The Bar At the Culver Hotel

I’m not sure what happened but their menu has completely changed! And the prices have gone up! Bring back the tempura green beans, mac&cheese and flatbreads! You’re breaking my heart Culver Hotel. This used to be one of my favorite happy hours spot but now drinks are $ 9+ when they used to be $ 6. And all my favorite menu items have disappeared.
This is no longer a favorite for happy hour but to be fair it’s still a nice spot and they spiffed up the patio which has great ambiance now. I’ll be back but not as often.

Was a fantastic atmosphere, great food, and awesome music.

Great food, cocktails, service, and ambiance. What more could you want? The 1930s décor is fun and comfortable. The cocktail menu had many creative choices as well as the standards (try the Rose Bois). We tried the mussels (in Pernod cream sauce and crispy green beans served like French fries for appetizers, both excellent. The salmon and barramundi (fish of the day) were delicious. The couple at the next table had the stroganoff and said it too was excellent.
The place was lively but not over the top noisy. The jazz ensemble was very good. We will definitely return. It would also be a great place for an event.

Live music every night in an amazing historic hotel. Great ambience, excellent service, and very varied drink menu. The wines by the glass are very nice and not overpriced, considering the live music. They have a great happy hour with reasonable food and great drinks. One can sit and have a drink and imagine they are back in the 1920s or 1930s.

This has been one of my go-​to spots for a while but I never realized there was a separate Unilocal page for the BAR at the Culver Hotel… I’ve only reviewed it under the Culver Hotel general page. It’s a fun place to grab a drink, love the ambiance here. The service is always hit or miss, and unfortunately it’s usually a miss. However the happy hour is fun, the location is awesome, and it’s got some old Hollywood charm so I keep it in my rotation!

The ambiance is great, it being situated in a historic hotel; and, both the downstairs and upstairs bar areas are well appointed (if not a little cramped and with an odd floor plan). I also really like that they have live music essentially every night, and typically jazz. There aren’t a ton of great jazz clubs in LA, and though I wouldn’t necessarily classify this place as one either, it’s still a nice touch. Of the two times I’ve been, both of the acts were great.
I’m less impressed, however, with the actual bar part of The Bar. You wouldn’t think you could mess up something like a Jameson neat, but you’d be surprised (as I was) that you indeed can! You do so by serving it in a very warm glass, like out of the dry cycle of the dish washer warm, that is yet somehow still dirty and noticeably sticky. When you then ask for another glass and point out how dirty the one you have is, you are told that no it isn’t. When you insist, wondering whatever happened to customer service, you watch the bartender grab another hot and dirty glass, wipe it with his disgusting bar towel and then poor your whiskey from the first dirty glass into the second one.
Then you drink it, because the whole exchange has been tiresome and driven you to drink… but you ain’t happy about it!
Their Boston Sour is pretty good, though this too has only ever been served to me in a dirty and noticeably sticky glass! Every drink I’ve ever ordered has come to me in a glass with a free sheen of something sticky.
Great décor, toss up on the drinks, sticky and dirty glasses on more than one occasion.

Pretty interesting spot in Culver City. Nice place to chill and have a drink or go for a meal. They have live music on different days. The night I went they had live jazz playing, which I personally think was awesome. The band was on point! The second floor is more of a lounge where people can have a drink and talk. To coin a word a friend of mine uses, very esque. The drinks were good as well. Definitely want to come to this place again.

With plenty of glitz, an interesting history, and a classic vibe, this is a great place for date, brunch, or just drinks with friends. Ok, that sounded a little too much like I work for them (which I don’t), but I’ve been here a couple times now, both during the day and the night, and it’s never really disappointed.
The service isn’t great, its fine, but not great. The drinks are a tad overpriced, and even though they have some interesting specialty cocktails (who doesn’t these days?), they’re not incredibly impressive. Honestly, it just comes down to a unique ambiance. It’s a place in Culver City that feels older than it’s been made in the last decade.

Culver Hotel looks so intimidating at first. Surely such elegance would invite the worst kind of snobbery. Well, if there was any snobbery, the staff hid it entirely — they are classically well-​mannered, and the service was beyond satisfactory.
I can’t think of a better weekend activity than brunching with bottomless mimosas. The Avocado Toast is nice and light, but a piece of bread and a bowl of fruit just doesn’t cut it when you’re trying to soak up the alcohol.
The Steak Frites will fill in when the toast doesn’t. The medium rare is perfect, and the red wine gravy-​like sauce is sublime.
I usually hate hotel bars, but this one is impossible to dislike. Outdoor seating rocks, but so do the classy couches inside. You’ll probably tell me that some places serve better brunch, but I can’t think of a better place TO brunch!

