Cafe Club Fais Do-Do

I love this place. It is a cool kookie club. I don’t know exactly how to describe the place but perhaps an old Hollywood club that is a little run down in an awesome way. Think the Cicada Club meets Cabaret There are two sections both of which I have been in, one is smaller with a kitchen and the other large theater/​club room which I actually rented for dance rehearsals. It was awesome. I have seen many shows here from Shakespeare to burlesque to bands and pop up restaurants. The owner Steve maybe the kindest man I have ever met. I think as this place grows it could be the most amazing neighborhood hang out in Los Angeles.

VERSUS has set up 2 secret RSVP 21+ only parties, recently. The building isn’t too big, but the people that show up, ARE. They get big deal DJs to stop by. For instance, one duo stopped to play last night even though they’re booked for Coachella this weekend. First event was very personal. Had like fifty people. Last night had tons more! Good crowd. 1 stall in the women’s restroom. Shitty slow bartenders. $ 7 beers. Upstairs is VIP. Back patio is cool. Heat lamps, included. They sometimes open up a bar out there. Don’t know why they didn’t last night… As far as the crowd, so many musically talented people. Young DJs from LA, San Diego, Sweden, and New Zealand. If you’re talking with someone, they most likely «know people» Lots of LA famous instagram chicks, but woop di do…

Nice little place with a bar. It has an antiquated look, but is nice and relatively spacious. Tonight there is a live Jazz band that is playing every Friday for the month of April from 9pm-​12am.

We love our neighborhood club and all the great things it hosts — from great causes like High School fundraisers, to The Los Angeles Drama Club (which serves kids in the neighborhood) — to great music like Vaud and the Villains.
Steve cares about making everyone feel welcome and he makes extra efforts to bring different people and different causes together right in the neighborhood.
Today, we were rehearsing at the club for our upcoming show and Mayor Garcetti was just down the street eating pizza !
There is a real visceral buzz in the air.
Our neighborhood here in West Adams is hopping with new energy and wonderful possibilities. Steve’s Club is the anchor, bringing great music, variety acts and even Shakespeare to Mid-​City /​West Adams.

I’m an artist, so I understand if my review seems a little skewed…
The Positive:
The smaller side of the venue is amazing. Great atmosphere and the staff is really wonderful. It has a nice full size stage and a huge balcony over the bar.
There’s plenty of street parking and some cheap lots close by. This place should be a wonderful place to always see live music.
Drink prices are great with some awesome specials. Terrific door guy with a big smile which makes a world of difference to the people coming through the doors.
Great bands come through to play!
Potential! Grade: A
The Not-​so Positive:
Music venues need to learn how to run music venues. Simply said, music is what you do! It’s everything. It’s ½ your atmosphere.
Sound engineers have the responsibility of manning the board, walking through the audience, listening, adjusting. This is absolutely fundamental if you want customers to keep walking through those doors! Don’t make it sound okay, make it sound great! (And I’m not referring to the band’s responsibility. That’s another review.) I heard constant feedback or lack of volume and unbalanced sound the whole night. Grade: C
Lighting… another simply stated and seemingly obvious fundamental. Lighting IS atmosphere! You have the lights! Use them. How boring is it to watch an act in stagnant yellowish light?! Real boring. YOU make the mood. It’s your responsibility! Grade: C–
Advertising… yes, it is partially the band’s responsibility, agreed. BUT, it is YOUR venue. YOUR business! YOUR responsibility. PROMOTE yourself, promote your bands, promote your atmosphere and friendly staff! I still can’t believe managers and bar owners don’t do this. Each night should be a partnership! Grade: C+
Overall Grade: B–
Go and support this almost amazing place with a sh*t ton of potential! l

Funky place with great retro vibe and Art Deco interior (former bank). Would not recommend their cocktails or sodas (watered down), just buy a beer. Would NOT recommend the food. We ordered fried chicken and french fries. The chicken was actually raw/​pink in the middle and covered in a very thick, soggy breading. Fries were soggy too.

Absolutly the worst buisness practices I have ever encountered by owner Steve. The managment offers no support and takes zero responsibility. It“s seriously sad that this wonderful building has to be under his purview.

Cute Venue! Gotta love the tall ceilings, all the wood, and what not. One of the entrances had wooden slides so it allows air to come in, but it’s still too hot in that damn place. I wouldn’t say it was like Florida, but it was not comfortable.
I liked the bartenders, but they didn’t have a huge section when it came to white ales. They also have a minimum of $ 12 for credit cards, that’s so meh! I had to close my card by buying a coconut water :/​
I did enjoy the show I went there for though, by We Fancy Comedy!

Not sure what this place is trying to be. not a classy one though.
Stopped by to see my buddy performing, the guy at the entrance tried to charge money to get into this worn out hall in the wall, which was almost empty anyway. Ordered a draft beer at the bar. the lady poured the beer from some pitcher that was standing on the side of the bar. Bizarre place.

Ok I love the space & I love the neighborhood, plus the acts they show. it’s a great down-​home, earthy, simple, no attitude venue which is so essential in this town. Went there few nights ago for a great show, which was stellar. The hostesses were efficient & helpful too.
HOWEVER, I have to gripe about the drinks. The soju cocktails had maybe 5 drops of soju in them, they were mostly juice & super weak. And then when I ordered wine it was maybe half of a small glass. Granted, you kind of expect that at a club, but COME on no need to totally insult us after dropping $ 40 on 2 rounds! And the bartender was quit curt & snippy about it. I don’t need to chit-​chat and totally get that you are slammed, but seriously at least try to smile at people who are out for a good time for the night rather than making them feel like they’re hasseling you to do their job. If I go back, I’ll take a flask next time and I’m always happy to buy some rounds to support the act & club, but don’t want to feel bamboozled about it either.

