Club Monte Cristo

Is Depeche Mode your favorite?
Me neither.
Are you goth?
I am clearly not.
This place is still cool though. Tucked above nondescript commercial units near Wilshire/​Vermont in Ktown, you will likely not find a single Korean here. Enter through a parking lot behind the building and go up a stairwell. Lots of fun for dancing if you can wrap your head around the fact that you probably don’t know most of the songs (at least I didn’t). Not too packed, but not too dead either.
Two rooms (one is red, one is dark), two DJ’s. I like the red room.
$ 8 well drinks
$ 10 cover

Bouncer racially profiled my friend as soon as he showed him his passport. This establishment clearly supports racism if they hire bouncers who are racist.

Love all the LADEAD events hosted here with DJ Xian & Amanda J. Beautiful elegant venue with 2 rooms and a very spacious smoking patio outside. Woman’s restroom is always clean, restroom attendant is very professional and sweet. Decent size parking lot. Love all the new upgrades they have been making throughout the years. Bar tenders are always nice, quick service and make killer Long Island Ice Teas. Only complaint I have is that I have had drinks not even half empty taken away from my table while I was on the dance floor. Other than that I love this place & as long as LA DEAD events are held here I will keep coming back :)

The minor downside is having to walk up (and later, down two flights of stairs) to get into the actual club but once you’re in you find it’s a pretty big place. They have a moderately sized dance floor with great lighting and décor, a nicely furnished side room and large rooftop patio area. The one thing that seems to have been failed to be mentioned here is that this is not strictly a goth/​industrial club. There are other events that go on here, as was the R&B/hip hop event and DJ the other night. This can be quite misleading for folks judging solely on the photos but if you’re reading this, and you wanna come here for something other than industrial music, you’ll still find yourself at home. The prices for drinks at the bar are also very reasonable. Good selection. I had a great time.

I tried Ruin and Mode: M and turns out I love Malediction Society. Warlok, I’m afraid there may be too much of the light synth stuff playing so Malediction is just right for me. I’ve gone recently so my review is based on recent events! They open around 10:15 — 10:30. They usually honor the $ 5 guest rsvp 10 till 10:30. If they’re running late, don’t worry, they will honor it. Valet is usually $ 8 – 10 depending on the night. Well drinks are $ 5 sometimes $ 7 if they forget. The dance floor is big. You can dance on the cubes if that’s your thing. Lots of couches to sit on. Patio is nice and big. Plenty of room to lounge or hang over the rails. LOTS of interesting people to meet and greet. Love them all! I have not met a single person that has been rude. All have been very respectful and caring! Do not be shy to come up and chat with anyone here. We’re all friendly and don’t bite unless that’s what you really want. ;)

I’ve been only once, but I’m a fan of this place.
As tons of others have observed, this place is a lighthouse for those people who tend to wallflower at clubs.
I don’t like being groped or sweat on. I don’t like having to elbow my way through bodies to get anywhere. Club Monte Cristo is an option for the little weirdo inside us all that just wants to dance — and have the space to do it too, dammit.
Honestly, I can’t wait to go back. It is fantastic people watching, and if the scene isn’t your go-​to style — strap on your best black outfit and know that you will never overdo it at this place — so have fun and go with it.
They have a reasonable valet option — though the drinks are on the cheap side so consider über/​lyft or the metro.
I went on a Friday, probably around 11:30pm, and the cover was $ 10. I thought it was steep, but you are really getting an entire experience… not so terrible.
There are 2 dancefloors: one is industrial and dark and seemed more uptempo, while the other was all velvet and red and more on the seductive side sound-​wise.
There is a large rooftop where people gather for views and smokes.
There is a bathroom attendant ready to assist you as long as you have a buck or two.
I’ve been telling everyone I know about it.

