The Viper Room

We came here as guests of my wife’s cousin; singer, songwriter, producer Sovory who was performing that night, and we were given free admission. I was stunned at just how incredibly small this place is. But it fills up, and outside of a very few perimeter tables and the bar area, it’s standing room only. I’m glad we were considered VIPs for the evening so we had a table. It is a very intimate music venue and we had a great time. I’m just glad we didn’t have to stand through the performance.

If I was just reviewing the venue and staff, it would be 4 stars all around. Everyone, from the guy at the door to the woman taking tickets inside was friendly and helpful. No attitude whatsoever. We didn’t leave our spots to get a drink but the one waitress on the floor trying to serve everyone seemed a little stressed. I didn’t smell vomit or urine like the other reviews described but I had been walking up and down Sunset to kill time before the show so maybe my nose was immune to it by then.
**After giving it some thought, I’ve edited my review and realized it’s not really fair to blame the venue for some of it’s clientele acting like douchebags. It’s West Hollywood and I get it… the DB’s are everywhere. So 4 stars for the venue, which I really like.
I just wish there was a separate rating system for drunk a-​holes that ruin the experience for everyone else, lol.

Staffs are very friendly. Sounds from P.A. is great.
You can take a closer look to your favorite bands. Although the restroom smells bad, still it’s one of the great places on the strip. They also have a cozy acoustic lounge in the basement.
Parking available in rear. Really convenient.

The Viper Room is known for having talented acts, rising and established. Never disappointing! Beginning Jan 10^th is a monthly hosted by established event production /​promotion company The Codega. Codega takes pride in curating bands and DJs who light up the stage and get bodies dancing! Check out The Viper Room calendar for more details!

OK they don’t have to be such bitches here we are spending our money welcome to Holly weird

I came to support a musician friend who was playing here. I would probably return under the same circumstances, as this does seem to be a venue for new and independent artists, but under no circumstances would I identify this as a destination on my own.
I don’t normally do Hollywood bars and clubs — where bars no longer have bar stools, and you need to spend $ 400 on some low quality alcohol to sit down in a booth that smells like piss and vomit. I file that under the category of #TooOldForThisMess. The Viper Room, apparently STILL known mostly for being the location of the tragic death of River Pheonix, proved to be all the things I eschew about LA nightlife.
Perhaps it was because this is such an iconic venue, I expected so much more. I entered from the lower level, and was happy find that the man at the door, and the woman to accepted my $ 10 cover charge in exchange for a hand stamp were friendly. She directed me to the bar on the lower level for drink specials, and upstairs for the stage.
The bar on the the lower level was empty and dank, lined with padded seats and a TV playing America’s Funniest Home Videos — on mute — with excellent music playing in the background (bartender says it’s Melanie Martinez) Welcome to the Twilight Zone. Expecting an actual drink menu, I asked the bartender about the drink specials. It’s $ 2 off everything. When I told him I’ve never been here, and asked for his recommendation, a Jäger shot was the best he could come up with. I looked him dead in the face and said, dude, I am Forty-​Three years old. Do I look like I want a shot of Jägermeister? He smiled, warmed, and helped me pick a ginger based cocktail off the limited menu. I close my tab, and walk up the stairs with a watery and flat drink in each hand. One for myself and one for the friend who met me there. Neither of us finished them. And at $ 12 a pop, I’m usually motivated to finish a drink.
In the main room, all the booths were empty, but «reserved.» Depending on where I stood, I could spell the remnants of urine, or vomit, or both. The artists, and the sound system, were what I enjoyed. That part pretty much earned the second star. This venue was was an underwhelming, unsurprising example of exactly why I don’t do Hollywood bars and clubs.

Came here with some friends to check out Black Sabbitch (yes, an all-​female Black Sabbath tribute band – they rock) and we had a swell time. It was my first time here, and I was amazed at how very tiny it was! I mean, I knew it was small, but I didn’t realize it was THIS small. The downstairs «lounge» area is about the size of a postage stamp but it does open up on the 2^nd floor, which is the performance area. The soundproofing in this place is pretty incredible; when you’re downstairs you can’t hear ANYTHING that’s going on on the 2^nd floor, even if there’s some horrendous and horrendously loud death metal playing (which there was). As you ascend the stairs the sound becomes louder and louder until you’re completely walloped when you get to the top. The stage is small and you can get right up to it, which is always nice. I love being able to see bands up close. Black Sabbitch really brought it with surprisingly faithful covers and a theatricality I wasn’t expecting – we had a blast! There’s a bar on each floor and we availed ourselves to both – the bartenders were friendly and on the ball in both areas, so no complaints there. Tiny bathrooms, though, ugh. After the show was over we were lingering a bit, finishing our drinks but security was anxious to shoo us out, which made for bit of a buzzkill, but oh well.
STEPH JUDGEMENT: Tiny and kind of weird, but not a bad spot to see bands up close.

