Busby's Restaurant Bar

I have lived in the area for years now and never realized that Busby's was there. However, when I actually went, it was great! I felt comfortable, everyone was getting along well. The staff is incredibly nice and social, the bouncers are funny as hell, the waitresses (while sometimes drunk on the job) are entertaining, and the bartenders know what to do to keep you coming back! The music is better than most clubs i've ever been to (and i'm a clubhead). All you people that say its a bad place, either come with a bad group, or are boring a** people yourselves. I would recommend this place to anyone ready to have a wicked night! Pros: Staff, Drinks, MUSIC!, People more

I love Busbys...I am new to the westside and went there for the first time the other day after my friends told me about it, they have everything, karoake, sports(all packages) and tons of TV's, free pool, pin ball, THEY HAVE PIN BALL!, board games all kinds, I have even seen people play twister, this place is sweet and the staff is smokin with no attitude, this is my new home away from home, I love Busbys! Pros: tons of stuff to do Cons: cover charge on the weekend more

i just read through the previously posted comments about the busby's in santa monica, and think that most of the negative ones sound like sour grapes. if you get hammered, then start acting out and drawing negative attention to yourself, don't be shocked when you either get a talking to from one of the managers or are unceremoniously tossed out. i have spent many, many nights hanging out drinking nice, strong greyhounds, playing pool and sharing laughs with a bunch of really good people. some nights are quiet and others are insanely busy, but there's always a good time to be had. i started going to busby's when they first opened and i knew absolutely no one that worked there; several years later, i know pretty much everyone and can honestly say that those folks are awesome. if you happen to experience a night when one of your servers seems a little frazzled, just try to bear in mind she probably just dealt with a table full of obnoxious people who had her dancing like a monkey and then stiffed her on her tip. let me say that i don't work there, i never have, and i have no vested interest in writing a good review - my commentary is genuine. if you want to go out, have some good eats if you feel like it, get your drink on, and maybe even meet some good people, give busby's a try. i first went because it was stumbling distance from my house and subsequently found myself going on quite the regular basis because i dug pretty much everything about it (not the least of which was the staff). it's got such a welcoming vibe, and i always feel comfortable there. then again, i never got hammered and acted the fool enough to warrant getting the boot ;) more

This aaron2007 dude is just talking trash. My guess is there's w-a-y more to that story than ""I was just trying to get a cab."" If you go out, get way too drunk, and act the fool, man up. Own it. Don't write some anonymous posting and blame the bar. That's weak. I love the Santa Monica Busby's and I go there all the time. I can hear the Sopranos pinball machine calling my name from the game room as we speak. They have excellent Buffalo wings, tons of tvs, a giant patio, and a game room with 3 pinball machines. Oh and free pool. Did I mention free pool? Don't hate. Busby's rocks. Pros: pinball, lots of tvs, free pool, great staff, happy hour Cons: gets crowded more

I can't speak for anyone else, but I love this place. I have been going to Busby's since shortly after it opened, and I've never had a bad experience because of the staff. If you are the type of person who gets too drunk and acts the fool, don't go there or to any other bar for that matter. You'll ruin everyone else's good time. But, if you want better chow than any sports bar has a right to serve, smoking hot waitresses, bartenders who aren't a-holes, and plasma screen sports heaven, show up and you might see me rooting on the Yankees at the back corner of the bar. Pros: Plasmas, great food, cool staff Cons: bars in Calif close at 2 am more

Busby's used to be great fun...but now it is overwhelmingly pretentious and feels frighteningly similar to the frat parties I went to in college. The bouncers have recently started to make everyone wait in line (even upon arriving early to an almost empty bar with a very small group of girls) & charging a cover. Once the place starts to fill up, it gets so loud that no conversation is possible, it takes 20 minutes or so to get a drink, it's impossible to get a table and the 'button down striped shirt' crews that take over are rude, grope-y, and just generally unpleasant. \r \r Sadly, this has been my experience the last couple of times that I've decided to venture out to Busby's. It is so bad that I won't be returning. Pros: Pool & games galore (if you arrive early enough) Cons: Loud, rude bouncers, waiting for EVERYTHING more

I went here last night with some friends and had a few drinks. A friend and I decided to take off and went outside to hail a taxi. We were having a good time laughing and talking about our night. Then out of nowhere, an undercover police officer walked up and told my friend he was under arrest for public intoxication. We were both in shock, and I told the officer we were just going to get a taxi and go straight home. The officer told me to shutup or else I would be arrested too. I said this is ridiculous, and he proceeded to handcuff me as well. He then took us around the corner where a police car was waiting, and we were taken to jail for the night. Complete bulls***. I'm a white banker, and my friend is an MD, we were a little drunk, but that's why we were getting a taxi. So, go to Busby's if you want to be arrested when you walk out and try to get a taxi. Cons: you get arrested right when you walk out more

I prefer Q's when it comes to Santa Monica bars, but this is a good alternative. The crowd when I went there was a bit older than I expected, but still pretty fun. No wait, no cover, good drinks, not much to complain about. more

