Went here on Monday and had a great time! I felt like a giant hipster but, hey, that's okay. My only complaint (and why I'm not giving it 4 stars) here is that they poured my Jameson-Ginger way too weak. It seemed like I was drinking straight ginger ale and, yo, that ain't cool since I paid a pretty hefty amount for it. They allow indoor smoking which is great/bad (depends on how uptight you are about that). read more

I'm sure this is a fun venue to see your friends band play, however, the seating/stage set-up is not the greatest as majority of the space is being used to house tables and chairs and I believe even a few stools - wasted space, hard to get the crowd going when there are so many obstacles in the way. That being said, this establishment needs to step-up it's customer service. I'm not asking for the royal treatment, but if it's no cover until 10p, don't hold the line and scam those who came early enough to get in prior, I'm talking a smooth 30-45 mins prior. While I'm no stranger to lines and having to wait, it doesn't help with the "bouncer"/"doorman" is full of tonal rage at those waiting. Would HIGHLY suggest a new security team that knows what they're doing so that the line doesn't get restless/annoyed - which could be EASILY be solved with simple and NON AGGRESSIVE communication. Likely won't be back, but good luck to all who try to watch their friends perform, may or may not be worth it. read more

I really liked this place. I visited with some friends on a Tuesday nite and we had a great time. Fun people, good bartenders, nice music, chill atmosphere. And even while a bit pricey, drinks weren't obscenely overpriced like they could have been. But that all gets taken away by their total d-bag policy. In a bonehead end-of-nite move, I left my card at the bar. I clearly remember signing for my tab, paying cash for the tip, and then evidently discussing rainbows and unicorns or whatever else I was doing besides putting my card back in my wallet. I admit it, I was dumb. It was Friday at the ATM trying to deposit a paycheck when I realized I must have left it behind. First I checked my bank's iPhone app to make sure it hadn't been used in the meantime, then checked the Yelp app to find the number for Bardot. Being close by I figured I'd just make a quick detour, feel like an idiot for a second, and then be along on my merry weekend. Wrong. The girl on the phone informed me that they put cards in the safe when they're left behind. Cool, pretty standard. Then she informed me that the department who handles the safe only works Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fuck you, NOT STANDARD. Somehow I talked her into realizing this was completely ridiculous, then she shuffled through a drawer and told me that she did in fact have a box of cards there, but they were all from Avalon. Ok, I called the number for "Bardot" and when she answered she said "Bardot" but she has a box of cards from Avalon, and none from "Bardot"?? Should I call the Avalon number and ask them if they have the cards for Bardot? (hey, I might actually try that in a sec) F this place. I'm straight. The "only" (lie) time they can open the safe is when I'm at work (how do you think I pay for those drinks?). I'm NOT taking time off work for this and it will be faster to have my bank send me a new card. Nice policy, cocksuckers. read more

Place isn't bad. Sometimes good DJs and the layout is solid. Love the semi outdoor space etc. Partygoer crowd is hit and miss with a lot of rocker losers lately but hey, it's Hollywood. Drinks are nothing special either. read more

Came here Sunday night for Banana Split Sundaes w/ a girl & guy. Since it's supposed to be low key I didn't dress like a complete [insert derogatory word here]. There was a line at 10 and it took about 15-20 minutes to get in. They were picking all (well almost all) of the girls out of the line. The promoter/door guy that works for Dim Mak made my friend take off his hat and jacket. I thought that was funny [haha] yet lame since it specifically says on their myspace (http://www.myspace.com/bananasplitsundaes) that there's no dress code. But they were letting us in so how much could we complain? I felt sorry for the groups of guys ahead of us... And then you get in and there's no one there, surprise surprise. At first no one was dancing and then people would intermittently dance and then stop, sit and stare. But I had fun! The music was good. Didn't get packed til 11:15/30ish. The drinks were muyyyyyy expensive. Pre-drink in your car, people. ;-) read more

I came here to watch a punk show, Trash Talk, a while back and was caught a little off guard. I had trouble getting in because I didn't have the secret password or have any females in my group. Now this is the stuff I don't really mind when I'm going to some elitist, indie club. However, I was coming for a punk show, so just let me in. Funny thing is I liked the vibe inside, and also the music (Arcade Fire, Passion Pit, Phoenix, etc...). I would probably come again at some point. Perhaps don't throw punk shows anymore? Or if you do, throw your indie/club rules out the window? I went with a few friends who aren't into the whole indie scene, but the vegan/straight edge/punk scene, and they didn't understand the password and male/female ratio stuff. It was quite a curveball for them. read more

