Blu Monkey Bar & Lounge

This place really needs to update their status. On Unilocal it says it’s open, and when u call the place the answering machine doesn’t disclosed they are closed. Me and a couple of friends showed up to this place and asked some local residence if this place even exist. Luckily they were familiar with the location and told us it varies and the only way they actually know it’s open is if there is valet parking. Place looks sketchy

This little place owns my heart. Even when I venture out into the night life of L.A. to find a decent bar/​lounge, I almost always end up here by the end of the night and ALWAYS have a good time.
Music depends on the DJ of course but I’d say 4 out of 5 times its definitely something I can dance to. Old school hip hop, R&B, reggae, soul. Random nights I’ve gotten down to some merengue/​salsa here too.
Drinks are moderately priced and the bartenders are always on it.

This place plays the most awesome music ever. They have music that we used to listen to in high school. It’s those bars that brings back memories. Really affordable drinks

This place is okay. The music is WAY too loud though. I know it’s a Bar/​Lounge, but seriously, our group could barely understand one another. The setup inside is pretty nice though and the music selection is great as well. The drinks here are SO cheap which is a huge plus. I don’t think I would go back again, but I wouldn’t necessarily advise people against going there…

I had a great time here. Old hip hop music with super fun and friendly crowd. Bartenders were all nice and overall, the vibe was really good. Only thing I would say is, its a bit tiny and I had to stand around the whole time because all the seats were taken. :/

Perfect spot to grab a drink and chill. Came here with some friends, music was great drinks were bomb and the bartender was very attentive. Been here like 10 times and will always go back for a good time. Prices are good too. No cover charge, and they got a smoking area in the back. def recommend this spot if you want good music drinks and vibe without bein in a club. Very classy

Tried this place out on a Saturday night because many friends were going to be there. The place was pretty dead (which was great for us) as there was ample space to dance, mingle, and breathe. Also, the bartender was attentive since there weren’t a million people at the bar. TONS OF SEATING were available. For a dive bar in these parts, it didn’t smell stale or moldy either! Score.
Even if this place were to be packed on any other night, it is still fairly spacious given it is a dive bar and not a club. It’s more long than it is wide, so the bar goes far back rather deep.
The place was clean enough with proper lighting. The DJ who was spinning was great, and the atmosphere was fun and cheery. There weren’t weird gangsters or posers present as the guards are on point!
There were battles going on because all of our friends dance, and the guards even came inside to watch. It was a fun night!
Even though parking was hard to find (parked several blocks away and it was freezing!), I would still come back for another event! :)

I really like the style of this place. It’s an Indian/​Moroccan/​Asian (ish) themed style inside. The venue itself is pretty small. You walk in bathrooms are to the left and you go down a little hallway to the total of the place. Bar isn’t bad but the drinks are EXPENSIVE. $ 15 for a Jack and coke?! Sheesh. The bartenders aren’t too hard to get a hold of besides that.
Came here for a Soulection event to see the awesome Sango! The set was great I just wish the venue was slightly larger.
The parking is valet and it’s $ 10. I would recommend this considering the parking around the area is super limited and the valet is what is basically the parking lot. I’m not sure about a daily cover or on weekends, but because we went to see Sango it was a $ 10 cover. I think I would go back… but I would pregame to avoid $ 15 drinks.

Came here for a friend’s birthday on a Friday night and I’m not sure what it was… but I was not feeling this place.
OK so the biggest positive place for this place is NO COVER. However, the drinks here seem pretty expensive… a shot of anything (even non top shelf) will cost you $ 10-​$ 15. It’s a pretty small place and can get pretty crowded. If you want to talk/​chat, forget about it — because it’s so small, it gets really loud. But there is an outside smoking area where you can chill and talk…

I love this place! Over the last 10 years, I’ve been here for birthdays, mini high school reunions or just to kick-​it and have drinks with friends.
Just like David Letterman, Here is my «Top 10» List:
1. Strong drinks! (The bartender pours heavy so be prepared to feel tipsy)
2. No cover (yet have your ID ready for the bouncer at the door)
3. Great atmosphere
4. It’s away from the «Hollywood» scene so need to dress up
5. Good music (Every time I have been here, it’s usual old-​school hip-​hop/​R&B)
6. Ample seating but when does get crowded you’ll be on your feet dancing or standing as a wallflower
7. Staff is friendly.
8. Street parking can be hard to find. There is self-​parking available in the back.
9. They have themed special events. Go to their website: www. the​blu​mon​key​.com to see what’s currently scheduled
10. Lastly, I love dive bars

Every single time I’ve been here has been a great time… it just took some time and many shots to get me there.
I would advise not to be an early bird and get there after some hours have passed. From my past experiences, the people behind the operations aren’t early birds, either.
I love, love, loved the old school music they chose to play most nights. I’m not sure when they decide to play the good stuff, but it’s really inconsistent. Call beforehand, I guess.
No cover, table reservations without bottle service required. Super chill bar/​lounge with great music choices, on the right nights. Hit or miss, I guess. Hahah…

I don’t like reviewing bars but this was an odd experience.
Came here for a birthday party. Doors supposedly open at 9 pm, we came at 9:20 (early I know but we like to drink) and the sign was not on yet nor was the door open. We walked in & nothing was set up– not the bar nor the DJ. We had to WAIT to order drinks. FIRST WORLD PROBLEM. I know, I’m being ridic but I’m old and I like to drink early so I can sleep early.
Anyways the positives of this place: NO COVER! Also once the DJ came on the music was poppin’ with good hip hop and plenty of dance room. The crowd is mixed. I would come back if I had to for an occasion since I do enjoy busting a move.

