This place lost my points thanks to the big bouncer at the door. Very rude and condescending. Lost also about $500 that our party of 4 spent elsewhere. The star I still give them is for the beautiful interior design. read more

Throw yourself back in time, back into the roaring 20's. Where flappers and absinthe fairies abound. This classy venue, with a somewhat pretentious crowd (being brutally honest) lurks in an old Edison power plant transformed into a gorgeous bar. Dark, crowded yet seemingly intimate and sexy, boy & girls flock in dressed to impress. Old movies play on projection screens. Exotic drinks and foods to tantalize your palate. Yes this place has it's negatives: expensive drinks, agonizing waits to order your drinks from a bartender...But let it go, this place has so much to offer. Sexy decor, great food, amazing ambiance. FYI: 1) Burlesque shows are on Thursday nights. Very Cirque Du Soliel-like. 2) Strict dress code enforced. No sneakers, t-shirts, sandals! 3) Get there before 10:30pm or you'll be waiting a very long long long time to get in. read more

The Edison - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I couldn't decide whether to give it 2 or 3 stars, and rounded down because of the horrible table service. I loved this place when it first opened. Went back this weekend and found out it's changed for the worse.... not quite the classy place I remember. Absolutely gorgeous venue. Dark and with a speakeasy-feel (complete with having to walk downstairs to reach the bar), beautiful lighting and chandeliers, and elegant furnishings, it used to transport you back to the 1920s. The waitstaff and bartenders don't dress the part as elaborately as they used to, but they still add to the vibe with their newsboy caps and sequined dresses. It's apparent that the owner took great care and respect in restoring this historic building. I used to recommend it to all of my friends and visitors. Anyway, we came here Saturday for a birthday party. My friend who booked the party reserved a table for $50 per person, 7 people. $50 was the minimum for drinks and food; not a bad deal. The problem started when all of the people we invited, invited THEIR friends, and everyone used the birthday girl's name at the door to get in. Edison staff decided WE should be penalized for this, and informed the organizer that they would charge us $50 each for SEVENTEEN people. My friend argued that we can't control who drops the name of our party, that they only gave us a space for seven people to fit into anyway, and we shouldn't be charged extra for this. Finally, she argued them down to 7 again. But our waitress disappeared for an hour, meaning we couldn't order drinks toward our minimum, and the guy who covered her break acted like we annoyed him by ordering. Way to ruin what should have been a fun night. Other than that, this place doesn't seem to have the same care into it that it used to. The menus were all falling apart. While they used to play jazz or something else to fit the theme, they were bumping hip hop the whole night and people were dancing, COMPLETELY wrong for the classy feel of this place. I like to shake that @$$ on a night out sometimes too, but this was always a more upscale lounge. It really wasn't the same. Now this is nothing special, but just another downtown LA bar with attitudes, a long pretentious line, and the same Power 106 music. I waited 2 hours in line to get in, only to be disappointed. I'd much rather pay a cover than wait in line that long. Edison, I hope you can bounce back and become as great as you once were! read more

The entrance is in the alley and around the corner from the actual street address, you go down the stairs and enter a huge space, that is cavernous and very cool. There are lots of spaces to hang in, flat screen tvs all around, with plush brown leather chairs, couches, and ottomans. The crowd is nice, not posey or hollywood. The ceilings are really high and there a huge, happening bar in the main room. There are two other smaller bars. I talked to one of the guys that work here about a good space to hang, he offered to walk me around and explained the about the different spots, this is more private, more foot traffic here, etc. The drinks are tasty and the service very good. Though it takes a while before a waitress gets to you, a bus boy frequently clears away the glasses. No one carded me when I walked in, it seems to me that they are still trying to figure out what to do with this space. I didn't see anyone dancing though I heard there are some dancing flappers on a stage later in the evening. It has lots of potential and they could probably use an awesome promoter that can really turn it up. If anyone has been to the legendary Club DV8 in San Francisco this space comes close, without the dancing and New York subway art. Dress code - no hoodies, baseball caps, tennis shoes, sandals, or torn jeans. T-shirt with style is fine. Here for happy hour, I found metered parking on the street, a quarter per 10 minutes. I dig the cave-like space, underground vibe, chill 80's music, lots of intimate and public spaces, great service and no cover charge - five stars. read more

I was invited here for a random night of fun and drinks. Little did I know that this place would blow me away! I fell in love with the decor and vibe the moment I descended the entrance stairs. It was like you were teleported to the 1920s! Think the flapper era, or the prohibition days. They offer valet parking upfront, but I suggest you save your hard earned cash and park at the huge lot just around the corner for $5. Not too far for ladies wearing sky-high heels. I visited during a Saturday night and arrived around 9:30 pm. No wait and no line. I heard it started getting crazy around 10:30 so definitely arrive earlier if possible. The entrance fee was $10 per person. Don't forget to dress to impress. What an amazing venue. There were seating areas lining the walls that gave off that vintage charm, and projectors on the wall playing random black and white clips. I loved the jazzy music they played all night. Very Gatsby! The bar was crowded and it took a while to get our drinks, but for someone that hates the taste of alcohol, I found the drinks rather enjoyable. The Mistress was a big hit ($14). I enjoyed the Rosa de Fuego ($14) as well, though it might not be for everyone. Oh... The burlesque dancing was pretty cool, too. Their costumes and make-up were on point with the whole theme going on. Sexy yet classy acts. I would definitely return again. Their menu seemed interesting and I would consider this for my next celebration. I think I overheard there being a $50 minimum per person to reserve the seating areas, which isn't too bad considering the price of drinks alone. If you love the 1920s then it would be hard not to fall in love with the Edison. A true downtown gem! read more

