This club used to be an actual GOTH CLUB, I was so disappointed when I went in there tonight and they were playing KESHA!! Really? Kesha at a Goth Club?! If I wanted to hear pop techno shit I would have gone to a gay bar, Bar Sin you have sold  out, so disappointed, save your money, try Das Bunkers.
Review Source:This is one of tide places people can really identify with and make their place to see like minded dark souls. Everyone that has invited me calls it "my bar" as in their place to socialize and be themselves. I would suggest dressing up to not feel out of place. It's a goth place and they usually have bands in one room and dark dance music in the other. Sultry and sinister gogos to torture your desires and ambiance to make you feel comfortable with a darker side. Personally it's not for me as I am more of a flower child but I can not deny this is a really cool place.
Review Source:The four stars are for the decor and theme of the club. What a gorg place. The people are interesting looking not a fan of the music but it goes with the club. The drinks are pretty strong and the bartenders are relatively quick.
The go-go dancers are hot and I like that the deejay booth is above the crowd.
The upstairs portion of the club is sexy, a lot of velvet, dark and intimate. They have some soft core spanking...whips, chains etc..I heard that all of this is staged (my friend asked because she wanted to join)
The bathroom is DISGUSTING, words cannot describe how gross the bathrooms are. They have another part of the club that is outside which I like to go to for air and a change of scenery. There is a lot of hanging out in a long hallway leading up to the entrance of the club which sets the tone for what is inside. I have been three times and enjoyed it.
This is a great place to hang out in L.A. I love Counter culture and you will find it here at Bar Sinister. Celebrities sometimes hang here so it is a good place for networking. The people who hang out here are mostly nice people. They have live shows by mostly unknown bands. It is mostly a gothic industrial fetish club. The fetish room is on the second floor is a lot of fun to watch. I only wish the cover was a little cheaper and it wasn't only open on Saturday. It's 10 bucks but a lot of fun...
Review Source:Bar Sinister is where you can be yourself, and dress in ways where other clubs would turn their nose up at you.
It's a place where you can let your inner kink factor out.
Purgatory upstairs will add to your endorphin and adrenaline rush (if you choose to take part in the fun).
The bartenders pour heavily, for a fair price.
They even offer absinthe.
The music is great.
They book live bands and have djs indoors.
The music indoors is a mix of NIN, Combichrist, Skinny Puppy, Marilyn Manson, and so on.
There's a different type of beauty found within the walls here.
If you can handle this type of place, I highly recommend stopping in.
I've gone to Bar Sinister off and on for years, and it's pretty dependable if you're looking for something to do in Hollywood that's a bit on the dark side (Bar Sinister is a goth / fetish type club).
First: The dress code.
I'm not exactly what you'd call a committed goth or rivethead, just a guy with a fondness for 90's era industrial music. I'm not one for much in the way of dress-up - and, yes, some of the people here really do dress the part - but I've not been hassled as long as I wear black (which is my usual attire). I'm not sure what has prompted the talk of a restrictive dress code, but I've not seen the door people be overly restrictive on this matter.
I suppose if you're a frat boy type you may be turned away, but I'm okay with that. You're probably lost.
Second: The music.
You'll find a mix of 90's industrial, dark wave and the like here. Mostly the mainstream stuff (ie. Manson) with a mix of older stuff. The tendency is toward danceable beats and that works for me. It's a good vibe.
They do, at times, feature live acts. Several years ago I saw Sister Machine Gun (with a surprise appearance by En Esch of KMFDM, who proceeded to attempt to pull Chris Randall from the stage for some inexplicable reason) here. Fun times.
Third: Upstairs.
If you want an escape from what may be at times a crowded downstairs dance area, head upstairs. It's quieter (suitable for socializing), has its own bar and then there's the beatings. What's that? Yes, there is (consensual) soft core whipping, flogging and spanking to be had here. It's rather tame by such standards, but the people I've seen who've partaken seem to enjoy it. Either way, it's purely optional and open to spectators.
Fourth: The people.
This is one of the few Hollywood clubs that doesn't feel completely overrun with pretentious jerks. Please don't be one of those.
Fifth: Miscellaneous.
Drinks are reasonably strong but overpriced. This is Hollywood, after all. It does get crowded. Come early. A good parking lot is the one on the north side of Hollywood Blvd, on Cherokee.
