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    Franklin Bell's Blues Workshop

    4.9 (20 reviews)
    InexpensiveJazz & Blues
    Closed Closed

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    Looking toward the stage

    Fun way to spend a Sunday evening. Starts at 5:00 but if you want a choice of seats come about 4:30. Bring food and drinks. There are some tables.

    Amy M.

    Great place for some real Blues... Fabulous entertainment from some of the best artists in Los Angeles. You will be so happy to have discovered this hidden gem! Mr. Franklin Bell provides an atmosphere you will enjoy!

    Nancy B.

    Franklin Bell... What a fine fine gentleman you are! I had the privilege of spending Sunday late afternoon and evening in Franklin Bell's garage listening and dancing to the blues. It was a sublime experience that I would love to keep as a secret, yet I kinda want to shout from the rooftops about... It was that great. Every Sunday, Franklin Bell opens his Los Angeles garage to the public from 4-9 pm. The joint was jumpin when we arrived and it was basically standing room only. That was ok because Franklin quickly made us feel super welcome and we made our way to the refreshment stand to gladly give a $10 per person donation. Truly you could double or triple that with the level of talent, entertainment and experience you are given. The musicians are top notch here and the dancing and vibe is off the charts. This amazing experience is one to put on your LA bucket list... And then return again and again!

    All you need to know!
    Ross L.

    Might be the coolest regular music event in Los Angeles. For a $10 donation you get hours of excellent live blues in Mr. Bell's epic music garage, all-you-can-eat home-cooked food AND an open bar (alcohol and non-alcohol alike). Seriously people, it's the best live music deal I've ever encountered and I've been to hundreds and hundreds of live shows. The weekly event starts at 4 every Sunday (music goes on at 5pm) and features both weekly house musicians and visitors (they welcome any/all musicians to get up there and jam, which is awesome). Mr. Bell, the 80-plus year old host, even plays drums! This weekly jam won't be around forever so seriously, do yourself a favor and get down to the Bell's Blues Workshop ASAP. You won't regret it. AND DON'T FORGET TO TIP!

    a woman holding a bunch of money

    I would be remised if I did not comment on this wonderful man Mr Bell with his outstanding housepertality and generosity. I have been coming here to Mr Bells with my mom Mary and family for many years now and it just gets better with time! The workshop is always clean, the crowd is live and the entrainment is awesome! Where can you go for $10.00 and get a free drink, food and entry into the Workshop? Bell's Blues Workshop!Once you enter Mr Bell's Workshop you're in good hands! Be prepared to have a good time, so come to party, we do !!!!! We love you Mr Bell! Mechele Hermon Zero Mary Dot Niece Max Cheris Brenda Danny Jessie Glen Pierre Sr Flo

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    8 years ago

    Fun spot for blues! Parking is street only, pay a donation but then there's free cans for beer and homemade food.

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    9 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Nicest people in the world and SO much fun! Great music and a great time! Highly recommended!!!

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    Ask the Community - Franklin Bell's Blues Workshop

    Is this still in operation?

    Invitation only, or what are the hours of operation?

    Welcome to all, $15 cover at the door music usually starts 5-9pm

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    Review Highlights - Franklin Bell's Blues Workshop

    Down Home Blues, This is a great Juke Joint right in the middle of South Central LA.

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    Rhythm Room LA - Pear ty

    Rhythm Room LA

    4.3(426 reviews)
    6.7 miDowntown
    $$

    This was the last stop in a night where Conrad and I stepped out to LA to have a good time. So by…read morethe time I got there I was tipsy. I was not falling down the stairs, nor was I slurring my words, nor was I misaligning my pool shots, but I was definetely feeling the good inside my blood. I note this, not to highlight my cool factor as if I was a frat bro in a Florida party school, but more to describe how my experience was fogged by my consumption. This place was definetely a hot spot to hit, but I just will not be able to descrbie everything with speicifc detail, more, broad strokes of a good time. The place is reached by going down a flight of stairs, which feels like one is going to catch the J line in New York. I think I felt this more because of the Spring St sign- a famous stop in NY, NY. As soon, I got there, the goal was to continue the good time and this place allowed that at a reasonable price. They had these can drinks that I really responded and they were only 7 dollars. Ok, I know that saying something is only 7 dollars in this economy can seem out of touch. But a drink in LA most of the time will run you at least 12 to 16 dollars, and I think it is mostly on the 16 side. So finding a 7 dollar drink in a hot spot is refreshing. It was a Suncruiser- a vodka spirit based drink- that was part of their specials for their night. maybe is more expensive on other nights when it is not on special? After the drink Conrand and I stepped into their floor. It was the first time we were there and it is basically a basement game room on whatever it is that Bane takes to make himself go from puny human to muscle-on-muscle-on-muscle villain. There is a lot of pool tables maybe like 5, and I saw ping pong, and other table games. Additionally, instead of a speaker or a recorder- the one's that spin old timey records- there was a band. I took a short video of the band but I could not tell you if this band was good or bad or their name or their style of music. I was partly present, and I just heard the music, I did not appreciate the performers. It happens. So Conrad and I play all the time together. And I saw a guy playing by himself. We quickly introduced oursevles and then we played pool. Here is the thing that I am happy to write about this place. Unline a regular bar with a pool table, where every one knows your name, this place had the opportunity to meet new people. And I enjoyed playing with this guy. He was a new challenge. He had fresh stories. And he offered a view of the world I enjoyed. So this place offers the opportunity to meet new people over a game of pool. If pool is your thing than this place will make you happy an if pool is your way of meeting new folks then this place will make you happy and give you opportunities to find the folks you imagine you need in your life. In the final analysis, I want to go here again, and experience the place more broadly. Not sure if I will write a new Yelp, because even though I bared bone this one, it still gives the primary messages I want to. And to the guy who I played with thanks for having a good time with me, even if it was short. And sometimes, short, can be just enough.