My husband and I wanted a happy hour spot before we met my brother in law for dinner around the corner. We had never been here and we loved the cocktail selection and the music out back on the patio. I ordered a cucumber mule and my husband ordered an old fashioned.
Great drinks and nice atmosphere. I would definitely recommend if for an outing for groups or just a couple.

I can honestly say this is my favorite place for Happy Hour!
Happy hour 4−7pm most food items are $ 5-​$ 8
Devil eggs– good
Street tacos Asada –no flavor, Blah never again…
Fish tacos-​good
Truffle fries– great
Mini Kobe sliders– great
Mac&Cheese– great (not on HH menu)
Alcohol Happy hour $ 7
Mojito– Great
Culver mule– great
Prohibition– ok strong
Most of the drink are pretty good you can’t go wrong.
The service is always the thing here at the «The Bar» culver hotel that sucks. Sometimes it takes 30min for you to get a waiters attention or 15min to water or your bill. Look someday you can get lucky just have patience:)
The above review was for before November 2015 which I would have given them a 4−5stars. This was my favorite place but now 11÷6÷15 The Culver Hotel bar has changed the entire menu. No more Mac & cheese, mini sliders, truffle fries, fish tacos, devil eggs… AND NO MORE ME, goodbye:*(

I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a well-​thought-​out, well executed cocktail menu. It was hard to go wrong. The ambiance is fantastic, and when we went on a Friday evening, there was live music.
There are plenty of couches and seats clustered so that you/​your group can seat yourselves and have a great time. The music wasn’t too loud that you couldn’t have a conversation (and we were sitting right next to the band).
Fantastic place to grab a drink!

3.5 stars.
Came here for drinks after work and sat on the patio, which was a nice atmosphere. They have a pretty extensive cocktail list to choose from, I had a mojito and it was just okay. Not good enough to order again. After that I had wine (had a nice list as well). We ordered one hummus and grilled veggies app to share – was a nice portion, hummus and veggies were good but a little bland.
Service was spotty – our waitress would disappear for long periods of time and was nowhere to be found. Overall I would come back here for drinks again, liked the atmosphere.

Overall, been cool every time I have come here. Drinks are pretty good and strong. Food was good, albeit a bit pricey maybe.
Come on a Saturday night and they might be showing the Wizard of Oz on the wall! The little people who played the munchins had wild parties here during its filming.
Small, live music ensembles play here. Very relaxing and cozy, especially if sitting in front of the fire.
I will be back!

I drive over to the Culver Hotel a few times a year. And this time I brought a group of about 11 friends. Our plan was to enjoy Happy hour together. Then some of us would leave, while new people showed up. And we would stay for the wonderful jazz music.
I was told the couches were «first come, first serve», which is totally understandable. Some of the staff were very adamant about «the rules», and if we sat on the couches, we then had to buy a certain amount — and it was the first time I have heard this in all the times I have been there. But of courses, all of us ordered wine or cocktails, Some of us ordered full dinners. Others ordered off the happy hour menu. So I believe we met the criteria for our space in the lobby.
I ordered a Salmon dinner, which was on a bed of cauliflower, asparagus and avocado. It was delicious. Low carb, and a very elegant meal. I then got an order of the Fried green beans from the Happy Hour menu, very good and very crunchy.
The Lavender Cocktail is so delicious that I had two. But the first one was missing the pink liquor. When I got the first cocktail, it was clear — but it tasted like lavender so I was happy. When I order the second one, it arrived milky and with pink liquid in the bottom. Still very delicious and with a lavender flavor. But I said to my friends «I think something was missing from the first cocktail.»
We stayed through for the Jazz. Some people were ordering more drinks, others were doing Coffee and Dessert. The Jazz band was excellent and played very entertaining music. There was an old movie playing on the wall behind the band. I had to leave, but some of my friends stayed until the very end.
The Culver Hotel Bar has wonderful Food and wonderful music. Elegant and stylish atmosphere.

