Basement Tavern

I usually don’t like going to bars, but last night my friend’s brought me here and it couldn’t have been better! There was a live band playing music in the basement and another band upstairs. The bar tender was crazy cool! The feel was to your liking. Inside and outside was amazing. Definitely recommend this place for anyone trying to have a great night

Shout to the bouncer who waited with me for my über and then walked me around the corner to the street so I was safe and didn’t have to walk alone. I don’t remember his name, but if he reads this, I want him to know I appreciate him and if he does this for other women, he’s the real mvp.

I went through a couple reviews to see if I was the only one who had such a horrible experience. Place was incredibly packed which naturally causes anxiety for everybody especially staff members with absolutely no experience in customer service.
Warning!!!
I do have to warn you guys about one bartender with absolutely no respect towards women, yes! that’s how personal I took it. This individual Latino just like me, Probably in his late 20’s, average body, short black hair, literally pushed my friend and her drink a girl who weights 95lb and who happened to be standing in his way. Instead of saying excuse me like any well mannered individual. He decided to push her out of the way and step on her.
The worst part was that after I confronted him and said that was disrespectful he replied with «I don’t give a fuck» and was coming at me as to fight me? A 4“11 90lb girl… hmmm Im pretty freaking sure if we were men or blonde that mofo would have not done that action.
As I was walking out of the place, bouncers arguing with people. Staff members smoking outside making fun of people I’m the line… Not a good place
As I read on a previous review for you don’t mind being disrespected and treated like an animal by staff members who can’t handle their jobs then I suppose you’ll have a great time here, décor can fool people.
****A blurry photo of the machista bartender will be posted! You’ll probably won’t be able to see features on the photo but that asshole will now it’s him!

There are 3 main sections to this place – the area up front with the pretty lights and it’s pretty much out and open, the area upstairs, and the basement. My favorite is the area just right up front because the upstairs and downstairs area are just waaaayy too dark and loud. To be honest, the basement is definitely a fire hazard… there are sooo many people down there (no phone connection, btw), and it’s stuffy and gross. If a fire ever happened everyone down in the basement would probably just be stuck there – maybe it’s just my weird fear which made me feel really uncomfortable down there. There are two flights of stairs that lead to the basement, one from each of the other two areas. The basement also has a live band playing, which is fun cause the music is great. However, it was really difficult to converse with my friends because the music is sooo loud and it’s so dark I can’t even read their lips. This goes for the upstairs area, too, except there aren’t as many people up there and there’s AC so it’s cooler. So if you’re looking to just chill with friends definitely just stay up front. But it’s hard to find a happy medium for me because I’m not a smoker and a lot of the people standing outside are smoking which bothers me, but oh well, it’s not a big deal.

This is an awesome venue! All the trees lit-​up with lights. The night I went, only the Basement was open and there was a live band playing. As I walked down the dimly lit stairs and past the kitchen, I could hear the sounds of the trumpet blazing, and I felt like I was entering an underground NYC prohibition-​era speakeasy. Great drinks, interesting mix of people, and all around a great night!

15−20min wait in line to get in on Saturday night, seemed busy and line moved quickly but we got in to find plenty of room. Hot and humid without much air circulation, summer could be rough down there. Music was loud and trendy, good crowd but no activity. Bouncers were busy and kept the wait for a drink to normal. Cool place, I’d stop back in but wouldn’t wait in line for it.

Fun spot. Pretty dark at first but you get use to it. Great bands.

Surprise gem that’s a little tough to find but worth it. My friends and I went here for a Sunday fun day and found a live band, Cityside, whom were awesome, and a great whiskey list. It’s around the back of the Victorian and down some seedy stairs, but well worth it. Great for casual drinks in a comfy chair or dancing if there is a live band.

Had a really good night here with my girlfriends. Drinks were at a reasonable price and actually had a good amount of liquor in it. I guess it was too packed downstairs for a Saturday night and many people have to be escorted upstairs to the pretty patio and outdoor area. First come first serve on the seating outside and there was a long line we had to wait for awhile just to get in. But overall the staff was very friendly and a cool place to check out that has a live band.

Wow factor: This place is amazing! The ambiance cannot be beat. I literally felt as if I were stepping back in time to the prohibition era and was entering a speak easy. I love that it’s NOT obvious how to get it — you have to search for the door and it’s not readily visible. I came on a Saturday night at 5pm when they were just opening… The sign wasn’t even out. There’s a long dark flight of stars you head down (with a neon red sign that lets you know you’re headed in the right direction). I’m hard to wow and this place exceeded my expectations.
Service: service is everything to me and This place doesn’t disappoint. The bartender was so sweet — she really went the extra mile for me. She was also witty and had a great personality — I adored her! When we asked if she could put the hockey game on she literally gave us the remote and let us change the station to whatever. Can’t say enough good things.
Food and drinks: my drinks were strong and made promptly! We were there for happy hour and the prices were super reasonable (I think my drinks ranged from $ 4-​$ 7). The food menu was limited, for my picky eating, but we did grab some sweet potatoes fries — they were great!!!
As a note: I had No service !! so I couldn’t check in here or make/​take calls. I actually enjoyed being off the grid phone wise. It’s exactly as a speakeasy should be.
Can’t wait to return !