    Band AMAZING Drinks Good…read morePo boy 2/10 I was given my poboy on stale/hard bread. As a cook, how did you not take enough pride into what you're serving people to not notice? After picking thru it because I was hungry, I spoke to an manager and he just seemed as if I was not being honest, so I pulled the broken bread pieces out to show him; and he didn't offer anything in return. I won't be back.

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    Rhythm Room LA
    Rhythm Room LA - Fries and popcorn chicken

    Fries and popcorn chicken

    Rhythm Room LA - One of the delicious specialty margaritas

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    One of the delicious specialty margaritas

    Mambo Craze Cabaret

    Mambo Craze Cabaret

    4.7(64 reviews)
    6.6 miDowntown
    Live music
    Private events

    This place was overpriced, disorganized, and incredibly disappointing. The show did not actually…read morebegin until 10:29 p.m., and before that there was almost an hour of dance lessons. We were honestly falling asleep waiting for the actual entertainment to begin. The entire night felt chaotic from the moment we arrived. You spend time getting dressed up, planning a date night, driving downtown, and trying to be excited for the experience, only to park in a dark lot with feces and urine in the stairway. It was scary and disgusting. We looked past the parking lot situation because we were excited to enjoy our night out, but unfortunately the experience only got worse from there. The waitress kept pushing us to order more items, which made the whole night feel like a money grab. The food was absolutely embarrassing and nothing like what was advertised in the gallery photos on the website. It honestly felt like it came straight from Costco. Other reviews mentioned food being served on paper plates, and we can confirm that we experienced that too. The slice of pizza was literally Costco pizza. The pizza and snacks were cheap, low-quality, and nowhere near what you would expect for the price. It really makes you wonder how many people feel misled by that kind of advertising. There was also a complete lack of control and management. People who did not pay for reserved seating were hovering nearby, ready to take your seat the second you got up to use the restroom or go to the dance floor. We saw multiple people weasel their way into reserved lounge and table areas on the ground floor. At one point, a couple was even going through someone's fur coat and looked close to taking belongings before the actual couple returned. That alone says a lot about the environment and lack of security. The billing situation made it even worse. The waitress quickly skipped through the itemized receipt, which made it easy to miss that a 20% tip had already been included. We ended up tipping on top of the included gratuity and only realized it afterward. At that point, we felt completely scammed. We spent over $300, and the overall experience and management were absolutely not worth it. To be fair, some of the acts were great and the band was great. Separate from that, everything else was as mentioned. Between the deceptive billing, weak drinks that barely seemed to have alcohol, the delayed start, boring dance lessons, embarrassing food, poor seating control, and lack of management, the whole experience was extremely disappointing. I definitely do not recommend reserving seats, drinking at this event, or buying their food. Eat dinner beforehand and do not worry about arriving on time, because the show does not really start until around 10:30 anyway. We left feeling scammed.

    So I took my mom and aunt here as a fun night out with some entertainment. The event didn't start…read moreuntil hours after the start time. We got there at 8pm and I think it starts after 10:30pm. The view from our seats were completely blocked by people standing around. Drinks and snacks were awful. I'd say my company was great, but the experience was regrettable. I do not recommend it at all. Interestingly enough, the people looked like regulars so if it's your cup of tea, then I guess you'll enjoy it but if you're trying to find a new place to try out for live entertainment, this isn't it.

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    Mambo Craze Cabaret
    Mambo Craze Cabaret
    Mambo Craze Cabaret

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    Franklin Bell's Blues Workshop - jazzandblues - Updated September 2026

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