Universal Bar & Grill

During happy hour they have free food (chips, salsa, fajitas, beans, rice).
Ordered a shock top, and a stella. Shock top (on tap) was discounted, but the beer was much warmer than anticipated, and probably needed a keg replaced.
The upkeep at this dive-​bar is not well maintained, and is do for remodeling, but whatever.

If I could do less than a star I would. Came here last night to support a friend’s band, walked up to the bar, the bar tender gives us a blank cold stare for 10 minutes, finally takes my order, over charges me for my modelo, I only know this because I later asked for her menu, and she goes «what menu» are you kidding me? Hahahah so I point at a stack of menus and she finally gives me a menu. Then my friend goes up to start playing, and as soon as my friend starts singing in Spanish, they’re a Spanish influence rock band, so not all they’re songs are in Spanish just 1, anyway the bar tender made the nastiest face as soon as my friend sang in Spanish, furthermore I believe this bar tender was racist, and didn’t want to serve is to begin with.

I went here my first time to support a friends band and loved all the bands but the service sucked ass!!! I have never ever experience such bad service and incompetent bartenders both were just hanging at the front of the bar never checking on the customers sitting at the end or middle unless the one bartender was flirting with someone she would disappear and leave the other clueless bartender alone maybe she went out to smoke don’t know. my friend had to literally walk over to them and ask for a drink for me they never checked on any of us and we were a large group. I was drinking Jameson not just beer so they were making money on me and our large group. I asked for the bill paid cash and still tipped the dumb asses then came to find out they also ran my card through. I called the next day and took care of the extra charge with the manager but this whole thing was such a nightmare that I will never go there again. I’m not sure if the owner is aware of this happening at his bar he is for sure loosing money. people be aware the service sucks!!!

They treat customers like they don’t care. I PAID for a pitcher of beer and asked for glasses and she denied me the two glasses I asked, also I asked for a glass of water for a friend of mine that was needing and they said that they did not have water. I thought this was a nice place to be, but I think this is not.

Excellent dive bar with good drinks and a pool table. However they cannot handle large crowds when they host local bands. Went to an event last night. The venue only had two bartenders for a huge crowd and one of them, wearing a Manhattan t-​shirt, was just terrible. She flicked off customers (she did this twice!), constantly made faces and would ignore customers. She was very rude and just should not work when there are big events. The 2 bartenders where constantly fighting which was funny to watch. At the end, the rude bartender screamed «assholes» and «pieces of shit» in Spanish and no one laughed. The manager of this bar should have 4 bartenders when they host local bands.

First time I came here, a great pour and great vibe. Now a vodka tonic tasted like 7up and it took 15 min from a bar tender with an attitude. Don’t know what happened but I won’t be back
The girls behind the bar need to be replaced yesterday … Customer service is a real thing that must be consistent
If I could give less than one star I would…

I really like the staff, the vibe, the music. Why 3 stars? I’ve been here 3 times, different times of day, all three times they aren’t serving any food. Once there were little sandwiches out at happy hour, that was very nice of them, but I was really hoping to try one of their burgers. I doubt I’ll try here for food again, drinks/​chill sure. Maybe just ditch the grill from the name?

From Seattle ordered a double Jameson, I think her name is Kerry (the bartender) and I got a cup full. And smoking on the balcony I’ll take it. Great little spot made me feel comfortable.

I placed a call at 10:20p, trying to order food for pickup. A very rude woman answered and hung up immediately before I could get any questions answered, she said their kitchen closes at 9:39, even though the website says 11 ON THE MENU. I can’t believe I was hung on. That place does not seem to value customers based on this experience, just looking for common decency.

A true neighborhood dive bar. I fell in love the second I walked in. Sadly LA and many other cities are killing off great divy watering holes. This one is great from the charming bartenders to the buzzed regulars who joke around with you while you wait for your drink.
If you don’t like this joint you’re probably an idiot and should go drink in some overpriced shit hole with a craft cocktail list

Well I have not ordered food or come when bands are playing but after work around happy hour. This place reminds me of the dive bars I loved in Hollywood. Yes they have their regulars and some are a bit rough but hey if you want a warm friendly well light up place this isn’t for you. Been here several times and never had a problem ordering a drink although there is one who doesn’t pour so well.
Reminds me of the power house and the Drawing room back in the day.