I have never felt so at home at a bar before. The servers are gorgeous and incredibly friendly. I never felt like my waitress (Jamie) was pushing drinks on me. And then at 10 it became a dance club with a DJ spinning great hip-hop! The place, while big and sometimes packed is quietly controlled by a subtle security force. They are not the intimidating large beefy guys you see at other clubs. They are all polite and settle issues without being obnoxious. However I have to add that when a situation did occur (a brief scuffle) they were on top of it immediatly. They escorted the man out and did it all without pushing or yelling. Be sure to say hi to Big Mike, the staple of the joint and the figurehead of the company. Good drinks, good food, good music and good people. Pros: Service, DJ, Televisions more

I brought 2 clients (Sony/Paramount) to watch a playoff Basketball game. Had a nice dinner steaks and lots of drinks. Spent about $400.00 and when we were getting up to leave the BOUNCERS started being very rude, rushing us out, with tons of attitude. Due to the unfriendliness of thoses guys. I will never return, I will never bring or refer any clients, and frankly will tell everyone know about the experience. Busby's management should take a look at there hires. Also, I live about 1 block away. Pros: Servers, Food Cons: Bouncers, Bouncers more

First they're a sports bar and want you to come in and watch every game aired, drink beer, eat bar food and play games. Then they're a fine dining establishment with white linen table cloths and an expensive menu (which by the way has WAY to many varieties of cuisine on it). THEN they're a night club with a cover charge and a dress code! What sports bar lets you spend all your money in there for the game and then makes you take your baseball cap off after 9:00 p.m.? They rushed us through dinner one night cause apparently it was time to move the table to make room for the crappy dancefloor! They need to figure it out, it's totally ridiculous. more

Heard great things about Busby's just wasnt really my kinda place. They have a tiny dance floor if it can be called that. Basically its a corner roped off in the main walkway. Drinks were expensive, crowd were in their 30s i would say... prefer to hang out with a crowd my age.. in their 20s. They definitely should not charge a cover. Place was small, overcrowded and you have to wait forever to get in. I would definitely say not worth the wait or the cover charge. Pros: easy parking Cons: non-existant, dance floor, older crowd more

I love Busbys. There are no lame hollywood types here. Great bar if you are single. Really ya have to be a loser to miss getting any at Busbys. There are lots of good looking people. Mostly drunk and trying to have a good time. Don't know bout you but thats my kind of people. Drinks are good.... waitresses are better. If you can get past hitting on your waitress there are all sorts of games, free pool kicks ass and the food is dam good. Don't know what the hollywood junkie was thinking, but i don't like yayo and would much rather be at Busbys then in hollywood with good people having a good time any day. Pros: Staff is awesome, Drinks are Strong, Food is Good Cons: Gets way Crowded, Lines can be Long more

This is poser central for generic looking west siders pretending they are much cooler than they really are. Lots of overgrown frat boys and sorority rejects to choose from mixed in with a ""i just moved out here"" group of losers. The make-shift dance floor is a joke...you can barely walk through without being hit on by the mob of socially inept beer-bellied jokers who think just standing near someone who is dancing makes them cool. They actually charge cover on the weekends which is insane. Last week was the last time I leave hollywood for this dump. more

I have to say that after a couple years coming to Busby's it is still the best on the west side. There is a consistently cool, laid back, fun, good looking crowd. I have never waited for a drink even when it is slammed. The bartenders are absolutely flying, yet they never forget to toast to the partiers. The staff are all good friends and it shows. more

Busbys rocks, great service, really good music and even better food!!! This place has a bit of everything, free billiards and a variety of other free games. The best happy hour, they even have free buffet when you buy two drinks which are half off by the way. The night life is the best dancing great people and the ladies that come in WOW! Pros: the food, the service, the people more

Could be a cool place... Service was poor. Our waitress was rude and seemed to be intoxicated. I also thought she was dressed a bit provacative for weekday night. I realize it was late, and seemed not to enjoy her job, so that's possibly why she was drinking on the job. The vibe was a little off. Kinda strange. This bar has potential if they got a new staff. Pros: Free Pool, Lots of TVs Cons: Bad Service, Weak Drinks, Rude Doormen more

The place is highly overated. They don't know what they are. Are they trying to be a restaurant, dance club, sports bar?? Waitresses are rude, Bartendars are slow.. Who are they kidding with a $10 cover charge? You couldn't pay me $10 to go here. Cons: Crowded, bad service more

Spent two weeks in the US and had mixed reviews about some of the clubs and bars we'd visited. Decided to chill out, so asked a local for good bars that were hassle free and relaxed. She recomended Busby's in Santa Monica. Boy was she spot on. Had a unforgetable night and a really great time with friends. All the beers we could of wished for were there, including stuff we'd missed from back in London. Where else can you catch up on cricket, play basketball, darts, chess and then shake your booty on the dance floor with some really good looking girls and a great little crowd? Yeah still thinking are you? This place rocks, keep up the good work. Pros: Cheap, Friendly, Cool more

I have been to Busby's a lot..and I really love it! From the minute you walk in the door, it is bound to be a good night!! The staff is so great, and very friendly!! And the Boys are hot!!! The drinks are good..just find the right bartender! The waitresses are the best I recommend Cybil!!! The line can suck..but can be beat by becoming a regular! And for all the people that say its not good for sports...i beg to differ and you must of come to watch a game that didnt matter...cause i have seen some really good games there, and the crowd gets into them and it is super fun!! If you come here and have a bad night...come back every bar has an off night! Pros: Cybil rocks, EVERYONE LOVES LARRY, Singles everywere Cons: none, this place is great more