Backstage Bar & Grill

I just celebrated my 30th birthday at Backstage and it was by far, THE most fun I have EVER had at a bar AND for my birthday. I had a party of 25 people which is a lot to handle but I never lifted a finger to do anything--our waitress Kendra, Misty the caterer, and the support team did ALL of the work and did it in a fluid, fun, and timely fashion. I seriously never had to think about the details. DJ Shane was a blast as well. I had never done karaoke before and he was so supportive and encouraging. The food was sooooo damn good--the mac-n-cheese has the perfect texture, cheeses, and spices. The drinks were perfecto--I recommend the magarita--I drank them all night they were soooo good. They held a drinking game that was a total blast. And the crowd.....the crowd there is amazing. So fun, so supportive, they all just joined in the party as if we all knoew each other. This is absolutely THE best place to go for a party and for karaoke. I will definetly come back and I will bring lotsa people with me when I do!!! Thanks Backstage for such a wonderful time!!!!

Posted 02/10/07

After years of sampling what our fine city has to offer, I can now say without a doubt that Backstage is my favorite bar in LA. It's that perfect combination of popular but still low-key and not scene-y. The drinks are strong and cheap - especially with the daily drink specials. The bartenders are really friendly and totally take care of you, and the karaoke with KJ Shane on Th/Fri/Sat is the best!!! Huge song selection book, and he's just the sweetest, most genuine guy and really supports everyone. (Even my friends who are terrified of karaoke have gotten up and sang there.)

If you don't feel like singing, you can always lounge around the fireplace, or play pool. There's plenty of TVs around, too, for other nights when the game's on. And the food is fantastic, whether you want the traditional bar food, or something a little fancier for dinner (the steak salad is my *favorite*). The icing on the cake is the parking - it's street parking, but it is SO easy (and free!), it's a dream!!!

Backstage is great for after-work drinks with coworkers, or casual/catch-up drinks with friends; I have business drinks there all the time, and everyone I introduce to the bar loves it; and I've brought groups of about 15-20 people there for karaoke, and the staff is really accomodating. We always have a blast! Really, the only con is that there's only one toilet in the ladies room. That's OK during the week, but on Friday and Saturday it becomes a bit problematic.

All things considered, Backstage is a 10. It has become my Cheers. And I'll drink to that!

Pros: Strong drinks, awesome food, great staff, fun karaoke, and super easy parking

Cons: Only one toilet in the ladies room

Posted 02/03/07

My buddies and I were looking for a place to watch the Laker game last night. I stumbled across the Backstage while looking for bars on Citysearch. What a great find! With over five televisions we never had to strain our necks to watch the game. It was a Tuesday so the drinks were like two bucks a piece. We played pool at halftime. Only one of us ate, but my buddy said the burger was good. Overall, it was a great experience, except that the Lakers lost.

Pros: Cheap Drinks, T.V.s, Pool Table

Cons: Lakers Lost

Posted 01/31/07

After seeing all the rave about this place on City Search me and my boyfriend decided to check it out.
This place is the worst bar I've ever been to. First of all there is no parking, you can take your chances of parking at the gas station across the street and getting towed. Once inside it's so ugly and small it looks like someones old garage not anything like the picture. There is only one pool table a few dingy chairs and old wooden tables. The music is the worst some old country blues step music. Most of the people in there were like way over 40. I didn't know if I was in a biker bar or was transported into a cheap late 1980's bar. The karokee selections were all outdated and there's no stage to sing. I would not recommend this place to anyone, don't waste your night!

Posted 01/30/07

What can I say about this bar? The service is great, the drinks are very strong (consider it a warning), the people are friendly, the Karaoke is fun whether you sing or watch, and best of all, it's cheap for all you penny pinchers. I don't consider this a dive bar. It's a clean establishment, and the crowd is far from mean or crazy. The food looks very good, although I havent tried it, the people eating seemed happy. I'm giving a 1/2 point deduction, because most of the stools are uneven and some I found to be very uncomfortable. If only all the high chairs next to the eating area had back support, this place would be flawless. Another 1/2 point off for the sound quality of the speakers. It is way too loud when the Karaoke is being played. Keep in mind, I am being somewhat fussy with this review, and that you will not regret going to Backstage. Highly Recommended.