I don’t mind dive bars. I was there and it was DJ night? well no one got the memo. There were 3 people there, and the DJ was playing like he was in a packed nightclub in Vegas. I don’t want to spend any more time on this review that I did in this bar.

UGB is really cool! Many amazing artists doing fantastic shows to keep you entertained. Food and drinks are amazing!!! Very chill vibe, lounge feeling. Very comfortable !!! I am loving it!

Nice dive in a section of town that needs it. Their kitchen could stay open later. Drinks reasonably priced and yummy finger foods such as mini corn dogs. Live music is always nice but they could update the speaker system. Haven’t been in a minute so don’t know if the jukebox is still there. Back room has a pool table and I think darts.

–100 bar is trashy. They embrace drunk hooligans who violate guest. Don’t bring girls unless you want them groped and you want to get kicked out by actual bar tender cus she allows this. May I add we spent $ 100+ more than any other losers here.

I saw Sierra and Radicals here! Such an amazing band! And such a fun and great vibe at the Universal Bar and Grill.

Watch Amateur bands in a small, dark, dirty space. Universal Bar and Grill is absolutely a dive bar. Drinks are decently priced, but outside of that don’t expect much. Not even the best dive in the area, but it is close to the Metro, and to Universal Studios.
The musical acts are usually bad, but at least there is entertainment in that, here you’ll see aging rock star want to be’s, that haven’t gripped the concept of singing in key. But everyone gets wasted here, you’ll never get cut off. I once had to carry my girlfriend out on my shoulder as after she had drank too much and puked in the bathroom, the bartender bought her 2 more shots.
This is a get trashed location, period. If heavily drinking is your thing, so much so that music and food quality don’t matter, this is your spot.

Each time visiting UBG I’ve came to see my buddy Eric Vasquez perform. I would like to say that the place has it’s own vibe to it. Although UBG is not a place that I would like to come and hang out on my own, I do feel a sense of comfort each time I have visited. Our group likes to gather in their upper level area to hang out during Eric’s gig and after we all tend to migrate to other sections of the bar. During the nights that the place is not as packed we would migrate to the back area to have a feel of ownership at the pool table.
The drinks are fairly priced and the bar food is not bad for what you would initially expect from the looks of the establishment. On nights that UBG is more populated our group find it harder to mingle around and just stick to one section.
Service is so so depending on how crowded the place can be. Other than that, I do enjoy that UBG gives an opportunity to bring musicians together to place their tunes on their stage which is a big plus. Personally that place can be a bit larger but we all work with what UBG has to offer.

This has been a historic icon right across from the Universal lot on Lankershim. It was here when I worked for Universal +15 years ago and is still the same! Love the divey but cozy atmosphere. A good mix of studio peeps and neighborhood folks. Great live music. Cheap good strong drinks and cheap good food. Very loud with live music inside but you can retreat to the small outdoor patio if needed.
Parking is a little tough though… but you can park on Lankershim and walk down. Lots of little holes in the walls to grab a bite as well.
This one is good for the neighborhood but small (intimate!).

Universal Bar & Grill is a complete DIVE, but you know what? Not all dives are bad. :) Sometimes bars can be appealing when they have a divey feel to it.
I went to Universal Bar & Grill to see «Sketch Orchestra» and «Salsa Dawgs» on a Friday night.
I looked on Unilocal and some reviewers said there was a parking lot.. . well good luck trying to find it. We didn’t find a parking lot but we did get lucky enough to find parking right upfront on the street. There is quite a bit of street parking but it does go into the residential area.
There was a $ 6 cover fee which isn’t too bad. .. but make sure you specify which band/​s you are there to see so they can get credit for bringing in the crowd.
The stage is right by the entrance with surrounding tables. The bar is also close to the stage so you can sit around it and still see the stage. There is also a pool table in the back which is a nice touch.
What we got…
Long Beach Ice Tea for $ 10
Gin and Tonic $ 6
Beer on Tap $ 5
Jameson $ 6
They have descent prices but honestly I was hoping they would be cheaper given their venue.
Overall
If I ever had a reason to go back there I would but I wouldn’t go out of my way to bring my friends here. Universal Bar & Grill isn’t a convenient location for me because I am from the valley so I guess it won’t be my go-​to dive bar. :(