I've been here twice now- once for an evening concert and today for a Sunday burlesque and jazz brunch. The space is really lovely, with a good number of tables and couch seating available. During the concert the place really filled up- but never to the point that it felt uncomfortably crowded. The band playing was quite good, though the acoustics were not the best on that particular night. Also, a lot of people were smoking- the venue allows smoking indoors (yuck) so a lot of the night was spent dodging secondhand smoke. The burlesque brunch, however, was fantastic- this was the first one they have hosted and it was so impressive and fun. Great jazz (and acoustics), great singers, and lovely, talented dancers. Small crowd, which was nice because everyone had a good seat. If they do more burlesque brunches I would strongly recommend them. Perfect for a birthday or a date with an open minded person! Parking sucks- it is Hollywood, after all. read more

Just had my 30th bday party at Bardot. AMAZING!! James the GM was exceptional. The space is amazing, the service goes above and beyond expectations. Rage- the head of security was so great with us and even gave us a tour of Bardot before we confirmed the party. You can't go wrong having your event here or just coming in for one of their event nights. read more

A daunting line presided over the entrance, but as my friend Mark and I were with three very glamourous friends, one of which seemed to know one of the guys running things, it was natuarally very easy to get in! I loved the vibe of Bardot. Once inside the bohemian decorated entrance I was once more outside and into the courtyard. The covered outdoor area deals with the smokers well - almost to the point that you don't care if you are in the smokers section or not. Through the gap in the awning I could see the Capitol Records building, which was majestic on a warm SoCal evening. The dance floor was heaving to point of clautrophobia, so my time spent dancing was all of one track before we once again adjurned to the outdoor area. I must say, my experience was based largely on the company I was in rather than the place itself. Nonetheless, I can not imagine a better backdrop to spend time with some of the most dear people in my life. Happy days! read more

I came with a friend a couple of weeks ago to catch Quadron for School Night on Mondays.The minute I walked in, I fell in love with the venue. Yes, it's SMALL but it makes for an intimate show! The lighting, atmosphere and even the crowd were perfect. The semi-open roof was a nice touch so it didn't feel too stuffy inside. Only downside with that is people were allowed to smoke inside :/ Get here early for School Night if you're serious about catching a band! Quadron was set to go on at 11:30pm but we decided to come in a bit before 9pm and got the best view--center of the raised "balcony". Around 9:30-9:45pm, it became PACKED. I love how there isn't any cover for School Night and the drinks were decently priced too. Free + Awesome Atmosphere + 15 ft. away from one of my favorite bands = One of the best concert experiences I've ever had. read more

When it comes to Hollywood, you can be in your golden prime and still feel ancient as you come to realize that the "new" club/ bar/ hotspot that everyone is talking about is actually the same joint you were in the know about a last year, but with a new name and fresh upholstery. Goodbye Spider Club, hello Bardot. Although I can't say either made much of a statement. A friend was in town and only had a few days in LA, so somehow someone mentioned going to Bardot. I had not yet been since I didn't have any reason to go to the renovated Spider Club (which in the past was basically after hours for the cracked-out), but every place deserves another chance after it goes through the Hollywood rebirth. Plus, I must admit I enjoyed the idea of a place that actually uses a password; if you know the password of the night you get to surpass the line and get in for free. Sadly this wasn't very useful when I arrived, as there was no wait at 10:30 that night. Upon entering, the place was empty, the music was low, and the lights were dim. Interior was improved but not memorable; still dark and smoky, so what difference did it really make? The drinks were average price and strength for Hollywood, there were a few places to sit, music sounded like iTunes on shuffle, and there was a band playing at one point that was entertaining but forgettable. Overall just average. Nothing bad, but nothing special or memorable. Well, nothing special about the venue... but the people. Ooh goodness the people. I must have completely missed the honeymoon period on this place, because the crowd was strange, even for Hollywood. Very mixed crowd in terms of race, age, and fashion sense. One woman looked like she came from the Kentucky derby (complete with sunhat and gloves), another man in short shorts with a tshirt cut into a tank top and a vest. If it weren't for the people watching, this place would have been 2 stars, so +1 for an interesting crowd! Final note: BEWARE THE STAIRS! I am clumsy to begin with, but throw in high heels and wet stairs, and your night will end as early as mine. I fell, hard, actually tumbling down the steps. Security just shined a light, told me I was bleeding, and blankly stared off into the distance. Back to 2 stars: -1 for evil stairs and apathetic security. read more