Pros: Service, Karaoke, Specialty drinks

Cons: Too loud when Karaoke is played

Posted 01/08/07

Down the street from where I used to work, the Backstage is a haven for studio crews and visual effects artists alike. Their food is decent and their karaoke stage features both local and imported inebriated girls singing the same 9 songs you've already grown sick of. But since their drinks are strong, you won't notice. I came here with a bunch of coworkers to celebrate the completion of a film and we had a blast!

Posted 11/21/06

This place is just fun- we had a big (40+) party here and they were accomadating and very nice. Karaoke was great, drinks were awesome and the food was top notch (which surprised me!) All around, a great time and I would definitely go back.

Pros: Staff, food, drinks

Cons: Parking is mostly street

Posted 11/15/06

This is definitely one of my favorite bars in all of LA. I found it on citysearch, and wasn't disappointed. I've been here frequently, and always have a blast. Even if you aren't brave enough to sing karaoke yourself, it's just as fun to watch others sing. I had my birthday party here and attended someone else's going away party, and they are very accomodating to parties and large groups (plus they brought everyone who was celebrating their bday up to the dance floor and gave everyone a free shot). Their food is also really good, I especially recommend the macaroni and cheese. The drinks are cheap ($7 for a HUGE long island iced tea) and tasty. I recommend going early on the weekend to get a table so that you don't have to fight your way up to the bar everytime you want a drink. And if you're planning on singing, you want to get there early to put your song requests in because the spots go quickly. All in all, this bar is great for a never-fail good time. Great music, great drinks, lots of amusement (karoake, pool) but it's also a great place to get a big table with friends and just enjoy the evening.

Pros: Cheap drinks, good food

Posted 10/23/06

Had a bad experience my first time at Backstage, but manager made up for it. He graciously and generously made it worth my time to give this place a 2nd try and even offered an explanation as to why my friends and I experienced what we did. Gotta respect that. I was impressed enough to raise my citysearch rating.

Original Message -
I read all the positive reviews on this site about Backstage, so I was excited to attend a b-day party for my girlfriend there. When we got to Backstage, our drink order was taken right away. However, at 9:20pm when the majority of the group had arrived, we asked to order food. We were told that the kitchen had decided to close 9pm -- something to do with someone not showing up??? I don't know what the problem was, but we had planned on eating there, so we were starving. They could've told us the kitchen would be closing when we got there. We asked for at least some chips and salsa, which we eventually were able to get after having to plead, but then, half the chips were over-cooked and the other half were WET (hopefully it was just water)! They knew they had a big group of 30+ coming in. They should have accomodated or at the very least even came over to apologize to my friend for having to make many of her guests go out to get food and come back. A cake had been brought in, and they did provide us with some plates, but no forks. If I were the manager there, I would've been embarassed enough to apologize and to go out of my way to provide plates and forks since that cake was what several people would be eating for dinner! I doubt I would go back to this place again.

Pros: Beautiful L.A. people in a dive bar setting

Cons: Service

Posted 10/18/06

one of my coworkers is a triathlete and we went to backstage for a drink after work. he had a 90 mile training ride the next morning, so of course i got him loaded on irish car bombs and he was cursing me the entire next day...good times.

anyway, backstage is one of my favorite places to go. everyone kicks back and you can pretty much start a conversation with anyone. i'm too much of a chicken to do karaoke, but if i was ever going to try it, backstage would be the place. you get a vibe whenever you walk into a bar, and backstage's vibe is always gooooood. bouncers are cool, bartenders and waitresses are friendly, and the food is above average. my girlfriend and i met some people at poseur-central saints and sinners the other night, and the whole time i was thinking how much more fun it would be at backstage.