Basement Tavern became known as the post-​Bungalow spot for an extended evening with friends in Santa Monica. If you believe that the combination of very dim lighting, awesome happy hour menu/​prices and live music are elements to a great hang out spot then you’ll love Basement. Oh, I shouldn’t forget to mention, no cover charge at the door.
Happy hour is Monday — Saturday 5pm –8pm, Sunday 5pm till closing. From $ 3 beers to $ 13 for Chili Verde Nachos. Pretty sweet deals happening here. Decent bar food –I’ve had worse.
Basement has historically created good times for me with a good friend and friends of my friend. As during the summer and fall of 2015, a pretty fun reggae band called Bohdi Rock would play a couple nights at Basement. Between the live music sets, there was music overhead and videos playing on the ceiling and one of the walls as well. And, if you aren’t a bit entertained by that neon sign in the stairway (see my pic) –we probably won’t get along

Fun speakeasy in the basement of the Victorian hotel. It can be hard to find the entrance if it’s your first time. When in doubt, just ask someone at the bar inside the Victorian.
It’s best to go earlier during happy hour if you’re looking for a chill, lounge-​y experience and want to sit down. It gets more crowded at night so go later if you’re looking for a party atmosphere instead. If it’s crowded there won’t be much room to dance.
There will be a line at night but it moves fairly fast. No cover.
The bouncers and bartenders have been nice every time I’ve been here.
They play indie music and sometimes there are live bands.

I never write reviews, but I feel compelled after the service, or lack thereof my friend recieved. Just after we put in our drink orders, they did not feel comfortable serving my Arizona friend. He provided additonal proof of age, and was comfortable waiting for the cops to come check his ID. No one shouod have to bring a passport to go out on a Sunday afternoon. I’m sure this level of disrespect and lack of customer loyalty runs deep. I’m just peeved that this is a cool venue, but I have no intention of coming back to this poorly run bar.

Meh. Its okay if you’re with some friends to just stand back and relax while chitchatting. Definitely not a place to dance.
They got a live band. Not bad but more of an indie vibe here.
Mixed drinks are $ 9, beer is $ 5

Ronnie is by far the best bartender in the world. I’ve been all over the world and to a million bars and this guy — he is perfect! Always positive, remembers your name and order, quick and responsive. Craftsman cocktails — to perfection. To be honest there are so many options in Santa Monica and Venice and we come here regularly. JUST BECAUSE OF HIM. I just wish they had music starting at 7 or 8 instead or 9 because we have to go to bed for work and have to leave at 9.

A lot has changed since the last time I was here! No more chalkboard walls. No more Barbados Punch (my favorite drink).
However, Luke took great care of us last night and made sure we had a great time! He told us all about the house-​barreled whiskeys and rums Basement makes with distillers and let us taste a few.
I HIGHLY recommend trying an Old Fashioned made with Mt. Gay rum. They use turbinado sugar, which makes it delicious.
Still my favorite bar in Santa Monica…

The Basement Tavern is a really cool location just downstairs from The Victorian so it almost feels like a secret spot! I thought it was cool that they had live music but there wasn’t enough seating for a group to sit at. The drinks were pretty weak, I had two and felt like I just drank juice. The venue is nice but I’m not sure if I’d be back, I wasn’t impressed with anything other than the ambiance.

Okay so I had no idea this bar was underground the Victorian. I couldn’t find it but I asked around and was led through the outdoor patio (which also looked like a hip spot, will be back) and ultimately, I stumbled my way down the dark stairs and found myself there. I was immediately enamored by the dark, romantic and quiet vibe, alongside the quaint feel from the movie projector and music playing in the background. I sat myself and the bartender immediately asked me if I wanted a menu, which was nice of her to notice since she was busy tending to the people immediately at the bar while I was seated at a table.
The happy hour drinks are ridiculously cheap. I would have tried the food but I was headed to dinner after, which is why it was perfect to «pregame» here and head on out.
More than anything, though, that vibe is irreplaceable. Love this place and can’t wait to come back!

I don’t think I’m the target consumer for Basement Tavern: with the chalkboard menus, fruity champagne drinks, and cutesy decorations… I’m not exactly sold. Located right below the Victorian, this is the kind of place a group of sorority girls goes to for their 21^st birthdays or bachelorette parties. Nothing bad about it, that’s just what it seems like to me (and I’ve witnessed many of these parties here before). Enough about the atmosphere though, on to the rest!
The drinks are actually pretty good and the prices are comparable to other places nearby in Santa Monica ($ 10 – 15 for the most part). The bartenders know what they’re doing here! They can mix it up with the best of them. I love the Modern Fashioned but my girlfriend always gets the C’est La Vie and raves about it.
My favorite part though is that they have a band playing most nights. It can get so loud and crowded that it can get to be a bit much on the weekends, but it’s a fun place to start the night before there’s a long line and zero room to move inside. The crowd is generally younger and rowdy as well, so that makes for a good time with the live music. It’s not my first choice in Santa Monica (or on Main Street) because it’s nothing special in my opinion, but not bad either!

I really really like this place — especially for happy hour. I’m surprised that I don’t come here more often. I need to.
The happy hour drink and food prices are extremely reasonable and the quality is good. I had the Snakes on a Plane — which was a whiskey based cocktail. It was gone in five minutes. My friend had a vodka cocktail of some sort. It was also good. We split a plate of truffle fries were were a great size. The fries were not those wimpy shoestring fries or way-too-thick-cut-it’s-actually-half-a-potato. They were in the exact middle — which made them perfect.
The drinks are pretty good but the vibe is the big sell here. It’s an upscale dive bar with plenty of standing room and comfy couches. It can get a little loud depending on the time of day.
Only downside (or upside depending on your situation) is the fact that there isn’t any cell service. It’s great because you can really talk to the people you are with but difficult if you’re trying to get in touch with each other and find your group when the place is crowded.
Overall, it’s on my list of bar suggestions in Santa Monica if you wanna just settle with a drink and catch up with friends.