The Edison

My experience of The Edison was BAD! My husband and I plus couple of our friends want to hang out on a Sat night, and one of our friends told us this ?HOT? place to go. We got there around 9:45p.m. The doorman made us wait in line, when there are only a few people in front of the door. We waited around 30 minutes, and there are more and more people get into the ?VIP? line (in front of the door). The door man told us this ?regular line? might take us 2.5 hours wait. They will only let the VIP in. What the H@@L? We got there before 10p.m, and we are all professionals! We're no ghett@ !! Let me tell ya! Most of the non-color skin ppl did get in!! You see them just walk in front of the line?.and somehow; they just got into the bar! What the H@@L is this??? My husband was wearing a pair of very expansive shoes (white sneaker). One doorman saw it and told him, you don?t need to wait. We won?t let you in! coz you are wearing tennis shoe! That?s no tennis shoes! That?s a pair of Prada sneaker! D@M IT! Who will wear a Prada sneaker to play tennis???!! This bar it is just dump! If you want to act like a super rich hollywood star with major attitude. This is the place you want to be. If you are someone want a down-to-earth place to hang out. Don?t go there! Why pay the high price, and let those non-high school graduated doormen to judge you. Plus there are fashion polices to check out your clothes before you can even get to the line! Cons: Doorman, long wait more

Celebrated B-day at the Edison this past Friday with a group of 40 or so friends. Figured it was the perfect downtown venue to invite my friends and attorney colleagues. WHAT A MISTAKE! The doorman refused to admit some of my guests and he lectured the ones that he did let in. Kind of reminded me of that annoying high school teacher we all had. This guy has some nerve, the last thing a group of accomplished young professionals want to hear after work on a Friday night is a lecture about clothing from a security guard. Furthermore, where in the hell did DUMMY DOORMAN get the idea that tennis-shoes are not cool. If properly done, tennis work especially at a BAR. Based on the other reviews this Doorman?s reputation should be of growing concern to management. Cons: Doorman more

The decor is unbeatable. it's like a museum down there. the rest of it is expendable. snooty bouncers with their "dress code". we're in downtown, the vibe down here is supposed to be relaxed and welcoming. Eight dollar beers and an ambiance that says, "you must be this cool to enter our bar" is not relaxed and welcoming. Pros: The historic relics that have been seamlessly woven into the atmosphere of the bar. Cons: the people, the price, the dress code more

Hey, I tried to get in but I guess my skin is a little too dark or brown for them. Guys we're in downtown - grow up and learn from the other venues that are opening up around town. Peace, love and sharing is the new downtown vibe. more

I decided to take a chance on The Edison last night, to celebrate my friends birthday. I AM SO GLAD I DID! First off, the place is massive-every step leads you to another room full of amazing architecture and machinery. This is one of the most visually stunning bars I've ever been to-and I have been to quite a few. According to past reviews I read, it seems some people have had a problem with the doormen-I went with two buddies, all of us dressed well but not crazy well (button down shirts with blazers, vintage jeans, dress shoes/boots) and we all got in very quickly without a problem. They do seem to be strict on tennis shoes and the type of shirts worn, but as nice as the place looks, I can understand why they would want a well- dressed crowd. The place was really packed, but full of nicely-dressed, good looking people, and it never felt overcrowded. There was a good guy/girl ratio, music that was very 20's through 40's inspired(though they do have a jukebox as well), and nice stiff drinks served at the two open bars. The dancing girls were very classy, attractive, and danced very well during the two performances I saw. The Edison really captures the romance and allure of historic Los Angeles and it reminded me of why so many people want to live here. There are many great bars arriving in Downtown (The Golden Gopher, The Redwood, The Broadway Bar, etc.) , but this is definitely my current favorite. I highly recommend The Edison for a night of dressing up a little to have a classy and fun night out. I'll be stopping by next weekend for my next fix, so maybe I'll see you there... more

I'm so glad this place exists downtown because it really adds to its growing nightlife. The ambiance and nostalgia of a different time puts you in a different world. Don't expect to dance, and yes- it's pretty crowded. However, it's worth it for at least ONE experience. The decor alone is just amazing and totally unique compared to many LA clubs and lounges. However, the drink menu can improve- it is very trying but every drink I've had so far is a little off. Try going on a weekday if you're claustrophobic. That way you can enjoy the space without feeling pushed around. Overall, though, love it! Pros: Ambiance Cons: "Eh" drinks and the occassional overcrowding more

