Maison

Located off the side of a Costa Mesa strip mall (by Smart & Final and a couple Mexican restaurants), this is a cool little low-​key venue to see small performances up close and personal – but nothing beyond that.
This new music venue seems to have just opened up a few months ago and is still in the kinks of being fixed up (they have a makeshift music note sign posted on top of the previous sign). But, it has a LOT of potential to be a really cool, intimate venue for small acts and upcoming performers.
I had wandered in here on a Friday night, as I was scouring the Internet for some local shows I might be interested in going to. This venue popped up in the OC Weekly with an indie-​pop band from Portland called Wild Ones playing. They were pretty lo-​fi electronic and chill. A local OC band called Pop Noir opened up for them as well. I thought I was running late since they said the show started at 8pm (and was $ 8), but I got to the front door around 9pm and it was $ 10 and the first band was still playing. They played ’til around 10pm until Wild Ones went on around 10:45pm and played until 11:30pm. (Talk about LATE… I’d advise showing up late since it lags into the night.)
The venue itself is really small and low-​key. It was a pretty empty crowd to only 50 or so guests, I’d assume. The back half of the venue seems to be a seated dining area right in front of the stage, with an open patio/​dance floor area right up front with the performers. The performers are on a low stage as they just walk right up onto it (also have a side room right beside the stage). I loved the décor and fresco/​classic art paintings behind the performers – definitely is picture-​worthy. The staff/​workers (seemed like a LOT for a small, slow night) are all dressed up in white black-​and-​tie attire. There’s a nice side bar beside the stage, which is pretty big and spacious and has a nice classy dining feel.
The space is small overall – seems like semi-​dining hall, old restaurant, small performance music venue space. The crowd was VERY small and seemed to be a late 20s to 30s crowd (I was definitely the youngest there, haha), but, I’m curious to see how this venue builds up over the years. It definitely is a promising low-​key/​upcoming/​indie Costa Mesan venue that I could see myself coming back to to catch some small acts (besides the number of kinks it has to work out).

Sometimes having vast expectations can lead you to an enormous disappointment, but once in awhile someone steps up and makes it happen. They come charging in with a group of individuals looking to create a magnificent experience and be apart of something greater than themselves. Maison embodies this.
From marvelous décor that blasts you back to the prohibition era to phenomenal drinks (one of the best Old Fashions & Whiskey Mules around) you’ll be swept away in presence that is Maison. Of course being a musician, the most important feature would have to be the sound and stage, proud to say Maison clearly doesn’t disappoint. Everything was clear, mixed well and looked stunning. The acts they’re booking are pretty awesome for an upcoming venue especially in OC where we tend to get a bad wrap from LA folks.
Maison is a beacon for 19^th street evolving into a music scene strip similar to Sunset. Orange County/​Costa Mesa, is still quite a distance from becoming the next LA /​Hollywood, but with determined individuals and venues like Observatory, Wayfarer & Maison leading the charge, that vision can truly become a reality.

My first visit here and I was really excited to check out this new place in West. Costa Mesa. The band was supposed to start at 8PM, it’s almost 9 and nothing. I know that’s kind of normal, but when you are in an empty place and you have to pay $ 10 to seat (on top of the $ 10+taxes) already paid to get in, I think it’s just bad Management decision. Really.