Posted 09/19/06

I found this place with some friends of mine while searching citysearch. I love karaoke but am a little nervous about singing. I have to say.... Backstage karaoke is a show! Everyone is so into the singing and the KJ Shane guy was a sweetheart. He helped me pic a song and the when I was scared he cheered me on and danced with me. My friends and I are still talking about how much fun we had. It was like a party all night. It did get very crowded but the people were very friendly and the drinks were inexspensive and good. The service was great as well. The only bad thing was I wish I lived in LA now. I am moving in November so I have to wait till then to return. Thank you for making my visit wonderful!

Pros: Service, Karaoke, people

Cons: the candles werent lit LOL

Posted 07/17/06

At first the bar seems like your average frat boy hang out, but when you sit down and watch the flurry of singers belt their guts out, you see that this bar has that special something. In the early hours (9pm) it seemed that the mic was dominated by "regulars" which was good, because it seemed to get things rolling. As 10pm came the fun really started to happen. Lots of people poured in to get some rather inexpensive drinks and listen to some karaoke idols. Let me say that the people there are awesome. Everyone is supportive and gives a loud applause, even after the worst of singers. The KJ is extremely friendly and supports the singers and keeps the crowd entertained. There was one really funny lady there...her name was LaRonda, and she dropped it like its hot all night, well whenever the KJ let a song play. It was mostly people singing, but tons of fun nonetheless. The only complaint I have was the politeness of the bartenders. The male bartender was very nice, but the ladies weren't so much. One tossed my change at me when I looked away for a brief second, which was pretty uncalled for. Other than that, this bar is awesome, the crowd is even more amazing, and if it wasn't for the bartenders, I would have easily given this bar a 10. Highly recommend, especially if it is your first time!

Pros: Karaoke, crowd, drink price

Cons: Bartender service

Posted 07/11/06

We went on a karaoke night (Saturday). They have an awesome crowd. Really diverse, all ages, everyone was really friendly and gave generous applause. The waitresses were sweet and conscientious, and the drinks were pretty inexpensive. The atmosphere was perfect. Everyone was singing and dancing and it was just an amazing night. I'm sure a good number of the singers were regulars, and would love to go watch again. If you like to watch, there are tons of people with truly impressive voices. If you want to sing but are afraid, don't worry...everyone is supportive and friendly and just there to have fun. I thought parking would be difficult, but somehow we found street parking right in front.

Pros: service, crowd, prices

Posted 06/18/06

I went with a group of friends & we were more than happy! The drinks were cheap, the vibe was laid back & real & the food...was better than any restaurant in los angeles. We shared the mac and cheese, skirt steak, Cheese burger & Chicken fingers----WE WILL ALL BE BACK!!!! The entire staff was girls & they are hot

Pros: food, hot chicks, cheap

Cons: parking

Posted 05/23/06

Although LA has many bars to choose from everytime my friends and I want to go out we can never all agree on a place....until now. BACKSTAGE RULES!!! We had so much fun. It's not a meat market like most bars, we drank and ate and our bill was so cheap. The food was sooooooo good one of my friend's wanted to marry the chef! The drinks were so strong and unique I had shots I didn't know existed. I'm so happy we have a new place to call home

Pros: food, prices, fun

Cons: culver city

Posted 05/23/06

I had my birthday at the Backstage a few weeks ago and had a really great time. The place was busy, but we were treated really well. Free shots for the whole party and great food made it even better. I even tried karaoke (never had the nerve before) and loved it. Everyone there was cheery and the whole place felt like a party. I couldn't believe it when closing time rolled around. We'll definitely be back. Thanks!

Pros: Friendly, Fun, Cheap drinks

Posted 05/11/06

The drinks, like everyone says...are strong. You really get your money's worth. The food too was good although I've only had one dish.

The karaoke on the other hand was a big disappointment. The song book was extensive but the DJ takes your selection and decides if he wants to hear it or not. So basically, you could be sitting there for hours waiting for your song to come on...and it might never happen. All because the DJ would rather play bad hip hop and top 40 than anything you might want to sing.