While it was a little difficult to find (there’s no sign and Google Maps enigmatically suggested that it was located right in the middle of Wilshire Avenue), Club Monte Cristo was a lovely discovery that lured me back several weekends in a row.
The atmosphere is open and elegant, allowing room for your personal-​space bubble and also the lonely ghosts that may have followed you there. The main room is almost too dark at times, but there is also a more lambent red room nearby that is sometimes its own alternate dance room, sometimes a decadent lounge to watch mild S&M exchanges by Doms who appear to be taking their craft very seriously (i.e. It is not trashy at all).
The music was danceable but also beautiful and moving, the sort you can actually have an introspective/​retrospective/​emotional experience to. A seamless mix of Portishead, Cocteau Twins, Depeche Mode, Smiths, Siouxsie, Lamb, Sneaker Pimps, and others that I didn’t recognize but became effortlessly entranced by nonetheless.
I love music deeply but usually don’t dance at clubs because 1). I usually loathe the ditzy music and 2). The dancing atmosphere is usually just a big unctuous, come-​hither sex advertisement. At Club Monte Cristo, people dance by themselves, usually with their eyes closed, as though they are alone in their bedrooms. Now that I can relate to (and participate in)!
All I can say about drinks is that they had several types of red wine to choose from and from my standpoint that’s a mild luxury. I’ll definitely be going back to Club Monte Cristo again, and I’m sure that some lonely ghosts will be following me there as well.

Xian is an amazing DJ and loves her clientèle! This club is awesome, I have been going here since day 1!

A friend of mine invited me to come here last Tuesday night for Warlok (where he is apparently a regular). I’ve never been, so I figured what the hell, why not?
Turns out, I didn’t end up regretting giving the place a try, as the experience was something quite «different» for me. They were playing darkwave, industrial, witch house, etc. I just only wish I had the foresight to have brought my Surefire EP5s with me … I think it would have spared me the severe tinnitus that I woke up with the next day.
Entry was free before 10:30PM, but since I arrived well past that time, I think the cover charge was about $ 8 (if I remember correctly). The A/​C inside was reasonably decent, considering how roastingly hot it was outside on the patio balcony area. The seating within the club was quite comfortable.
I found that everyone I was introduced to at Warlok was pretty cool, including DJ Xian. Although this sort of place is not exactly my natural habitat, I would definitely be open to returning here again.

We were at a bar nearby and wanted to go dancing. This was the closest club so we decided to wander over and check it out. It’s down a dead end street, through a car park, and then up a bunch of stairs. When we got to the door we had a listen to the music… Gothic House music. We decided to give it a try and paid $ 10 each to get in.
Inside was dark and it was about ½ full. We had a blast dancing to the music. We definitely stood out among the corsets and heavy black make up, but no one seemed to mind that we were there. Drinks were reasonable and the bathroom was clean. Had a great time and if I’m ever in the mind for gothic house music, this will be the first place I come to!

Come here for Warlok, Malediction Society and random LADead events. Love this place. Have always managed to find street parking. I’m probably one of the few that likes the stairs and green neon tunnel. The décor is perfect. The people are chill. The drinks are cheap. Bathroom is clean. Lots of places to sit. Nice patio to cool down. Sound system good. My only gripe us that Parlour room does get hot and stuffy when used as a second dancing room. Also the mirror outside near bathroom was recently removed.
Also taco truck just outside the venue :9

The short: This is specific for Xian’s events at this venue. She was once there and has now returned and I’m so happy because this venue is great!
The long: After coming here for years for Xian’s events eventually some genius booted her out thinking they were going to make more money with another format. I can’t say if they did or didn’t but all that matters is she’s back in. This venue is pretty much everything an attendee can ask for. Great staff, great drinks, great sound system, and a smoking deck for those who still smoke. Unlike some bars this particular place offers a wide selection of spirits that anyone can find something and they don’t charge you for non alcoholic drinks if you are a DD which is awesome for LA. My single and only complaint is that you are not allowed inside until the DJ shows up and well if they are late (it’s LA everyone is always late) you have to stand outside in line just collecting dust. Perhaps the venue should allow people inside to start spending money at the bar and to be sociable until the entertainment arrives. There have been times I’ve been outside 30+ minutes and I would have bought maybe 4 drinks myself by then. Also it isn’t like they are compensating for time on the back side so they are taking money out of their own pocket.
What works: Great bar staff, great drinks, reasonable pricing, and just an all around awesome venue
What to improve: Let people in the door @10 instead of waiting outside for 30 mins for the DJ to show. Just let us in to drink while we wait!

