The Living Room

"Don’t overlook the magic of this longtime South LA haunt. Stationed next to Chef Marilyn’s on the border of Jefferson Park and West Adams, the Living Room keeps the vibe chill as DJs spin old-school grooves. Make sure to swing by on Sunday nights when a jazz band performs the blues." - Eater Staff

"True to its name, The Living Room doesn’t have much space—more of a corridor than an actual room, this Mid City jazz club hosts blues jams, vocalists, and pop-up barbershop quartets. It’s a super casual bar in South LA where you can walk in on a random weekday, grab a couple of beers, and watch as regulars go up and grab the microphone with the confidence of Etta James in 1989. " - kat hong, nikko duren, brant cox

"When you think of the great LA dive bars, The Living Room doesn’t always come to mind. But this dime-sized drinking spot located right around the corner from Johnny’s Pastrami in West Adams is a must-visit. There’s a doorbell you have to ring to get into this tiny place, and there’s usually a full crowd listening to the blues on a jukebox inside. It’s the kind of laid-back spot where you can actually have a conversation—unless you’re here on a Friday or Saturday night when the small stage is dominated  by karaoke performances. " - nikko duren

"When you think of the great LA dive bars, The Living Room doesn’t always come to mind. But this dime-sized drinking spot located right around the corner from Johnny’s Pastrami in West Adams is a must-visit. There’s a doorbell you have to ring to get into this tiny place, and there’s usually a full crowd listening to the blues on a jukebox inside. It’s the kind of laid-back spot where you can actually have a conversation—unless you’re here on a Friday or Saturday night when the small stage is dominated by karaoke performances." - Nikko Duren

"Some bar owners are making creative pivots to find business. “Bars that are solely bars, with no restaurant attached, have to come up with ideas to make stuff work,” says Susan Carnel, who has owned the Living Room in Los Angeles since 2017." - Nick Mancall-Bitel