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This place sucks. They made my group sit at the poor people section, AKA THE BATHROOM. Came here on a Friday before the sun went down because I wasn't really dressed up. The drinks were really strong which is why I'm giving it two stars instead of one! There's absolutely NO seating space if you don't have a reservation. As time passed, more people showed up. Everyone looked really dappered, good for them! But the hosts asked us to move to the other side, there are "benches" by that side of the wall. We walked over and I was like "Wait...this is the bathroom." Haha Now that I write this, it's a bit hilarious. Anyways, won't come back unless I have to. read more

Wisely my mom insisted we make reservations. It was a good thing because even though they were for 7pm on a Thursday this place was still packed by the time we got there. At 6:55 pm we were able to score those coveted gold coins that allowed us a specialty martini for a mere 35 cents. Sweet. This building is gorgeous. Epic. The architecture inside and out is mesmerizing. You feel so fancy when you walk up to the mid alley door. I can understand why this place gets so busy. Even the bathroom was in splendor with a giant, fancy, bronze basin sink and glass soap balls to wash your hands. (This would make more sense if I could draw you a picture). I walked around a few times in the evening and I still feel like I missed things. There are nooks and crannies everywhere in this huge place. Even though it is a bar and it can get loud I think one would always be able to find a quite corner to snuggle up to a lover. Everyone on staff was a dream. I felt like a classic Hollywood movie star getting treated with such reverence in my cute corner booth. Our waitress Brittany was absolutely on top of her game. She was ebullient, prompt and never once wore a frown. She complimented us on how we dressed to the nines in our snazzy 1920s attire (thanks Yelp event!). Mom and Aunt ordered the specialty 35 cent martini but I decided I would rather go for the Edison. I love me some bourbon. Whooo do I love bourbon!! This drink was exquisite. The pear liquor and cinnamon syrup sounds like a questionable combo for bourbon but I loved every sip. As any good designated driver does I stopped after that one drink but I can't wait to come back when I'm not DD and really try the other specialty cocktails. Their whole cocktail menu is (s)inspired. Once we started ordering the food we practically couldn't stop. The menu is small (about 10 appetizers and 5 entrees) but every single thing sounds delectable. For just the 3 of us we ordered: bacon/maple nuts, deviled eggs, corn and shrimp fritters, sliders, truffle mac and cheese and shrimp with grits. Everything was sensational: Shrimp and Grits: With a poached egg and some wilted spinach this dish was a palatal phenomenon. The grits were well... gritty...probably more so than I'm used to but not in a bad way. They were cheesy and splendid and when mixed with the egg, spinach and shrimp it was textually pleasing and unreasonably tasty. I happily hogged most of this dish while my co-diners were distracted with the other delicacies. Corn and shrimp fritters: This is the first thing on the menu I was sure I was going to order. I love corn. I love fritters. I love shrimp. Hello perfection. Dip it in the creamy aioli? and you have a bite of heaven. Yum Bacon/Maple nuts: I was sort of surprised when my mom ordered these but once I had mouthful of those nuts I knew she had made the right decision. She was addicted to those nuts and couldn't keep her hands off them. This is true. She kept shouting, "I want to marry these nuts!!" She was pumped. I get it. They were super savory and sweet with a backdoor kick. A secret surprise! Deviled Eggs: These were very good. I've never had deviled eggs in a restaurant and while they weren't as good as the ones I make at home (demoned eggs with crab and bacon) they were still very yummy. Next time I'll skip the little potato nest on the bottom. Truffle Mac and Cheese: Super rich. I was glad we had skipped the perfect grilled cheese when I took a bite into this. I love mac and this one was most delicious. With a bit of shame and blasphemy I dipped each bite into the ketchup but hey, some habits die hard. Very creamy good. Sliders: These were good. The bun was really good. But, I can get sliders most places and even though the cheese involved was of the blue variety it still wasn't a super unique or inspiring dish. Not bad, don't get crazy, it was NOT bad. But, it /was/ just a slider. eep. Then, just as I had hoped, the Absinth Fairy showed up! She looked so cute with her little green wings. Not unreasonably her shots are $8 and come in cucumber and jasmine. They are served in the cutest little square glasses I have ever seen. And, you get to keep them when you finish the shot!! How lovely. After we lazed around for a bit we decided that some chocolate chip cookies were in order. Brittany let us know that they are homemade and thus take a bit longer. Perfect, we have all night. Indeed the cookies were homemade and fingerlickin' good. I've only known one better cookie in my life. The Edison made my every dream come true. With the amazing environment, perfect food and drinks and spot on staff I don't think I could have possibly had a better night. Maybe if there had been a 8 piece live jazz band.. Oh wait... there was and they rocked!! The Edison is my absolute new favorite bar. See you there! read more

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Industrial Chic. As soon as I walked in I wanted to do the robot and sing, "tomo-arigato mr. robato." Smooth concrete floors that glistened like stainless steel vibrators, or maybe it was from the noise level. All that smooth concrete, steel this, metal that... What about some sound absorption material? The most they had were wispy curtains that did make that ugly girl look fine, but did little else in terms of function. I loved my waitress, Jamie. Game recognize game. She saw me and my posse and knew exactly what we were about. None of the ice in our glasses had melted before she was asking if we wanted another round. We had a great, symbiotic relationship with her all night. She fed us promptly, we made sure that tab was big-baller high ensuring her tip to be at least two bills. Prices weren't bad at all: $10 for Hangar One, $12 Don Julio Anejo, $7 JW Black. Guess what made me truly tipsy? Nope, not the Hangar Ones. It was the smoking room upstairs. I stepped in and I swear there was a blues guitarist sitting on a stool, pouring his heart out into the smoky air thick with the promise of sex. "There is a house in New Orleans they caaaallllll the rising sun..." Etta James cajoling me into drunkenness. Game over kids. In hindsight this place feels like if the fire sprinklers went off, trance music would thump as vampires danced with there tongues out catching blood spraying from ceiling spouts. So, porque solo tres estrellas? Because sucka, I'm getting too old to travel into loud labyrinths that whirl me away from the House of the Rising Sun to a Blade set. read more

