I would recommend this bar to someone who wants a bar experience, without the overwhelming sense of being in the club scene. PERFECT FOR A FIRST DATE IF YOU'RE A LITTLE MORE INTROVERTED BUT WANT SOMETHING NEW. The drinks were really good (I got a mango margarita to start off), and I highly recommend. I unfortunately did not try the food. The patio is semi-outdoors, with sand on the floor, and lined with plants. The main bar area has tons of old pinball games and interesting things to explore and poke at if you need conversation staters. There's also a photo booth and a dance room with a disco ball and DJ. I will say, though, when I was dancing, one of the service workers kept leering at me while I danced, and followed me and my date around when we moved places in the room. We actually ended up stopping dancing because of him. EDIT: After I left this review, they immediately reached out asking about the dancing situation. Social media management 10/10 read more

Absolutely love this bar but hate hate hate the janitor working in the women's restrooms!!! I appreciate that they have two separate bathrooms for the girls but genuinely could you hire anyone else? And the fact that there's a tip jar in the bathroom!!! That's a joke. The staff for bathroom is ridiculous and so incredibly rude. If there's "bar rules" being broken you could at least be nicer about notifying your customers. read more

What a cool place! They always play good, bumpin' music. Though it is a smaller spot than most, people are still able to dance while enjoying a nice drink. For my last visit, I remember parking on the street in the residential area and coming in to check the place out. The bartenders have been kind and the drinks have been a treat! This is certainly a hidden gem that is near another bar and it is tucked right in a corner. The atmosphere was chill and lively when I went last! read more

The Little Friend - Cool spot! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Venice, California

I'm going to give 3 only because in drunk right now Ok 4 because I did go in but willingly left I never had body issues but going in here made me question it. I felt like this was middle schoolers and the American eagle, holister party. If you have a bbl don't come here or if you're curvy because you're gonna feel like the thick latina maid or the Tia. I never felt like a torta in my life but yeah maybe here for sure. Felt like I was running in to look for my kid. Seems cool if you look 16 pre puberty Also packed read more

If you're young and want a great night out with friends this is the spot. Much more of a go out and dance vibe which is what we love. Target audience in the place is 21-32, and the drinks are quite good. I had an espresso martini and it was great! read more

The Little Friend - Dancing area - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Venice, California

Fun music fun crowd. The drinks are solid, and the bartender was friendly! One of the best places on the west side to go dancing and get your boogie on read more

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The Little Friend is literally a little place behind another bar. The drinks were inventive and tasty and the vibes were solid. read more

The Little Friend - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Venice, California

Your shoes will literally stick to the floor if you come to The Little Friend after 10PM. I wore my Vans slip-ons and instead of walking around comfortably in my shoes, I had to make sure my shoes were still on my feet 'cause that's how dang sticky the floor was. I really liked the music they played here, but it was so dang crowded in this bar. Granted, I was here on a Friday night at 10PM, so it probably was the reason why it was so busy. This bar is located right next to Gin Rummy and is associated with The Friend out in Los Feliz/Atwater area. Crowd is v young, think fresh outta college. Overall, a decent place if you want to pay $15 for a rum and coke and dance the night away all while making sure your shoes are still on your feet. read more

Parking is 35$. The bouncer was extremely unfriendly and rude. The bathrooms were rank and severely neglected. The dj had awful transitions and only played a song for 15 seconds at most. The drinks were also overpriced and poor quality. Don't waste your time here. read more

Super fun on weekends with music and everyone dancing. it's definitely a younger crowd early 20s. I'd say bring earplugs if you care about preserving your eardrums because it's soooo loud lol, my apple watch was giving me warnings about the decibel levels. I got the mezcal cocktail and LOVED it definitely will order it again, if I ever visit again! read more

Horrible from the start, bouncer was extreme rude. Went in anyways, should've just left.

Did not enjoy the cocktails, but the prices weren't too bad. Place was small but nice. Music isn't too bad either and they have a cute photobooth for cheap. Clean bathrooms. And very convenient that they have parking. Staff were friendly and helpful. read more

The Little Friend - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Venice, California

Bouncer was extremely rude, downright disrespectful to several in line will never go back.

