Hotel Cafe

I recently saw Becca Hannah and Tristan Jantz perform here. It was an incredible show! This place is iconic! Such an intimate setting to see some of the best singer/songwriters in Los Angeles

Just to make things clear, The Hotel Cafe is NOT a hotel & NOT a cafe. It IS a nightclub with two stages and two bars. We had a very enjoyable night our first time there and were lucky to get seats. Only a few tables with chairs. They need to work on the bathrooms.

Came here for their Tuesday showcase. Tickets were only $20 after fees. There are two stages, each with a bar. One stage is smaller but they’re both intimate. It has a bit of an old Hollywood, Gatsby kind of vibe. I loved how close we got to be to the artists. The Tuesday showcase is a pretty great deal. You get to see almost 10 different artists for $20. Service was friendly. There’s a limited specialty cocktail list but it’s a full bar. Definitely a fun date night or a spot to bring a group of friends.

We went for a concert. This isn’t a restaurant, however they have a full bar. The service was impeccable from parking, checking into “Will Call”, drinks, and the acoustics. Only a limited number of chairs. Go out and soak up the music scene in LA!

I have gone to a couple of music performances here from great artists. The space is small and, therefore, easily overcrowded, but that also makes it intimate. I would live to go back!

Don't let the name fool you - neither a hotel or cafe, lol. Perhaps in another Hollywood lifetime... A fantastic venue to listen and see singer-songwriters and bands. Low-key and intimate. Bar service is fast and friendly. No "I'm on the guest list vibes." Come as you are and take a walk on the grittier side of Hollywood. Many dining and nightlife options on this stretch of Cahuenga Blvd. Valet parking or public parking within walking distance.

Arrived at 6:15 for a 7:00 show. I was near the front of the line...perhaps in the first 20 persons. When I checked in, was told that the featured artist was not going on until 9:00. All the seats were either reserved or taken. I am not able to stand for over three hours so requested a refund but was told there policy allows no refunds. So we lost the price of the tickets and the disappointment of not seeing the performer. At the very least, I feel Hotel Cafe should be transparent about the wait time between the start time as stated on the tickets and the performance time.

Had the pleasure of attending Writer’s Block event at the Main Stage of Hotel Cafe and document the vibes. This spot is certainly where you go to find a few of your emerging favorites and support your L.A. songwriter community. Shoutout to Lucas Flood for putting these songwriter showcases together.

Soooooo glad that I caught the news that they are closing this location early next year from KTLA last week. I went on their site and found out that Meiko will be playing on Saturday. I immediately canceled my plan and got a ticket to the show. It's been years since I went, last time they still have the parking lot at the back. I used to spend sooooooo many nights here, watching Meiko, Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Katy Perry, Lenka, Kate Voegele, Honey Honey, Asa, Anna Nalick, Rachael Yamagata, Butterfly Boucher and soooooooo many more. It is one of my favorite LA live music venue!!! And the sound system is even more amazing now!! It brought back so many memories, and I took so many pictures last night. You will be missed!!

I wanted to spark up my right side of my brain last night and since I happened to already be in LA I decided to spontaneously stop by the Hotel Cafe in hopes of listening to a random artist on a random Thursday night. Little did I know... I happened to walk in to Jesse & Friends Mix & Mingle event... At first it was every introvert's nightmare because of the encouraged socializing... but I later realized it was absolutely perfect because I was able to get samples of several artists all within a span of a few minutes. Although I was a bit reluctant to force myself to be social the one girl I met happened to be the musical act that I was most touched by and drawn to. Super happy that I stopped by randomly and also got to fill up my cup of ideas, creativity, and most of all - inspiration. Hotel Cafe will always be one of my favorite gems in LA.

I love this place, bro. This place is great, bro. I like music, and bro, let me tell you bro, it sounds great here, bro. Thanks bro

Cool spot, will definitely come back. Drinks are good and bartender was fast. It has a speakeasy vibe but also felt like I went back in times.

Sexy atmosphere. Staff super nice. Guy at the entrance, awesome. We saw Karina Elena in her 1 st LA concert and in a word, amazing. She is a must see.