I am writing particularly about the Mr. Black night specifically, which is on Tuesdays. This is my FAVORITE night of the week because it is pure fun! If you like to see artistic people, beautiful models, guys dressed as Gaga who kinda make you go GAGA - this is "the" place to go. The class act/gentleman, Luke Nero's creation is fun, imaginative, and the best place to people watch in Hollywood! They have an open complimentary vodka bar if you get there early even though I usually opt for my more tame kir royale. This scene is so different and so magical - it will make you feel like you are at a Studio 54 built for the year 2015. Unless I am out of town or have projectile vomiting, I am seeing Mr. Black every Tuesday night! Thank you Luke for taking me to Dream Land each and every Tuesday. Oh, and the venue (Bardot) is not too shabby. read more

To what was Spider Club to Bardot... Kudos to the new owner for this venue. I always knew it had potential to be a classy joint. Now it is. Nice vibe, crowd, decor, various live music performances in the large patio area, no ridiculous bottle-required booths because it's on a first come first serve basis, pretty cocktail servers... Basically how Hollywood SHOULD BE. The only teeth grinding aspect is the Hollywood priced drinks and the $20-40 parking depending on the night. I would park in the lot one block east of Vine which charges $10. read more

Oh Hollywood, even on a Sunday you got to be so fake! False advertising all over the flyers, some guy picking who gets ahead of the line, and haters on the dance floor. We were about to throw down before leaving the place but then my friend decided to back down so we just walked out. So I'm the guy who had to take off my coat and hat to get into the club. I HAD TO DRESS DOWN TO GET IN? Also once I got in 50 guys had hats and coats? WTF? While the decor is nice the row of LED lighting cheapened the look of the place. The lighting effect was great but event hotels hide those type of can light fixtures into the decor. (like the roosvelt) read more

I love this venue! Used to come to "School Night" when I lived in the area awhile back. Very cool and they have a lot of really amazing artists rolling through. Bartenders were okay, always very busy...security was nice. Lots of fun little rooms and spaces to sit, stand, people watch or lurk. Hahaha Parking was surprisingly easy most of the time considering the area. read more

I have only ever been to Bardot on a monday night, but I have a feeling that this is one of the better nights. Don't bother turning up until at least 11 though, it is like a ghost town before. Although if you do get here early, you stand a chance of being able to ask DJ Ryan Gosling if he will spin one of your favourite choons. Speaking of which, Mr Gosling pleasantly surprised me with his choice of music - rather than generic house, he spins Motown, the best bits of the 80's - The Cure, Prince to name a few, with some of the best recent tunes. He mangages to get all the cool, louche beautiful people to throw themselves around like loons with his set list. If that acting thing doesn't work out he can always make this his full time gig. I love that this place is divided into two sections - so you can either groove to the DJ or head into the main room which puts on a live band (watch out for the go - go dancers contorting their bodies around you while the band plays). Right now, this is one of the best places to spend a Monday night. Of course, this is H'Wood, so that will probably all change next month, so get down here while it's still hot. read more

Mr. Black tuesdays!! ahhh, i loved it. the music was good, no cover..well i got there at 12 and we didnt get charged but heard theres an open bar, which we didnt make it to. Awesome lounge area, a big crowded but it was overall good. Will come back and try the other nights. read more

