Coda

I had read the reviews for Coda before I went in, and must say I was not sure what to expect. I have been to many bars and clubs, from hollywood to studio city. Here is my impression of Coda, if you are looking for a cookie cutter, cheesey bar with a plastic crowd...this is not the bar for you! This lounge has a great, cool, vibe. The music and the DJ's were incredible, which is definately a rare find. I dont know of any other bar in the valley with this caliber of music. One of the most important and noticeable things about Coda was the door guys, they were professional without being pretentious. They were so considerate and volunteered to walk me to my car. The Bartenders were great as well, they were having a great time with the crowd and made great drinks with no attitude! The manager came up to us and made sure everything was ok and we were having a good time, which i found impressive. Most bars, you would be lucky to find a manager anywhere in sight. I didnt find this place trying to be "Hollywood" at all, in fact it was quite the opposite. If you dont get it, chances are you dont belong there! Pros: Music, atmosphere, staff more

The crowd is terrible. The place is a dive, and scary at night, Afraid I was going to get raped or mugged outside. The drinks are pretty cheap, but then it goes with the crowd that they are targeting. The place is so far out, that there is nothing else in the area around except car dealerships. The bartenders are pretty cool. The people at the door are very rude. You are better off in Studio City. This place tries to pretend that its all hollywood, but there is absolutely no need for them to create a line. What you will find is that there isn't even any people inside. They just hold up the line for no reason. Please take me advice and stay away. If you do go you will regret it. more

Seriously, I have been to my share of clubs and bars. Most often I leave them disappointed and consider it a waste of my evening. That was certainly not the case for Coda. From the minute my friends and I walked up to the door we felt such a great vibe that kicked off what ended up being one of the best nights out we have had in a long time. The staff was great, from the bouncers, to the bartenders to the manager. Honestly I dont understand what those negative reviewers are talking about! We had no trouble getting in. All i can say is they are probably miserable people who dont know how to have a good time. Early in the evening we had drinks on the patio and hung out with our friends then as the night progressed we went inside and danced the rest of the night. The DJ was awesome!!! The drinks were strong and not overpriced. Great staff, great atmosphere, no pretentiousness at the door, great drinks, off the hook DJ...why wouldnt we go back??!! We are all so over the Hollywood scene, Coda gives us a great reason to stay in the valley! Pros: staff, music, drinks, atmosphere Cons: none more

Because Bar Coda tries so hard to be cool but it's just kind of a disgustingly bad. Unfortunately, I've been there a few times and here's a typical night at this faux Hollywood club: 1. Wait in line, and while doing so have to listten to the neanderthal bouncer try his best pick up lines on you and your friends. 2. Pay $10 cover 3. Enter club and observe that there not that many people there, and wonder why the bouncer forced you and your friends to wait. Oh yeah...to get the true Hollywood experience. 4. Also observe that while the dimly lit ambience is cool, it's still bright enough for you to realize that that place is not exactly populated by the most attractive people. It may have been fun seeing circus freaks when you are a kid, but not when your 25. But I guess this is the true Hollywood experience as well...as in the freaks that hang outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre! 5. Attempt to order a drink. The bartenders act like it's a big imposition to serve you, but finally get around to serving your $8 rum and coke. Yes, that's a Hollywood price allright but bartenders I've met in Hollywood aren't that pretentious. Take a sip of the drink and wonder if there is a rum shortage in the world because the bartender sure mix drinks like there is. Resolve to order beer from now on. 6. Sit with your friends and stare in disbelief at the handfull of people on the dance floor trying to work it so hard with awful dancing skills. The Hollywood illusion ends here...no way is this a Hollywood type of clientele. Make the realization that there must be at least a few trailer parks in the L.A. area. 7. Since the music is unbelievably loud, conversation with your friends is out of the question unless you like screaming. Eye movements and hand gestures will have to suffice. Wonder if hearing aids will be a poular fashion accesory in 30 years. 8. Make a resolution: next time...real Hollywood. Pros: Easy to find (even though they can't afford a sign), dark ambience, next to a sushi place Cons: Parking (no valet), too loud, weak drinks, skanky people more

