Would give this place -5 stars if I could. I came here tonight and dealt with the rudest hostess and bouncer. The bouncer has a ponytail and is shorter. The hostess is a brunette, medium height. My friends and I were put on the guest list by the DJ who was performing. After waiting in line, the bouncer rudely yells at me "unless you have a table you are not getting in." The hostess then rudely says " it doesn't matter if you're on the guest list, you have to wait in the other line" (after we had already waited in the first line). What's the point of having a guest list if you won't let people in off the guest list? I come here every weekend and every time I am disappointed by the people at the door. I will no longer be going here. The bouncer has been extremely rude to me and my friends on multiple occasions. There was one instance, it was 47 degrees outside, we waited in line for over an hour. Finally we get to the front of the line and a group of 10 people leave the club. Me and my friend assume we would be let in next. But no, he just sits there while we are shivering. So finally I say, "we are really cold, we have been waiting for over and hour and a big group just left. Can you let us in." He steps up to me as if he is going to hit me and then aggressively says "push it and see what happens." Then continues to wait another 15 minutes before letting us in (keep in mind WE WERE AT THE FRONT OF THE LINE WITH NO ONE ELSE WAITING). He did this to be passive aggressive. He has done this on numerous occasions. I have never been to a bar with staff so disgustingly rude and uptight. If you don't like your job then get a different one. We won't be giving canary our money anymore. Terrible place. Don't come here. read more

Was the first person in the ga line and never waited that long with no one in front of me in my life. Endless friends of the bouncers and "vips" were let in in front of us. This place is in Santa Monica where there are a bunch of better bars that don't delegate their customer base to the discretion of the bouncers. Would recommend going literally anywhere else, even places that don't serve alcohol. read more

Management and staff are the worst of the worst, especially the so called "bouncers." Really weird situation when you and your artist are booked to play and the power-tripping bouncers keep physically assaulting you and throwing out expletives for no reason except trying to intimidate you (seems like this is a very common occurrence based on other reviews). The only caveat is the door guys have always been very cool to me. read more

If I could give zero stars I would. I have never in my life experienced such degrading and foul behavior by bouncers and the staff at the door. I waited in line for 2 and a half hours (my bad, learned my lesson) and an hour at the very front of the line while the bouncer let in about 50 people just getting out of their ubers and cutting the whole line. After an hour of this I got fed up, turned to my friend and made a comment about how it was f****** unfair so many people were cutting. The bouncer turned to me and told me I'm not getting in with that "dirty mouth" and to get the f*** out and find another club. I apologized profusely and said that it wasn't directed at him and that I waited a long time and just want to get in. He continued to tell me to shut the f*** up and leave. I asked him kindly to not talk to me that way as I had done nothing wrong and he said "I don't care I'll talk to u however the f*** I want". I ask him how he'd feel if someone spoke to females in his family that way and he said "nobody would, cuz they're not a disgusting girl like you". My friends and other people around were appalled by his behavior and started standing up for me. My friends who got inside before me tried asking staff for the manager or their number and they refused to give it to us. I even asked other staff at the door for a higher up to come and they refused, which is completely unprofessional behavior. I understand bouncers tend to be rude as that's their job but to rip someone apart for no reason because I made a comment to my friend about people cutting the line is just extremely uncalled for behavior. read more

Canary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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One of the hidden gems of west side nightlife. The club is great, management takes care of you, and they also throw an amazing day party at Shangri-La on the weekends. read more

As a Regular this is not my first situation with the tall doorman charging me or people I know but 10 friends and I came to the canary lastnight and waited almost 45 minutes just for the tall guy to try charge us 40$ each to get into a free club we've been coming to almost every weekend but sure enough we refused pay and got denied entry. What a Sham! #TallGuyNoGo read more

Been a long time customer! The staff is so friendly and the DJs are great. If you are looking for a fun place to go dancing with your friends then you found the spot! read more

Loved the ambiance. The best place to be in LA for a fun night out on the weekend!! Definitely recommend.

