Frolic Room

Well, if you’re into dive bars, this is right up your alley. It’s small, dark and dated. I waited for some time at the bar on a Sunday afternoon for a bartender to acknowledge me, but I finally gave up and left. In passing, I mentioned it to the security guy out front that I was leaving because they hadn’t served me and all he said was, ‘oh well’. Oh well indeed. After all these years, you’d think they’d have their system figured out. I’m giving it two stars and not one because an older, heavy set woman who was sitting at the bar and had had one too many was hitting on me. Oddly, I got a kick out of it. Now that’s a dive bar! LOL

Frolic Room w/​invitingly colorful neon light façade from somewhere in the bowels of the 1930’s seems like an iconic symbol of Hollywood past. Just next to another icon, the art deco themed Pantages Theater. Our friendly bartender who worked there for 25 years & another long time patron from the late 60’s whose name was Antonio? w/​a black beret cap told us that the Frolic Room served as a hidden speak easy bar which had a hidden entrance in the women’s restroom of the Pantages.
There are two identical murals of famous movies stars up to the early 1960’s by a famous artist, Al Hirschfeld. The overhead flying saucer lights add a futuristic retro feel. You can tell that there will never be another room exactly like this w/​over 80 years of customers who have left intangible signs of their presence.
We ordered a glass of Pernod, a Pastis/​fennel liqueur that turns from clear to milky when water is added. It has a flavor of black licorice. As a sweet fruity contrast, also ordered Chambord made from Framboise/​raspberry. It was nice taking alternate sips of both liqueurs. Prices aren’t like $ 15 that could be charged at more fancy bars associated w/​fancy hotels. Way more reasonable than that.
Frolic Room is a great place for after dinner drinks as we did after eating at nearby Cleo,
or a chic way to cap off the evening after a round of bar hopping. 4 Unilocal stars for a trip back at least 60 years

In all honesty I don’t drink so my ability to rate bars on the booze factor are quite limited. Generally when I’m in a bar it’s someone else’s idea. Given that if I like a place it’s likely a good thing since really people that do drink have limited criteria for a bar, «Do they have booze? Can I drink without going broke? «How likely am I to get killed in a bar fight?»… alright the last one is probably thought about less than the first two.
I liked the Frolic Room it’s as advertised a dive bar but one where you feel at home and unless you’re Oliver Reed you won’t go broke drinking here. If you like old Hollywood it’s still alive here which is surprising with the hipster hotel directly across the street.

The Frolic Room has been long-​enjoyed by more than a couple of generations of the Hollywood crowd. Years ago, long after its demise into dive bar status, it was safe only to go there on certain nights when the local drunks (drunk/​homeless/​smelly) weren’t likely to be there in large numbers. Thursday night was the night to go, leaving the weekends to the tourists and those who came from all over to party in Hollywood at the weekend. Still, weekends weren’t crazy here because… dive bar. There were a few of these cool places around Hollywood, that have since been swept away, and this is the last one standing, I believe. Thursday night was when musicians and locals would go to hang out, drink and listen to the amazing juke box filled with great rock and roll. It was definitely a hip drinking persons place.
Today things have changed in the area as gentrification has pushed its way through, and The Frolic Room has basically turned into a touristy bar for young weekend warriors and out-​of-​towners in a very cleaned up part of town. I’d hardly call this a «dive bar» anymore because it just isn’t! I’m glad it has retained the look and feel of its previous dive bar life by keeping the bar tenders that have been there forever, but the crowd has completely changed. As with anywhere that is hip and «in», once it’s discovered and especially written up in any publication, it rather quickly becomes no longer hip, as the people that made it hip and «in» stopped going.
But, it’s still a fun hang for many people to drink and have a good time on a weekend in Hollywood. I’m glad to see that it hasn’t just been replaced with another generic bar as all the others that now line Hollywood Blvd and remains an original. Rage on.

It’s nice to find a place in LA with some actual ambiance and character. Most bars on the West side just have the fake distressed wood, and decorator selected antiques along the wall.
The Frolic Room is actually retro!
Bartender Abbey made me the best Bloody Mary have ever had in my life. I like the intimate size too, you don’t feel like you’re sitting in a giant lounge at LAX.

This place was love at first sight. I’ve recently moved to the neighborhood from Downtown and already miss the divey dinginess of places like the DnO and 107. I walked by the Frolic Room one afternoon and it called to me. A couple weeks later I finally ventured in as a last stop of the night kinda thing. And it was love. From the 20 or so bar stools to the narrow layout to the skinny striped straw the bartender served in my whiskey, I’ve found my place. In total we must have paid $ 10 into the jukebox. It’s dark, small, friendly, and once I learned it was a popular hangout for one of my most beloved authors, Charles Bukowski, it now holds a special place in my liver. Already.