One of the last darker clubs in LA. Love the music, drinks (they have some special ones like absinthe and aqua(?)). The dancers are beautiful, the decor is nice. I have seen quite a few great performers here live and the venue is small enough to get a good up close viewing. The fountain with candles is great and you can smoke in one of the covered outside bar areas.
The bathroom can be a bit gross and should probably be cleaned some time during the night prior to closing...
Admission isn't too bad if your dressed right and bring a flyer from facebook or their website.
The halloween party is awesome great and people come in awesome costumes. Very beautiful people all dressed up in black or etc is the norm.
I also enjoy the live shows they put on upstairs and sometimes they have different live art or performances downstairs. The art of bleeding has made it to this location at lest once that I know of and I love their live events.
If you like the dark goth or industrial scenes you may want to head down here one saturday night and check it out. Drink specials for the first hour or so I believe, so getting there early can pay off.
I have been coming since 2004. It has going since 1998. Wow. That says a lot especially in Los Angeles where Today's Hit was often Yesterday's and will be despised Tomorrow.
I am Single Middle Aged Male who usually but not always goes here alone and yet i don't get the bad vibes. Moreover, I usually get a very cool Vibe: not Hipster cool but Sanctuary cool and that has often been a Sanctuary for me. I can drink, dance and sometimes meet People who sometimes I have stayed Friends with for Years after. Indeed, this place is both cool and accepting which again speaks volumes for this place located in the Heart of Hipper than thou Hollywood.
It is both indoors/outdoors. LIve Events(usually live Music)take place outside there is a Dance Floor inside and a Loft upstairs where BDSM is performed. There are 3 bars:the best stocked one is downstairs by the Dance Floor; there is one in the Loft upstairs and one outside. The Loft upstairs offers a view of the Dance Floor and from the Windows, a View outside. Go to their website or facebook page to get $5 off before 11 pm. They will take the flier even if it is just displayed on your phone:very cool. Anyway, it is usually only $10 to get in unless bigger known musical act is playing that night. All black clothing will get you in but try to dress nicely. I have seen out of dress folks there sometimes but I have also seen them turned away at the door sometimes. In any case, they can charge you twice as much to get in if they do let you in for not wearing "upscale black clothing" or Gothic Threads.
There are a range of ages from 18 on up. It does bother me but other reviews I have read seemed surprised. I have not felt unwelcome here and I a older a bit chubby. I walk here so I can't comment on the parking but there is some parking across the street at Selma and Cherokee.
The Venue itself was actually built in the 1920's. If the walls could only talk. The place oozes old Hollywood(in a good way).
The Gothic Decor is there all the Time but it is only a Gothic Club on Saturday Nights.
There a lovely Fountain outside which adds to the Gothic Hollywood Ambience.
Sometimes there is a nice Lady inside selling yummy Cookies and Brownies. I forgot her name and the name of her company but if the goodies there, get them.
Somehow I think Rick  played by Humphrey Bogart from the Film Casablanca would have a Drink here if he were an actual Person. In fact, there used to a huge Portrait of Humphey Bogart a la Rick in Casablanca here Years ago.
In that Spirit, come on in and have a Drink. The World outside will look different afterwards.
I like Bar Sinister, I really do. Â The guys up in Purgatory are friendly and fun to watch, the DJ plays a good selection of music, and the people watching is just fantastic. Â The drinks are pricey but usually strong. Â Why only three stars? Â Last time I was there, I was sitting upstairs on a couch watching an incredibly sexy scene. Â A red haired employee stepped up onto the couch to adjust the lighting right ON MY DRESS. Â Didn't apologize, she didn't even have the courtesy to say "I'm sorry, I need to reach this light switch to dim the lighting, do you mind moving for just a moment?" Â Nope. Â Just left me with a footprint on my favorite skirt. Â Lame.
Review Source:First time at this bar was the most horrible experience !!!!!!!!!!
       Due to the fact that the security guard was inside the women bathroom watching over a girl that was taking care of her drunk girlfriend ......LIKE IF SHE NEED IT HELP WITH THAT!!!!!
      I felt the eyes of a PEEPING TOM over me
       Â
    Then to top it off my fiance was waiting for me outside the bathroom and the same  security guard told him to move away from there...... WHAT A BLIPPPP!!! wasn't he in the freaking bathroom...... Â
HORRIBLE Â unprofessional staff !!!