Cover charge is $10. We went to celebrate friend's graduation! My other friends have been there before but it was my first time going to this bar. The decoration was very cool, great atmosphere, there was a Burlesque show, dance floor was decent, enough space to dance. It wasn't packed so luckily we were able to get a table. Need to improve service at the bar, it took me 30min get a drink (Delirium belgian beer), only 3 bartenders working. Overall it was a good place to hang out. read more

So came here for my birthday and I had a blast! Called about a week or two in advance to reserve a table and was told that everyone sitting at the table must spend a minimum of $50 in order to sit. There is also a $10 cover fee for everyone. Like everyone else's review, They are very strict on dress codes, guys must wear a collared shirt no exceptions. My friend was turned away and had to go to target down the way and pick up a shirt lol. Anyway, the Venue is beautiful, I love how rustic all the decor is. Very dimly lit and perfect for a group or intimate date setting. Starting at 9pm they have burlesque shows every hour on the hour that lasts about 5 minutes or so. The show itself is very classy and entertaining. Afterwards and in between sets they bring out the DJ and he plays pretty ok music. Came here originally for the drinks and entertainment, but stayed for the food. The food here is actually really good. My favorite of the night is the SEARED AHI SANDWICH $17.00 Came with Pickled Ginger Slaw with Wasabi Aioli on a Toasted Multigrain Bun. So much flavor going on in that sandwich. Perfectly seared and flavored. I got busy dancing and came back an hour or so later to finish the other half and it was still amazing 5 stars**** DEVILED EGGS 8.00 Are Farmhouse Eggs in a Nest of Shredded Potatoes. This was recommended by our server and it was good but basic to me nothing special. 3 1/2stars*** TRUFFLED MAC & CHEESE 14.00 Vermont Two Year Aged White Cheddar and White Truffle Oil with a Parmesan Crust. 20TH CENTURY SLIDERS 16.00 Kobe Beef with Arugula, Onion Marmalade and Cheddar, Gouda or Maytag Blue Cheese. Very tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked and seasoned patty 4 1/2 stars**** For as much as you're paying, Service could be better. Our server was sort of rude and short with us not sure if it was because we were a larger group and it took a while to get everyone's drink and food orders or what but when I come back I'll definitely steer clear of her. read more

Can I confess something? At the time of my original review for The Edison, back when my reviews were more succinct, I hadn't actually tried the drinks. I'd gone to meet a few friends after work, and as it was around dinner time, I had a chopped salad. It was a good chopped salad, but you know, not exactly The Edison's calling card. Since 2008, I've had a few foiled attempts at visiting The Edison. Long lines and stray pairs of improper footwear tend to block the way through those bouncer-guarded gates. I finally made it back in one late afternoon before Art Walk, and I'm less enamored of the place than I once was. Perhaps it's all the hassle involved that's turned me off - I will never again attempt to go on a weekend, and on the spare weeknight when I have a hankering for booze, I'll probably think of other bars first. Still, the atmosphere is pretty hard to beat. I love the decor, and the service is good. During happy hour, there are places to sit. Everything is beautiful, and I understand why people flock here night after night. I also love the happy hour deals. From 5 to 7 on weeknights, you get a token for one 35 cent cocktail as you walk in. The rest of the menu is also marked down, with $13 cocktails going for $8. That said, $13 is too much to pay for the drinks. When I worked downtown in 2008, The Edison was the place to go if you wanted a good cocktail in a trendy bar. In case you haven't noticed, downtown has changed in the last three years, and the cocktail scene has blown up and left The Edison behind. I'm not saying the drinks are bad here, but they aren't noteworthy, and they're just barely good. They are certainly worth 35 cents. The special of the evening I went involved absinthe, cucumber, sugar, and lime. It was unpleasant and heavy on the licorice flavor, and the strength varied between glasses. That said, it was 35 cents. I am an indiscriminate drinker of free alcohol, and I suppose that extends to cocktails you can buy with a dime and a quarter. The other two I tried were much better, though still not special. I liked The Mistress, a sweet fizzy cocktail made with vodka, hibiscus liqueur, lemon juice, and Prosecco. The Edison was also good, a nice combination of Woodford Reserve Bourbon and pear liqueur, with touches of clover honey, lemon juice, and cinnamon. I left The Edison slightly buzzed and more or less content, but without a strong desire to make it a regular spot. I was once with a group of people led by one whiny bratty narcissist who really wanted to go and dragged us all when two of the boys didn't have the right shoes. We ended up putting my boyfriend in borrowed shoes three sized too small and still got turned away when the other's trendy kicks weren't good enough. Matt had blisters for a month and I'm happy to say I haven't been subjected to that girl's company again. Long story short, I'd be happy to go back to The Edison for a happy hour drink, but I'm no longer willing to suffer any bullshit just to get through the door. read more