One of the best places to go out in Santa Monica! I always have good night here. They have a superb drink menu and the staff is very friendly! Overall Good vibes. Good music. Great People. read more

Big shoutout to Chris the bartender! He made me a custom cucumber mezcal cocktail that i loved. Will be coming back for the drinks

The decor is nice, the bartenders are friendly. Good hip atmosphere. The music is hit or miss: some great deep house, interspersed with some not so great mainstream tunes. I think they can be more consistent here. But the deal breaker is: $10 for a Modelo. Give me a break, that's crazy expensive even for downtown Santa Monica. I don't mind if they have some expensive craft beers, but I feel they could adjust prices for a couple of the more common beers. read more

Cute place with good music! I recommend getting there a little early, it gets pretty packed by 10:30 pm. Oh and they don't have the canary glasses anymore which was a bummer. Staff were nice! read more

Do not go here!! The worst place I have ever been to! I waited two hours in line and they didn't let anyone in. You can only get in with a table which is such bullshit. The bouncer lie to you and tell you only 20 min which is not true. DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT COME HERE!! read more

Came to Canary on their opening weekend with a few friends and had a great time. The vibe was perfect - a good looking, diverse crowd, great music, very well done tropical decor and high quality drinks! It was perfect. I used to come to the old Zanzibar all the time, so this location has been sacred to me. It's great that this spot Canary is now the new go to place in Santa Monica! Definitely coming back here for more! read more

Canary - Inside decor - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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I saw the article about the opening of Canary on Eater and was so excited to go! We went a week after the opening - I was nervous it would be packed so I emailed them to make a reservation. I had a group of 8 people so I could either just be at the bar or reserve a table for a $400 minimum which was very doable so I booked the table and we were placed next to the DJ - nice! The music was SO GOOD - old school hip hop is def my jam. The vibes and decor of the place were great, very LA especially with all the greenery. The drinks came out pretty slow at first and then they ran out of the canary glasses so I was pretty upset I couldn't try it but XX amount of drinks, shots and dancing later we closed out at the place at around 1:30am and somehow doubled our minimum LOL. Needless to say, it was a great time and I would go again! read more

I've been working in the Santa Monica area for 20 years and was very excited to see what became of the old Zanzibar lounge. Happy to say that Canary doesn't disappoint. The decor is beautiful, the drinks are tasty, and the music is great. I was there for opening night and everyone seemed to be vibing to the music and taking in a new spot that I am sure will be a staple for years to come. Looking forward to going back. read more

This bar is super cute. I wish they had snacks though.. I also wish they got the names of the guys who were fighting in the bar. One of them stepped on my foot super hard so I had to go to urgent care to get crutches and I couldn't walk or drive for two days. read more

I came here with my wife and it was a great. Great service and the design and lighting are on point for a casual but fun mood. Didn't have the food, but the drinks were good. We were served by a fun cocktail server who simply made the experience better. She looked like she was having fun and it was contagious. Awesome new spot in Santa Monica. read more

Super cool spot in Santa Monica finally! Great music, cool vibes, great drinks and plenty of cool folks on tap!

Disappointing. Came on Saturday night at 9pm. Sat at the bar and failed to be greeted by the bartenders. There were four of them that were busy making drinks. For who we don't know there were only four other people in the bar that we're rubber necking wondering where their drinks were. Lighting was bad and music was slow and boring. We finally got menus that were sticky and crumpled. My girl asked for a Prosecco that took 10min before I asked the bartender again if it was coming or not. They came back and said it's a warm bottle and not chilled yet. Seems like this place was rushed to be open. Bartenders not attentive ans place still seemed to be unfinished. For being only open two days wondering why the owner wouldn't be there to catch all these flaws. read more

Finally got to try out this new bar lounge. Great vibe with good energy on a Saturday night. Drinks were unique. Music was good. Would come again. read more