Bar sinister is my spot. I love Bar Sinister. I love people watching, I love dancing, I love the friendly peeps and I love this club. The only downside, wtf happened to the live bands???????? Now its bottle service with a stripper pole! That's so whack and so NOT sinister! What happened to my live bands??? I am truly upset about this!!
I love the go go dancers, I love the music (what up Marilyn Manson!), and I love the soft core whipping, spanking and all that good stuff... Its a fun fun fun club to go to.
Drinks are hollywood prices, peeps there are super cool and I love the way all the people dress there. Mad people watching! I always have mega good times here and I super, duper can't wait until I come back.
Yay for Bar sinister! ;) bring my live bands back and ill make it a 5 star review!
I love this place. It is a place you wont regret going to. I must say that you have to have somewhat of a kinky side to really enjoy it. This place is not for the usual  ordinary person. I love the decor the whole outlook of the bar. I just like everything about it. My fav is the upstairs Fetish room. A good spanking never hurts anyone. Lol...
Review Source:We went to celebrate my sisters 21st bday. We've been before to see Julien-K, and really liked the place, so decided to go back. I have to say, this time around, it wasn't that great. The doorman was polite and bartenders made some great drinks! However, for being a self-proclaimed goth club, the DJ wasn't playing anything close to goth or even rock music. My sisters are really into the goth scene, so they were really disappointed, I'm not sure that well be going back on a regular night. The offer live music in the room next door, and that's always fun...but the club aspect was kind of a letdown.
Review Source:Where do I begin? I used to love this place. I started coming here when I was 21(before they started letting 18yr olds in) and this would be my spot for the next 2-3 years. I would come by every Saturday night and look at all the great looking gothic women. LOVED IT! Back then it was still kind of a low key spot, privy to only those people who had a true passion for the gothic/industrial culture.
Fast forward 5+ years and it's just as pretencious as the other hollywood clubs around it. More and more douche bags are coming in with some nasty ass girls who think they are cool cuz they are in a gothic club.
The crowd has changed and not for the better. Many of the old school people I met when I first started going there don't show up anymore, and these were hardcore goths. They are probably going to club Ruin.
Anyhoot, I have only been back to this place a handful of times in the last 3 years. The drinks are average price, and the music is pretty sweet. Mainly when DJ Amanda plays not so much when the other DJs go up. The downside to the kick ass music is that they moved the DJ booth down to the already small dancefloor and now it's even smaller. Anyone who dance industrial knows you need all the room you can get and this is one of my biggest complaints. There is just no enough room.
I gave this a 3 because this was my first club ever and I met a lot of cool people here including TIm the photographer who is a good buddy of mine. The 3 stars is for great memories.
Cheers folks!
This is by far the most beautiful goth club I have ever been to. The decor is gorgeous and gothic as hell. About seven of us came down from the land of health care to drink away our livers, and we would have completed this task with much more efficiency had the drink prices not been so obscene. Yes, we're talking $8 for a SINGLE, $16 for a double,. That's what I pay at the posh top 40 clubs back home, and your dollar is worth more! (Not by much, but still, thus the lack of the fifth star). So to help speed up the process, I started ordering doubles in short glasses, cuz I don't really need the extra pop ... er... soda anyways. Drink faster = more hammered.
Everyone that I met was super nice, the other girls from the valley in the bathroom giggling as they all crammed into one stall, the guy that thought I was someone who I wasn't, the DJ's being forced to play my shitty requests, and the go-go dancers even let us dance on their platform for a bit while they took a break!
I *think* this place closed at 2am? The night may be a bit blurry for me, but I remember being super upset that it was over already, and the bouncers having to help cart me outside. Heehee! Sorry! It was too much fun! It's all good though, we brought the party back to our hotel room until 5am, so everyone wins!
Behold! Â the creatures of the night. Â
(And watch out for those weirdos).
Wait....
I am one of those Weird, cReatures of the night. Â Anywhoooo...
I used to come here just to dance. Â That's it. Â But seriously, you get maybe one hour's worth of good music. Â An hour and 10 minutes, if you're lucky. Â The DJ sure loves playing Marilyn Manson (is he goth?).
You also only get a quarter inch of tile space to clear your invisible cobwebs and silently writhe, which proves to be quite the amusing challenge. Â I'll elbow you, I don''t care, get off my vinyl brastrap. Â Back away from my dance peg.