Oh so disappointing. I’m writing this to save your tastebuds/​wallet. One of these stars is for the BEAUTIFUL outdoor seating location and décor and the other is for the live music. Maybe coming here for drinks is a better idea.
We brought our dogs as the place advertises the patio as dog-​friendly but immediately upon arrival the wait staff was rolling their eyes at us and our well-​behaved pups. The menu online is not accurate. No scallops or Lamb parpadelle which is why we came
The food was pseudo-​gourmet which is my least favorite kind –all the snobbery of foodie food but actually sneaky impostor versions of the dishes. Very overpriced
What we had
–Veggie and Hummus Platter: dry, store-​bought pita with cold vegetable slices and flavorless dried out hummus. A container of Sabra would have been much better
–Tempura Veggies: it was clear that NO ONE had tried this otherwise they would have noticed the tempura batter had no salt. Just greasy veggies. Peppers, portabellas and green beans had so much potential to be good. The Meyer lemon aioli that accompanies is fantastic
–Meat and Cheese Board: a few pathetic slices of prosciutto, no cashew butter (despite its being listed) and terrible pickles made with straight VINEGAR and no spices. Cheese was great but small portion. Served with stale white bread.
–Sliders: laughably over-​cooked meat with lots of grisle on a dry, white bun. delish sweet potato fries accompanied it!
–BBQ Chicken Flatbread: undercooked doughy white flour crust that was so chewy it was like eating a T-​shirt
–Short-​rib: I liked this dish. Juicy with brussell sprouts and thin cut potatoes. My boyfriend thought it was flavorless
–Macaroni and Cheese: each Kraft-​tacular bite probably cost 1 $.
To top it off the wait staff never once asked how anything tasted (otherwise I would have told them «terrible!») never refilled our waters though we asked many times, forgot one of our drink orders, didn’t bring silverware despite being asked several times but since we were a party of 6 and they were taking automatic 18% gratuity I guess they knew they didn’t have to work for their money. Sad Sad Sad

THE HISTORICAL HOTT SPOT!
Who would have thought that I would end up in Culver city but it was the BESTIE’S B-​day so duty calls right?
This place had an antique décor that was classy & not too over cluttered. The whole resteraunt was setup in the main lobby floor of the hotel & includes a spacious patio. High ceilings that makes the space looks that much more spacious. They also have an upstairs velvet lounge area as well.
Service was AMAZING… that is what made this review a 5 STAR! DAVID was our server & he was just a delight from beginning to the end even though he was dealing w/​the most undecisve group of people. =] not once did our cocktails go empty nor did our waters ever go low. Whenever we were looking around he was there like SUPERMAN ahhahaha one thing that totally topped it off was the fact that he bothered to bring out a scoop of ice cream for the birthday girl since he couldn’t get a piece if cake because the kitchen was already closed. ANTHONY our manager was extremely hospitable & got our girl a birthday cocktail which made her extremely HAPPY!
SHRIMP HOUSE CAESER SALAD $ 15 — a very good size salad & the flavor of the shrimp was amazing but the dressing could have used a little more flavor.
MEAT & CHEESE BOARD $ 17 — this was definitely an interesting blend of stuff on one board. But the flavors were delicious but did take a little time for me to get used to.
SLIDER PLATE $ 14 — simple & cheesy
MARGARITA FLAT BREAD — this dish accidentally came to our table but they let us have it since it already hit the table… it was refreshing & it looked like a huge ruffle crust.
CALAMARI FISHERMAN FRITTO $ 14 — lightly battered & chewy goodness.
I didn’t have any of the cocktails but the friends loved all of them.

I frequent this spot often. I haven’t been able to try any of their food items, however, I have had quite a few drinks off their cocktail list.
Most of the drinks are pretty tasty. The only one I wouldn’t recommend is the one with absinthe in it. It has a weird aftertaste and I’m not sure where they get their absinthe from.
The décor at the bar upstairs is lovely. It’s a lot classier than Rush Street, that’s for sure: p. Be sure to check it out!

Such a cute place! I came here initially two years ago and had coffee on one of their cute couches in the corner with the low table. I love love love the ambience of this place. High ceilings, classy décor in a historic building.
I returned for a private event and was able to see the upstairs private bar area. It is just as gorgeous, but with a more intimate feel. There are two small rooms connected by a narrow area where the bar is. People came around with appetizers, which were delicious. Bruschetta, mini-​pizzas, sliders, mozzarella-​basil stick, and stuffed pastries. All delicious!
Park in the lot attached to Trader Joe’s. 2 hour free parking.

Gosh darn it.
I had been DREAMING about eating here for 2 years. And my husband made a reservation for our anniversary here and it started out really bad.
We walked in, said we had a reservation, and the attendant responded, «it’s open seating.» As we walk around a little aimlessly, we see there is a table reserved.
So we walk back to the employee, who is now on a long phone call, we grab another worker, who then grabs another worker, who then asks us if we need help. We tell her we have a reservation, she tells us to wait so she can go check the log, comes back and asks if it’s for two at 11? (We are two people, it is 11am). So yes, it is us.
We FINALLY get seated at our reserved table.
The food service was great and the food was very good. So that saved it.
My husband had flowers delivered to our table which then triggered the Culver Hotel to bring us complimentary champagne, which was very nice, but I found out later that when my husband called, he stated it was our anniversary and he was told that they would note this on the reservation, so it felt like the least they could do since he was under the impression that this experience would have been a little more special than it turned out to be.
Coming here on an ordinary day with no expectations this place would be a four, but because my husband placed his trust in the Culver Hotel to make this day special for us, and they haphazardly did so, they get three stars.