I'd suggest going early for the drinks and skip the karaoke until they get a fair DJ in there who doesn't play favorites. People go to Karaoke bars to sing THEIR songs, not what the DJ wants to hear!

Posted 05/07/06

After another karaoke bar screwed us over, The Backstage accepted a super last-minute reservation for my friend's surprise birthday party. The owner called me personally to set everything up and he was incredibly nice and helpful. On the night of the party, everything went fabulously well. He had reserved the firepit corner nook for us, which was perfect. Our waitress was very friendly and super efficient, even though she was really busy. The food was quite yummy...it really IS the best mac n' cheese ever! Oh, and most importantly, the karaoke was awesome! The KJ guy was cool, without being annoying, and his song selection was massive. Thank you, Backstage, for a great party and a fabulous night!!

Pros: Tasty food, Cheap drinks, Karaoke!

Cons: Bathroom lines

Posted 04/30/06

This is my favorite bar EVER! I would however love it if they served champagne (cheap bottles or splits). Just a suggestion...

Pros: Shane, James, Bartenders

Posted 03/10/06

This gem of a bar in Culver City is the hottest spot going. The new owner has really turned this place around. This is the best dive bar this side of the Mississippi. The food is simply amazing, everything on the menu is top notch. You may think the food prices look at little high for Bar food, but this ain't bar food. Try anything on that menu and you will not be disappointed. All of the bartenders are nice and cool, it doesn't hurt that they are all hot. Even the female crowd will like the men bartenders that are usually there nights only. The whiskey pours in this place are phenomenal...you really feel like you are getting your moneys worth. It's hard to find that feeling in L.A. No matter where you live, this bar is worth the trip.

Pros: Atmosphere, Food, Bartenders

Cons: none

Posted 02/06/06

Went to the Backstage bar with some friends for the first time. Kareoke was awesome and their burger alone is worth the drive. We were a small group and the place was packed with party people. Chani is HOT! and she makes the best margueritas. Service was great and friendly. Our girls loved Josh's scooby snacks. Their drinks are cheap and if you don't know what you want, trust the bartenders! We had a fantastic time (without cash) and we're going back this week-end. See you there friday!

Pros: friendly staff, cheap drinks, strong drinks

Posted 02/01/06

Went on a Karaoke friday and had fun. THe food was awesome. When it's busy it's hard to get a drink fast.. the bar setup isn't very efficient and the bartenders have to run up and down the bar to get your order and there is only 1 register so it cuts down on their speed. They also don't seem to be having fun cause none of them are smiling. Our speed savior ( we like our booze fast )was a cash bar in the corner . Fast service , extremely fun Steph ... she definitely helped to make our night . I would return .. but only if I have cash with me.

Pros: FOOD, inexpensive , Steph the bartender

Cons: Inefficient mainbar, for crowded nights

Posted 01/22/06

What can I say - cheap drinks, friendly staff and with a retro atmosphere, Backstage is the place to be if you want to kick back and throw down a few with the boys. It can get a bit loud if you go on Thurs - Sat b/c of the karaoke nights - but that just adds to the entertainment. Be wary of table service as they have no waitress - bartenders do double the work, so be kind and just order at the bar.

Pros: Cheap Drinks, Friendly Staff, Food

Posted 12/15/05

We had a birthday party for my best friend here and had a crazy time. The folks who worked there made sure we were totally taken care of. Karaoke was relaxed and fun. During one song, the stage/dancefloor filled up with people from the audience, dancing and having a good time. The drinks were good and the vibe was friendly. I recommend this place and will definitely be back. Give me another cheese roll!

