performed like the cracked nut I am. I love this bar more than any I have ever visited anywhere. It's so cool. The food is awesome and affordable, and the most interesting people can always come through. A great place to bring out-of-town guests.

Short walk from all the shopping and restaurants near the culver steps. Nice spot to watch sports, grab drinks or some bar food. Have been here a few times and they have great bartenders. Go see Olivia! She's a gem! Portions are large enough to share and service is speedy.

Fun for this Seattle Seahawks fan. :) The bar food not bad either. They make gameday lots of fun.

Food is nasty but the karaoke was entertaining and fun. You need to experience "Da Dang" experience. The service was great Kat was very attentive. For fun definitely go but it before you come.

This has a nice milwaukee/chicago bar feel where it's dark, intimate, and has a fun vibe. The staff were friendly and attentive. We didnt order drinks but we did order food and it was bomb bar food. I personally loved it. I would come back and get drinks.

My birthday,just up here maybe 3 months,wanted try smthn besides pizza!! Great place,great workers/owner And by far ,very far ,the best prime rib sandwich I ever had,awsome

It's a dark dive bar with loud karaoke most nights so manage expectations! That said, it's a fun place to go with friends especially if one loves karaoke which gets pretty entertaining. I've never eaten there but they have impossible burgers for us non meat eaters and a large bar food menu. It gets very busy but service is efficient.

Stopped in for some cheap drinks and eats after a hike at Kenneth Hahn park. A true local dive, located right across from Sony studios. When we entered the nondescript door, it was love at first sight. Dimly lit and soaked in red light, wood paneling, neon signs, bar stools and a photo booth. Fun retro vibes all around. The bartender working was friendly and personable. They offer beers, ciders, and cocktails. We enjoyed a beer, cider and happy hour mac and cheese and it all hit the spot. It wasn't busy since it was earlier in the afternoon but I know they can get busy during special events. Well loved for their karaoke nights. Street parking all around. Come check it out if you're looking for a dive bar that offers a good time!

This place has been around for decades!! I grew up in Culver city but haven't been in awhile. Dark dive bar feel with stiff drink prices & reasonable prices. Didn't get to try the food this time around,,,

The food was horrible !!! I had a veggie plate and asked for no broccoli. I was told it would cost extra for celery!! Then I got wings that were that were unrecognizable! 2 people can barely sit at a table to enjoy the atmosphere. This place will not be on the return list!!!!

Mostly good. My husband and I were in California for just the weekend and we wanted to hit up karaoke. One of the locals recommended it. It's a popular place! That means parking in the lot OR on the street on a Saturday night was impossible. A wasted drive; we returned to the hotel. We went back again on Sunday night. Still full parking lot! This time we found something semi legal on the street, though. The bar is nice, and I had some delicious mac and cheese! We waited excitedly for karaoke. The bartender/server told me we could come up for karaoke slips when we buy our drinks. Yup, you earn slips by drinking! Controlled substances, those! Ironically, I don't drink alcohol so I had to convince them to give me slips anyway since I had bought food and some cran/soda/lime. He obliged. It was a relatively quiet night, so we were allowed more slips and we sang four times. The patrons were wonderful. A guy named Evan sang Rooster by Alice In Chains and I had to praise him for doing it justice, and tell him I was in town from Seattle. He perked up! What ensued between him and his friends was a Seattle Alt Rock themed night. It was great fun. Giving four stars because I think making people drink to get a slip is kinda weird and encourages overdrinking. The parking situation sucks, but they can't control that. Thanks, Evan and everyone there!

I went in for a quick Karaoke stint and was amazed how great this place is. I had ordered some Chicken Nachos and was entertained by all the Music talent of the people dining karaoke. Nice sized bar and plenty of seating. Friendly Bartenders and attentive Servers made it easy to order food and drinks. Even the Bouncers and doormen security were very friendly. If you need parking , there are a few spots down the street and easy walking distance. Other than being an "Seahawks nest" during Football season, it is an ideal place to catch a Game or belt out some tunes via karaoke.

This bar located right across the street from Sony Studios was awesome! Great happy hour, and chill vibe. I didn't do the popular karaoke, but plan to come back! We got the tacos, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, and chicken fingers with fries. Total bar food, but good nonetheless. Drinks were strong, but delicious! Great place to hang out. Quiet mid-week, but probably pretty busy come the weekend. Enjoy!

who doesn't love karaoke!!! i came with my bestfriend and we KARAOKED the night away. also the photobooth is so cute! we took so many pics since it's a vintage film booth. the drinks were delicious and strong enough to keep me buzzed through the night. i would come again for sure!

Backstage Bar & Grill is the place to catch all Seahawks games. They have an awesome DJ on game day and give out free halftime Seahawks shots. This place always has a good vibe and great service. There is no cover charge and they have a great happy hour 7 days a week from 4pm-8pm. The Backstage also has a great Karaoke and takes party reservations. You can always find parking on Culver Blvd. Don't park on the residential streets, they're all permit parking only. The bar is directly across from Sony Studios. Go Hawks!!!

This place is so fun! Great choice of food, drinks and songs to karaoke too. Plenty of metered parking and easy to get to. Highly recommend to let loose and have a good time.

Ben, Claire, Kevin, Ava & every part of the amazing staff @ Backstage made turning 50 such a fun & special milestone for me & 70 of my guests from start to finish! A 5 star experience for sure!!!! Thank you all!!! 1/2 A Century Carla

I haven't been back since the security and bouncers were watching my friend like a hawk. She had a little too much to drink and if they even halfway think that you're too tipsy then they will start harassing you until you leave.