I read about Coda in a la weekly and decided to check it out with my girlfriend. We couldn't believe this place has been open for over 3 years!! I've lived in Studio City for that long and never heard of it! (The manager explained they don't advertize to keep a good crowd.) I wish we had heard about it before now. Everyone who worked there was so nice!! The bouncer was polite and friendly and we saw him turn some scary guys away. Awesome! The manager greeted us and checked to see how we were doing throughout the night. The crowd was great and everybody danced all night to the dj. We love you DJ Jolyon! This place is so loungy and cool!! The drinks are great and reasonable. The lounge areas are awesome and the back patio is great b/c you can sit, smoke and drink!! I would and will recommend this place to all my friends in Sherman Oaks and Studio City!! By the way, all the negative reviews of this place seem to come from people who can't get in, too cheap to spend five bucks on a beer or eight on a drink, or wish it was still a dive bar like it was before. If it's not your style then go to another bar!! (I would recommend the "Greenfrog" if that's what your looking for.) This place deserved the great write-up in the la weekly, and it deserves one on here too!!! Pros: Nice staff, good crowd, cool vibe Cons: None more

This is a valley bar trying to be Hollywood, I don't think so. 10 bucks to get into this place!!! Whats up with that! This is the valley. This place is so inconsistant - I had fun one time and the next few times there is a so called "private party." I have given this place a chance and it has been a dissapointment. I don't know how this place gets rated a 9 - obviously some these people don't live in the valley. You think when there is a spot in the Valley - it always people trying to take advantage. no one should pay anything if they show up before 10 - that's boo boo. get real and get back to the basics. have some fun somewhere else. more

I went to Coda for the first time this last Friday with a group of friends. I loved everything about it, we all did! The music, the drinks, the staff and even the crowd (which is rare in the valley)!! This is definately my new favorite place and I will definately keep going back! Pros: staff, music, drinks more

Shady place, be careful walking around outside it isn't a good area. The music is ok, but most of the people, aside from the bartenders, that work here are not friendly. I do not recommend this place if you are trying to impress anyone. If your looking for a more tactful upscale crowd you should head somewhere else. Pros: Bartenders Cool, Music ok Cons: Shady Location, Not Upscale enough, Doorpeople rude more

My girlfriends and i had a party at Coda last night for our friend, and it was great! The manager was very accomodating, every one had a great time and loved the place. The music was awesome, we were all dancing and having a great time. Definately somewhere I would recommend for a party or just a fun night out! Pros: Staff, music, atmosphere more

Stop trying to be all hollywood and have that attitude when your in Van Nuys. Your nothing more than a bar with an attitude deep in the valley. Sorry but you guys have to change that attitude. DRINKS WAY OVERPRICED! Pros: Parking Cons: Attitude. Pricing. Unfriendly more

i went to coda last friday night and i have to say this is by far one of the coolest spots in the valley. the crowd was chill, friendly and unpretentious. the drinks were strong and the bartenders were friendly and even though the bar was packed, they were getting to everyone pretty quickly. the dj that night was awesome. he played a great mix of music and my friends and i didn't stop dancing. i love that you don't have to deal with the hollywood crowd here or the stuck up attitude of the bars on ventura blvd. it's like a hidden gem! i'll definately go back again and again! Pros: great music, great staff more

I went to Coda for the first time for a friend's birthday in July. Since then I have been back 2 times, and each time has been tons of fun. The dim lights and music give Coda a great vibe. The drinks are strong and the staff there have been great. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for something cool to do in the valley. more