Wow, I must say we had refreshing experience here at the Viper Room, granted I haven’t been here since it’s hey day but was pleasantly surprised to return here in my 40’s to find it better then I remember it it being in my 20’s. We were here on a Tuesday night we came to see Everclear, which was a sold out show. So I’ll start with the parking, the parking was up the street that we found, about a four or five blocks up from the Viper Room, not sure what they charge on a weekend, but on a Tuesday it was $ 10. The guy was nice there and I felt safe leaving my car there, the walk to the club was no big deal, maybe like 5−10mins. You enter into the Viper Room from the side where they check you’re ID and tickets. It’s 21 and older venue. The dress is band dependent, for Everclear it was pretty casual, most people were comfortably dressed some girls dressed up more then others, I saw a few in high heels which if you’re just general admission I wouldn’t recommend because it is standing room only and you’re going to be standing a lot. The audience was a nice mix you had you’re older 40 something year old fans and you’re 20′ something year old fans. My experience there with the fans was good, everyone was super friendly and casual. Now, I don’t know what other peoples experience with the staff there has been but mine was awesome, all the staff were helpful, to me, and super receptive. The doormen, bouncers were welcoming, and I found the bar staff to be attentive. Their were a lot of them so waiting for a drink was never an issue. I was surprised at the drinks not being Hollywood priced, they were priced the same as like regular bar or restaurant prices, a beer running from 6 – 8 dollars and mixed drinks like cosmos running around 12 dollars. Which is not much higher then like a chain restaurant. There is a bar downstairs and one upstairs on the night we were there. There is no food served at the Viper Room so eat before you come, it’s a live music venue, you’re going to hear music not be served fine food. Drinks are heavy handed on the pour, so while small they pack a punch but again, you’re not coming here for the drinks this place is more about hearing and interacting with live bands. Plenty of other places to go for booze and food, I’m a fan of this place for what it is, a music venue. Love it and judge it for what it is.

Love this venue, it’s a shame to witness it not give a f*ck. Straight up smells like a bowl of hot vomit. Like let’s say you ate a bunch of crap, then threw up in a bowl. Now stick that bowl in the microwave till the vomit starts to bubble. Open microwave and inhale. That’s the inside of the viper room.

Hi, I really like my drinks flat, stale, flavorless and cut in half with water.
Oh sure no problem. That’s how we do.
Even the beer?
Especially the beer.
Sweet, do you charge extra for the vomit air freshener.
It’s on the house.

What can I say about The Viper Room? I have infrequently visited for decades. There are poems about it in my latest book (
) Like some of it’s cousins along the Sunset Strip — it also never changes.
You are guaranteed to see incredible live music in an intimate setting here, with Hollywood Vampyres. I have seen Dick Dale play here, for a private party, for instance. This night was the first night of my friend’s band’s every Friday night in September residency (that was a mouthful) — Paradise Kitty. Paradise Kitty is an all female GnR tribute band. What a great show! Talented and sexy to boot. I think I want to run away with… any of them. Don’t miss this show! A FUN time in Hollywood!
Back to the venue– cover varies, you may even get ahold of a secret discount password. Maybe your awesome friend puts you on the list! Usually not a line to get in. Service has always been remarkably fast. The drinks are strong, which may make up for the above average price. $ 10 for a small plastic cup of jack and coke (a cola). No comment about what you may find in the bathroom to go with your Jack. Yah, Jack — because they sponsor the Sunset Strip. Yah, Jack — because Paradise Kitty T-​shirts say «All girls, all guns. all whisky, all fun!»
Get your all black clothes on, a new tattoo, get ready to stay up all night, and go see a show at The Viper Room. Take me back to Paradise Kitty! Every Friday in September. (3 stars for Viper Room, 5 stars for Paradise Kitty = 4 stars) Cheers!