Loud music and drinks. Perfect spot to hang out with friends. The room is pretty small so don't expect a lot of room to dance. Bartenders were nice and fast. Be careful for spilled drinks on the floor though. Tipsy dancing is the vibe here no regerts read more

The Little Friend - Bathroom decor - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Venice, California

Genuinely the worst and most overcrowded place I have ever been to in my life with the rudest door staff, asshole clientele and longest bar lines - gives a disgrace to the great name of Venice read more

Small place behind Gin Rummy with real Venice, speak easy vibes. The disco ball was not dusty, I am very relieved to say. Really concerned going in about that one. read more

This place is a hidden gem in Venice. You'll get the best experience if you come early enough to eat in the front section of this spot. Lots of cool people buzzing by this place. When the sun goes down the back room fills up quickly with various transplants from all over. Instead of standing in line through the main entrance you can sneak in through the restaurant. Who has time to wait in line? Once you get in, the music is bumping and the crowd is fun. Definitely worth checking out when you're in the neighborhood. read more

The Little Friend - Sunny Old Fashioned - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Venice, California

I had this place saved for the longest time because it seems like a very cute, trendy place to get craft cocktails. It had a bit of a speakeasy vibe because it was tucked behind another restaurant in front. There wasn't parking but no prob! Plenty of residential parking behind, within 5 mins walking distance. The residential area is also very safe to walk at night. We were there around 9 and the place was still pretty empty. I asked for a cocktail menu, but the bartender said they can make anything. At first I thought maybe the drinks would be more of a dive bar feel. Boy was I wrong. Q, pretty much our bartender for the night, was amazing! Told her our liquor of choice and she crafted like 8 different cocktails. She pretty much just mixes things on the fly based on inspiration and what she was feeling. Everything we tasted was amazing! Complex flavors, variety of techniques, and a good mix of liquor types. We were very very impressed with our drinks and the service! DJ also came around 1030pm and the place got packed! Very great vibes and a great place to just chill and dance. The crowd was also cool too. You know you can't go wrong in a place that has Snoopy and cocktails! read more

NOT SAFE, PICK POCKET... went on a Saturday night and wallet was stolen from pocket. When I went through security they said the previous night people were pick pocketed.Theft multiple nights in a row, not where I want to be. Not safe, beware. read more

Just an awful time! My friend rented it out for a birthday, within 3 minutes I was there, mind you not even a drink yet, I was assaulted and punched by the security guard for no reason besides standing in a hallway helping a friend who was having a anxiety attack. This is likely the Same unprofessional rude security guard that everyone is mentioning in other comments. How dare you punch someone because they are waiting on a friend in the bathroom in a hallway and told you hold on a second! How dare you assault a patron for absolutely nothing. Shame on you and this bad establishment. What an awful venue, wouldn't recommend at all! Awful, violent, rude. 0/10. Management, maybe you read the 5+ complaints of the same security and maybe take action read more

This place is 100% hit or miss. I would recommend coming early for a pre dinner drink or to have one drink before going out somewhere thats better managed. The decor is cute when it's early enough to actually see it. If you're here too late, the crowd is a bit young and that doesn't really go well with the bouncers who are unstable. After 10 PM, be ready to wait in line, get pushed around while you wait for a mediocre drink and then yelled out by the bouncers at various times for no reason. Hoping this place turns itself around though because it's so close to my house. read more

Look, I like this place. Good location, good music, good layout. But come the F on. Clean your disco ball. It's so dusty. I am the biggest disco ball influencer on the west side and this is unacceptable. Attendance is light, you wonder why??? Your welcome read more

the bouncer staff was rude and unreasonable. the place was completely packed! denied my friend Without a reason what so ever.