Rewind back from 2009 when I would get dressed in my best corset and vinyl boots to drink absinthe and dance the night away at Ruin.
Today, this club is still the best. Do not be deceived by the location, it looks like a business but I assure you once you drive to the end of the culdasac you will be greeted by valet. Which is another reason I love it here. Where in LA can you still valet your car for only $ 5? No where but the Monte Cristo.
I really love the loft setting, however, the stairs can be tricky with a drunk friend. The club is placed up two flights of stairs to a large two roomed loft. Heavy velvet drapes, chandeliers, smoked windows, just beautiful everywhere.
Outside smoking patio-​check! It is on the rooftop and drinks are allowed. This is where most of the mingling goes on, and if no one is on the dance floor I guarantee you will find enough people outside.

Awesome club all around on industrial nights, the patio is a rooftop!
Def worth checking out.
However, beware of the occasional times when staff decide to be assholes just because they feel like it.

Such an odd venue like sweatshop meets church meets upscale. Went for the peepshow. There was a live band to open, and in between set changes a funny host and a hostess. It was a show of misfit burlesque dancers, but you felt like you were watching a carwreck meets 3 stooges– awesomely lowbrow, fun, confident, and at times I was fearful for my life. Would totally go again, but i would get super wasted just so I would feel like it was a brand new experience. It didn’t even come close to starting on time, no food at the venue, and the dresscode was casual.
What was the name of the band playing?

By far, the best underground events in Los Angeles take place at the Monte Cristo; these include RUIN Hollywood (the 2^nd and 4^th Saturdays of each month) and Malediction Society (every Sunday), presented by LADEAD™ (Los Angeles Darkside), under the auspices of the exceptionally talented nightclub promoters/​DJs DJ Xian and DJ Amanda Jones.
Situated in the bustling mid-​Wilshire district of Koreatown, just west of downtown Los Angeles, the Monte Cristo is nestled upstairs in a modest building. Clad in sumptuous, all-​black finery, you approach the entrance from the rear, climbing up and up the twisting, mysterious flights of stairs as the compelling music from within tantalizes and beckons. You part the heavy black velvet curtains at the threshold — a threshold into a world of musical magic and enchantment…
Immediately, you are enveloped by the seductive, almost erotic darkness… a deep dark-​grey slate floor, a lavishly stocked full bar, plush, black seating, and the focal point: The Main Hall — the spacious and opulent dance area, lushly appointed with dark wood flooring, deep red crystal chandeliers, swirling red and blue spotlights, and a truly fine, state-​of-​the-​art sound system. This beautiful dance floor is the nexus — this is where the enchantment comes to life.
RUIN Hollywood takes place on the second and fourth Saturday of each month; on these nights, you dance to the darkest, dreamiest music played by DJ Xian and DJ Baron: darkwave, trip hop, downtempo, tribal, synthpop, and some very avant garde selections.
Malediction Society takes place every Sunday night: get ready to cavort in the sexy darkness to the delightfully divergent musical styles: industrial, EBM, synthpop, aggrotech, and elektro, as played by DJ Xian and DJ Amanda Jones.
MODE:M takes place the first Saturday of the month, featuring Depeche Mode, along with the finest in synthpop, elektro, remixes, and covers.
Just off The Main Hall, behind black velvet curtains: The Parlour. This is an intriguing, all-​black room: a black chandelier with dark red, softly glowing lights, elegant seating, and mysterious cult projections. And you just might get the opportunity to savour absinthe within The Parlour while a Mistress dominates her submissives…
If there is ever a time when you are swept off your feet into another world, RUIN Hollywood, Maledicton Society, and MODE: M within the Monte Cristo are where it takes place…