You may or may not run into one of your old high school math teachers or soccer mom neighbor-cum-dominatrix by night. Â
Yes, I have seen it all here. Â And have the mental scars to prove it.
If I was about 10 years younger and Mexican, I would like this place. Â I walked in and people were drunk! Â I had to pick one girl up off the floor. Â The bouncers were pulling a guy down off the roof. Â You don't see that every day.
The good part... I talked the cover down from $20 to $10. Â The bouncers were very nice and friendly, not your typical Hollywood bouncers. Â The drinks are strong, even if they are served in a plastic glass. Â Which means that people get drunk and need shatter proof glasses.
I also give props to the gogo dancers. Â If all you want to do is dance, this is a good place for it. Â The DJ outside looks like he has his own harem of women.
The drinks are okay - when I asked for absinthe, I ended up getting some licorice liquor (FYI, I hate licorice.)
It's loud, it's nasty, and if you're into it, oh boy - you're into it. I liked the fetish gogo dancers -- they are hot. And upstairs a lot of making out is going on -- combine that with bondage, floggers, and a little spanky-poo's... and it's awesome.
Not sure I'd come back/pay the cover to get in, but if they ever had a ladies' night, hells yes.
The pros: Whips, chains, beautiful people, and potent potables, all set to live music (DJ and dancing on one side, live music on the other). Â
The cons: This is a young, cool crowd. Â If you're over 40, you tend to feel like you're over 70. Â Things don't even start to get going until at least 11:00PM.
Bottom line: this is a great place to people watch and express yourself and catch some very good live music, provided you don't have to get up before noon the next day. Check with their website to see who is playing. Â We saw Jill Tracy there twice, and David J of Bauhaus... excellent shows.
Note: This is a night club with a fetish/BDSM/goth theme, but this is NOT a sex club. Â They have an S&M exhibition upstairs in the "Purgatory" section, but it does not involve nudity. Â This club is not for the prudish, but it's "R" rated at most.
This is the place to go if you wanna get tied up and whipped by a bald dude in a kilt. It's also an amazing place for people-watching.
I've been here for a concert and on a regular DJ night, and both were pretty entertaining. They've got the decor to make you feel totally evil while breaking curfew and pissing off your mom. I know people take this "scene" really seriously, but I just like to play dress up and head down to pick up WWII fashion tips and greasy ponytail grooming techniques. I guess as Ministry would say, everyday is Halloween.
The whole bondage and S&M shit is hilarious. I watched some dude in a hanging chair get prodded with spikes while the surrounding crowd pretended not to notice his clearly aroused meat torpedo poking up in his leather pants. I was also reprimanded at for taking pictures in the S&M area, something about "ruining intimate moments."
Get a good buzz on first though, because the dranks will hit your wallet harder than the paddles on your hindquarters. Also, for some reason they're clinging to their MySpace page and have a $5 off admission flyer that you can print out and use at the door.
Fun, cheesy goth club! Â
Don't get me wrong, I use the word cheesy in the best possible way. Â The interior design is perfect, the boxes, the arches, etc. Â Really sets a great tone. Â I love the area out back, Â it's outsidde but covered, so you can smoke, there's a stage, fun times!
OH@ and the hallway back with the sofas. Â Love it. Really cool setup. Â The music was pretty standard fare. the drinks were good. Overall, I had fun. Â
Yeah. . . good times.
Hollywood + Saturday Night = BAR SINISTER!
SITREP
When I am in the Los Angeles-area over a weekend, my anchor-social event is definitely going to be BAR SINISTER on Saturday night.
THE SETUP
I love this venue, it's professional staff, the awesome DJs that have their residencies here, and the superb venue physical plant that makes it both (1) One of the Best Dance Clubs in Hollywood; and, (2) One of the best live performance venues to see bands.
THE DJs
What can I say? Â DJs I respect - such as Rocky Slaughter, Xian Vox, Amanda Jones, and Pontius Xorcist have in the past and continue to create and energize BAR SINISTER since I've first came here in 1999. Â It is these individuals - and the extremely fun UNHIBITED crowd - Â that continue to bring my friends and myself to this wondrous eclectic musical environment that keeps us here til 3am in the morning!
THE COURTYARD
Bar Sinister also promotes some of the best live acts using the spectacular outside courtyard with a stage area where the bands play and kick-ass. Â I've seen so many wonderful performances by groups that I love such as Savi0r, The Birthday Massacre, and many many more.