First of all, a line at midnight? I don?t fu@@ think so and anyone who knows me would tell you that I dont do lines. EVER. So that was just the beginning. I just so happened to be standing in line behind some beautiful coquettes which made the experience less like hell when a ?Hipster?? passed us on his way out and called us ?loosers trying to get in?. His dinky entourage of two scragly stray dogs following behind. So, getting back, the beautiful dark coquettes and I (my new friends) made our way down the long stairway to the ground floor. Impressive work I must say. Gorgeaous place. Tons of nooks and crannies, a gothic paradise (hey there, Bar Sinister folks and Miss kitties of yesteryears ghost long gone). But you know what really ticked us off, was how they had ONE bar open, with TWO f@@ bar tenders who were NOT working the bar. Un f@@ believable! Seriously pi@@sd we tried to get into the mass of people crowding the bar, I did of course. You know me baby. However, disappointly to no avail no drink after a seriously long wait. It was hot, and you know I?m always hot and therefore I was thirsty and not a drink to be had. My advice: Check it out for beauty?s sake alone. Stash a drink in your purse and swig on it while your waiting for an overpriced drink at the bar that you most likely will never get. BeautyNews Weekly Rating: C- Pros: Decor Cons: No Drinks to be had at the Bar;Poor service, bad music, Bad confussed doorman more

So why, why? WHY? mix a watery drink? I have nothing but good things to say about this place save for the fact that the drinks are not just weak, but EXTREMELY weak. Please, put some fire in the glass - The Prohibition is long-since dead. more

Door guys were great. Went there on a saturday. The doorman greeted me with a smile, a rarity in los angeles I think, and when I entered the place, a Lounge, not a club I am to understand, was blown away by the space. It's like something from a Jules Verne novel. Very cool. After making our way through the nooks and crannies, there's a lot of place to explore here, We made our way to the bar. The bar seemed very busy but we didn't have to wait long to get our drinks. Very Strong drink too. Definately worth the price. Looked at the drink menu - wasn't crazy about it but they've got some great scotch's on the bar. Unfortunately the bartender was too busy to discuss them - it was a saturday evening -very busy, but I look foward to going again and taking time to taste the selection. Also there's no food. I was told the kitchen is opening in two weeks and that will definately be a plus. If the food is as good as the drinks..... The crowd was definately different from the typical LA crowd. Classsy for the most part. Everyone was dressed well and it was a good bohemian crowd. Just what I thought I'd find in downtown LA The music seemed a bit discernable. A good background soundtrack you don't remember type of music. Good for talking but not for grooving, so if you are looking to get your groove on this is not the place. It's a place to talk, to hang and to see the dancers. And they're not typical LA dancers. They're "classy" for lack of a word. Not dressed in bikinis, but in gowns. Quite a show. Find your way there.Other reviews say there's a lack of parking, but I found a lot for 3.00 a block away - cheeper than parking in hollywood - and I was told there's going to be valet sometime soon. Definately will be returning and definately recommend. Pros: drinks, bartenders, doorman Cons: parking, crowd more

I was very impressed first of all with the space, it's truly beautiful, but What really stood out was the staff. The service at the bar is fast and friendly and the security detail make you feel both safe and welcome. In particlar I have to mention Mick, even with a line of people waiting to get in and not all happy about it he maintaines a very pleasant disposition and is very helpful. Speaking from experiance, that's tough! Pros: Friendly Staff Cons: very crowded, no valet more

Wow, what can I say. I was very very disappointed. I read the reviews, expected so much and this place just does not deliver. I arrived on Saturday and the doorman said, "Welcome to The Edison", Enjoy yourself Sir . Before even entering I asked him how long the "club" had been opened and he informed me that The Edison was not a "club" but a "lounge". Well, okie dokie, I stepped into the lounge. There was MAYBE lounging room for 150 people, the rest of the approximately 400 people who had to stand around, spend most of thier time standing on my feet. When I finally got to sit down for a minute, I realized why most people stood back up. I had one person spill his drink on me, one person sat on my arm (he decided to take a break on the arm of the chair I was sitting in) and another person clock me in the head with herr purse as they walked behind me. Needless to say, I stood back up. Then the urge to use the restroom comes over me and I enter a bathroom, (the only bathroom in the place), and I find myself getting peed on by two other men. There is 25 guys trying to go to the bathroom and 3 urinals. I do not know why they called this a lounge, the place was filled with clubbers that couldn't dance so they drank and lost all thier manners. I might not have minded any of this had there been the usual club entertainment (good music and a decent dance floor), but it's not a club, it's a lousy lounge. No dancing music, weak drinks, no place to sit without being abused, lousy services, no waitress to be seen, the only thing good about this place was the dancing girls. They are the only thing worth seeing there. Don't go there if you want to dance. Don't go there if you want to lounge about. Go, if you want to see the girls. They are a classy show. Pros: Dancing Girls Cons: parking, weak drinks, no place to get comfortable more