The first time i went here it was dead. The 2nd time we stood in line for 1hr. I finnaly went to the front and asked the guy whats up. He said its a private party and if they come out we can go in. I told him "dont you think its a good idea to tell people this"? He seemed like it wasnt a big deal. I told other people in the line and a few left including us..... I decided to give it another chance a few weeks ago, which was about 6 months after the other encounters. We got in for a 10 dollar cover. We sat down and had some drinks. About 30 minutes later the manager comes and says " You have to get up" We looked at him confused. He then says "seriously you have to get up" Its a private party" We got up, they all sat down. Drinks are over priced too. Oh yeah and the skinny little bouncer who thinks hes tough or whatever has no brains. He trys to come up with snappy comebacks if you question whats going on, but its obvious hes a rock.. Never again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pros: dim lights Cons: managers dont know how to manage, high priced drinks, always a so called "private party" after you get in more

I live in the valley and am constantly told by my friends that the valley nightlife is not as good as the city's. Coda is proof that they are wrong. Coda has great music, great atmosphere, reseaonably priced drinks, and even a Ms. Pac Man video game! I think it is great that the valley finally has a place like this. I give a high recommendation for Coda - go there and you won't be dissapointed. more

My friend introduced me to CODA and I've been going since. All my work friends love it!!! The staff is awesome: they're friendly, fun to talk to, and not so bad to look at either. The drinks are strong, yummy and affordable. It's a lot of fun and comfortable, much better than the Hollywood scene. The music is great, not too much of the radio crap. I also had a great experience having a party there during New Year's. Pros: Drinks, Music, Staff more

This place is terrible and cheap, as are the people who go. Go to studio city or hollywood instead more

I went to this ever changing establishment and it only carries those who walk the walk and talk the talk. If you are wearing the right clothes and are well mannered you are in the door. If not...you might as well hit the pavement for a place where "your kind" is accepted. The door is not as easy as it use to be....the price is $10.00 to enter, you must have a proper i.d. and the chains keep the weirdos out....so if you are a weirdo ....don't go there. Take your party somewhere else. And if you have all it takes to get in...call ahead...they now have a guest list and an RSVP list....if you are not on it...again...you need to hit the pavement to another place. This isn't Hollywood but they sure do want to make it clean and neat and no drama. more

It was a Saturday night and my girlfriends and I needed a place to go to celebrate one of our friends going away. Through the grapevine, we heard of Coda... and decided to check it out. Living just over the hill in Brentwood... it was not too far of a drive at all. Entering down the alley on the side was very New York. Once inside, we were plesantly pleased with the warm amber glow that lit the place. Drinks were great. We started a tab with our cocktailer, and had the best night ever. The manager came over to check on us a few times in the night to make sure things were ok. After a night of dancing to some really great music... not the run of the mill "top 40's..." we now have a night to remember. Thanks for having us... we had such a great time!!! more

NOT ONLY DOES THE RENT A COP SWEAR HE IS THE OWNER OF THE PLACE.. BUT YOU WALK IN AND ITS DEAD, PEOPLE ARE DRESS SKANKY AND YOU HAVE THE MANAGER WANNA BE OWNER MORE OCCUPIED ON STICKING HIS TONGUE DOWN GIRLS THROATS THEN RUNNING THIS PLACE THE STAFF IS MORE OCCUPIED IN MAKING OUT WITH THEIR PARTNERS THEN WORKING ...THE PLACE WAS HORRIBLE NOT WORTH THE 5 DOLLAR CHARGE.. THIS PLACE HAS DONE A HUGE DONE GRADE unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT GO YOU WILL BE WASTING YOUR MONEY AND TIME Pros: DRINK PRICE Cons: STAFF, DOOR CHARGE more

I thought to myself, "why not, it's close and might be fun to check out". after paying 5 dollars to get in (which I found silly after going inside) my friend and I were very disapointed. The space itself looks decent, but is very small. Inside everyone seemed to be trying REALLY hard to hook up, but in a really scumbag way. Cases like this I would usually ignore the people and have my own good time, but the drinks were terrible and expensive and the music wasn't anything to be excited about. We left after 15 mins in hopes of it growing on us. no, it was just bad. Pros: none Cons: cover, awful drinks more