Meanwhile, in the upstairs loft area, there is dynamic "play area" where the more fetish-minded can engage in some fun.
THE DANCE FLOOR & GO GO DANCERS
One of my awesome - Shannon Chromegirl - has been a resident go-go dancer in this room and she and her troupe of girls keep the energy level amped up with their beautiful dancing and mixing with the crowd.
And this dance floor is always a-rockin when the DJs play the best in EMB-Gothic-Industrial-DarkWave80s. Â
THE LOWDOWN
When in Hollywood on a Saturday Night, this is definitely the venue you will want to be at!
Can't really trust this venue/night anymore. I know I praised Bar Sinister in the past and all I can say is that based on the disrespecting actions against me (a loyal and seasoned DJ not just at Bar Sinister, but in the scene since 1989) by this venue, I can no longer recommend it.
It seems as all things Hollywood, the illusion can be quite strong here. I fell for it and won't deny I had a great time while I DJ'ed and VJ'ed there (well over two years combined). But when the curtain was finally revealed, the chain of disrespect for me as a DJ and a person was monumental. I was LIED to and blamed for actions I never did. All attempts to rectify and show this were blatantly ignored (?!). VERY VERY STRANGE BEHAVIOR TOWARDS ME. But then again, I've heard this from MANY OTHER DJ'S AND PROMOTERS and over the years, I stood up for this venue, never believing it... until now. I've even heard how bands repeatedly have not been paid in full which surprised me over the years until it happened to friends of mine basically in front of my face. I was truly put in an awkward situation.
In the end, I've had no choice but to wash my hands of this venue based on their choice. To those who tried to tell me, I appreciated the warnings but for what ever reason, I was able to ride things out much longer then anyone else. However, that ride has come to an abrupt end beyond any of my control.
I've only been here once. I attended the bondage ball last year. I really enjoyed myself. Half naked people, good music, whips, leather and plenty of booze = fun. Where's my whip!?
This place is bigger than I imagined. It's got different sections all of which had cooshy places to sit in dim light and drink. I loved the pleasure playroom with all their toys. Most of the people being spanked were older people but the drunk spectators looked great. I think you need to book to be tortured in advanced.
Anyway they have events every Saturday. Black attire is a must, it's their dress code. You'll pay an extra cover fee if you're not in black or goth attire. So Ed Hardy/Affliction lovers should continue on to their usual douchey clubs.
My girlfriend got kicked out for being "too drunk" because apparently standing there looking beautiful means you're wasted. Stay away from the black guy with a big stick up his butt. They let her back in right after the band finished playing and we had arrived there only shortly before. Complete bullshit. You're not special just because you work at a club in LA. And losing customers isn't part of your job description. People say he was just doing his job, but he was looking for something to do out of sheer boredom. If he thought she was underage he could have just asked. It's a bar. She's 22, she's allowed to be tipsy.
So if you don't want to pay for parking and pay admission just to get kicked out for no reason, don't go here.
Freezepop, never play here again.
Love,
Crystal
PS. Ralphie rocks.
Do you like dealing with crappy/expensive parking?
Do you like door girls with horrible attitudes who can't even keep up with how much the cover is supposed to cost for those in themed costume?
Do you prefer to dance on a teensy weensy dance floor to sub-par goth music?
Do you like paying $10 just to stand around and drink your overpriced booze?
If you answered yes, then come on over!!!! This place works if you base your goth legit-ness on how you dress, it's right up your alley- however, if you're more about the music, you're going to pay more than you should for less than what you deserve.
I love this place. Great music. Friendly people.
Toss on some black cloths, get ready from some interesting outfits and dance a little buzzed.
The drinks are pricey (I won't lie to you) but it's so much fun.
I'd recommend parking at Hollywood/Highland to save a headache. Buy a bottled water from Starbucks on the way out ... BAM! $2 parking that's close, and safe.
When I first went to Bar Sinister 4 years ago, I fell in love with the place. Â It was this fantastic old building in the heart of Hollywood with black walls, a high ceiling, wrought iron staircases, a gorgeous mural from Casablanca on one wall, and victorian style furniture all over the place. Â It was beautiful! Â Had this atmosphere I had never experienced before. Â Also, at the time, there were three DJs who worked really well together, the music flowed wonderfully. Â All the Goth, Darkwave and Industrial I could stand. Â Back then, this was the only club I went to. Â In my mind, there was no other.
