David C.
Yelp
I've come here now for one comedy show and four or five punk or metal concerts, and it's a nice small space. A great place to see a band, because of the compact size of the place. They also have a pizza place and an extra bar attached to the venue outside of the security entrance area. For the most part I have had no problem finding affordable $15 parking about a block and a half away, however when I went to see Black Flag last month I have to say it was like "Escape From New York" walking that block. Pimps getting aggressive with working girls, drug dealers in doorways, and crazy people jumping in front of moving cars and chasing bicyclists and women up and down the streets. It is always sleazy in DTLA, but this area around The Regent seems to be degenerating exponentially.
They used to be General Admission with a few seats upstairs along the front rails for VIPs or people who wanted to pay a small upgrade. That has changed. Now, if you order your tickets online, you can buy an upgrade to sit on three rows of bleachers upstairs or at some tables on the side of the ground floor. Upstairs is $10 pp and downstairs is $20 pp. If you can get downstairs, buy in advance. You will see this will raise the price of your ticket a little bit in addition to the upgrade fee. But those seats are worth it. The bleachers upstairs, that used to be first come first served are not. The slabs you sit on are rock hard wood planks probably on cement. Your butt and legs will hurt. Also, your feet will be crushed by people's butts in front of you. They keep people from walking in front of the bleachers to get to the bar - they have to go around - but then the same guards who are on this like hawks turn a blind eye when some drunks get up and stand at the guardrail blocking the sightline for the people who are sitting on the bleachers and paid an upgrade. This is super annoying. Downstairs, they tell you that you have to order your drinks and food from a waitress and there is a mandatory 20% tip applied. They don't tell you that there is a 20% tip applied to the $20 upgrade fee. Like WTH? I don't know if how the 20% works when you order the upgrade online in advance, as the one show I did this upgrade downstairs I did at the show cause there were available tables. I also think you have to be a minimum of 2 to get a table downstairs, but I could be wrong. Drinks and food are overpriced, like all places, but the waitresses and bartenders are friendly. I hate that every bar has the same 5 canned beers. Obviously the people that run most of the clubs must have a contract with them.
Otherwise, in addition to the intimate setting, the sound is good, and the ground upgrade area allows you to see over the crowd if there is going to be a lot of moshing and pits. I recommend the place for a concert, but get ready for a bizarre experience getting from your car to the venue and back again after the show. Oh, and for comedy shows, they put up folding chairs and have assigned seating.