1920s prohibition classy lounge with flapper dancers. How can you say no? I used to frequent this place a few years back. I still enjoy this place today. The vibe is laid back and if you're feeling yourself and the music, you can get your groove on over by the stage and dj. There is a strict dress code and entry fee. They WILL turn you away if you don't follow the dress code. Don't chance it if you're looking to experience this place. Some bouncers are more strict than others. You walk in and you pay the entrance fee. Then you are directed to the spiral staircase that leads you down to as much of a good time you make your night. I've been lucky enough to have never experienced bad service or a bad time. The dancers can be a hit or miss. Last night (Saturday) they seemed like they were new to the stage and weren't sure what to do throughout the show. I have seen some really great "burlesque"/flapper shows here. So, last night's show wasn't as great as I've experienced. In addition to the dancing, there's also large projector screens in the main stage area that's constantly playing classic 1920s movie clips. If you want to get a good view of the show, hangout near the stage because once the music starts playing, everyone will flock to that area. You can explore the place after the show. The drinks are good here. I always enjoy their mixed drinks. Not very strong drinks here so don't expect to get a good buzz going right away. My friend and I got here close to 10pm and there was no line. Either get here extra early before the rush, or get here late to skip the lines. The entry fee was $10 per person. If you don't want to stand around all night, reserve a table. This place is always a good time for me, but I'm also always with great company. read more

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I love The Edison! Definitely one of the classiest lounges I've been to. The place is pretty huge and I love the interior design and historic feel of the place. There's plenty of tables you can sit at but you either have to make reservations ahead of time or pay $25/person. Most of their signature cocktails are $13. I got the Amelie which was made of strawberries and cucumber crushed with Ron Matusalem Classico. Very refreshing--perfect for the summer! And a little on the strong side. They have lots of good cocktails here and they even have an Absinthe fairy who rolls around a cart with what looks like bottled potions but they're ingredients she uses to make you absinthe! Moulin Rouge, anyone? My friends and I got here around 9:30 PM on a Friday and didn't have to wait in line to get in but our other friends who came later around 10:30 had to wait almost an hour to get in! So come early! And make sure you're dressed nicely! Dress code is strictly enforced here. No sneakers, ripped jeans, t-shirts, etc. Happy Hour from 5-7 PM on Thurs & Fri! read more

If the cocktail lovers created an amusement park, it would probably be a lot like the Edison. Like your favorite roller coaster, lines can be pretty long, especially on weekends. But getting one of those "Flash Pass" cards, or better yet, a connection to director of spirits and beverages, can really help. I didn't see Mickey or Minnie (sigh, we all know how I feel about the former), but there are definitely "characters" floating around, such as the absinthe fairy (wings and all) toting a cart of the green stuff, flapper waitresses with fringe and hair adornments and old-school outfitted bartenders. Winged or not, everyone was very friendly and relatively quick on orders, in spite of crowds. The Edison, historically L.A.'s first private power plant, also resembles a huge Haunted House (NYers, you won't believe just how big this place is). Dark, romantic lighting, cavernous corners, etc. For the record, if I ever become a ghost, this is exactly the kind of "haunt" I'd hope to inhabit. Drinks were a bit of a rocky ride. My first selection, The Edison Direct Current (get it - "direct current?!") with cognac was brilliant. My second, the Havana, seemed great in theory (gin, apricot brandy and fresh lemon juice -- "perfected by the Milk & Honey family") but wasn't in execution, even with a bit of pyrotechnics. It was a syrup bomb -- and I'm a fan of apricot brandy. The "family" wouldn't have been proud. You may think the theme park comparisons are meant to be pejorative, but I was mostly in awe. Think about a New York MPD monstrosity in terms of size, but beautifully done, with lots of intimate, speakeasy-esque corners -- and a generally stellar cocktail menu. Fellow patrons also seemed classy, and the dress code brought out people's best (read: NOT club-trashtic) styles forward. They also have a guest bartender program that attracts some of the country's best mixers and shakers and a Friday happy hour special offering mac 'n cheese, tomato soup and a specialty cocktail for -- wait for it -- 35 cents -- with all the change raised going to charity. New Yorkers, fear not -- the management team is on the hunt for a comparably gorgeous, big space in the Big Apple. And if it's anything like its Left Coast counterpart, this will be one ride you won't want to miss. read more

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Yay! My 300th review!!! I wasn't sure what I would review on, but I decided to Yelp on my latest adventure at a bar. My guy cousin, guy friend, and I were bored one Thursday night. So bored that we were like let's go get our drink on!! We got dressed and headed to the Edison. It was all our first times and I didn't know what to expect. Upon arriving you have to walk through an alley to find the entrance. I didn't even see a sign so I had to ask the bouncer, 'Is this the Edison?" to make sure this really was in fact the place. Luckily, we found the right place. We got carded and walked right in. No cover! Yay! I love when there's no cover! It's more money for drinks!! So we walk in and walk down the stairs to the bar area. I must say it's quite a large bar area. The entire place is pretty darn big. Very dark, classic, and old vintage feel. I love it! Right away, you will notice an array of folks. It's such a mixed crowd. Young, Old, professionals, trendsetters, etc. I love it when it's a mixed crowd. I feel more comfortable. There are tons of couches and seating areas for various couples or groups to lounge on and chat. The bar has some awesome bartenders. Very friendly and personable and some are pretty cute too! There is a fairy chick who walks around selling shots I believe. They also have a live band singing. It's awesome! I was super impressed with this bar and lounge. It is classy, fun, unique, and very cool. Drinks aren't cheap but LA bars ain't cheap. Mixed drinks were around $11-13ish. I got the feeling that this place isn't a meat market like most bars. You know? Where people go just to "hunt' for someone to have fun with. This place seemed too good for something like that. But my friends challenged my theory. They told me to stand by the bar and within 5 minutes they could guarantee a guy would approach me. I took the challenge. I felt like that wouldn't happen. Well, I was totally WRONG! Some weird dude did approach me within 2 minutes. He was gross and had stupid lines and was a bit too aggressive for my liking. I guess all bars has those freaks who come but whatever. I still had a lot of fun at this joint. I had so much fun I am surprised I even remember all this information to Yelp on it. I was pretty drunk. I had 4 drinks and I was just gone. But boy was it fun!! I'm already looking forward to the next time I come here. Come here dressed to impressed. You don't have to come here looking like a pimp or a hoe. But do come looking like you got some swag and some class. Have fun with friends and enjoy the night! Hopefully, you'll meet new sexy folks too! read more