This place is by far one of the most intriguing spots in Los Angeles! Finally, a place in LA where you can get away from the vainglory of Hollywood. I have been to Edison several times and it has never failed to disappoint me. As others have mentioned, there is a strict dress code but that is one of the wonderful things about it! It makes for a great crowd - upscale and eclectic. The drink menu is incredibly creative in that they have managed to break away from the typical (and quite frankly, boring) drinks by including classic cocktails as well as several unique ingredients that most have never heard of. You are a fool to order anything but something from the drink menu! Other reviews complain about the music and while it would not be music I would listen to on a daily basis, it does fit the environment and promote an atmosphere where you can actually engage in a conversation with those around you. In addition, they have dancers that suddenly emerge from the crowd and put on a performance that will completely amaze you. They, too, are a breath of fresh air. They aren't the typical burlesque, stripper type of dancers who wear next to nothing in order to grab your attention but instead, are classy and glamorous. Edison has gone to great lengths to create a place that encompasses a sense of class that is so often lost in this town. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who appreciates great drinks, a beautiful environment, and a classy vibe. Pros: Drink Menu more

We went there before it's official opening and enjoyed it a lot, though the service was terrible. We figured it was because it was new and they didn't quite have their act together yet. We went back after the official opening and were immediately turned off by the attitude of the doormen. I was wearing a nice pair of plaid slacks and was told that in the future, they'd be enforcing a dresscode. The man suggested that next time I wear a pair of jeans. I'm no stranger to a dress code, but don't most of them exist to EXCLUDE jeans? We quickly realized that this place is trying very hard to manufacture an attitude. The service seems deliberately slow and calculatingly rude. It's certainly not a place to relax when there are 47 bouncers watching your every move. It was still early enough that the place wasn't crowded, so we could show our friends around a bit. There were maybe 35 people in there, but when we went up to the smoking section, we saw that the bouncers were deliberately making people wait in line. Saying that it was filling up. However, certain people were pulled from the line and given priority access. I haven't seen such snobbery since leaving Hollywood. The drinks were weak and overpriced, there is no food yet even though they advertise it, and their service is deplorable. Yes, it's beautiful. Pros: Beautiful, Spacious Cons: Overpriced, Rude, Slow more

Had a good time. Fun place for the girls and I. Heavy on "old downtown" history with its decor. Very good entertainment value, the dancing girls kept the place hopping. Very disappointed with the lounges advertising on this site. I planned an evening of DINNER, drinks and entertainment. No restaurant available. It wasn't open yet. I was starving all night. The lines were too long to go out, eat, and come back in again. Staff was nice, but service was a bit slow. I read the other reviews and I agree that the parking situation is bad. I do not agree that the doomen were rude. My group didn't experience any rude behavior from them. Maybe it was because we dressed up. Although, I did experince "rudeness" from one person. She seemed to be someone of importance (Blue Dress) as she kept viewing the line and taking people in before us. I tried to ask her what was the criteria for getting out of line and going in with her and she ignored me. I know how the "invitations" for opening nights are done, so I held my piece. But here's something to chew on for their next event. There should have been a special line for those who received "invitations". It keeps the rest of us in line from feeling like we are being overlooked and not wanted I also found nothing wrong with the drinks. The drinks are pricey BUT as it has been said, no cover charge evens it out. I agree that The Edison seems to want a "classier" clientele and it's clear that they WILL remain classy just by standing firm on thier dress code. Kudo's to them. Works for me, I'm sick of thugs, their "dress code" and their music. So very glad The Edison is going to be different. Pros: Lounge Atmosphere, Dress Code, Fun and Entertaining Cons: Parking, No Restaurant Yet more

Most clubs are not entertaining. They may have a band, but that's same-o, same-o. The Edison entertains you. Movies on the walls and dancers, The atmospher was fun, no pressure to dance, conversation was possible, and a up-scale dress code. I would reccomend that the men call prior to going and find out what is acceptable as I did witness some men being turned away. The doormen are strict but polite and at times entertaining. The lines are long but move fairly fast. Drinks were a little weak. Great place to meet people! The entertainment a must see! Pros: Entertainment, Service, Staff Cons: Parking more