This small venue is so much fun! Went to see an artist play. Acoustics are great, the sound was good, seems to be they know what they are doing. Bar seemed well staffed to handle the crowd and drinks were tasty! Parking is tough in this area but there is a small velvet next door, they charged us $20 flat rate. Don't forget to walk one block and see the Hollywood stars!

Ambiance: it's a cool music venue for live performances, bars open at night, you can get admission tickets online or at the gate, very limited seats inside and you have to stand for most of the show Service: friendly and welcoming, served drink fairly fast Drink: no menu and they can do standard cocktails Moscow Mule - *** average taste Price: decent price for drinks in the area, each costs about $15

Arrived at 6:15 for a 7:00 show. I was near the front of the line...perhaps in the first 20 persons. When I checked in, was told that the featured artist was not going on until 9:00. All the seats were either reserved or taken. I am not able to stand for over three hours so requested a refund but was told there policy allows no refunds. So we lost the price of the tickets and the disappointment of not seeing the performer. At the very least, I feel Hotel Cafe should be transparent about the wait time between the start time as stated on the tickets and the performance time.

I've been going to Hotel Cafe since college and it's consistently delivered great music experiences for its patrons. The staff is always friendly and kind. Back in the day the paninis and salads were the go to's on the menu. I haven't had the food recently. I attended a few fire relief shows recently at Hotel and it continues to be a top notch venue that truly supports its music community.

My 3rd time here and it was a pleasant experience! This time I was in the main room and both artists started on time and sounded good acoustically ! Restrooms were clean and the venue was easily accessible via Metro Rail !

My friends and I stopped by the Hotel Cafe because one of their friends were performing. We entered through the side and paid the $10 cover. Entering the Hotel Cafe, it is VERY spacious. There's a bar. There's a stage. It was a good moment. The performers there did SO amazing .

Cute little venue in the heart of Hollywood. I went to go see Joseph Solomon and it was nice and intimate! The drinks weren't that great though but there are so many great bar and lounges around that you can make up for it after an event. Parking sucks as usual in Hollywood so make sure you give yourself plenty of time. Unless you wanna pay about $20 on a weekday for a lot.

I am a big fan of the Hotel Cafe. The reason for my low review is the sound engineer named Brie. I have played at Hotel Cafe many times, and had her as a sound engineer at least twice. Each time, she has been very rude to everyone is the band, and made the show a bad experience for myself and the people I am working with. I would rather not play a show at all, than play a show with Brie as the sound engineer. I really like the Hotel Cafe, and I have had a great experience there every time I am not working with Brie. I love going to shows there and I hope they remain successful for years to come. I hope to see change for the benefit of the venue!

It was my first time here, & it def won't be the last! I came to see Jeremy Passion & Gabe Bondoc. I loved the lowkey & intimate vibe here, & it wasn't crazy packed like going to bigger venues. There was very little seating, so prepare to stand which is fine since we were busy swaying. The bartenders were friendly & pretty fast with making drinks, & they are definitely stocked to make whatever is your favorite.

Cute and cozy to have your Fav singer. I only got beer so not sure sure about their cocktails, but loved the ambiance and lighting and sound system. They have patio for smoking. The only downside might be limited restrooms but still I had a great night .

Came to Hotel Cafe Feb 12 for Casey Abrams' birthday concert. The staff here is fantastic. I bought my tix online & didn't receive the confirmation via email so I emailed them and heard back almost immediately from a staff member's personal email because she said something was kicking back emails from the business account to my email but assured me I had tickets. When we arrived, we went to the podium and my name was there, no problem. The door guys were friendly and the ease of the whole place was fantastic. We got there early but not early enough to get closer than about 2/3 of the way back...and snagged a bar-adjacent standing situation. Bartenders were on it all night...never an issue to get their attention and get a new drink. The concert was awesome and the size of the venue is terrifically intimate. The only complaint I have is that for us 5'5" people (and below...and just above...), there's really no seeing the performers except the top of their heads. I'm not a jostler...jostling my way through a crowd to peer through people to see...so for me it's not ideal. I could raise my phone to capture photos, and then I could see them. Although anyone sitting (keyboards) or standing on the floor playing horns, I literally never saw except when they left the stage. 6'1" hubby saw a whole lot more, but still blockage. Can the stage be a little higher? That would help immensely. Anyway, the sound was great, so it was nice to listen to Casey and Haley and everyone else on stage. I'd go back to the Hotel Cafe...but get there earlier to be able to see. Live and learn!!