The Edison - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I just absolutely adore this place. Stick a feather in your cap, tighten your garter belt, and get ready for a time traveling adventure so excellent that Bill and Ted would be green with envy. Absinthe fairy who is the spitting image of Louise Brooks. Big Willie's Burlesque on Thursday. Truffle mac n' cheese. Kobe Sliders. Donuts and dipping sauce. What more could you ask for? I celebrated my birthday with the girls last night and we had such a wonderful experience. You really have to see it to believe it. We had a table reservation, and I advised my group to arrive by 9pm to avoid any issues at the door. There was no cover charge (Thursday night). We had no problems whatsoever, and the Edison staff treated us so well. Big Willie dedicated a song to me for my birthday, and can those guys swing or what! Great jazz, great service, great food and drinks, absolutely remarkable atmosphere. There is nothing like it, and I gladly pay top dollar to enjoy it again and again! read more

The Edison - Birthday at the Edison! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

GETTING THERE AND IN: The Edison is located in an alley, so keep your eyes open. $10 cover per person. No line! My buddies and I were there before 10pm. INTERIOR: Once you get in, you walk down what they call THE WELL. After walking the stairs in squares and hoping no one looks up your skirt, you will be amazed by the 1920s-themed interior. This venue is HUGE. When you get downstairs, don't be shy and walk around. Give yourself a tour. Eventually make your way to the bar. RESERVATIONS: If you want to sit, you must make a reservation ($50 per person). Otherwise you can sit for free next to the bathrooms. Don't be lazy. There's nothing wrong with standing. The place gets crowded, so you won't stand out like some broke-arse dude/dudette. ENTERTAINMENT: If you come early enough or simply have awesome timing, you'll catch the BURLESQUE SHOW! I can't say the ladies who danced last night were in their 20s, but they looked real good for their age. If I were a dude, I wouldn't mind being their cougar bait! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/AwvUGKHCor_sHXN8-DZYSw?select=ei-iMTzMMUlsRjdHnYE2Sw#BvuRIyljMjV1JhCB5SlRhg DRINKS: 1. I started off with THE MISTRESS. Suitably tastes feminine. If you're lightweight, this is the drink for you. 2. THE EDISON is extremely sweet. One sip will make you diabetic. Wowza! Consider this candy for adults but in liquid form. 3. EYE OF THE BEHOLDER has a smoky flavor. If wood was liquid, this is what it'd taste like. It's not likable, but you start liking it more and more with each sip. It's not that your taste buds are getting used to it; it's the alcohol impairing your judgement. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/AwvUGKHCor_sHXN8-DZYSw?select=ei-iMTzMMUlsRjdHnYE2Sw#ei-iMTzMMUlsRjdHnYE2Sw 4. ABSINTHE is cash-only. $15 per drink. Or maybe it was $14? Same difference... PARKING: There are plenty of parking lots. We parked two blocks away. The walk feels long when you're freezing your arms and legs off. It's good to be a dude. Unless you're giving up your jacket for the girl. Gentlemen are awesome! CONCLUSION: The Edison is one of the best places to lounge. Mingle with people. Very classy. Themed but not cheesy. Great for both the young and mature crowds. If I was loaded, I'd rent the whole venue for my next birthday party. And the birthday after that. Dream on! read more

The Edison - Eye of the Beholder (left) and The Edison (right) ***THE BEST FRIENDS FOREVER!*** - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Being a little "different" from other bars around the area with the whole 1920s art deco design and theme designed by Andrew Meieran, this lounge is still pretty popular with an hour long lines on the weekend. I love how the place is designed around architectural and mechanical artifacts from Downtown LA's historial private power plant. The drinks here, I am not too impressed with. I like my drinks strong, and they definitely don't make them strong enough. If you don't want the weak stuff, ask for straight/ on the rocks drinks or shots! I had wine here before and it tasted old and stale... The price varies depending on the bartender but its the usual lounge price. Service I would say is above average since they are very quick. They have a pretty nice happy hour special with 35 cent cocktails and Fridays soup kitchen (35 cent grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup) but they end it around 7pm and since I get out of work around 6:30 I could NEVER make it :( Rounding up all the experiences I've had at the Edison, I give this place 3 stars. I've had more fun at other bars! read more

Beautiful architecture both inside and out. The burlesque show was cute. The girls were always smiling, though it felt less like a burlesque show and more like a dance choreography cause it was very mechanical. The drinks were good. I quite like the taste of licorice so i didn't mind the absinthe. I don't know about the crowd though- it want quite cool enough to be hipster nor was it classy enough to be young professionals (Culver City Crowd)- it was a weird vibe actually. I liked: the music, the dancing, the drinks, the decor. I didn't like: that there was a $10 cover charge just to go inside and stand around, that the guest list people and other employees were rude and too cool for school. They had a kind of "pay or leave" attitude. And i was like "can you see if my friend has a birthday guest list?" And there was all kinds of eye rolling and teeth-smacking and "i can't be bothered to be bothered by you right now" Not a good impression. I also didn't like that the women's restroom only has ONE sink so you have to wait in a single file line just to wash your hands. Terrible Parkin . Also the music is good, but the space itself is not really conducive to dancing so people just stand around and talk in their little groups and clusters. Definitely a place worth checking out once in your life as part of your LA experience but not a bar you would frequent. My friends and i got there at 9pm for a birthday and we had no problem getting in, but we left at 11pm on a Saturday and the line to get inside went around the corner of 2nd street and curving down Spring. The place is alright be not worth that ridiculous wait in line. read more

