The E Spot Lounge

We saw Jenna Block last Saturday night. I had visitors over from England on a first time trip to L.A.
They described it as the best part of the trip. The food was good, the prices competitive, the atmosphere amazing Jenna… well she was «absolutely bloody brilliant!»

Dropped in last week to Aubrey Logan and Nick Mancini — this was the first time we visited since it changed hands from the prior operators who named it Upstairs at Vitello’s … as the place is above the Vitello’s italian place. It was a fine show + the layout is rotated 90 degrees from before. It used to have the stage directly in front of the main entrance — and so the layout was rectangular with the stage along the long axis side. This meant those patrons seated off to the left and right had angular perspectives … but everyone was closer. NOW they moved the stage to the right along the short side of the rectangular room. The place has everyone looking down length-​wise and from the back it might seem «larger» then it is. I think such a layout is NOT as good as before. They have 2 vertical support posts situated right in the middle and it obstructs the middle of the stage. More patrons are aligned with this obstruction — and it is annoying as hell. BEFORE the posts were set off to the sides because the stage was on the other side. I think that was a superior layout.
Otherwise — we found the place to be intimate in size and acoustics were excellent. Parking is fine and easy in the neighborhood. Note on the section of the street closest to Vitellos’ the parking signs (2) say you need a local residents’ parking authorization displayed otherwise you might get cited and maybe towed. Well — past these signs the interior neighborhood has no further signs posted. So — we made certain to park at least ONE block in and it’s free. Otherwise — if you wish parking is $ 5 for simple valet service in their lot with a validation. Without validation it’s $ 10.
Dining here — in the past we’ve had a full dinner and it was OK. This visit we just ordered a pizza and salad + tea. The service was excellent from a young lady who I can’t quite recall her name. However, she had just relocated from South Carolina. She was rather excellent for service and follow up. The pizza was OK and salad — inexpensive and predictably modest in size. Glancing at the near by tables and noting their dishes ordered — I’d say nothing has changed from when we last visited and the place was Upstairs at V. I posted pictures of our pizza and salad.
Getting in is actually easy even though it is true you won’t see signs. There normally is an employee out front or hovering near the entrance who can and should direct you where to go. However — if you wander in as we did /​missing the hostess… then when entering the RIGHT hand door continue straight ahead until just abit past the bar. To your left will be stairs leading up — and that is the way to go in reaching the E spot. If you miss the stairs you will end up in the lounge for use before the show. I’d check in upstairs first if I were you to select and secure your table spot. Most likely you might dine before the show upstairs — then maybe stretch if time permits downstairs in the E post lounge.
VIP seating is elevated along the back wall and off to one side. This evening those seats were $ 40 while general admission was $ 15. I’ve noted at some shows you can select a reserved seat at Shelia E’s table for a premium. One event had those seats priced $ 400? Seriously? Well, I guess if I were an enthusiastic fan of hers’ then maybe $ 400 would be a fine value? In my case I don’t quite equate that kind of value with an entertainer who is not entertaining. Now if the table with $ 400 seats had an accomplished researcher who had a discovery that saved 100s of thousands or millions of lives… or if I could sit down with an accomplished business man or woman who had amassed 100s of millions or billions… (sigh) … I might consider it well worth while to drop $ 800 for a pair of seats to have a private conversation over drinks with one who had such accomplishments and or influence over enriching and maybe seriously saving so many lives. (chuckles)
OK — so there it is. Too bad I see in other reviews that I missed Hiroshima. I would have enjoyed that performance had I known. Otherwise I don’t see anything in the current E spot schedule to peak my interest? Audrey Logan and Nick Mancini are relative unknowns to us — but their you tube tunes looked rather good. As such their performance and the acoustics were superb. If only they had something other then a tap dancer for percussion? My wife remarked how professional tap dancing is a bit of a lost art… so he enjoyed the novelty. Sigh…
So — my say is to GO. In spite of the layout changes which I mildly dislike it is essentially the same place — refreshed and rotated from before. It’s intimate… the acoustics are ideal… with excellent table service for reasonably priced beverages and dining fare.

Great place to hang out ! Wonderful service amazing staff can’t wait to go back !!! It was also a bit busy but I guess that’s a good thing

I really enjoyed the E Spot Lounge. We bought tickets on Goldstar for the Syleena Johnson show. We arrived to a full parking lot. Valet $ 5 for validated and $ 10 without validation. But if you’re going to the E Spot, you will have validation because you need to buy two items per person. We ate beforehand. Our two items per person requirement were used toward our drinks and desserts. The E Spot Lounge is located on the second level of an italian restaurant Vitello’s? The seating is okay. We sat at the very back and still had a good view of the stage and performers. If I had to choose, I would choose the very back again. It’s on a raised platform and its open booth. Otherwise sitting on the ground floor you’re sitting at tables and you have to turn the side to watch the show. The sound wasn’t that great but that may have been due to the guitarists playing acoustic?

Great neighborhood spot. I really hope they’re able to keep it. Local, live music is always a good thing!

Absolutely awesome music venue in Studio City! Wishing that it was closer to home. Definitely will keep checking future performances and will plan on coming back soon!
Saw the group Hiroshima in February, and Sheila E. and Pete Escobedo were in attendance!!! Thank you Sheila and Pete for making the place so intimate and special! The sound was top notch! We lucked out and scored seats on the table right in front of the stage, but the place is so intimate that any seat is an awesome seat.
The E Spot Lounge is on the 2^nd floor. Vitellos Italian Restaurant is on the 1^st floor. It was a little confusing to find your way to the 2^nd floor music space but all staff members were really friendly and helpful in showing the way. The friendliness continued on the 2^nd floor when we ordered drinks and food. Next time, maybe we’ll give Vitellos a try right before the performance, but the desserts we ordered during the show did not disappoint.
I don’t understand why neighbors adjacent to the E Spot Lounge are trying to shut down the music. They should consider themselves fortunate to have such a gem in their neighborhood.

Excited to visit this new venue which is owned by Sheila E. The actual venue (upstairs) shares the same address with Vitello’s (downstairs). We had to walk through the restaurant to get to the lounge check-​in and holding area. It’s a bit cavernous with stairways leading here and there. As there aren’t any signs posted, we had to ask several friendly staffers who directed us. The venue itself is quite cozy and very intimate. If one of your favorite artists play here definitely go! Saw Hiroshima play last night and sat in the front row and even Sheila E. and her father Pete Escovedo watched the show… bonus! Sound was a good level not too loud but just right. According to Sheila E., they will be having music 7 days/​week! I hope to be back for Salsa Dancing!