Pros: Friendly, Fun, Good crowd

Posted 11/21/05

Friends of mine really like this place, so we decided to give it a try. It's low key from the outside, but inside it was like going back in time. Warm and cozy, in an old school way. Lots of dark wood and a fire pit(!) Drinks are generous,prices low and the vibe is very relaxed and the food is shockingly good. Karaoke was also very low key and fun. The singers who were there the night we were there were really good, so it was more like entertainment than your typical karaoke scene. I can see why people like this place. It's comfortable, friendly and a good place to carry on a conversation. The bartender made us feel at home and told us we have to come back on Wednesdays for the $2. martinis. This place is definitely worth seeking out, even if you don't live around the corner.

Pros: Warm vibe, Strong, cheap drinks, Friendly & relaxed

Posted 11/18/05

This place is cool, and I would not argue against the bar's #1 rating as "best dive bar", but best singles scene in all of LA? Two "Best of" awards? The food is good, the Karaoke fun, but this internet trophy is an overkill. A savy associate of the bar might have flooded the polls. Yes, I am suggesting that the voting process is more flawed than a Kim Jong II popularity poll.

Posted 11/17/05

I've been hearing a lot about this place, so three of us went last Saturday. We felt welcome and totally comfortable there, not always an easy thing for 3 females. The karaoke singers were surprisingly good, but when we gave it a try (after a few drinks) and were surprisingly bad, everyone gave us a big hand anyway. I really like the Backstage. It's what a bar should be.

Pros: Friendly crowd, Strong drinks, What a bar should be

Posted 11/14/05

Went in there with my girlfriend for a drink on a Friday night. It was about 11PM and we were just getting back from hanging out with friends. We wanted to sit at a table, but instead of ordering a drink at the bar and then sitting down (rude to tip the bartender and sit at a waitresses table), we decided to sit down at an open table, and let the waitress take our order (and tip). After waiting for 10 minutes without her so much as recognizing our existance, we decided to leave. There were open tables, it wasn't THAT busy in there... I don't know what the problem was.

There are some good reviews in here, so I guess I'll give it another shot. It's right up the street from my house, so hopefully it works out...?

Posted 11/08/05

I stumbled into Backstage a few weeks ago with some friends because we heard about their new karaoke night. All I can say is wow! The drinks were very reasonable, the atmosphere was warm and inviting with a great lodgy look including a fireplace. The karaoke hosted by KJ Shane was awesome. He has an unbelievable book and an impressive sound system which includes wireless microphones. KJ Shane was fair with the rotation and made sure everyone sang. Absolutely recommend to anyone who loves karaoke or great drinks.

Pros: Food, Karaoke, People

Cons: none, none, none

Posted 10/05/05

Search no more! This is the place you'll soon call home! It has everything anyone could want in one location. Great atmosphere, beautiful bartenders and amazing food all at reasonable prices. Friday and Saturday night Karaoke the crowd really shows their true talents. Some can hold a tune and those who can't, no one cares. It's all about having a good time. The owner, Ben, is the most personable bar owner I've ever met. He makes you feel like family. I used to frequent this bar when I worked at the good old MGM Studios many years ago but stopped when I moved further south. I heard they had a new owner in January 2005 so I ventured out to check it out. I won't go anywhere else from now on. it's the best damn dive bar in the entire Los Angeles county!

Pros: service, prices, atmosphere

Cons: n/a

Posted 10/05/05

We stopped in here for a few drinks, not realizing they had a kitchen. We got the ribs and some apps. We were so surprised at how great everything was. We had dinner by the fireplace and hung out for a few hours. I've been back for lunch a few times already. Not just the best bar food, but the best lunch in Culver City.

Pros: Ribs, The Burger!, Steak Salad

Posted 10/05/05

A friend of mine who lives out on the Westside invited me to dinner and afterwards we stopped by this place and I had a blast! They had friendly service. The locals were . friendly. All this and I got to sing. The karaoke there is awesome. KJ-Shane knows how to work a crowd and is quite an entertainer himself! If you have ever been intimidated by karaoke before, then this is where you should go...