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I expected so much more from the crowd after reading some reviews. Friends told me that its similar to lounges in NYC. "Yeah right," I immediately reply. The dress code is a nice touch but hardly enforced. I'm used to going to a lounge after work in my work suit, ordering a whisky with relative ease, then sitting in a comfortable chair and people watch. Didn't really go down like that...well other than myself showing up in my work suit. Understandably the lines at the bar were long, but I could've done away with the pushing. There weren't any places to sit other than the smoking room either. Four stars for the concept and the bartender. He knew my drink by he second go around. I met a few people too. At least my whisky was good... read more

The Edison - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Went there on Thursday around 6pm and there was only a few customers. It got much busier around 9pm and the band was playing. I ordered two drinks and liked them both. Also I saw a lot of tables/seats with different decoration styles, so that people can choose how intimate they want the vide to be. I'm looking forward to checking out Clifton Republic later. read more

The Edison - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Oh Edison... I was lucky enough to have a friend bring me here when they had Lucent Dossier performing on Wednesday nights. That was the real Edison experience - magical, mystical, decadent. And luckily, that person schooled me in how to dress properly for the occassion... Hat shopping, dress shopping, corset shopping... We showed up in our Edison attire and mingled with others who put just as much time and attention into it. I've been back since and it is NOT the same thing. Sad when people want to take pictures with me because I'm the only one bringing the theme into the place. Their entertainment is burlesque and DJs now. Drinks are pricy but good. Kudos to .35 cent martinis and Prohibition specials. Food is overpriced... and God help you if you want a table on a Saturday night. Make a reservation. I don't remember ever having to wait in line, hmmm. The inside of the building, lighting, & design are very very cool, so it absolutely is worth seeing and a fun atmosphere in which to hang out. Perfect place for steampunkers to flock en masse. If you don't want to valet, there's a lot 1 block walking distance on 2nd. read more

Tucked away off the main street, you slither down the stairs into the cavernous, dimly lit room whilst all eyes watch you. Your eyes are drawn to the curvaceous designs of the metal, the rich color of the wood and leather. The bar awaits, firm and smooth, for you to order your poison of choice. This place is just fucking sexy. And it's not just surface sexy, like so many things in LA are. Doesn't matter what you order, doesn't matter who you are with, this place is infectiously sensuous, right down to the bolts. For those who don't imbibe, or who like to stagger the booze to keep the night going, try the La Paloma. The mix of grapefruit with citrus and a hint of salt will have you licking your lips for more. read more

Came with a few friends on Friday around 9:45pm. Thankfully, there was only a short line and we were able to get in without any problems. Parking is super easy- there a lot of parking lots with prices ranging from $5-$7. I would recommend coming in before 10 so you could snag one of the parking spots across the street and getting in. I LOVE the decor! Who wouldn't? Maybe when the Great Gatsby movie comes out, this place may get more packed, who knows? This was my first time going to a bar in DTLA and I have to say, it was really classy. They had aerialists dancing and it was really sensual and amazing! The music was nice- not the typical hip-hop bar music. Didn't try the food, but ordered a "mistress" (a must have) however be warned, it was on the pricier side.. $14 for a drink? What's a little annoying is the lack of seating, it's understandable, but the requirement of was it $50 per person to sit seemed a little excessive. Oh well, love the vibe, it's quirky and I may be back. Ladies- dress classy Men- please don't wear sneakers, you'll get turned away! read more

I'm not a club guy at all. I hate the lines to get in. I hate the tiny, overpriced drinks in plastic cups. I hate the crowds and definitely hate the music that most clubs play. The Edison is my kind of club - it's actually more like a giant bar than a club - and instead of getting a tiny vodka/red bull you get a well executed drink in real stemware. Now, I've heard a lot of bad things about the place...so here's a little point/counter point: Point - I hate the dress code! Counter point - if you can't find one pair of non-tennis shoes and one non-t-shirt in your closet you're probably not going to get laid anyway. Point - I hate lines! Counter Point - get there before 10pm and there won't be a line. *Bonus Counter Point* - by getting there earlier you can actually claim some space with your friends (although you can't get a table unless you spend a minimum $25 per person, kind of lame) AND as big as the Edison is, the place never felt packed inside. Point - I hate the $13 drinks! Counter Point - It's obvious that the staff put a lot of effort into each cocktail and since you saved $10-$20 by not paying a cover, you can roll that extra money into your $13 drinks. Or stick to beer. Duh. Point - I hate the douchey crowds! Counter Point - It's LA, there are douche bags everywhere. Chill out and have some fun. All of this and I haven't even mentioned the coolest part of the Edison - the space itself. A former power plant, this place oozes history, from the vintage lights to the generators to the burlesque dancers and staff in period garb. Did I mention the Absinthe Fairy walking around with a cart full of elixirs in funky bottles? I really loved this place and will definitely be back on my next trip to LA! read more