Such a gret evening at Hotel Cafe enjoying great music! The customer service was excellent. Staff were friendly and helpful. The ambiance was really cool and the music performances were excellent!!

I recently went to the Hotel Cafe to see a concert and the place was amazing. It has two stages. The first stage area holds about 200 people and then the second stage area holds about 50 people. Both sreas have full bars. The staff was incredible from Dan who worked the door, Dave the bartender, and even Roe who was working the sound. They were all really friendly and went above and beyond to make sure you had a great time while at the venue. The second smaller stage on a Monday night had local songwriters and musicians playing there own music, so if you live by here go take a listen, you most likely will hear a new star about to breakthrough and take the world on. Lastly I have to mention the manager Gia. What an absolute ROCKSTAR. I had sent her an email earlier in the day asking about the band I was about to see and within one minute she responded with all the details I needed to know for the show. Considering it was going to be my first time at the venue she help sort out all I needed to know about the place and the upcoming show. I can't wait to go back to this place again. I just wish I lived in LA, so I could go back and see the local bands and singers on Monday nights. This place truly is a hidden gem in LA. Definetly give it a try. You won't be dissapointed.

Great live performance event center. A friend and I went to see Alex lambert and it was worth the trip and $15. We were able to see 3 live artist and had the best bartending service! They have parking directly to the Right of the building and you walk down an alley way, and to the right you'll see the main doors. They even allowed outdoor food which is convenient! There is only one bathroom, however it is absolutely gorgeous (mostly marble). I can definitely see my self returning! Great place to hang out on a Friday night, that wasn't overly packed!

I had the pleasure of stopping in for the first time. I've always seen this place and wanted to give it a try. The live bands were more than I expected. Very outstanding. There was one bartender, it was super busy. And all of the drinks were consistent and tasted really good. She was very pleasant!! The live music, and the great customer service, will definitely bring me back.

Super cute intimate venue with a fully stocked bar. Love the vibe and street parking was relatively easy. I didn't get a chance to try the food but I definitely will be back! Bought tickets online and just needed my ID to get in, pretty easy going staff.

Came here for a small performance by The Swayzees. It was absolutely AMAZING!! one of the best experiences of my life. The spot was intimate and not crowded. Drinks were drinks. I definitely would be back for another performance

I appreciate what this venue does for artists. I've been here 2x for 2 different singers I enjoy. Both times the staff was kind and the crowd coming here isn't rowdy. Think coffeehouse vibes / jazz night energy lol. They have a main stage and a side stage. Main stage has instruments I think are provided by the venue and some artists bring their own instruments from guitars to electronic keyboards. Some stellar performances to be seen of up and coming musicians

Hotel Cafe is neatly tucked back off of Cahuenga Blvd just south of Hollywood Blvd. To enter you need to walk down the alley then hang a left. Many a bands have played here over the years some who went off to play in venues like the Hollywood Bowl and Madison Square Garden in NY. I love this place for the constant support they give to local and out of town artists. It has such a welcoming vibe and allows people from all areas to gather for the love of music! Ticket prices are very affordable for most shows. You can check their website for all upcoming artists and purchase tickets as well. They use a "will call" system which requires no tickets. When you arrive, just check in at the entrance, give your name, show your ID, "proof of vaccination," (which is now required), and they will stamp your wrist to enter. Street parking is available if you are feeling lucky...otherwise, plenty of parking lots. Most shows run about 1 hour. This club has a full service bar but no food. However, you are allowed to bring in take out food. Hotel Cafe has a Main Stage and a smaller Second Stage. You enter both via the back entrance. What a great venue located in the heart of Hollywood to hear live music without feeling overwhelmed by a huge crowd. It is well worth the trip!

