Los Angeles has A LOT of local talent and smaller music venues bring their shows to life! Here are some of the best places you can find them:
The Sardine: a new addition to the south bay rock tradition
The South Bay Or ‘harbor area’ has grown some of the the most recognized names in rock and punk history. From Sublime to Blackflag, locals take pride in their Rock n’ Roll hall of famers.
Punk rock, with its upbeat and slam dance, lives on is a growing venue in town; The Sardine, in San Pedro, was founded around 2019-2020. This electric venue has a diverse crowd and offers an up-close experience with many talented artists. Offering performances showcasing punk rock and rock and roll, the Sardine carrys on the south Los Angeles legacy.
Recently, bands such as Clown Sounds, FYP, Slaughterhouse, Coma Twins, Tables Turned, among many others, have turned up the volume at “The Dean”, as the locals like to call it.
Ryan, a Sardine bartender and sound tech plays in multiple local bands as a drummer or singer. When asked which band he preferred to play in, he replied that he “likes them all, but is excited to bring some country music to “The Dean” in summer 2023 with his group The Golden West.”
Pro Tip: Ask for the sardine special: a can of sardines with saltine crackers.
Lick N’ Dip: all night underground playground
Nothing describes ‘Local Los Angeles Music’ better than one word.. “Variety”. Things move, people change; that’s why you got to stay up with local promoters. You can find any type of music in LA and it is pretty obvious to anyone looking from the outside in.
Lick N’ Dip is a raver’s best friend. If you are into EDM, Dubstep or any type of electronic dance music you have to Follow and Like Lick N’ Dip, on Instagram @lickndipevents. Shows at Lick N’ Dip Venues are always lively and full of entertainment. This local rave scene obsession spans from West Hollywood to Downtown LA. Collaborating with local businesses they host at a variety of spaces that are dynamic and immersive with lots of lights and heavy bass. You can find events anywhere from East LA to the West side.
The Viper Room: ‘Sunset’s after Sunset’
Established by actor Johnny Depp, The Viper Room is a legendary Sunset Strip venue known for its rock and alternative music. It has hosted both well-known bands and up-and-coming acts. Its intimate setting provides an immersive experience.
The Viper room is one of LA’s best known small music venues, and it definitely lives up to its name. Depending on the night, lines can stretch around the strip for the best acts.
The downstairs has a bar, and sometimes hosts lowkey performances by singers sitting next to the bar. it is something that is scaled back for about a dozen or so listeners.
Upstairs they have a full bar with a large stage and plenty of space. There are some booths lining the walls. Floating about the Viper Room you have a good chance of a great time. For this reason, stop by for a drink and connect with the artists!
The Gaslite: The Karoke Island
Situated in Santa Monica, The Gaslite is a historic music venue that has been entertaining audiences since the 1960s. The venue’s classic decor and an intimate atmosphere provide a unique experience for lovers of jazz, blues, rock, and just about whatever.. the fun doesn’t stop with any genre.. from 6 PM to 2AM nightly anyone in line takes the stage to sing anything from classic rock to hip hop. Talk about hard work!
Throughout the years, the Gaslite has become a staple of Mid-City Santa Monica and is regularly visited by locals and tourist alike. A surprise visit was recently seen by pop start Jewel to the bar, when she got on stage and sang to an unsuspecting crowd.
Pro Tip: Sing the fan favorites, the crowd will go wild!
What is exciting about the Gaslite is the staff, who are regulars on stage and in the action. One thing that can be sure is locals swear by The Gaslite.
Alex's Bar: Just Neighborly Love
Best vibe award goes to this place. Seriously the whole place is dancin’ with the jitter bug from the time the doors open! Located in Long Beach, Alex's Bar is a beloved music venue that showcases both local talent and renowned acts. With its dive bar ambiance and rock 'n' roll vibe, it has become a go-to spot for live music enthusiasts in the area.
Best Night Out: Hopping into an 80s disco night. Groovy and breaking it down like it’s the last night on Earth!
Alex’s bar seems like a great spot for all types of interests. There is plenty of seating inside and outside and can host a lot of people.
A sardine Perspective: Collin Shotz Shares his experieNCE
During our discovery of the Sardine, we sat down to ask a few questions about this local music scene with Collin Shotz, @collinshotzzz on Instagram.
Andrew: “Why is The Sardine important to you?”
Collin: “The Sardine represents an incredibly important home for live performance for a few different reasons. The opening of a truly independent venue in the “punk” scene has allowed for amazing shows several nights a week. Other venues don’t have this volume or the range of musical styles. Here, you will see the influence the veteran touring musicians who opened the bar/venue have. This ever-present music culture is what they wanted to bring to life and they achieved even more than this. With lots of Show Bills and portraits displaying the rock and roll legends of the South Bay around the building, you see the importance of this town’s music history. Adding in the great atmosphere of the bar and the customers who support it, everyone is a crucial part of the picture.
The city of San Pedro embraces the legacy of its musical heroes and as follows, a devoted fan base stands behind this growing venue with deep local pride. This type of venue is not seen anywhere else in Los Angeles. It’s kind of like a best kept secret in that way. The Sardine seems to grow and mold on its own with more shows, word of mouth, and a unique, down to earth, accepting environment.”
Andrew: ”So, we all grew up going to Warped Tour and listening to Blink 182. With Billboard saying Hip Hop is now music’s most popular genre, do you think rock and punk is going through a revitalization in Los Angeles or mainstream music?”
Collin: “You could say that all types of music saw a resurgence of appreciation after the pandemic. Punk and independent artists pushing genre barriers has been the lifeblood of local scenes for many years. However, venues like the Sardine cement the role of hosting these fans and talents. Their goal is to promote music more than anything else. Anybody who loves live music knows the type of positive energy these nights can give us. It’s special -- and it’s far removed from the saturation of the mainstream side of LA’s music industry.”
Andrew: “How do you see San Pedro growing as a music hub?”
Collin: “San Pedro can do a lot of the same DIY and community-based events as other bigger towns. Without the craziness of being closer to downtown LA or Hollywood, it stands out as being different. It’s straight forward and hardworking as a music scene can get, much like its town residents. Thanks to bars like the Sardine, Harold’s Place and Brouwerij West, great live shows are not hard to find. There is a wonderful variety that will continue to grow as more people realize the hidden gem of San Pedro and its music scene.”
Special Thanks all contributors!
Author: @druwbie