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$10 entrance fee. Minimum $50 per person to have a table. (friend's birthday party. of course we needed to get a table. but it really wasnt hard to get to the $50/person) Beautiful vibe and deco. They take you down a set of beautiful stairs into an elaborately decorated wide open space. Very classy, they definitely put a lot of effort into their deco and creating this place. Dancers and shows every hour or so starting at 9:30pm. Old black and white movies playing on the walls. i ordered 2 "The Mistress" cocktails. yum. Food: -Crabcakes were good. avocado mousse kinda weird. -Heirloom tomato flatbread: DELICIOUS! the mozzarella and pesto was great. -Centennial steak: nah...dont get this one. Not exactly the best piece of meat I've had. Definitely fun and different. I had just seen the Great Gatsby, so I felt really fancy and like I was transported into the 1920's with hot, sexy Leo lurking around somewhere. read more

The Edison - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Down the alley in DTLA, don't be scared they have security!!! It's a pretty hot place, just the decore and set up is really enticing. First round, Kamikaze shots, I sipped my shot, not much of a drinker. Followed by a some sort of mix fruity drink, I was done for the night. It was a Friday therefore most of the people here were still dress in their work clothes. It's a chill place, a bit loud and the bar area gets packed quickly, so be aggressive, get your drink on and have fun! read more

The Edison is a very fancy place. It's pretty. Kind of like a themed bar. I've heard that the happy hour here is really good. . . but I haven't been. I came here recently for a friend's bday. There is a $50 minimum per person to reserve a table. But it's not that bad if you plan on ordering food and drinks. Drinks are already around $14. The food here was better than the average bar food... but not incredible. I would recommend the platter if you're in a big group. That way you get to try a little bit of everything. There wasn't any line to get in to The Edison. And there are plenty of nearby parking lots to park in. Some were $3.50 lots. The smoking area is upstairs and the main area is downstairs, so you don't smell any of the smoke. There are a lot of people who came here dressed like they were from the 1920s? It was cute. There were regularly dressed people too. This is a nice place. Pretty. Easy to get into on a Friday night... But it just didn't really mesh with me. read more

Some friends wanted to check out this place so I came along (they mentioned there was a burlesque show which sounded interesting). We went on a Saturday night. What's really cool about this place is that it's actually a genuine historical landmark. It used to be Los Angeles's first power plant. You can walk around and see all the old turbines that created energy. It gives the lounge a rustic, historic feel to it. First off, there is a $10 cover charge to enter. Cash only. Second off, be sure to follow their extremely strict dress code!!! I am not kidding. My sister's boyfriend's shoes had a little bit of white lining on the bottom and they wouldn't let him in. He had to go to a nearby Target and buy some solid-colored dress shoes. Apparently, there was another guy they wouldn't let in either, so him and his friends - a total of about 9 of them, had to leave. So take their dress code seriously!!! Other than that, I ordered only a MIDORI SOUR which was well mixed - tasted like a green, apple jolly rancher - mmmmmm.... (was on a budget at the time so just came to hang out with the friends) and waited for the burlesque show to start. The show was pretty cool. The ladies danced about 5 songs and the whole thing lasted about a total of 10-15 minutes? It was something different for sure. I would definitely love to come back here and taste some of their dishes (there was a restaurant) and drink some more alcoholic beverages of theirs... Just waiting for a lot of money to magically appear in my wallet. One day, one day it will happen. read more

The Edison - Burlesque show. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I must admit that I have never had a drink here. Also, I was only here one time. I was buying cigars with a friend at the cigar shop around the corner. He had been to The Edison before and he encouraged me to pop in and take a look. We walked up and were stopped by the doorman. It was early, there was no one around. The doorman looked us up and down and proceeded to tell us what was wrong with the way we were dressed. I said "We were just buying cigars and my friend told me that I should see the place." He said, "Well, if you are not going to stay long, you can go in but you'll have to leave before the crowd arrives." We went in and looked the place over. My friend asked if I wanted to get a drink. I said "No, I feel insulted. After the way that doorman spoke to me, I'm not going to give this place money." That was it. I've never been back. I have heard similar complaints from my neighbors (in downtown L.A.) of doormen being rude and the dress code seems to be whatever the guy at the door says at that moment. read more

A must see when you are in LA or if you are in LA and you haven't been here, it's a must see. If you could judge a place based off the cocktails it's a 10, or maybe the live music 10, ambiance 10, concept 10, great for groups 10, couples 10. Romantic: yes Fun: yes Classy: yes Dress code: yes the key is collar shirts and nice shoes for men and no jeans. Dates: absolutely. First, second, or third date do it here. Groups: yes! There's tons to do here and tons of places to sit. I've gotten almost every single cocktail here including the $.32 special martinis. Not sure if they still do that anymore, but it was just a cool idea. It's a show stopper, an absolute masterpiece. There's an absinthe fairy, live jazz, burlesque shows, tons of beer on tap, and the food here is delicious. I don't think I've ever had a bad experience here, EVER. It can get really packed on the weekends, Friday and Saturdays specifically so get here early. Parking is available in a lot right across the alley. Not sure how much it is but it's pretty much the only reasonable and safe parking and it's never at full capacity. I highly recommend that if you're coming here you should dress up and be chic do whatever you do to feel pretty because it's a very fun classy place that could transport you to the Gilded era. Also random tip: bring some cough drops because I find myself yelling sometimes when it's really busy and loud, cough drops make all the difference. read more

This is a nice bar / lounge in downtown LA. If it weren't for the unfortunate line and their snob up attitude, this would be the perfect hang out. Parking is the usual suck if you come here, but if you come late enough there's plenty of street parking and of course you can always park in a garage for an astronomical amount. Once you enter, you go downstairs and that's where the fun really starts. The decor is great, they even have some real engines and other kinds of hardware that was leftover in the room. The bartenders are well dressed, and appropriately themed, and everywhere you see are velvet curtains adding to an air of mystery in this spot. This area is very large, but during busy times it can still take you a bit of time to grab a drink or two. The cocktails are pretty pricey but I guess you pay for the ambiance! Recommended if the wait isn't like two hours! read more

