Hollywood Canteen

My friend and I arrived for early evening drinks before seeing a play in the neighborhood. the manager and bartender were both amazingly nice - granted we were the only ones there. but we came back after the play when the place had picked up and they ocntinued to be super attentive and friendly checking up on us regularly. drinks were good, crowd was attractive, music a bit mainstream but okay. more

As the manager of the Hollywood Canteen, we strive to make everyone's experience a great one. It saddens me that she would bring RACE into this...it would be like me making a point of saying that her party was BLACK, which it was. THAT SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. What DOES have something to do with it was that her guest list comprised of about 10 people when she made her reservations. Our reservation list for the evening, including hers, was over 350 people....capacity for us. During the evening, this guest tried to balloon her guest list repeatedly to around 40 people. So everyone extra we let in for her, meant someone who actually reserved the CORRECT number of people would potentially not make it in. Regardless of this, because it was her birthday, I personally let in MANY of her guests, in fact, all her guests eventually made it in except for one!! We bent over backwards to accomodate her 30 extra people (now remember her original reservation was for 10) to the possible detriment of other guests. Something she in fact thanked us for, as honestly she should have, because we had every right to turn down everyone who wasn't on her guest list if we wanted to. Yet we didn't. Secondly, as anyone who goes to clubs knows, guest lists close at a certain time. You get there at 1230, you have to pay no matter who's list you're on. She fails to mention however, that it was a CHARITY event going on that night, and the cover charge was OPTIONAL because it was going to charity. She also fails to mention how many times I personally checked on her through the night to make sure she was doing okay, she even offered me some of her birthday cake at the end of the night, saying her guests had a great time. Bottom line: We appreciate everyone who has made us such a popular place. This review was obviously written with malicious intent and that saddens me with how I BEYOND extended myself for them. Pros: n/a Cons: n/a more

Plenty of things to say, the place is a very nice and cozy cute place but, thats all. I had a party there and they turned away my crowd, because they made a mistake on there end with how many was in my party. And then on top of that they charged my party and the club is FREE!!! I was told this place was very diverse and seemed to be a nice spot to have a party, Well i would not recommend this place for anything. The place has changed owners so the onwers are now Asian, and i beleive thats the way they are trying to keep it. Dont get me wrong i do not have anything against Asians, but i have a problem with the owners. The waiters had attitudes rushed my party to eat, did not come back to see if we needed anything. My party wanted to order drinks they had to go to the bar because he never came back. JUST THE WORST PLACE I HAVE EVER BEEN TOO. PLEASE DO NOT SUPPORT THIS PLACE.....just horrible if your not the right race sorry to say...and its 2008 i guess we are not over the whole race thing as we thought!!!!!!!!!!!! Pros: The place is cute Cons: so many flows cant name them all more

This is a nice place to go to away from the crowded Hollywood scene, yet filled with people and good music. The dining menu is a bit upscale with good food quality. We didn't have problem getting in and free parking is available on the streets near by for those that don't like to use the valet. Its worth trying once. Pros: food, atmosphere Cons: small, service more

This place is a hidden oasis from the Hollywood Madness on the Sunset Strip. I had my birthday party here & had 100 guest come. I love that there wasn't a line to get in. They will ask for a guest list & best to make reservations. The patio area is the best part of the place. Not to mention, the trailer. Never seen anything like it! Must see. To my surprise the food was very tasty. This place is great for Private Parties!! more

chill place. good food. great environment. more

We went there for my birthday on a Friday night. I"m just going to list for you all the problems I had with this restaurant. 1. It was empty 2. We had to tell the DJ what music to put and how high the volume should be 3. Service was not good, waiter wasn't very understanding 4. Regardless of all this we spent A LOT of $$ there and as a thank you.. we had the owner/manager ask us to leave at 12:30am when the place closes at 2:00am. I'm sorry not ask, more like demanded us to leave. NEVER going there again.. I didn't know places like this existed. Don't even try it. Pros: Food was good, drinks were ok Cons: service, the owner or manager, the DJ/music more

i went for my friends bday. perhpas i enjoyed it cuz she bought a table so entrance was free and there was food. the whole atmosphere was fun and classy. drinks were reasonable and music was good. fun place. i would go back. Pros: super fun! Cons: not all that fancy decor more

This venue is awesome, especially if you're looking for a place to chill, have drinks and meet people. This restaurant and bar has a nice, quiet, romantic ambience. However on the weekends this place revamps into a party zone. I've never tried any of their DISHES, the DRINKS however are average, the prices were standard. The SERVERS were very courteous, friendly and attentive, but the SECURITY's a bit austere.The best thing I like about it is that its never overcrowded, there's always enough room. The PATIO is my favorite spot, its a haven for smokers like me. Its perfect because I can smoke, talk to people and at the same time enjoy the music. Comfy couches and cushiony throw pillows are outfitted on the patio and the converted trailer. Weekends is when the hullabaloo takes place... Pros: Nice and relaxing ambience more