In the Heart of LOS ANGELES, there is this «Sanctuary» for the Darker Beautiful Musical Event’s…
SITREP
I’ve been coming to the CLUB MONTE CRISTO since October 2006 and it all began when I was seduced by DJ AMANDA JONES and DJ XIAN VOX for their event «MALEDICTION» which is here every Sunday night, and promoted by their own company-​website, «L.A.DEAD.COM».
[On a related-​side note, if you get the chance to go to and experience any of the events promoted by these two stellar lady-​DJs, I suggest you do so. I’ve made it no secret that I think Amanda is the most talented DJ I’ve ever met and Xian is the most talented DJ-​Promoter in the biz.]
EVENTS
With dynamic Gothic-​Industrial-​EBM-​Dark Wave music events such as MALEDICTION and RUIN (Saturday nights), the Monte Cristo and it’s ballroom hosts the best in very cutting-​edge club events. Special themes for Holiday weekends make this venue an exciting place to be, especially with STEAMPUNK meet-​ups, VAMPYRE BALLS, and Military Fashion Shows.
THE LAYOUT
Besides the large chandeliered ballroom where the main area of dancing takes place, there is also a lovely back-​room where another area of DJ music dancing goes on. And if you want to catch some fresh air (or smoke), there is a rooftop social-​mixing area, with little tents for small group meets, that you can also enjoy.
THE LOWDOWN
The Monte Cristo has proven itself to be the best venue for the Darker Dancing & Music Events!

CAUTION: This place rigs their drinks!
I always have to stick to bottled beer when I go for Ruin or Disko Nekro. To me, it’s unacceptable for an establishment to water down premium liquor and then charge you $ 10/​$ 12 for it. Even the Jaeger and wine is rigged. I once had to order an entire bottle of white wine just to make sure was not tainted.
The club itself is pretty cool with a nice older lady as the bathroom attendant. Nice-​sized patio; although, the flooring could use some updating.
The owner/​management needs to re-​think what they are doing to make a few extra bucks — shame on you guys! Sadly, most club goers don’t even notice that what they are drinking is shit. Pay attention people!
Next time you are at the Monte Cristo pay attention to the flavor of your ‘premium’ drink. If having white wine hold your glass up to the light — you will see that it is diluted.
I am only giving it 2 stars because the spot itself is pretty cool and the sound system is good, but the drinks SUCK!!!

Top Gun. Foot loose. Madonna. Bee Gees. Chicago. Run DMC. Mullets. This place is not the 80s I was thinking of…
Maybe because I didn’t grow up in the 80s I can’t appreciate this place as much. However, when I think of the 80s I think of Madonna, old school hip hop, haddaway, bubble gum pop. I was almost expecting some guy wearing aviators to walk through the door with Kenny Loggins «Highway to the Danger zone» blaring in the background wear.
Instead, the DJ here loves to play some weird Gothic type of music, something I imagine would be playing at some bizarre bdsm bondage fest.
Also for the amount of people here, it gets overly packed and really hot. Also for some reason, they don’t open any windows so the place starts smelling like a gym by 12.
I don’t know. Honestly if this place had better ventilation, and actually had more billboard charting 80s song I would recommend this place. However,

Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking of going when it’s Club 1984 on Fridays & Saturdays (I went with my guy and friends on a Friday for the first time):
–There’s a large outdoor area with plenty of seating so that’s pretty cool.
–The dance floor is large
–The drinks were pretty strong and fairly priced. I don’t think I paid over $ 7 for any drink and I was drinking some pretty hard stuff.
–They had a good playlist of 80’s songs: Madonna, A Flock Of Seagulls, The Smiths, Michael Jackson, etc. However, the DJ did play a couple of songs more than once and I thought that was lame. I think the DJ that night was Richard Blade.
–They have valet parking for only $ 5 which is cool but there’s PLENTY of street parking so it might not be necessary unless you’re incredibly lazy to walk less than 100 feet.
–It’s $ 5 before 10:30pm.
–There’s also lots of comfortable seating around the dance floor and they even have a back area (not the outdoor) with lots of seating, as well.
–There’s no AC but there’s two (from what I saw) large fans that don’t do jack unless you stand directly in front of them so if you’re on the dance floor be prepared to sweat profusely!
–From what I saw there wasn’t much of a dress code. One of my girlfriends’ friends wore jeans. If I’m not mistaken, I think guys can’t wear t-​shirts though.
–Oh! And most importantly: BEWARE to gals that are looking for a hot guy! There were none! There were, also, probably 3 girls to every 1 guy. I don’t want to sound like a jerk but there were lots gangster looking guys. It’s not my thing but maybe it’s yours. I’m just an informant.
All in all, I had a great time with my guy so we’ll probably go here again!