I don't know about you but I am quite 'thrown off' by businesses that think it is quirky or charming to chose a name that doesn't reflect their business at all. "The Laundromat" will turn out to be a restaurant, "Mike's Water Hole" is an auto mechanic and "Pizza Blast" is a book store. Okay, I made these silly examples up; but you get the idea. Hotel Café is a Hollywood venue which fits into this misnomer category. It is neither a hotel, café or hotel's café. What is it? Hotel Café is a small, intimate live music venue/event space holding real estate in touristy Hollywood. Let us explore... Hotel Café resides on Cahuenga Blvd between the intersections of Cahuenga/Hollywood and Cahuenga/Selma. You've driven past it a million times since its 2000 inception, I promise you. This area is hopping with tourists and nightlife-lovers due to the countless nearby club/bars/restaurants. Hotel Café began its life cycle as a coffee shop so the 'café' element actually make some sense; and has featured live performances from some of the biggest music stars either early in their careers or if they wanted to play an intimate live set. The venue has a main stage and side stage so expect some evenings to have both booked. Time your arrival at Hotel Café accordingly as this is Hollywood after all so parking is NOT EASY and is pricey (so, keep those wallets stuffed!) such as the $20 valet lot immediately adjacent to the building. The entrance to the venue is situated in the back so ladies in 6-inch heels like I was... be prepared! I was attending a celebrity charity concert at the main stage and made sure to purchase my ticket ahead of time on the Hotel Café website. They send you an email confirmation stating that tickets are held at the "will call counter" and you must present ID and the card used to make the purchase upon arrival. This certainly wasn't the case as the "will call counter" was simply a bouncer-looking dude standing at a podium with a list of names. He never asked me for ID so anyone could have been redeeming my ticket underneath my name. Regardless, this does mean check-in was easy-peasy. Although I can't vouch for the second stage as I didn't see it; allow me to praise the main stage at Hotel Café. Even though the venue is on the smaller side; it is spotless clean, gorgeous with a jazz speakeasy/open mic night vibe of chandeliers, exposed brick, dark colors and a beautifully back-lit bar. Even the ladies room was super tidy which is basically unheard of at a music venue. The main stage is teeny-tiny which is actually great because you can be up-close-and-personal with the performing artist. The floor supports a few circular tables with the rest being standing room only. My event didn't have a very large audience so it wasn't crowded at all - but I'm sure Hotel Café can get tight with larger acts. Admiration must be presented to the sound tech as both the mics/amps/balances and acoustics were perfect the entire evening. This was one of the best-sounding live shows I've experienced I've been to hundreds of venues across the nation as I have a professional resume history in the music industry and been on tour myself. Kudos! Sidenote: Hotel Café pumps the AC and because the crowd was on the smaller side; I was literally shivering and my hands were ice cubes. Brr! Another positive note of Hotel Café's bar/café vibe is that this isn't like a 'regular' live music venue where staff/security is on your butt trying to keep you away from the artist or acting like their venue is made of priceless gold. The ambiance is super chill, relaxed and low-key which genuinely makes the evening that much better. Despite a misleading name; Hotel Café is a beautiful, pleasant and inviting venue that is not douchey at all like which can't be said for the neighboring businesses. Hotel Café is truly a primo venue with top-notch characteristics that even best more famous venues. Well done!

How can I have lived in LA my whole life and not have been here? The venue is so cute. There are two stages, a main stage and a second stage. I saw Justin Kawika Young at the main stage. They checked for ID and Covid vaccination card and your hand gets stamped for the evening. There's a bar inside with a few tables and chairs and plenty of standing room. The bathrooms are clean and I would love to come back here again to see some talent. There is parking for $20 for the venue with the entrance on Cahuenga. There are also lots around the area and street parking as well.

Still one of my absolute favorite venues in all of LA. Just one suggestion....please refill the hand soap in the bathrooms!!! The bathrooms themselves are beautiful and modern and newly renovated, however last night there was no more hand soap in the dispenser. Coming out of the pandemic and entering flu season, I think washing our hands with soap and water is more crucial now than ever. So please Hotel Cafe....please refill the hand soap dispensers in the bathrooms (specifically the second stage restrooms, as that's where I saw Moonlight Graham and The Last Revel, who BTW were awesome!) *end rant*

I was so pleasantly surprised at how this hidden gem lives up to what you'd expect! Fun, upbeat, clean, intimate, exciting... one could go on. What a fun night!!!