Since then, it's declined quite a bit. Â They moved the bar so the mural is covered up, the victorian furniture is gone too, replaced by, I don't know, stuff from IKEA or some other completely modern retailer. Â There's also fabric hanging from the pillars for some reason. Â And the three DJs who once spun the music so well, only one is left, and the ones he works with now, they don't always work so well together. Â Music on any given night will be fantastic or horrible. Â There is no in between.
These days, I go to any other club on Saturday nights if I can, if there's an option. Â If I go here, it's out of desperation more than anything else. Â I hate the traffic in Hollywood. Â The parking is ridiculous. Â Bar Sin says they have $10 valet, which is true, but I waited 45 minutes for my car one night. Â It's kind of not worth saving the money if I can't leave when I want to. Â Also, the people who go to Bar Sin? Â About 1/4 of them actually belong there, actually know and like the music. Â The rest have no idea why they're there, other than because they were told it's the "place to be." Â They go there, get drunk, and stand on the dancefloor, which ruins it for anyone else who went there to dance and enjoy themselves.
Four years ago, it was the pillar of perfection. Â Now, it's merely a shadow of its former self.
We went to Bar Sinister with our group of Yelpers the other night. Â I didn't know what to expect but was keeping an open mind and have to say we had quite a good time!
First of all they have decorated the place rad! It's really cool inside. Black and Goth abound. Photography on the walls. Upstairs a play area with a nice little cozy bar to get some interesting drinks including a menu of Absinthe cocktails (must try this next time). The downstairs has a huge dance floor and bar complete with go go dancers and a circus performer who does acrobatics on this rope which is pretty amazing. Upstairs is where they do the light (very light) bondage and spanking while people mill around or drink and socialize. Like I said it's also decorated very nicely upstairs like a goth living room.
All you do is have to ask to participate in the activities and the staff will gladly make sure you do. A few in our group did and it was fun to watch...
All in all I wouldn't pass going here for a night of entertainment.
Located right next to Boardner's this place has kept it's popularity as a kitsch goth hang-out. Â I haven't been in quite a while as my goth phase was both short and not completely invested. Â A great place to see night birds showing off expensive clothing and vampiric tendencies.
My friends and I have remarked about the drinks served (of which some sort of absinthe was available) and we always came out of there a little more than just drunk. Â Â Some very attractive girls put on a show when hitting the dance floor. Â Definitely a place that will transport you to a different headspace. Â
DRESS APPROPRIATELY!
Damnit, I was going to make this my 666th review but I got so caught up writing reviews last week, I forgot. Â Who knows what I actually wrote for 666.
In any case, I came for my friend's wedding reception here. Â Yep, yep, she had a Halloween wedding and what better place to have the reception than at a goth bar?
Well, at least this time I was wearing black. Â A somewhat rare occasion for me. Â I got hit on by the same guy repeatedly who apparently forgot he had tried numerous occasions with the same line. Â Okay, I didn't realize how much of a "just another Asian girl in black" I would become if I wore something non-colorful.
But yeah, I love the music. Â I can dance all night here.
My very first (and last, so far) goth encounter happened here. Â This place happened to be 2 blocks away from my old apartment, so one night out of boredom, my then BF and I decided to walk to this bar and check out their dark world.
Knowing that it'd be a goth place, I searched through my closet and came up with a black velvet dress with a pair of black lace up boots. Â Mmmm, this is like a costume-play. Â I'm liking it! Â My then BF didn't have anything black or appropriate at all, so he just wore a khaki shorts and a t-shirt. Â Tsk tsk tsk. Â The result? Â I get in for free, but he had to pay for the cover charge. Â The bouncer lady gave him a hard time for how he was dressed, not because of his casual shorts, but because of his non-black clothes.
Inside was surprisingly big. Â Dark, loud, packed with people. Â There was an outside patio where everybody was smoking as well. Â Ok, kind of like any other clubs in Hollywood (not that I know many). Â Trance music blasting on full volume, go-go dancers on the raised stage, people going crazy while dancing, crowded bars where it takes forever to order your drinks... Â Only unique thing about this place was that EVERYBODY was dressed in black, including the go-go dancers. Â
The thought of the moment:
"I wonder if they'd enjoy the shower of blood like in the film BLADE?"