A dive bar right next to Pantages. It’s dark in there, the bartender is most likely older than you or I, and the drinks are both stiff and cheap. Also, there’s POPCORN! It’s not set out. You have to ask the bartender nicely. It’s a pan of jiffy pop and it’s spun on a nifty popper. A perfect drinking snack.

Kind of cool-​looking dive bar. Down-​to-​earth in an area full of tourist traps and costly, upscale places. I had an OK time there.
It lost its appeal for me when the doormen catcalled me when I was walking alone. I prefer not being called «that» or overhearing what random men would like to do to me. Go somewhere the staff will respect you; there’s hundreds of great nights out on Hollywood Boulevard.

Went there a few times in the 80’s and was a regular between 1999 — 2006. Wasn’t really able to Unilocal it back then. Was reading the Unilocal and so happy to see that Rueben, the coolest and best bartender ever is still there!!! He was the amazing and kept us coming back. If you ever read this Rueben, know that me and Trina miss you and love you!!!

Sitting in the Frolic, Friday night 10pm. Gotta be 50 – 70 people packed into this tight space. All under 35, all eclectic, all fascinating.
Amazing vibe. Loud music. Young, trendy, creative, über cool.
Absolutely bouncing. Fantastic.
If you’re planning to come for New Year’s, get in early.
Fast becoming a major hot spot for the in-​crowd in Hollywood.

Has some awesome history to it, but is crazy small. I’ve only been there on weekend nights and I wouldn’t come back at the same time. Right in the heart of tourist central and you’re shoulder to shoulder with every person there. Very rare to get a seat of any kind. Most of the times you’re awkwardly trying to maneuver your body out of the way so people can get through. Drinks will take you a while to get a hold of someone. We put three songs into the juke box and din’t hear them within the 2 hours we were there. Not worth the hype for a weekend night.

I am really digging this dive! The music is perfect and the drinks are cheap and stiff! That’s about all you need to know oh yea. …location location location!
One last thing! Our Bartender Ruben was the best so courteous and attentive y habla español! We loved him! Shout out to Ruben for the amazing experience!

Old School Hollywood.
This is a cool dive bar. Pictures of past famous patrons adorn the wall. You can almost sense that performers from across the street at The Fonda or further down the street would stop by here for a drink.
You can also sense the ghosts of famous people doing lines of cocaine on the bar top.
I came in here after my visit to the Museum of Death because I needed a stiff drink to remind me why I’m still alive and to ward off all those nasty imprinted images in my head.
Parking is horrible unless you pay to park in a lot. You also have your mix of weirdos around the area.
On your way here you might get the occasional whiff of piss on the streets.

Great old time bar. The price s are great. The bartender was great and knew all kind of things to do in the area.

It’s alright, I wasn’t the hugest fan of it. Space was pretty small, crowd pretty non-​inspriring… True, the drinks were cheap-​ish, but they weren’t anything special either.
That said, I don’t like dive bars (more of a speakeasy type of person) — so for those who do like dive bars perhaps this is just the place!

Let me be honest upfront… I have never been in this place sober… and my recommendation is that neither should you be! You’ll want to be in the right state of mind as you join the wacky, eclectic crowd that end up in the Frolic Room. From the 2013 winner of Germany’s mustache competition, to the friendly guy showing off his drunken tramp stamp… keep an open mind and enjoy the sights.
Parking: good luck

In an area I usually detest given the high concentration of slow-​walking tourists, shit traffic, and lousy parking, one bar makes a trip to the area worth it.
Frolic room is 60s swank in a totally dive bar way. The drink prices are fantastic, and there’s usually decent company hanging out on the bar stools.
Avoid it on weekend nights when it’s too packed to get a quick drink.

This Kerouac meets Gatsby. I love the Art Deco exterior, original old Hollywood. The bar itself is just the right shabby and nice rugged escape from the overly packaged Hollywood just outside. Thus ain’t a tourist trap. It’s an F you bar with grit, attitude and underplayed congeniality.
Cheap drinks, bad music and a chance to catch the crabs from a dame.

I don’t love, nor dislike this place. The bartender was nice and prompt getting our drinks. If you happen to be around in the hood, nice to pop in for a drink. Not quite a destination venue, but more of a transitional venue (before something, in between something, or the end of the evening let’s grab a last drink something). The location is convenient as it is right next to the Pantages Theatre. A very central place to meet in Hollywood.