Was a good experience, no food so just fyi. They did have an outside vendor come in (mini tacos) they were good. Mixed drinks were so so. Not to big nor to small. Only wish they had the bands playing just off schedule of each other. Missed so many bands because they all played at same times. Would go again.

This place is amazing, band was great and what made it even more special is their bartender Kendra. Extremely friendly and makes killer drinks!! Thanks girl!

This is a really, really solid venue for up and coming artists. They can accommodate a wide variety of talent! My friend and his band performed and I was helping out a load in load out etc. staff were easy to work with and nice. And I got to meet Rachel Platten who went on after and some of her hardcore fans as I guess this was her first show in awhile! Cool experience. I liked the green room as well.

Female bartender working 2/9/2023 in the main stage had a POWERTRIP and believed that she had the right to "shush" us. An escalated exchange of words were exchanged between the female bartender and my friend, and then the situation was deescalated. We continued to enjoy the performance the rest of the night however @ approximately 1:30 AM the female bartender decided to throw out the last bit of professionalism that she had out the window and decided to pass by our party and leer at my friend with such intimidation that we didn't feel safe anymore and decided to vacate the venue to avoid any further conflict. This final interaction took place in the lobby bar area right outside of the doors that lead into the main stage bar. Please review surveillance footage and use this opportunity to train this associate. This type of behavior isn't tolerable and honestly leaves a bad taste on Hotel Cafe. Each associate is a representation of the establishment and accountability should definitely be on the agenda.

I have been coming to the Hotel Cafe since 2009, before I even lived in Los Angeles. I have been here as a patron, merch person, and tour manager. Hotel Cafe will go down in history as one of my favorite venues. The size of the venue and acoustics are GREAT. I've been to so many smaller places that are totally fine with a musician overpowering the space which makes the listening experience pure trash. Hotel Cafe knows what they're doing. This is a great place to hear a big artist with a stripped down set. AND it's a phenomenal place to discover new artists. I also wanted to post this review today to give a special thank you to the person called Michael Moon that works there. SO helpful, kind, patient, informative, and working well beyond his job description. I sincerely hope you all consider giving him a raise or promotion or a bunch of paid time off. Really fantastic individual to have on your staff - knowledgeable to the point that seems to have been working there a very long time!

Love the intimate atmosphere here!!! We had the opportunity to see Clark Beckham up close and personal which was an amazing experience! The bar, the lighting, and the sound was all perfect! There aren't a lot of chairs and tables, so many had to stand, but it didn't seem to be a problem. We made it in time to catch two songs by an artist I never heard of before, Anna Dellaria, which was spectacular...we are now fans and followers!!!! I'm hoping Hailey Reinhardt & Casey Abrams return, so I can make it to see them too! Lots of parking options fairly close and tons of dining options surrounding the cafe.

Disclosure: This was my first time visiting a Hollywood club. My brother would say that I live a too-sheltered life in the suburbs. I'm actually okay with that! I do enjoy live music, though. Finding music venues on the fly, without planning ahead to get tickets to a set event can be challenging. We went through an array of possibilities, without much success, in The Valley last Saturday night. We ended up going to Hollywood to this location that my brother knew from a previous visit. Parking nearby is non-existent. We ended up several blocks away in a flat fee lot. There is a well-lit alley leading to the off-street entrance of this club. You almost need to know the way, or be guided, the first time. Cost us a $13 cover to get in. That allows you to access two different rooms inside, plus a small lounge area that joins them both. The side I liked was the smaller, more intimate one. Presenting a showcase for young singer-songwriter artists, many of the crowd seemed to be followers of the acts, and perhaps family and friends, as well. Don't expect to maintain much personal space. Its tight quarters in the dark room. There's some seating. Your best bet to get a table and chairs is to wait for the acts to change over each hour. There's a bar at the side of the room, opposite the stage. Most of the patrons are 20 and 30-somethings. Our group of four definitely skewed the demographics, along with the parental supporters of a band of musicians who didn't look old enough to drink/ barely old enough to drive and vote. They brought a lot of energy and managed to squeeze 7 of themselves on a tiny stage. The other room had a cover band, which was playing at high volume in a crowded space. Passed on that!

