The Smell

Change the name. Problem solved.

Save the classic DIY punk/​noise venue! I hope you guys are able to continue using this space or find/​buy your very own downtown venue. You have brought us all so much culture and we appreciate it!

I was stabbed here about 3 years back by some homeless dude. Overall is a ⁴⁄₅. Venue heats up really fast

Fun underground diy venue. one of the true, fun places for young
drinks allowed so drink beforehand or at a bar near by, but show up to check out a really awesome new band or a secret show gor legends.

I was in LA for business and brought my teen daughter. Not my style of music but she totally dug it! I’d recommend if you want to check out the youth music scene. I like the concept, which gives kids a cool, safe (it seemed to me) & underground venue.

Played a chipmusic festival here in January of 2015 and this place did not disappoint. It’s DIY, it’s narrow, the bathrooms are like an homage to street art but it was one of the best experiences I’d had at a venue on tour. I know that sounds crazy but everything about The Smell is super welcoming.
Sure it smells, but like — it’s in the damn name. If you weren’t expecting that a Unilocal review can’t help you. If it gets too hot and sweaty head out to the alley for some air.
Full disclosure: Went to a three night festival there, performed one of the nights so this review is both from the performance and attendee perspective. Still ⁵⁄₅.

Yes, it smells. Its very small and super crowded. I put all the negative crap aside because I got to see a group I like. I wouldn’t go back though.
Beware: The kid that charges at the door (he looks like a beaver) WILL try to short change you. So count your change. As soon as I brought it up to him he knew how much he owed me without me telling him it was $ 5. He also tried that with my friends. I don’t think so Beaver.

Omg does this place live up to its name. It smells! And some of the people here do too. So came to see my friends band play as I’m sure is how most people end up here. The front says something about automotives, you enter through the back. This reminds me of being in high school and going to punk clubs that would pop up randomly. It’s a pretty cool place though I don’t see myself coming too often. I’m too old

Well, to be frank, there were a lot of weird smells floating around… I guess it lives up to its name. The music was way too loud, there was only one functioning bathroom, and it was too gross for a lady to use. I only went to support my friend’s band, and I wouldn’t choose to go here for any other reason.

Your experience will rely on the amount of people that are in. The main room sometimes gets packed as hell and you can barely move around. It also gets really hot since there’s no AC at all. Don’t get me wrong this place was fun but sometimes I got uncomfortable with the heat and population it had for some of the shows I went to. It’s cheap tho.

Its a super cool place to hangout if you want to listen to underground live music, full of young prople just dancing and hanging out, they do not sell alcohol, just a cool spot to chill and have a good time

Ha, The Smell. I mean, you’ve got to go at least once. If you’re under 21, you’ve got to go a lot of times.
It’s a small, wrecked-​up all ages punk venue in the middle of Downtown. The bands are surprisingly good– I don’t know what level of post post post post punk we’re on these days, but all the music I’ve heard here was weird and surprising without losing any of the intensity of it’s Thatcher-​era ancestors. The crowd is pretty friendly, but skews way young. It’s fun to mosh around, browse the zines and bathroom graffiti, git a snack and styrofoam cup of soda, then gasp in some cool air and second hand smoke in the back alley, but for the love of god don’t hit on anyone. They are in high school.

All Ages!
Came to see Alexa Melo and band.
I was very surprised at how good the sound was.
Lighting could be better last night. There actually wasn’t any.
Clean and nice in here. Great crowd. I’ll be back!

This small venue has hosted some of the funnest shows I’ve ever been to. Weather it’s folk, indie, surf, or experimental, this place quickly turns shows into a punk rock mess.
Parking in itself is very accessible, hence there are 3 different parking lots right next to The Smell.
Outside you can expect the occasional homeless guy that claims is in charge of making sure nothing illegal is going on. Disregard that guy, he’s just there to be creepy. As you will quickly notice there are typically plenty of teens, age always varies,(between 16 – 25 yr olds), out and about smoking marijuana and cigarettes. Everyone usually keeps to themselves in groups and I personally have never had any trouble with other people. Outside regardless if you smoke bud or not you will find the nightlife around The Smell very pleasing. There is a great pizza place around the corner as well as a park down the street, great for relaxing and getting a good glimpse of DownTown LA.
As for inside there are a couple couches and benches in the front portion of the building. They conveniently have a snack bar set up where you can purchase water, coffee, tea, chips, music, etc. Right by the couch area there is also a zine section up for grabs put up by the local zinesters. Now as for the restrooms, yes they are completely covered up in graffiti art, inside you’ll see years and years of people’s writing literally everywhere. This doesn’t mean the restroom itself is dirty, it’s what any typical public restroom looks like, it’s whatever.
The actually stage is surprisingly loud. Like all concerts the best place to see the band is upfront, but be prepared to have people stage dive off stage and dance their way to the front (purposely shoving people off so they can see the band too.) Not all shows are all punk rock but the good ones are, trust. Overall, this DIY venue is a great spot to go to. There are never any issues as far as venue or people, (except for that one asshole that didn’t know how equalize the microphone at that one show.)
If you’re some lame poser that is scared of an alleyway, graffiti art, vegan snacks, drinking, smoking, and a bunch of chill people, do yourself a favor and stay home.
If you’re someone who likes to have fun at shows, drink, or smoke, The Smell is a place to check out. Their website is also always up to date too so make sure you check online for upcoming shows.
Regardless of the few changes over the years, The Smell remains chilliest venue in LA.
As for the whole no alcohol allowed cause it’s an all ages thing sometimes, just sneak it in stop making it a big deal.