This has been one of my favorite, local watering holes lying within City Of Angels for the longest time, lying on the midst of Hollyweird Boulevard.
There’s so many great stories and events-​turned memories I have of this place, that it’s almost a lottery with whatever you can expect should you choose to come, no less with a dive bar situated next to a just-​as-​classy theater on a STILL just-​as-​classy tinseltown as you sip away on your Blue Ribbons and your Tom Collins.
My point is, come here at the most random of times, especially when the upbeat dancing joints start to get packed up and hard with locals in their frocks, gallivanting about town with their equally-​plastered guys and gals (AKA, Friday evening, early Saturday Morning).
Great drinks attached to a rather good value, bartender brothers summoning the late night party with a sense of life (no, seriously, they’re brothers, and they’re actually a couple of rather wonderful guys), and to top it all off, a wonderful set of random passerbys and characters keeping everyone company with a nice story or conversation… believe you me, I’ve gotten some of my best life conversations at this great place!
It’s also a great, local peoplewatching spot too!
If you like a wonderful, laid-​back atmosphere and interesting conversations with that next round of cocktails or so, this is the joint I’d recommend for you!

lovin it!
came here with a group of friends and new friends on our night of exploring Hollywood… this was stop #3…and we spent the longest time here!
this used to be attached to the Pantages theater, years ago… now, although adjacent, is separated by a wall.
It is a dive bar for sure… and we loved it!
drinks were reasonably priced (for hollywood), staff was friendly, seating was ample, music was at a good volume, and a variety of music since it was all (electronic) jute box. I did hear people say that it takes forever for your music to be up… so i opted to enjoy other peoples selections.
bouncer at the front entrance, and bouncer at the bathroom (i have no idea why)…i thought this was interesting and i wanted to ask him why… but i didn’t.
totally enjoyed all the nostalgic décor and the wall that was painted with celebrity faces.
will return for sure!

FROLICKING IN A DIVE BAR!
BACKGROUND:
Voted best dive bar 2012 by the LA Weekly. The Frolic Room has been around since Prohibition ended and continues to offer a paradoxically classy dive-​bar ambiance. Bartenders aren’t over-​tattooed out-​of-​work actors but suited gentlemen who will remember your favorite spirits every time you step in. The walls feature caricatures of Groucho Marx and Albert Einstein, two people who almost certainly never drank here but whose images provide a kitschy, old-​school charm.
STATS:
Sunday — Saturday 11:00 a.m. — 2:00 a.m.
Metered parking on street
Full bar available
EXPERIENCE:
I’ve been here several times over the past couple of years and it never disappoints. Whether I go with a friend or a group of friends, whether it’s peak time or quiet time, good times are always had. Btw, they make one of the best Scooby Snacks.
Sure the interior is quite dated, but that adds to the old Hollywood charm and tight squeeze trying to place a tasty beverage order at the bar might be a bit of annoyance, but you never know who you’ll rub elbows with.
With a jukebox blasting and a mounted flat screen on mute, the Frolic Room is a charming little dive bar just walking distance from theaters, such as the El Capitan, the Kodak, and the Pantages, as well as the many restaurants Hollywood has to offer.
Many of the bartenders have been there for decades and are always friendly and when it’s not crazy packed they offer stories the walls would tell if they could talk.
Parking in Hollywood can be expensive or challenging, however, the Red Line stops at Hollywood & Vine, as well as Hollywood and Highland. So, if you’re going to indulge, go Metro.
Review 56 Unilocal 100+ Challenge 2015
#hollywoodbars #divebars #frolic

Cool little spot located right next door to the Pantages.
Came here after watching Wicked. :) It was really cool because some of the musician crew members were there having a few drinks. Awesome! The bartenders were really nice and make a good drink. Good drinks, CHEAP drinks, well made drinks and a great crowd! What more can one ask for? ¡Salud!

I LOVE this BAR
My favorite favorite bar in Hollywood
Love the music Love the friendly atmosphere it’s not pricey and it’s walking distance from my house

Extra star for the random Jesus picture by the register.
It’s Tuesday, the wife and I are having a drink here while we wait for Wicked. VERY awkward treatment by the bartender tonight. He gave us our (apparent) allotted one drink and were completely ignored afterwards. To an obvious point. Where you test it just to make sure, be little louder, make eye-​contact and yep. No joke, we were dismissed. The wife wanted to keep trying. no thanks, mister bartender gets no more money from me. I couldn’t quite understand why this place, that is literally NEXT door toa a packed Pantages was dead.

Awesome little bar in Hollywood right by the Pantages Theatre. There is a big neon sign out front so you can’t miss it.
Unlike some of the other bars nearby it was very easy to hang out here. Some of the Hollywood dive bars are so dark and loud it is hard to have a conversation, but the Frolic Room was just the right amount of brightness and loudness.
We showed up around 9 and there were a few people there, but the crowd picked up by 10. Nothing crazy, but we were glad we already had seats at the bar.
The drinks are very well priced. $ 3 for a Budweiser, $ 4.50 for a house Gin/​Vodka & Tonic, it went up to $ 7-​something if you ordered a brand like Stoli.