The best bar ever! Food is amazing and the service is above average. Ambiance is nice as well and everyone is friendly. Definitely my new favorite and will be returning.

We had a great experience with our bartender Ava! She made our time fun and poured great drinks. We will be back!

Omggg my dream karaoke spot. Kind bartenders. People dance and sing along. Will be bringing ALL the girls someday

Very interesting establishment. I was invited by a friend who enjoys a good karaoke which is offered Fri/Sat. Street parking is available, however a lot of the spots are metered/permit so you might be walking a little. Placing your name on the list you have to scan the QR code and select your song. Also, bring that this was my first time here, when ordering food/drinks you have to give them your credit card first to hold and then place your order (yup... odd right?) when paying cash, you place your drink order but the bartender requests payment first prior to making drinks ... again (loln inside). Vac card required

The Barton is they are awesome. I remember everything they know what you like. They do a good poor and the food is better than it needs to be for a bar.

This is my favorite happy hour spot in LA. Great food and drinks and servers is pretty good. I've been please every time I've have been. Would recommend it to new Locals and visiting friends.

Service was great, food good I ordered a Long Island and it was nice and strong not stingy on the booze

I'm biased. I was introduced to this beautiful bar over a decade ago when I worked at a nearby theater. I returned while in town for business and I'm so glad I did. A welcoming, comfortable place to have a drink, eat some of the best bar food on the planet (seriously: I only made the last trip to have their Mac and cheese again before I die), maybe watch a game, maybe hear the tech crew from the Kirk Douglas complain about the touring group they're dealing with. It's a great bar. One of my favorites. Laid back, no attitude, and the food and drink do their jobs.

Nice neighborhood spot. Good food. Great service. Generally ambient noise is not too much.

What a full circle to come back and echo what I experienced nearly 3 years ago, except with my own bachelorette party. I hadn't gotten to return to Backstage since writing my previous review and Ben still honored complimentary drinks he gifted to me all those years ago. He worked diligently with me via email and phone to ensure we had the best spots at the bar, all TWELVE of us, right next to the dancefloor/karaoke. Our waitress was Claire and she was fantastic. So incredibly attentive, patient, enthusiastic, courteous! A very special thank you to Claire. This place has it all in terms of excellent staffing--from the DJ to the security guards, everyone was vibing, welcoming, professional, and having a great time. Someone from the staff even came out with a polaroid and took an adorable photo of us gals. The photo frame was even pink, and the photo had the Backstage logo on it! Backstage is thoughtful in so many ways, and you can telll they go above and beyond to make their patrons feel welcomed and celebrated! And of course, the food and drinks are always phenomenal. Thank you Ben and Backstage, yet again! I look forward to whatever the next gathering here will be! :-)

I don't know what the fuck happened here, but security was fucking nuts tonight. Flashlights and yelling at people to make lanes... been coming here for years. It's an amazing karaoke bar. Not one but two guards yelled at people multiple times and went nuclear on us for "stepping into walkways". I worked in facilities for years and am a big safety nerd. This was fucking weird and made us feel so uncomfortable. Yelled at my 60 year old MIL and then threatened to remove our friend for stepping into "a lane" after they spoke to him. It's a crowded dive bar... when I walked in I had to sandwich between people. I can only assume they got written up for something. It was like a police state crazy. Maybe we make the commute to Gaslite.

This place is such a vibe love it here and the karaoke is a whole vibe it's a good getaway when you need something to do on the weekend.

Celebrated a friend's birthday here last night and we all enjoyed ourselves. The sliders, Irish poppers, garlic fries, carne asada fries, nachos, and wings were delicious! The drinks are reasonably priced and I loved the Karaoke. I didn't get my waitresses name but she was on top of things, she had long brown hair in a ponytail and wore glasses. She's was great!

I love The Backstage Bar (if you can't tell by my previous reviews and several check-ins, lol). I've been coming here for about 12 years and it's my favorite hangout in Los Angeles. It's a dive bar in the best way possible. Cheap GOOD drinks, great bar food (grilled cheese supreme FTW!) and the best staff you can ask for! I've always been a regular here but since they reopened after the pandemic closure I've been coming mostly every karaoke night (Thurs-Sat). It's my "Cheers" bar and honestly the one place that brings me joy these days. I have turned so many friends on to this place and the feeling is always mutual! KJ Shane (karaoke DJ) is so good at what he does. I really respect him and how he implements rules so that karaoke is fair and fun. The karaoke selection is great! I love the new app and how many more songs they have available. The waitresses and security are great, especially Blaize and Shaun. They make me feel at home and I'm always taken care of. The best part is that you can reserve your party for free and they even give you party shots. I've had my birthday here every year for at least the last decade and Backstage does not disappoint. And of course a huge shout out to the owner Ben for keeping this bar the gem that it is!

This review is way overdue. I've frequented this bar many times. The karaoke here is so fun. The energy is positive. The crowd is always so supportive & encouraging. The food is pretty decent also. I have very good memories here. Lots of funny videos to laugh and reminisce about.

Fun Times! Hung out with some friends on the 4th of July. I enjoyed the good vibes! Food was Good! Drinks were Great! Thanks Backstage for a Fun 4th! Keep the positive vibes flowing! Butterfly

Amazing place to hang out with friends. Ava provides great service and takes care of her customers. 10/10.

I use to come here all the time, when i worked in the area.. the food is really good and drinks are strong.. Its a nice date night or to chill..