A win win for the ladies. A dress code! How great is that. You can meet men that know how to pull thier pants up! So sick of seeing boxers, eewwww! You get to show off that new dress you have been dying to wear but had no classy place to go. Bring it on. Only men that know how to act like a gentleman and can dress the part are getting in. The guys were hot, the security hotter. The atmosphere is hot, classy, fun, and there are places within that you can actually have a conversation. They have dancing girls. Old Time Flappers. What a experience! But the best of the best was the fairness of it all. Ever been to a club where you waited in line for 30 minutes and two people walk up and because they have an extra $100 in thier pocket they go right in? Not here! Everyone waits their turn. Also, NO COVER CHARGE. Drinks were good. The club was full, but worth it. The only bad thing about the club was the parking. I had to park a few blocks from the club and being a woman, I was a little spooked walking the distance alone to my car. But behold, an actual gentleman appeared, one of the hunky security guards, and walked me to my car. I forgot to get his number. Lucky for me I know he where to find him. Like I said, win, win, classy place, classy men, fair and safe. Can't beat it!!! Pros: Fun, Entertaining, No Cover Charge, Felt Safe Cons: Parking more

You can find a good club anywhere, but a unique club is what I found on Saturday night. I took a friend of a friend's recommendation that I check The Edison out. I was told, prior to going. that there was a dress code (slacks, no tennis shoes, no T-shirts, a safe bet was a long sleeve dress shirt) and that by dressing up I was actually going to enhance my experience. They were right! The club is special and the experience of "dressing up" for a night on the town made the effort worth it. It was FANTASTIC!!! A class act. My girlfiend said it was about time I took her somewhere classy. The price for a drink maybe a bit high, but with no cover charge at the door, it all works out. The dancing girls were great! No, I'm not talking 'stripper" dancing, these girls performed to whatever music was playing. It is a must see! By the way, I read a lot of negative stuff about the doormen but I had no problems with them. The only people I saw that were geting any grief were those who showed up not knowing about the dress codes and those who were not happy about spending the time in line to get in. Yes, the line is long, and you can't buy your way in, you just have to wait your turn. My doorman smiled and said have a good evening. Yikes, what a j**k he was to even talk to me, lol. Get real, they were in suits, they were polite and doing thier job. I think they showed much more class than your regular bouncer/security guard at most clubs. Rumor has it that there will be a restraunt there soon (bartender told me). Bring it on, I am a regular for life, a touch of class was just what my grilfrind and I needed in our life. The day to day drugery needs to be forgotten occasionally, and you definitely leave it behind when you enter The Edison. Two thumbs up and five big stars! Pros: Great Ambience, Polite Staff, Good Security, Fun Cons: No Parking and Drinks a bit Weak more

We paid $600 for a reserved area with bottle service and waited 45 minutes for a waitress to show up. The bar is absolutely beautiful, music is awful, crowd was dull. Pros: atmosphere, historical, location Cons: music, service, crowd more

I rarely venture into the downtown area but last weekend I went along with a few friends to a place I was assured would be something entirely different then I was used to. It did not disappoint. This is by far one of the most unique and original clubs that I have been to. They have attempted to give it a 1920s vibe that makes it look a lot like something you?d find in Gotham City. You enter from above and wind down a three story stair case into the middle of what looks like a trendy boiler room. It is totally overwhelming. Prices were a little on the steep side at around $10 to $12 but I never felt over charged for the experience I was getting. The thing that sold it for me was the gorgeous flapper girl dancers. They had some amazing choreographed dances on the stage throughout the night and I couldn?t help but be amazed at the show they put on. Every one of them was beautiful in a classy way, and even though the stage was small, the performance left everyone in the bar wanting more. I?m heading back again next weekend just to watch the girls again! Besides the price I?d also recommend dressing up as the doorman are extremely serious about the dress code. Guys wear Dress shoes and a long sleeved colored shirt. Designer jeans are ok to. Girls wear heals and a skirt. Get there soon to experience this before people start finding out about it. Pros: Dancers, Stiff Drinks, Atmosphere, people Cons: Hard to find, get's crowded more

As a downtown "loft dweller" I think Edison is a wonderful addition to the wide array of bar/lounges around this area and is probably the most unique. They stay true to the era theme; the music, the dancers, the furniture, and the entire look and feel of the place. It is big, but subtly divided into several different areas, which gives you the urge to venture around the place and talk to different people. Some other reviewers didn't like the music, but to me it just served as themed background listening, enhancing the ambiance, putting the focus on conversation as any good Lounge (not a nightclub) should do. The only negative aspect of it was the doormen, whom usually get a pretty bad wrap every place you go, but these guys seriously seemed like they didn?t want you there. Other than that, It's one of those places you hope not everyone finds out about so you and your friends can claim ownership. Less hollywood than the Standard, more relaxed than J Lounge, and visually like nothing you've ever seen in LA. Pros: Ambiance is amazing, friendly bartenders, cool down to earth people Cons: Doormen are rude, Not a place to go for dancing (if that's what you're looking for) more