The sound system is horrible. Everyone that works here seems miserable. The crowd is the typical hollywood vampires attempting to be ‘seen’.
No.

Yeah, it’s a classic, it’s a staple. Make sure you go at least once. I just wish it had some good wine, better beer selection, maybe one or two nice cocktails. Just the same over priced for crappy drinks type of place you go for live loud as heck music. It’s the kind of place you go, if you know the band, but you just don’t «Go» for something to do in my opinion. One day, I’ll own a table there, and then I’ll come back and fix up the review from that experience.
If you happen to be visiting the area, definitely go check it out.

Top Shelf fun. Any night out in Hollywood/​West Hollywood is better if you stop in the Viper Room for some jammin tunes and drinks. It’s about the music and the folks. Don’t miss it.

Ok first off, this place smells like New Orleans. In other words, it smells like urine and vomit. Yes, vomit. I felt very uncomfortable with the stench.
Other than the disgusting odor, this place has a magical vibe. Just awesome to listen to live music with your best buds and enjoy some beers.

Went here to enjoy a concert of Lolita Dark. The inside was dark and cool. Small but plenty big enough. Two bars with the one on the bottom floor offering well drinks priced less then upstairs. Downstairs had a real intimate feel. I experienced acoustic guitar players jamming and singing so close it was like we were just sitting beside each other on the same couch. Upstairs at the stage, I could be right up in the front and watch the guitarist’s fingers move along the fretboards in detail. After the performances, I got to chat it up with the band members at the bar. This venue provides great experiences and is memorable. The bathrooms are plastered with stickers.

I’ve never reviewed The Viper Room? Well, not much to say aside from what has been said. My most recent visit was to check out 3Teeth and it was the best sound I’ve maybe ever heard at the Viper Room… ever. Just a wall of awesome hitting your body. The Viper Room is an excellent venue with a polite staff, great drinks, two bars and maybe the best place on The Strip to discover new music.
Recommendation: Take an Über.

I have been here a couple times and am finally getting around to writing a review. Bear with me, as I have a rather nuanced opinion regarding music venues.
The Viper Room is pretty cool as far as they go, but overall, is not that special (aside from the name and history).
From a music industry perspective, the booking that goes on here is all «pay to play» — meaning, the bands pay to play spots there. It’s not like it was in the old days, with a music booker booking cool bands and discovering new talent.
Most people don’t know that, and that’s OK.
From a review standpoint, the sound is pretty good. I do recommend not drinking here though as the drink prices are outrageously expensive.
In general, I’d say come here if the band booked is great, or if you have visitors in town (they’ll love it).

Rock’n Roll Rock’n Roll Rock’n Roll AND Rock’n Roll!!!
The intimate music venue oozes electrifying vibrations… I guess depending on the band entertaining you! Well on my night it sizzled !!!
I saw Danny Saber’s band there
which is created by 1^st class musicians.
I loved the night and energy!!!
The red curtain, which opens for bands, is a cute touch, and being served at tables with drinks for reasonable prices while watching the bands is always super cool!
If you are visiting L.A. I certainly recommend to check out the Viper Room.
«Throw on your leather jacket and let your hair down ! ! !»
And if you are from L.A. And haven’t been before than I suggest go and check out the infamous music venue (with stories to tell aka River Phoenix and Johnny Depp).

Ahh the infamously iconic Viper Room– death place of River Phoenix and epic music venue that has housed some of the best rock n rollers of the past three decades (or more).
While not a huge, roomy club it is bursting with character and awesomeness from the intimate, chilled vibes of the bar downstairs to the crowded, party atmosphere of the upstairs band room. The staff are awesome, the drinks strong/​relatively cheap and you will always have a good time– regardless of the day.
Definitely tick this club off your bucket list!

Der Viper Room ist flippig, dass wissen Promis, wie auch die Touristen. Der Türsteher ist freundlich, der aber auch schon mal einen Ausweis sehen will. Mit Lederjacke behangen ist der Einlass aber schon sogut wie sicher.
Persönlichkeiten wie Oasis, Red Hot Chili P., Placebo sowie Iggy Pop haben bereits ihr debtu dort gegeben.
Geiles rockiges Flair, gemütlich, & immer gut besucht.
Besuch wert der es gern lauter mag!