Posted 10/05/05

I normally don't go to bars for food, but this bar has amazing garlic fries. The atmosphere is warm and casual, it is clean and the service is exceptional. Best yet, this gem is undiscovered so you can actually get a seat!

Pros: Inexpensive, Great food, Clean

Posted 10/04/05

You'll find karaoke jockeys, Sony kids, 'SC Alums and a warm staff. It's a dive with a heart, like you'll only find in LA. Grab a Fat Tire and some eats and talk nitty gritty Hollywood with the those working in the trenches. Great atmosphere and a down to earth vibe.

Pros: Friendly, Low-key, Inexpnsive

Posted 10/03/05

For a dive bar, Backstage brings a lot to the plate! Customers can enjoy darts, pool table and even a vintage Pac-Man arcade game (the kind where you can sit down to play and have somewhere to rest your drink!) The juke-box provides a wonderfully ecelctic soundtrack to any evening, with styles ranging from old-school rock to new-school rock. As Backstage is also a karaoke bar, the music selection is always fresh! This also makes Backstage a great place for people watching. I find that the most intriguing and unique part of Backstage is the firepit. I've never known a Los Angeles dive bar to have such an interesting feature, and as Los Angeles cools down for winter it will surely be the coveted spot to have drinks after work. The friendly and efficient staff serve very reasonably priced drinks and, beleive me, you will find no wimpy drinks here!

Pros: inexpensive, good parking, crowded

Posted 10/03/05

Their website exclaims it's "The Best Dive Bar in the World" and I would have to heartily agree. I am not a real dive bar kind of gal, but the comfortable, intimate, but very fun and friendly environment made the backstage the a great place to be! I've always wanted to see a fireplace in a bar before and the Backstage has it; definitely cozy! If you get hungry in the midst of your night of sips of delicious drinks, chatting and pool playing, there is a a scrumptious food menu awaiting. The music in the Jukebox is a great mix of past and present. Bring friends and enjoy! If you want a laid-back, unpretentious and fun atmosphere, what are you waiting for? Go!
If you are a past regular, a new regular, or just visit once in a while: bring a smile and you'll get one back!

Pros: Comfortable, Intimate, Fun

Cons: No Cons.

Posted 10/02/05

I pop into The Backstage from time to time. Last week I went in and was surprised to see a new menu. I looked toward the kitchen and sure enough, IT WAS OPEN! I ordered the Chicken Satay to start and was blown away. Then I had the Mac & Cheese as my main course, no joke, I have never had Mac & Cheese that was so good! The bar is still the same, great music, karoake, stiff drinks at good prices. The bartenders are all sweethearts. I recommend this place to anyone looking for a casual night out.

Pros: Great Food, Good Drinks, Karoake

Posted 09/28/05

You know when you have found your spot. Immediately you feel at home, the bar stool fits and the bartender makes you feel like you've been a regular for years. That's exactly how I felt when I went to the Backstage for the first time. I love a good cozy, dark divebar where I can have a few drinks and talk with my buddies. The food is great and I do believe I had developed a serious addiction to the french fries. I like a place with darts, pool tables and some vintage video games.. a pub feel with a great old fireplace in the corner.. kinda like a place the artist SHAG would paint in one of this mod paintings dipicting an eccelectic crowd mingling and tying one on. I highly recommend checking the place out. Its comfortable and friendly.. I know I am going back!

Pros: Friendly, Affordable, Cool

Cons: n/a, n/a, n/a

Posted 09/27/05

The Backstage is what you want in a bar. It has a welcoming way that you don't see much these days. You can imagine what it was like when people were decent to each other. It's a good break from the real world.

Pros: Warm vibe, Friendly crowd

Posted 09/26/05

A big group of us went to Backstage for the first time this last weekend. We searched online for karaoke places in the Los Angeles area, and ended up at the Backstage. I was truly impressed. The owner reserved our table for our birthday party right next to the karaoke stage, and came over to greet us personally. KJ Shane did a fantastic job. His song selection impressively comprehensive. I highly recommend this place!