I came here for my friend's birthday. I arrived around midnight and the parking situation was a nightmare--you have to valet. Don't bother trying to find parking--I already looked for you and there is none. I'm not sure if there was no cover because of my friend's party or not but I paid no cover. The ambiance of the place is decent--nothing spectacular or particularly fascinating. They have a converted trailer out in the courtyard that makes kind of a nice lounge space. The thing I remember most about the evening was how expensive the bar was. I ordered two tequila shots and a Long Island Iced Tea (all from the well) and it came to $36!! Why pay so dearly for the privilege of partying at such an average place? Pros: Not too crowded (except in dance areas), some decent lounge space Cons: OVERPRICED, terrible parking situation, unfriendly waitstaff more

I came here once and loved the vibe. The food was decent. I would like to come back sometime to see if I'd like the club aspect of it as we just had the food and left. I had a pasta dish that was average but I have a feeling I missed out on the best parts of what Hollywood Canteen has to offer. more

i had a great meal and an amazing night. it's been a while since i've been to HC. i had some friends in town, and they wanted a hidden gem, and i took them here. it had changed a little bit, with the bar on the other side of the fish tank, but we had a blast. we got to sit outside for dinner and it's beautiful. you get to foreget about LA for awhile. i had the ahi tuna with an amazing sauce, my other 2 friends had the filet and the pumpkin raviolis, and the chicken potstickers where a good app. i found the server to be very helpful and his recomendations were spot on. i asked him about a place to get drinks after and he said here, that DJs come in around 10. by the time we finished eating the bar was packed and the atmoshere had changed into one of the coolest nite clubs i'd been to. the crowd was diverse and my friends ended up making new friends. it was a great time. it's been a long time since i had so much fun in one spot without having to drive all over town. Pros: food, service, and fun Cons: get directions more

Tried to go with some friends last night and the place was completely shuttered. The whole block was like a ghost town. more

We went there for dinner for my friends birthday and despite the place being completely empty (we were there pretty early) the service was poor. The food did not take long, and tasted like it too. The noodles were undercooked and the sauce tasted like it was out of a can, and it was way over priced for the quantity and quality. They were very small portions for the price. When we told the waiter about the food, he didn't want to tell the chef for fear of making the chef angry. I will definetely not go back to this place for dinner. more

It's a great hot spot to bring your friends. I went there for my 25th birthday and I had a large group. The place isn't too large where you feel like you're in an airport hanger and it isn't too small like a house party. It's just the right size for your group. The drinks were tasty (but what do I remember) and the music was amazing. It was cool because it had lots of places to sit so you could lounge and drink, and the dance floor was open enough for you to dance afterwards. The scene was a good mix, it wasn't too much of just one type of crowd which kind of takes away from that pretentious LA scene. Very good vibes, awesome party place! We went in on Fridays and we got all the girls in for free. I think Guys have to pay 10-15 but that's cheaper than other places. Pros: Music & Dancing more

Just had the best birthday ever there. The other reviewers were right about the staff: so make this place. And in such a gorgeous space. The DJ kept playing great hip-hop songs. The food was even delish! Completely recommended for your next get-together. Pros: wonderful staff, beautiful patio, great w/large party more

I just had my birthday party there and it was amazing. The staff was very helpful and incredibly attentive. The DJ played a really good mix of Hip Hop and reggae. The outside patio was beautiful. I definitely plan on going back. Pros: No Cover, Great Staff, Great atmosphere more

a cute place that isn't pretentious. this place offers a great atmosphere and plenty of area for people to loung and chat or walk around mingle. i've been there for two birthday events and both nights hip hop was spun. definitely worth a visit if you're looking for a chill place to have fun with friends. a word of warning: the wait for the restroom is ridiculous though, as there is only one stall for the ladies. more

We went on Saturday, August 2nd to celebrate my friend's 26th birthday. The place was truely hopping. Got there at 11 pm and the dancing started around 1130. Music was pure hip hop. One dance floor. Drinks are typical Hollywood at $10. Enough room on the dance floor (even for my drunk female friends)! A little hot with little A/C but that just makes you drink more! We had the whole trailer to ourselves but spent most of the time on the dance flooor. Second time there and not the last! more

One of the great things about the Canteen was that it used to have a backroom with a grass-covered floor. Not Astroturf -- real grass. The room also had an aquarium with a shark and an eel. Those things are gone now -- but the bar still serves cold bottles of Newcastle, is comfortable and spacious, and doesn't become too much of a scene before it gets dark; the back patio is a good place to sit and chat from about 8 till 10pm. The featherbeds and trailer, as inspired as they are, are a little skanky; the food is a bit overpriced. more