So, i'm cheap. mainly because i don't get paid much. and i wouldn't say that this place is cheap. but then again it's hollywood, and as with most things in hollywood, there are things that you may not enjoy *cough pretentiousness cough* but will probably have to put up with if you plan on staying. i guess it's what you pay for the celebrity sightings. BUT WHAT I DON'T EXPECT IS SOMEONE TAKING A DUMP ON THE DANCEFLOOR!!! seriously people, that is neither sanitary nor is it kosher. who does that? WHOOO?! i had gone to see bret mckenzie guest dj, and instead i get 2 nostrils full of human-feces stench. lemme tell you, it was putrid. this person's insides musta been rotting. i'm not sure where it is that they decided to do their deed, but it was somewhere in the room up the stairs, where the dancing and dj-ing happens. so naturally, everyone came pouring out of that room, noses a-plugged. and poor bret kept on dj-ing. i couldn't stop laughing from the sheer ridiculous-ness of the situation. oh the audacity! only in hollywood.... read more

This lounge has it all, class, swanky decor, a comfortable ambiance, friendly staff and attracts good looking people(obviously one of the most important factors!). I went last Monday and saw Two Door Cinema Club perform for free! All I had to do was RSVP at http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/ They also have some appetizers where are mildly priced but not so fantastic... I dont know what I was expecting from the fried artichoke hearts but would not try them again. Also, before going to Bardot I had a drink across the street at Dillons where they valet for $5 with proof of purchase. It was pretty exciting to park so cheap of Hollywood! Overall, I had an amazing experience at this bar and will definitely be going back. read more

This is definitely in my list of top favorite bars. Everyone is so fashion forward and its always a party there. I love the decor, atmosphere and music. It always delivers. I have only ever been there on Wednesdays nights. La Boum is definitely the place to be. .. At free cover and cheap drinks you get to dance and mingle with people 21-35 . there is plenty of seating and free drinks if you know where to find them :) all in all this is my favorite Wednesday night location. read more

Monday's best night in LA for live musical discoveries. Where I first saw Hozier and Eagle Rock Gospel Singers. RSVP at School Nights KCRW. Arrive early. $10 parking. Bring $ to get band's goodies and support honest music. DJs are good, sometimes ok, I still feel people could dance more in LA. Venga VengaDJing at school night is my dream, maybe one day my brazilian boys spin some records here. read more

I'm not typically so Hollywood to go to hip places like this establishment, but a friend invited us to see a band, and we went along -- I don't know if we'd ever be able to get in again, but asking for the band seems to do the trick if you happen to know what local indie act is playing. Also, don't expect any of the many Avalon bouncers to have any idea what you're talking about. Just head to the entrance on the far right side of the club. When we got there, there was no line and no doorman in sight, but after standing at that imposing velvet rope for a few moments, someone came over. We asked for the band (Andy Clockwise, good new group), and the guy gave asked, "Just you two?" We sort of looked around since we were really the only people within 20 feet, and said "yes," and he let us in. We walked up a flight of stairs and arrived at the luxe patio. There was draped fabric overhead providing an awning, neat architectural details like arched doorways, and pretty globe light fixtures lining the walls. It wasn't too crowded and there were plenty of couches to sit on, and the DJ was playing an eclectic mix of indie and old-school songs. We hung out for a bit, mostly people-watching -- there were some really intriguing fashion statements going on. We saw a girl wearing a fur hat, another one wearing a wool winter hat with ear flaps, and a rather startling number of men dressed as nerds, with suspenders and giant plastic glasses. We also saw Harland Williams. He walked by me and said something like "Pardon me darling" as he made his way to the bar. There was also a Pussycat Doll present (don't ask me which one) and plenty of tragically trendy looking types all set to make you feel insecure about your weight and fashion sense. There were also a slew of people tying way too hard, wearing things like leather pants. I don't know why people do that to themselves. If you're going to see a band, be sure to hang out on the patio because otherwise you'll be closed off in the other room and totally miss the show. The acoustics aren't fantastic, but you will be right up next to the band as there's no stage -- they just play in the center of the room. Anyway, if you can get in and you're looking for a scene, it's a place to check out. read more

Bardot was a spot that I had always wanted to check out, and finally did the other week. I won my way in on Kevin & Bean's Singles Night and it was prefect because it was just the right amount of people in the space. We've all come to expect $10-12 drinks at clubs, but man does it suck paying it. We played it smart and pre-partied a bit before heading down, but still managed to spend enough money here -- enough that could feed an entire 3rd world country for yearrrrs! You don't expect a swank club that has a retractable rooftop since they are usually reserved for stadiums, right? Well Bardot has it! Once you get inside, the lower level is open to the sky, which made it nice and airy inside and not too hot. In a city full of swank clubs, this one stood out from the rest. read more