Pros: Karaoke, Good atmosphere, Friendly people

Posted 09/26/05

Rarely do you find a bar with such affordable drinks and a better selection of food. It's the kind of place you can quietly hang out, or make your presence known. A real "go at your own pace" bar.

Posted 09/21/05

Used to roam from place to place. No need too anymore. I found a home at the Backstage!!!! All kinds of people getting along in a real laid back, friendly atmosphere. My only regret is that your ratings only go up to "Highly Recommended" for both value and atmosphere! AND THOSE PRICES. I would return often even if it were not such a bargain.

Pros: Prices, Patrons, Burgers

Posted 09/21/05

The atmosphere is divey and down-to-earth, and despite it's proximity to Sony, it's one of the least pretentious, un-sceney bars I've been to in LA. Do not miss karaoke on Fridays and Saturdays--the regulars really belt it out and everyone else has a no-pressure blast! The firepit is fun and cozy, too, and there is almost always somewhere to sit.

Pros: fun, divey atmosphere, cheap drinks, great people-watching

Cons: loud on karaoke night

Posted 09/21/05

An ecclectic mix of people, from all different walks of life converge at this neighborhood watering hole. The friendly staff keeps you coming back. Although it can get a little crowded on Friday nights, this doesn't prevent good service. And for all you aspiring singers, check out karaoke on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Posted 09/21/05

I bartended for many years from top NYC night clubs, dive bars to restaurants. When I move to LA from NYC, I went on search for the ultimate bar to work at. I finally found it! I worked at Backstage 6 months and I love it... Ben is a great boss! He spends most of his time making the bar the best that it can be. He buys customers drinks, asks they're opinions and knows their name.. It's a great locals bar... I know most of my customers by name and their drink.. I consider them my friends! I have been there for them and they have been there for me.... What more can you ask for! Thanks everyone who comes in!
Your friendly bartender Cheryl
To the comment about firing all the old bartenders for new,young, hot females! I am 39years old! There is no age discrimination there.....

Pros: relax atmosphere, fun hang out!, cheap drinks

Cons: not enough gals!

Posted 09/20/05

This place was and is the greatest dive bar in the LA area. Whether you want to get together with friends or co-workers, this is an excellent watering hole for having some beers, throwing some darts, and hitting on the cutie from the next cubicle. And that's what dive bars are all about.

Pros: atmosphere, staff, grub

Posted 09/19/05

This is a bar for people who know what a REAL bar is all about: low key lighting, great juke box friendly people and of course a great selection of drinks. Not only are the bar staff pretty, they can make a mean drink. It won't be too long before this place blows up, so become a regular before the lines get too long.

Pros: great drinks, great staff

Posted 09/19/05

Motor and Culver has never been a hopping destination for nightlife for good reason. It has the feel of a neighborhood, a place where people actually live and work rather than a place where tourists and trendies come to visit. That's why Backstage is such a great place to check out. It is neither a fly by night attraction for hipsters in search of a glitzy pickup spot nor is it just a hole in the wall where your uncle goes to drink Popov and watch the Kings and Dodgers. Backstage has been given a modest face lift of late - new TVs playing cool movies around the room, pictures of Johnny Cash on the walls, weekend karaoke, etc. - that complements its undisturbed and still defining characteristics - a down home, unpretentious, comfy dark, inviting place to drink and chat with friends. Oh, and the food is good, too.

Posted 09/19/05

with a great mix, every night at this casual bar that feels like a terrific club is fun. karoake night is a hoot, with a few great surprise guests, and other nights can be great for watching sports or just hanging out with the regulars, which seems to include everyone very quickly thanks to the friendly staff.
the burgers are the greatest, gaucamole, and fried onion !!!!

Posted 09/19/05

The Backstage has a great, friendly vibe. The karaoke is killer.
My friends and I always feel comfortable and have tons of fun.
This is what a bar should be. It's my favorite.

Pros: Great karaoke, Good drinks, Fun atmosphere

Posted 09/19/05