The Edison holds a special place in my heart. The decor, the service staff, the drinks, the food.... oh my lordy lord. I've been here for a few different reasons.... a date, a ladies night, a birthday, and early happy hour. While the weekend nights are more lively, you will probably deal with lines, drunk people, a slower moving staff, and longer waits for drinks. I prefer the path-of-less-resistance nights, like a Wednesday or Thursday. Still, to dine after 7pm, you must deal with a $50 minimum per person. Yikes! But! If you go during their Wednesday cocktail hour from 5-7, you can enjoy 1/2 priced food and discounted drink specials. And you dont have to deal with the $50 minimum. I ordered the Centennial Steak and fries ($14). I dont even like steak... but so help me God, that was the loveliest chunk of meat I've ever put in my mouth. Ahem. My friend had the grilled cheese and tomato bisque ($8). Definitely worth checking out on a weekend night, but if you've done that and found it a bit frustrating, give it a second chance when its less busy. read more

The Edison - Cocktail Hour - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

You can spot the Edison by the crowds of dudes wearing tennis shoes and their annoyed girl friends outside trying to figure out how to get them in because they're not wearing dress shoes. As victims of shoe discrimination, our group had to decide what to do: Should we go somewhere else? Leave our guy friend to hang out in the alley? Or have half our girls go inside and find some random guy to give us his shoes and keep him entertained while he is chillin shoeless while the rest of us go to the smoking patio and squeeze the shoes in between the gate and smuggle a bigger purse outside so he can put his tennis shoes inside the bag and wear the random guy's shoes inside and switch back to his shoes in the bathroom? We went somewhere else. Haha just kidding, but needless to say, after our Edison shoe heist we were kind of exhausted.. and so were our credit cards after buying our socks-friend drinks and ourselves some liquid (super strong!) stress relief as well. I did later come to appreciate the power plant decor, the 20's music, and the fairy walking around with a magical absinthe cart. I also liked the Downtown crowd, where fedoras and sweater vests reign over Ed Hardy shirts and such. So... thank you to our shoe-giving friend, no thank you to the bouncer, and I think we will be back for more Downtown adventures. read more

The Edison - "the edison" (photo credits to stacy) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Artsy, colorful, great energy, and having a table is the only way to be at Edison. The burlesque dancers are talented, and it seems as though when they're on stage the crowd begins to buzz. The food is tasty, fresh, and was not cold upon arrival. Always a good time at Edison, but I highly recommend getting a table which will make your life much easier than standing around although standing around isn't bad either, just preference of choice. Its a well oiled place to be, from entrance to exit... GO! read more

It's a few years back since I've been, but I remember the great times had here. Loved the roaring 20's theme, the performers, the absinthe cart, the food as well... they had these little, crab-stuffed corn dogs served w/ sweet potato fries that were delicious. The drinks were a bit overpriced but I didn't mind the strict dress code, which kinda reinforced the whole, 20's theme that immediately hits you once inside. A cute place to take someone on maybe a second or third date. A cool, discrete entry in a middle of an alley. A bit overpriced nevertheless. 4 stars. read more

Went on a Thursday night right around midnight. No line. Scary Alley. Whatever. When we reach the entrance they said that my guy friend and i weren't "dressed". In my head I was like wtf? Do clubs nowadays still have this stupid lame attire rule? I haven't been to a place like that in a loong time. Come'on the place is in a alley with hobos walking up and down. How classy do you want it to be? Needless to say, we ended up going somewhere else because the bouncers were rude pretentious a-holes. Told the girls to go without us because they were dressed and that we would meet them later but they decided not to. And ok, right when we leave we see this guy coming out WITH just a WHITE TEE-SHIRT. Don't understand this club. O and another thing, they think they own the entire alley because they told us that we couldnt discuss our plans in "their alley" and that we were too noisy. You know I should have gave a dollar to everyone sleeping in that alley to scream at the top of their lungs outside their entrance. Not my kind of venue. Won't even bother trying to get in. read more

BOYS DO NOT WEAR YOUR SNEAKERS!! They will make you go home and change, bring your black dress shoes. I love the Edison, they always keep this place in pristine condition. Chairs and tables are quickly swept up. We came Friday night at 10:00pm no line so we walked right in. We were able to get a table and order food. Surprisingly the food is quite delicious, had the pretzel, mac n cheese and grilled cheese w/ tomato soup. Great place to go for happy hour on the weekdays as well, they give you drink stubs for speciality $1 drinks. read more

The Edison - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

One of my favorite lounges! It's very casual and swanky at the same time. I love the 1910's decor, theme, and music. This lounge has retained some of the equipment from when it was L.A.'s 1st private power plant. There are a bunch of rooms, i'm not even sure, i've seen all of them. I love the mood and ambiance and on certain nights they have live performances such as Caberet shows. No cover on non-show nights and the martini's are awesome. Happy hours are usually 5-8pm on weekedays. Every Thursday is 35 cent martini night, they use the good stuff too, even though it's like drinking gasoline (strong drinks x_X ) There's a parking lot right across for about $7-$8. I'm actually going tonight w/ a coworker, and I'm sure it'll be fun because I've never had a bad time here. read more

Yeah, pretty pretty good. They're building up the back outside nicely. The inside is great, very elegant. Great place. Back area needs a tad more love, but overall really solid. read more