Sooo amazingly good!!! I usually come for their Mr. Black event on Tuesday nights. It's called Mr. Black because of a special individual ;] hahaha Very cool place. First the place sits on top of the famous Avalon. The place also has lots of places to chill out when you need a break from dancing AND the mezzanine area looks soooo pretty. The music is hella crazy! If you love house and electro euro pop...then this is your place to be. Consider Bardot on Tuesday nights to be a spot that should be in West Hollywood...but definitely belongs within the borders of the notorious Hollywood scene =] So be sure to sharpen up your whacking and vogueing moves. ALSO....no cover?! open bar?! (only during a certain time period...which I'm not telling because you have to find out for yourself!!!! ;]) This is definitely a place I will be frequenting every week. Enjoy. and of course *cheers* =] read more

I've been here a few times, but I recently went for School Night and loved the environment. It's a completely free concert, and we were able to see the Submarines and a couple of other bands that I really enjoyed. Looking through the artists from the past weeks, it's an awesome way to find new bands before they go to Coachella. The atmosphere is really low key, and drink prices can add up quickly. I tried to think of my seven dollar beer as a seven dollar concert ticket, which is right around the price for LiveNation charges. Metered parking isn't impossible since it's a Monday night. If you're looking for a free fun night Hollywood style, this is it. read more

Went here just yesterday for the first time to see LP play a show for it's A School Night. It was definitely a nice and cool experience even though the venue was small. I RSVP'd and there was no cover charge if you were 21+ but my girlfriend got ID'd and because she was 20 she got charged $10. It wouldn't have been so bad if I didn't notice the rather bitchy attitude of two of the workers. I get it from the bouncer because he's not supposed to be nice but the girl getting the money seemed annoyed of working at the place when all she did was handle money. In any case, past this deterrent (which is the only reason why it's not a 4 star) the place was pretty intimate for a show. Drinks were pricey but I don't buy drinks at bars that I'm solely there to see a show so I didn't spend any money on that. My friend got a small, whiskey-sized drink for $10, so that's pricey but whatever, it's LA. Parking was expensive ($20) next door but I heard from a friend that you can get $15 a few blocks away. Overall the venue has a nice feel and nice crowd. No audience member was rude and the sound quality is not awesome but nice enough for a club venue. I would definitely return here to see other free bands in the future, hopefully some good ones! Just avoid the bitchy lady if you're 18-20. read more

This is a really cool space, albeit small. Love coming here for "School Night!" on Mondays for free KCRW shows and Tues for Mr Blacks for a Tues night outing. Drinks are relatively expensive here. If you get the Skull vodka, watch out for the high price tag for a mediocre vodka. What I dislike the most about this place is that the open area, which is also the area where most people congregate, is a smoking area. So watch out for the smokers that blow in your face while you're there standing for over an hour reserving your spot to watch a show on Mondays! read more

One of my European girl friends, introduced me to Bardot about a month ago. It's by far my favorite night spot in Hollywood!! The crowd is a younger trendy/artsy & very chill ... the guys who come here don't act like the male vultures you find at other typical hollywood venues. It's very beautiful atmosphere, theatre meets lounge, with romantic lighting, and usually they have live music in one room on stage, and a dj in the other... good for dancing. Best nights are Thursday night & Saturday night. Usually doesn't have a line (the huge line is for Avalon), but you may have to be on a list for some nights. If you've never been there it can be tricky to find since it is through a small opening to the right of Avalon.... so be careful or you might miss it. read more

Bardot - Live Band at Bardot Hollywood - Lounges Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Host of KCRW's "School Night!" a free weekly concert series every Monday night. I love the intimacy of the venue; no matter where you stand you are never more than 30 feet from the main act. Note, I have never been there for anything but the School Night concerts. Pros: Great intimate venue, free entry to the School Night series. Cons: Due to intimacy, it gets pretty crowded inside. Also, this is Hollywood, so the parking costs money and the drinks are quite steep. Also, the venue allows smoking since it is technically open air. Technically. NOTE: They do not allow open-toed flats or sandals inside for safety reasons. Overall, come for the free show, bring some decent cash if you plan on drinking. read more

I love school night but they have to get better bouncers. They hold the line till 10pm to make you pay. What a scam. Don't waste your time.