Tonight I visited this sweet spot that hosts cool gigs. I’m sure this place has booked tons of new and classic sounds. I could already tell by the murals, stickers, and random displays. I genuiinely did love the grungey realness surrounding me.
Didn’t expect it to be a dry venue, but hey some people get crazy under the influence. Also, I could totally understand crowd control when it comes to such an intimate space (with little ventilation).
Plus side: it is so rad to see real musicians jam heavy on their instruments. The sound is a little overwhelming, but that is what true rock and roll (indie, metal, funk, etc.) is about– being totally immersed in a bands creativite process and production. Kudos to all the up and comer’s out there, for all their bravery and relentless creativity. The Smell gives these bands the opportunity to express all that.
Doorman could be nicer THO. Wouldn’t necessarily come back unless I knew who was playing.

This place is a hidden and often under appreciated slice of Los Angeles life. What a beautiful community. $ 5 shows. Can’t complain.
Mostly high schoolers but some nights it’s slightly older. Cool space. Let’s keep it open.

The only knock on The Smell is how hot it gets inside when bands are playing. Seriously, shorts and a tank top is the way to go when inside or you will sweat like a damn fool.
But anyways, I got to check out Retox here and it was a blast. The stage is high, the sound is not really great, it’s SO LOUD but what’s not to love about an DIY drug and alcohol free venue for up and coming bands to perform for punk/​hardcore/​indie/​experiemental fans of all ages.
Now that DFL has reunited hopefully they play here soon.

If you are a fan of shit sound, crappy ambiance, and poor atmosphere — look no further.
Personally, I enjoyed my time here. Will I return? Hell no, it’s located in a sketchy part of Downtown Los Angeles. However, since I’ve been here just once, I felt like I had to enjoy the show for my friends (which I did). Very punk and anti-​establishment vibe.

The Smell is a unique venue with an equally unique crowd. The time we came there was a fashion show where every competitor was wearing a dress and judged by the volume of the crowd’s cheering.
Mind you girls AND guys were competing.
With regards to music taste, we came to see bands such as Pizza. A devoted fan even waved a large pizza box in the air as they were playing… dedication man.
They serve hot green tea for $ 1 in the back but mind you NO alcohol is served.
There used to be a hobo that acted as a security guard for years but was recently arrested (article on LA Times) and he used to guard the smell and accompany people to their cars in order to protect them. Turns out he always had a knife (or machete) under his coat… now is it really a surprise he got arrested… But he still added to the unique atmosphere of the Smell.
Cover is around $ 10 I believe? Standard. Small venue however, don’t expect a huge auditorium.

The smell is a hidden gem! It’s name can be a little scary but it is a great music venue, one of my favorites. I was apprehensive when I approached the entrance (because it is in an alley way in the middle of downtown LA) but once inside I could tell it was a really chill place.
It is easy to find restaurants near by for food before or after any show. I recommend pitfire pizza or badmaash. You could even walk to little Tokyo! There is plenty if other nighttime activity going around around The Smell which gave me extra security. Between bands people hang out in the alley to smoke and chill. While in the alley you get a glimpse of a lot of cool nighttime LA activity.
My favorite aspect of this venue is there all ages all of the time rule. There are so many 21+ shows, which bums me out but I can always rely on The Smell. Another cool thing is that all of the tickets are $ 5! Nice! The only thing that worries me is that you cannot buy your tickets ahead of time so you run the risk of the show being sold out. So I recommend getting there early because a lot of shows actually do sell out.
The scene here is very young and depending on the band it can get very crazy in here. I saw Coachwhips preform and it was intense; I still have bruises.
Out of all the venues I have gone to, there is none like the smell. It is a super rad, casual place to hang out with friends and see an awesome inexpensive show.
*go to the bathroom before hand! I would not trust the bathroom here (just look at the photos)!!