A telephone was ringing in the shadows -- an, unfamiliar small ring. I fumbled for my bedside lamp and turned it on. Squinting at my surroundings I viewed a bare but modern bedroom with mid-century furniture, modernist paintings, and a few cocktail glasses. Where the hell am I? The bathrobe hanging on my door bore the monogram: SANTA MONICA. Slowly, the fog began to lift and it dawned on me. I was in Los Angeles. Again. I picked up the receiver on my phone. "Hello?" "MICHAEL?!" Yes? Said I. Dazed, I looked at the bedside clock. It was 9:00 P.M. And I had been asleep only an hour, but I felt like the dead. "This is Steve, Michael! We're outside the hotel to come get you! We're going to a new bar tonight!" Still fuzzy, I dressed, came downstairs and got into a car. We arrived at "Canary" Santa Monica. Immediately as I passed the threshold, I was befuddled by a mix of aesthetics that were converging upon one another. Before me, I saw a grand ornate art deco bar with brass furnishings and tropical lush details that were pleasing. Lots of plants supplemented the scene. Then, before me in the center of the room were wooden austere pieces of furniture - chairs - tables - that did not at all match the aesthetic of the bar. It was 1930s Havana meets Pier 1/Alaska Airlines. Then to my right and left, I noticed black leather benches almost indicative of a night club. I could almost imagine the "table service" of a megaclub in Paris from a life lived long ago with bottle service and teenagers searching for acceptance and meaning somewhere in the night. Behind these strange bar areas were almost indoor terrarium tanks. Then, in another corner, there is a stage that is bare - almost out of a Wesleyan University coffee shop open mic night. After this amalgam of aesthetics, I declared to myself that I no longer understood anything or anyone and ordered a drink. The bar did not have the ingredients. Then, I ordered another drink. The bar also did not have the ingredients for that one. Finally, I found a drink that they had the ingredients to. A quarter of an hour passed and then, another quarter of an hour and the drink arrived. I paid $20 dollars for it and left. The night was getting old, and I realized through this experience, so is the 'new hip bar aesthetic/experience' in LA. Canary is a place to check out and buy a drink. But, like many of us lost souls, it appears to not be sure what it wants to be or how it wants to leave its mark on this world. read more

It was my first time stopping by Canary and let's just say I will be a regular. I enjoyed my experience from start to finish.

Nice chilled local lounge the DJ was great, he played music that I requested so that was awesome!!! Would definitely go back!!

This spot is amazing! I went for the opening and was blown away by the chic yet chill and tropical ambience. I felt like I was on vacation. The drinks were excellent and the service impeccable. Perfect spot for a date, a business meeting, a get together with friends or a fun night out of imbibing. Highly recommend Canary! 5 stars don't do it justice. read more

Came here for a private birthday event and fell in love. Such a beautiful place. Bartenders make great drinks. Bathroom lighting was great. Excited to come again. read more

My dirty martini was delicious and the service was fast. I gave a three star because my glass was dirty but I enjoyed my drink. We are from the area and had a nice time and will be back. read more

This place was an unexpected twist to my Sunday evening, super talented band with eclectic vibes & & burlesque dancers during intermittent breaks. Lounge atmosphere. Loved it! Definitely be back read more

not good at all. vibes not it and staff think it's way better quality than what it is. overall, bottom tier club in LA. go somewhere else you'll have a better time I promise read more

Wow... what they did with this place is simply amazing... I'm not so easy to impress. The music is great, the cocktails are delicious. Angry Bird is my favorite one so far. Perfect spot for a girls' night!!! Definitely my new favorite bar! Such fun vibes right across from the ice skate rink. read more

This place sucks! Waited in line for over a hour, asked the door men how much longer the wait will be and one guy said he didn't know he doesn't have the answers another man said you can only get in if you're buying a bottle because they're at capacity. Like what! Also across the line from general admission random people walking up got in! If I could give no stars I would. Poor customer service! Seriously management needs to do better. There was literally 50 people who walked out ransoms getting in. Never coming back. read more

Canary is cracking!!! Looks like it got its Zanzibar mojo back!! Will definitely be back!!

House music is not my thing and this is all they played while I was here. Got there around 11ish and left 30 minutes after to The Room down the street, which was awesome. Inside decor is pretty cool, bouncers were nice and there was no cover charge. read more

This place is legit. Fun, chill vibes with the Wednesday night Vinyl set, the bartender, Kayla is awesome, they even had a hoop performer, Amanda, so talented! I was surprised to find this eclectic blend of entertainment, can't wait to go back! read more

Interesting vibe in here; its not quite a bar but could pass maybe as a club. Drinks were a little bit sweet, service was good. We could not get over the excessive amount of fake plants and security cameras. read more