Enjoyable. Dig the 'outdoor' patio out back with the tented roof. Reminiscent of Les Deux, without the excess trash. Other than that, classy, but unmemorable. read more

With a little bit of liquor and good company, this place was actually really fun. Came on a Friday night. The venue is a bit small, with one room upstairs and one downstairs, and some lounge tables around. The music was alright but the people were all friendly and looking for a good night. The only thing is parking is $20 - eeek! read more

Beautiful setting. Classy, sophisticated crowd. The place is hidden in between the crevices of that horrible God-forsaken institution called avalon. A couple of my friends and I went on a Saturday night. We got in even though they said that we had to have reservations. If you're dressed classy with a twinkle in your eye, you can get in. Definitely not your typical blonde, orange tan, asphyxiating shirt/dress crowd. Dimly light, beautiful decorations. Gave me a Moroccan feeling to it. Nice plush velvet couches all around. Seating everywhere. Place got pretty crowded pretty fast. You can have dinner here as well, but mostly people were there for drinks. It has two floors, the bottom was mostly for dinner or private parties. Live music, a little dance floor for shaking your backside. I am definitely having my birthday here. read more

Was wandering around Hollywood Blvd last night (a Monday) thinking our night was a dud. Everything was dead. We were tipped off to try this place out by a bartender at another bar, and we definitely didn't regret it. We really enjoyed the entire vibe of the place, and the live music and open air patio was great. Would definitely come back to check out this place again, especially since there was no cover! Oh, and if you're a female and you're a little tipsy, beware of the trippy wall mirror as you walk into the bathroom. It will look like there are two entrances, but nope, the one on the left is just a mirror. Learned the hard way. :P read more

Suggesting a connection between Bardot and its predecessor would be like bridging the gap between 2008 and 2009. The tall ceilings are familiar, as is the bordello lighting, and cavity of a patio lounging between the bars. Informing the difference between Spider Club and Bardot are the nude oil portraits hugging the walls, mosaic mirrors, and the slivers of chandelier glass that drip from the ceiling. As most familiar with Los Angeles have noticed, the bar crowd is increasingly rocker the further you east you move, and Bardot is ahead of Villa but comfortably behind BOXeight. The music is the kind of random that only your iTunes Shuffle and distressing DJ habit could fashion, and live bands played on both the weekend and week night I visited. There is both the aspect of a lovely wine bar here, as well as a major disco, and regardless of inclination you can be assured your evening will be quite capably handled. read more

A lot of these stars are because of the wait in line: at 10:30 on Friday.... there was no wait! Absolutely none! With a $10 cover. Meanwhile, there was a ridiculously long line for Avalon right next to the doorway. Mmmm other Hollywood places should take a cue from Bardot. Yes, it's a lounge with a small dance floor. But I can't stand waiting to get into a place for an hour, I don't care how cool it is. Its star power also goes to the ambiance and layout. It's basically divided into four rooms, so you get three different styles of music to choose from at any given time. At midnight, a live band played in their covered patio, which is more like a room with an actual ceiling. The band had a good sound to them. I loved the interior design. Red and purple lighting work well on the golden colored finishes and velvetty chairs. Soooo many comfortable sofas, pillows, and booths. Never had to work too hard to find a seat. It was sitting on one of their sofas that I made a new friend with a stranger. Overall, the clientele seemed pretty cool. Not too snobby. I enjoyed the drinks and got a good buzz on. My light-weight female friend definitely got smashed. Prices for drinks were average. And the bar staff were nice. My only complaint is that there wasn't enough top 40 or hiphop. But oh well. Maybe they do that on another night. And when the night was over? A delicious and high-quality Jose O'Malleys food truck was waiting outside across the street. Bonus points for satisfying my drunk munchies right away. Loved the beef.... quesadillas was it? I don't remember anymore. Beef something. Would DGB. That means definitely go back. Yeah, I'm starting a new thing. read more