Blu Monkey! My friend had his birthday here. I arrived at 10:15pm on a Friday night and it was totally empty and probably would have remained pretty much empty if it wasn’t for my friend’s birthday.
I liked that drinks were cheap. I paid $ 6 for a red bull vodka and later in the night I think it went up to $ 10. Music was old school hippity hop, which I liked. Not many places play hip hop anymore. The place was really small though and with not much going on.

No cover, cheap drinks with hardly any wait, and the best music I’ve heard at a bar in LA ever.
The third DJ of the night played New Edition, Digital Underground and then J5. Music just kept getting better and better. Unfortunately, I had already been at the bar over 3 hours at that point and was ready to call it a night. I’ll definitely be back to get my groove on.

I’d like to say Blu Monkey never fails…90% of the time, haha. I have been on weekends where it was uncomfortably empty but have also celebrated my birthday here and have gone for various other events when it’s been CRACKIN.
But yes, back to my glorious birthday celebration. My friends would respond with an assuming «…ohhhh» when I told them it’s in Hollywood but I had to keep reassuring them that it wasn’t your typical Hollywood. It’s VERY far from what’s considered typical «Hollywood.» Thank God.
I emailed Blu Monkey and got a response from Paul who was very accommodating, and he effortlessly booked a nice big booth for me and my party of at least 20 (booth obviously doesn’t fit that many people but everyone should be up and dancing anyway!). I only got to sit in the booth for a couple minutes but everyone else told me the next day they were really glad we had one. And it’s FREEE.
So things got a little foggy after the first hour or so but all I know is that EVERYONE had a good time. The music was ON POINT and… there’s just a lot of Filipinos lol. If you’re a taller girl (like me) you might not appreciate that HAHA. But whatever I’m used to it. As long as the music is good, not many other things matter to me.
Although I will say one time I was at Blu Monkey and they had some guest «rapper» who was REALLY BAD and his set was at least 15 – 20 minutes, which was 15 – 20 minutes too long if you ask me. Not my favorite night at BM but I knew better than to judge it from that experience. Still love the place. Oh and they have happy hour until 11pm!

Always a hit or miss. Sometimes its crackin’ sometimes its pretty empty. Nevertheless, always good music and a laid back crowd. Its a good place to go sip a little, dance a little, and listen to good music with no cover
Street parking can be tough to find, as always in LA, be careful for signs and make sure you don’t miss the curb stepping out

I came here yesterday for a friend’s birthday.
Parking was annoying, but for the area, it’s expected.
What was even more annoying though, was that the bouncer in the front was no longer existent since it took so long to find parking, all the bouncers had moved to the back entrance.
Thus, the owner/​bartender? came out front to tell me and my friend to walk to the back to go on.
.okay.
No drinks allowed outside, which is whatever. I don’t smoke, so I don’t really have a reason to be out there.
No cover, which is nice.
Beers are bottled and run about $ 6 a pop; wells around $ 8.
The demographics consist of mostly african-​americans and some asians. I promise I don’t say this to offend. It is what it is.
.a.lthough I was there for a caucasian friend’s birthday. haha
Lots of people, very cramped.
Not bad, but altogether, a whatever experience. Maybe I just need to come on a non-​weekend, but there was just Too many people cramped up for my liking.

laid back moroccan shaka shaka steez with puff puff pass love & peace. Mixed crowd, good old school hiphop music and nice bartenders. Shake your booty and dance like a monkey because your at Blu Monkey. The dim lights can make you think that the guy next to you is ubber hot so two thumbs up on the lighting. Soft lights are always nice in a laid back moroccan shaka shaka spot like this one. the buff bouncers won’t ask for cover so smile and go get your shaka shaka on!

Since it’s new ownership two years ago, this place has become a hidden hotspot among locals & a happening place for group parties.
PROS:
+ Moroccan interior design
+ Clean. yes surprisingly a clean ladies restroom
+ Killer music while song video playing on flat screens
+ Awesome DJ keeps the flow go’in till the very end
+ Bartender girls very friendly
+ Great place to gather friends & celebrate a birthday
+ Hot Dog stand at back exit… damn good hot dogs too!
+ No Cover
CONS:
— Parking… it’s Hollywood baby!
— Bouncers can get a bit in your face but that’s what they do, right?
— No drinks allowed in back patio if you’re gonna smoke
TIP: Go with a group of friends you’ll have a blast! For all you ladies
thinking of going solo, It’s a dive bar so you’ll probably find
«Mr. Right-​Now» but not necessarily Mr. Right. Capiche!

This place is a small lounge with awesome music. If you want a lounge with fairly priced drinks and a sweet Dj playing oldschool hip hop and rnb then this is the place to be on Thursday’s. We went here for my friends bday. I checked in on Unilocal and they gave us a free bottle of champagne. You gotta have a party of ten or more. Luckily we did. It was awesome. My other friend checked in also and we got two bottles. can’t be free stuff. The place got really packed near the end of the night. I heard the bouncer is a douchebag bouncer so I would just come early so you don’t have to deal with egos like that. Overall, awesome vibe, awesome drinks, awesome party.