Went to see Lloyiso on June 22nd. Loved the atmosphere. Staff was courteous and reliable. Had an awesome time. If you're attending an event here, I recommend you get here early as seating is limited. I appreciated how responsive Hotel Cafe staff was when I had questions regarding seating. It was an awesome time.

This is my all-time favorite venue in LA. The atmosphere is so intimate. You really feel like you're alone with the artist that's performing. This past visit was the first time I got to experience a show at the second stage. As always, the Hotel Cafe did t disappoint. I felt like Ari Hest was playing a show for me and my friend alone. It's dimly lit with only a few candles and minimal light, so not to distract from the artist. Friendly staff and good drinks. I'm with this venue for the long Hall. I guess my only request would be a few more chairs, as spots fill up pretty quickly, and people save seats. Parking in the lot is super reasonable at $10 in the heart of Hollywood. I can't say enough great things about this venue. I've been coming here for more than 10 years, and I intend to keep coming back!

Love this place. Get there early for a seat in this small venue with mostly standing room but every act is great. Always a fun time. Full bar. No food.

Watched my friend play here a few nights ago and was surprised with how TINY the space was. There are two stages so I assume there are two shows going on at once. Also, I think there are 3 bars inside. There's the waiting room bar, then a bar in each of the stage rooms. The stage itself is suuuper small too. I think there was only room for 3-4 people to play comfortably with enough space but there was a group with 6 people up there so... anything is possible lol. There are also a limited number of chairs and tables available so many people end up standing in the back. I think it was $10 for entrance and if you buy your tickets online, there's a service charge.

Saw Gavin Degraw here with the girls. My first time and it was very cool. The atmosphere. The intimate setting. Loved it!!

Went here for a friends show and the parking was very difficult to find but expected for the area. The staff were friendly. It was nice that they offered payment via Venmo. Seemed pretty clean inside.

Very cool night spot to see an artist/musician. Small venues dark and eclectic. Very hip and trendy with a pulse. We got to see one of my favorite artists Anya Marina and her voice accompanied by here guitar filled the room. Great acoustics in this room. Be aware it is very small and you will most likely have standing room. Great nice of music

Super cute little hole in the wall with great ambiance :) I suggest going here for a night of beautiful tunes and LA priced drinks

Absolutely loved this venue. There were two or three different things going on all of them. Interesting and fabulous. I saw Tiny Habits here and they were amazing in the audience was very respectful.

Recently came to Hotel Cafe for the first time when going to see the Songwriters in the Round show which is held on the first Wednesday of the month. I love how intimate of a venue this is! I have been twice now. The bar is great, the staff is super friendly, and the music is always great! Extra points for a very clean restroom! I can't wait to come back next month!

Really enjoyed this venue. I like the old school New York vibe it gives. Parking was easy. Staff were friendly. Will definitely be back.

This is the best venue in Los Angeles to see up and coming singer-songwriters. The booker only books the best talent.

Great place to catch entertainment in a small venue! Enjoyed seeing The Young Fables!

Hotel Cafe seems to be one of the last venues around where the music is truly held sacred. If you've been to a concert in the last few years, you know that audiences have gotten exceptionally annoying about taking photos (even selfies!) and videos during sets so that you no longer see the stage but instead iPhone screens blocking your view. That's not the case at Hotel Cafe, where audiences vibe the old fashioned way: they just want to listen to the live music. They're not capturing it on their phones or texting with friends. They're polite and captive. Hotel Cafe draws singer-songwriters who haven't yet made it big but are on their way. It's the perfect place to catch a small intimate performance by some amazing artists and shows are as cheap as $10 for a ticket. I recently watched my favorite male singer-songwriter, Matt Hires, play here. During his whole set, everyone was just sitting or standing, engaged with the musician and the phones never came out. I saw one or two people take one picture for a moment, but that was about it. This is such a rare thing at a show nowadays that I had to write about it here. TIP: really nice that you have in-and-out privileges here as they stamp your hand and let you leave and come back if you need to. TIP 2: there is a parking lot about a block away that was only $5 when I went on a recent Sunday night.