I just went on Saturday and had a BLAST! I showed up around midnight and had no problems with getting in. I'm a decent looking guy and went by myself, walked up to the bouncer and told him I needed to get to a party I was late for and he let me in with no questions. Anyone who complains about the door men anywhere simply needs to learn how to work the Hollywood scene. Drinks were the same price as any other club at that level, crowd was super chill and everyone was having a good time, decor was beautiful, music was great on the dance floor and the band playing below at Avalon was sick!! I only go out about 2-3x per month and tend to fall into the trendy places I guess you could say. I frequent Apple, Ecco, Bar Marmont, and Crown and I will now add Bardot to my list of regulars!!!! read more

When I learned Bardot was above the Avalon I didn't know what to expect. As far as venues go, the Avalon has a thick coat of charm. When I walked up the stairs to Bardot I felt like I had been whisked away to some place far away from Hollywood and Vine. The low light Mediterranean décor made me feel like calling everyone I saw "baby" with the tone of a purring tiger. This room has every right to be pretentious, but inspired a feeling that was warm and relaxing. I was joined on this night by the lovely Naomi McCormick who was sure to dazzle my sense of sight and sound. I found myself thinking that if the menu was as compelling as my escort, I was truly in for total sensory overload. The staff at Bardot is a well chosen group. We were greeted by Stephanie Fessler who single handedly made our corner seat feel like home, not theirs, mine! Our trusty bartender concocted a clever tandem of cocktails, the Long Pipe (rum, pomegranate liqueur and pineapple juice) and The Pearl (tequila, mango liqueur and ginger liqueur) that really set the tone. Chef Jared Simons joined us briefly in skinny jeans and a cool demeanor that wouldn't make you think he had the kitchen of a genius to run. Now down to the menu, it was time to order. With ten non-dessert items on the menu, you wouldn't think it would be so hard to pick a few. Yet, with every selection I knew there was something I'd regret leaving out. After much deliberation (and nearly a coin toss) we decided on the baby lettuce with house-made goat cheese, French lentils and hazelnuts, beef fillet tartare, roasted butternut squash and baked macaroni. I felt pretty good about what was coming our way, renewed cocktails helped boost my faith Now I don't do this consciously, in fact it had to be pointed out to me that I am a rigid food separatist. So the ultimate compliment to a meal is when I am so impressed with everything that I go fork hopping from plate to plate, which was certainly the case this evening. The first thing I tried was the beef fillet tartare and I will concede it to be the best I've had! The pickled fennel and root beer marinade were subtle and played so well with peppers and onions. On the side was two slices of tasty toast. When Naomi said the bread tasted like it was toasted on a campfire I thought there must be some culinary term that might explain it better. Wrong, you just can't argue or paraphrase that kind of warm feeling, campfire it is. Just as the beef fillet tartare was making me forget about the rest of my table and the rest of the world, Naomi proclaimed, I've never had a candied hazelnut! Her discovery diverted my attention to this wonderful salad. The house-made goat cheese was like something from a dream that you can't manage to explain with words. Luckily we didn't have to speak and simply relied on REM-like telepathy to convey the word YES! to one another. With a hand like a hummingbird I moved on to the roasted butternut squash which was served in couscous. The roasted squash was accentuated well by the pumpkin seed oil and gave just the slightest bit of resistance in terms of texture. Raisins were a nice addition to this dish as they were cooked to the point of being soft with just a touch of sweetness. Knowing the macaroni was served hot, I gave it a few minutes to cool. By the time those few minutes ticked off, I was willing to burn my tongue on this baked goodness. The combination of Serrano ham and the nutty taste of Gruyere cheese made this the perfect comfort food. I couldn't get enough. Bardot should get your immediate attention. The prices are reasonable on any menu, but factor the quality and consider it a real bargain. The atmosphere combines competing levels of hip and cozy that you would think not possible. With DJs playing music quite enough to talk over, but persuasive enough to catch you shaking your hips in your seat and live bands playing on the outside patio, you'll want to stay well after dinner. I can't wait to go back and try the seared sea scallops. read more

Cute place. Love the outdoor lounge. This dance floor though. They need to expand it. What's the capacity on the dance floor 20? People need dance space read more

If it wasn't for having a member of my party know someone who knows someone, my small group of 3 girls and 3 guys would NOT have gotten in, even though there was no line. They seemed like they were trying to seem cool, as many Hwood establishments do... However, I can't complain, because we did get in. The place is so Hollywood Classic. I love that! Definitely worth getting dressed up for and spending the money.... read more