3 girls had their phones stolen here all in one night and staff was entirely unhelpful. There was a vague attempt to check security cameras but they were for the most part ignored and nothing further was done. Young women, please be careful and keep your possessions close. Little friend is not safe. read more

Absilutely head-cases. We were there for a wedding and the bouncers decided the party was about them. The owners need to find people that are more calm. I dont recommend for special situations events. Find some place more professional. read more

Disclaimer: am from out of town in the area for work + vacation combo so this is an outside perspective Pros - went on a Saturday night around 10. Very kind and cool bartenders, fun decor, great dance music that grooves. Not crazy expensive for a very quality cocktail and I wish I would have wanted to stay longer to build rapport w/ bar staff as they genuinely seemed cool and able to handle how busy it was getting. Cons - had a seat and someone took away our table pretty hastily without explanation "we are taking this" and we were a little bit miffed. Since we were the oldest people there (25 and 30 respectively) thought they might respect the elders a little more. I understand this is a dance club however the layout within the space could be improved to maximize comfort + dance space Things to note - is a very young crowd and not NOT queer but not as queer + diverse crowd as maybe I'm used to. Again this is based on one night so perhaps depending on the night it could be different. Long like for bathroom ... Bottom line - the formula is right but the ingredients are hit and miss - I would try it again but definitely be aware of what you're getting in to. Fairly busy as it gets later and could see myself enjoying it after several more drinks. read more

This bar would be great but the bouncer is extremely aggressive and unwelcoming. He is on an absolute power trip yelling at people to "move to the sidewalk" which is a 10ft walk from their current standing position. He threatens to fight anyone who doesn't comply and should be let go immediately. i will not be returning to this establishment due to the unprofessional nature of the bouncers and bar backs. read more

Went there on a Thursday night, and there was not one person in the place other than the bartender. Since the car was there, we actually went to some different places and then came back to check and see if the crowd had developed and still nobody at 11 PM. Not a great environment. read more

No good advertising as to where the bar actually is (its hidden between the restaurant and kitchen). When we went in there were no markings for a private party but the people in there kept giving us dirty looks about us being there before they took their decorations down. The employees at the door and in the restaurant are super sweet, but the two bartenders i encountered looked like they wanted to be anywhere else (probably due to the gaggle of drunk girls at the party, i dont blame them). The floor was sticky, it was loud, and it cost 18 bucks for a seltzer and single rum and diet. Hit the restaurant skip the little friend. read more

I LOVE this place! Such a hidden gem for an after dinner drink and some great music. Will definitely be back!!!

The bouncer told me to relax when I asked if we had come in through the right entrance?! Not a very nice welcome. Drinks were fine, music was good, kinda cramped. Bouncer killed my vibe. read more

Amazing hidden spot in Venice. I didn't know that this had opened since I have already been to the Friend Bar in Silver Lake multiple times. As a resident of Venice I've been looking for a bar that plays great music without the stuck-up/boujee vibe of many other bars in the area. I went on a Tuesday night to see my friends DJ and I really enjoyed myself. The bartenders were really nice and the cocktails were delicious for a reasonable price. Definitely going to return here! read more

Super fun spot for dancing! The djs are great and the staff is so friendly. We had a great time!

Went last night went a couple of my best friends and we had the best night! Great music (the dj was amazing), drinks, atmosphere. Also would recommend the restaurant it's attached to - Nueva. read more

After eating dinner at Nueva next door, my friends and I headed over here on Thursday night and had the best time dancing! DJ Annalyze was amazing and played all the best hip-hop and dancehall hits, we were so impressed! The space is so cute and the cocktails were strong! Will definitely be coming back read more

I rented out the Little Friend privately from 7-10 for my boyfriends birthday last weekend & it was one of the worst experiences I have ever had at a bar. First, they had the bouncer escort one of my guests out of the venue for politely disputing an obviously incorrect bill. After that, one of the bouncers (they would not give us their names) proceeded to physically push him out of the door and called my girlfriend a "fat ass". After spending over $3k over the course of the night at this place, I would expect to be treated with a little bit more respect. My friends and I will never be setting foot in this place again and I would recommend you don't either. read more

After renting out the place and paying multiple thousands of dollars the staff refused to serve multiple people because they weren't happy with how much they were tipping. They were rude and completely unprofessional, especially considering it was a private event and we already had to meet a guaranteed minimum. read more

I had the best time here!!! My friend rented the place for a birthday party!!! She read about it being one of the best places to dance in LA AB's she was right. Great staff. Killer drinks. read more

Amazing drinks, atmosphere, and calamari, so chill and beautiful people everywhere your eyes can go. Day or night this spot delivers.

Great drinks, amazing everyday happy hour, cool lighting, cool atmosphere, nice bartenders. What more can you ask of a bar?