This review is for the Cherry Potter Burlesque show. The crowd was very noisy so it was hard to hear the magician and quasi-​comedians.
The magician was unremarkable (though, at a low price), and it’s advertised as a parody. I thought it was a little short on the comedy and long on the Burlesque. Half of the burlesque acts would have been better. Making things worse, there were 3 needlessly long intermissions. Sometimes, less is more!
The show itself was not for everyone, and that includes me. Burlesque is not meant to be titillating, but rather playful and expressive, carefully revealing parts of their body with feathers and fans. I admired the women for doing the burlesque tease so confidently, no matter the shape or size, and there were some BBW performing. There were some standard good lookers but a lot more woman of average or plus size. The actress playing Draco Malfoy was quite impressive in her confidence and use of glitter.
They did burlesque the way burlesque is done, but I just didn’t have that much fun.

The bathrooms are atrocious, and they could do better about the line (will-​call should be a separate line than people buying tickets right away).
Other than that, the space is the perfect venue for burlesque/​dance shows. Lighting and sound are spot on for a venue this size. Bartenders were super nice despite the crowds. The bathrooms (when functional) are upstairs, which is a nice break from the crowds if you so need it. Couches are dotted around the place, so show up early otherwise you get a nice folding chair =)
Parking is pretty plentiful on Adams if you show up a little early. Although the neighborhood isn’t the best, so try to go with a buddy if you’re a female. There’s a laundromat across the street with parking at night. It’s $ 5, so have cash handy.

This Place is charming. The neighborhood isn’t the greatest but its a cozy venue. We came here for a charity poetry reading and it was perfect for that.
I didn’t try anything from the bar so I can’t speak to that.

I came here for a belly dance event that was renting out the space. My review is only for the venue, not the people who run it.
The space was nice but it was just ok for a belly dance show but I can see how it would be a fun place to be at if it was set up as a club or a burlesque show. In regular lighting, it looks sotra of run down.
Didn’t buy a drink cause there was a huge line, that turned into a yelling match. Lucky the show started shortly after. Judging from the other reviews, that might have been a good thing.
There is street parking but if you know the event is going to be packed, get there earlier or don’t go alone. I got there about 30 mins before the show started and there was almost no street parking left within 6 blocks either way. The neighborhood is questionable and the on going joke for the night was will our cars be there when we get out.

My 8 yr old performed Timon of Athens (a Shakespeare play) here last month. Of course she and her cast mates killed it! These kids are talented. Shakespeare in the City and LA Drama club rock! The future looks bright for these children, we need more organizations like this to keep our kids preoccuppied and well rounded. Thank you Blaire we appreciate you for this opportunity. See you soon for the next play.

This was a nifty little excursion… This club stands out from the corner, in a bleak area of town. The ambience is that of a speak easy/​night club, I can detect the remnants of a long gone era, which adds to its quirky charm.
What I liked: this particular Saturday, there was a huge band playing southern store, Mardi gras style music, some jazz, and even an Irish jig! Not a lot of space to dance, but dance we did! It seemed otherworldly, especially with the old time décor.
What I didn’t like: the $ 20 cover I understand-​you don’t want to let too many folks into such a small venue as well as preserving the «class», but the drinks should be more priced for the 10oz. We get. Also, one bathroom for so many people gets to be a little gross after awhile. As previously mentioned, the dance floor was a bit small for the crowd yearning to dance, but this wasn’t a deal breaker. The reason why I give this place 3 stars is because the VERY limited number of tables were ALL reserved, and there isn’t much room for standing. So there is literally no where to sit and relax. I would have paid for a table, especially since I called ahead to see if reservations were needed/​available and was told no.
All in all, I had a good time nonetheless, and would return in the future.
Vaud and Villains were AWESOME!

Fun, ramshackle-​y venue where if only the walls could talk…
Great place to hear music, or see a theatrical show. I saw Lost Moon Radio here, who, granted, would be awesome anywhere — but, Café Club Fais Do-​Do was a great fit. Bathrooms upstairs; parking is available on street or there’s a guy nearby who’ll put it in a lot. Regardless, I had a lovely time in a place I had never been.
Apparently, this was the site for many a rave and party in the early 90’s. The place has charm and pretty good acoustics. I look forward to coming here again!

The monthly clubs Soulside and Trojan Lounge take place here. If you like classic reggae and soul played on vinyl, come check it out!
There have been major improvements in the last few years. There are more tables and seats, and open dance floor, small stage, and the beer selection was better than it used to be. One stall in the women’s restroom. There’s only street parking, so walk with a buddy if you can.
RIP Larry!

Pretty cool little venue.
Came here to see the Super Serious Show and was really digging the vibe of the place.
Bathrooms are upstairs. The doors kind of blend in with the wall, so don’t let that fool you.
Stage area had a kick ass red wall with some sweet lighting fixtures that I couldn’t get enough of.
Tons of free street parking during the week.
Definitely interested in heading back to see it in full club action at some point.

Just watched Vaud and the Villains at Fais Do Do with a group of 9 people. Apparently the first 85 tickets sold are reserved seating… so my tip (at least for vaud and the villains) is to buy your tickets early! For the show we went to, the reserved seating sold out the Tuesday before the show…
The crowd and energy was wonderful. It felt as if we were transported to New Orleans. After the opening band, Rusty de LeCroix, The Villains played from 9:30pm to midnight!
I was really struck by how perfect the sound was in that room.
Parking was not difficult for us. There was a lot across the street where you could pay $ 5 or you could park on the street.
Be warned though… there is only one stall for the ladies bathroom.