Ummm... anyway, ok, is it all? Â Is it just a place for black clothes lovers to hang out? Â No, there's more to it. Â
Upstairs, it was a whole new world. Â Nobody was dancing. Â In fact, nobody was moving. Â In the center, there was this "show" going on that everybody in the whole floor was quietly watching. Â I saw different people being tied, being whipped, being slapped, being watched. Â Some of them were half naked. Â A total bondage world! Â
The thought of the moment:
"Wow, THAT looks uncomfortable... and THAT looks painful... Â I wonder if he's ok..."
Wow, wow, wow. Â I've never seen anything like this. Â The whole atmosphere on the floor was somewhat sticky, hot, humid, and most of all, erotic. Â I was a bit shocked to see what was in front of my eyes, as I was (STILL AM!!!) an innocent and pure girl. Â This was definitely more sexual than being in the strip club (which my guy friends once dragged me to a long time ago, but that's a whole another review...) Â I think you can "sign up" to be the one in the show, whether to be the dominatrix or the submissive one.
The thought of the moment:
"IF I were to try... IF... would I be the dominatrix one or submissive one...?"
Hmmmmm.....
The thought of the moment:
"(I'm censoring this thought for you young yelpers!)"
AAAAANYWAY. Â Maybe this place isn't all that exciting or scandalous for bondage lovers. Â Maybe it's like a baby show compared to other bondage shows. Â But as a person who lead her whole life without ever coming close to the goth or bondage world, this was definitely one of the most unique encounters. Â
This was about... Â 3 years ago? Â Could be 4? Â I haven't gone back there ever since, but I might drop by again if I'm bored... Â really bored... Â or maybe just because... Â maybe?
The drinks were watered down, and I'm stone cold sober right now.
I can forgive a joint for bad product...but as customer service goes...
THIS PLACE SUCKS ASS!
We were there last night, me and my lady--she was dressed up as a Conservative Evangelical Christian woman (which obviously stands out in a room full of genderbenders). When the costume judging party began the DOUCHE BAG that acts as the stage manager (lisp included,) told her to get off "the fucking stage" because she was not wearing a REAL costume.
Fine. Okay, no reason whatsoever to be a giant DICKHEAD about it, I think she heard you just fine.
Ironically we found out that all of the costume contest winners were "preselected" before they even hit the stage.
The night's only saving grace was a great performance by Godhead.
The staff there need to get off of their own jock.
I will never come back to this shithole ever again!
Wankers.
I almost forgot to review this place this month.
I had some friends visiting from Chicago on a Saturday. They wanted to catch up as we hadn't seen each other in awhile, and they suggested a placed called Bar Sinister. Never heard of it before. Dance club, maybe. Goth club, sounds like it. I was only  partially right.
Only problem is I was best man at a wedding that day so my schedule was tight, I didn't have time to change out of my tux and was wondering how uncomfortable I would be at a dance club. Its Hollywood, I was already 3 sheets to the wind after giving my groomsman speech and I hadn't seen them in close to a year, so what the hell.
I arrive at the place and after plunking down a $10 cover and start sifting through the crowd of Goths looking for my friends. This place is kind of cool. I like the courtyard with the stage, it has a New Orleans feel but with people in black instead of drunken frat dudes. The interior is cool too, rustic, carved wooden bar, good music (Depeche Mode, Pixies and Garbage) and lots of semi-hot Goth girls making out on the dance floor. Â To top it off they have smoking hot Go-Go dancers dressed up like something out of 5th Element/Blade Runner shaking their asses. They liked the tux, got more attention from them then the guys tossing them singles. Awesome, awesome to the max.
Still no sign of my friends, hmm. Oh, they have an upstairs, I'll go check up there. OMG! Whips, and chains, and gag balls oh my! Were not in Kansas anymore. I quickly reassess my no touch zones as I start moving through the sea of black. They have a full-on wooden post to strap people to as a professional whips them with a frayed leather whip, as everyone watches. Wow this place has got everything, except an Iron Maiden and a hunchback named Egor. Â Oh, there are my friends.... In full on fetish gear. Neato! Not really my cup of tea, but who am I to judge. They're good people. We proceed to catch up over some drinks and have a really good time, mixing it up on the dance floor and hanging on the patio.
S&M is not really my thing, but the bar is cool and for a Goth club there was some decent eye candy! I recommend the place if your into this scene, but then again if your in this scene you probably already know. Surprisingly the tuxedo blended right in, EVERYONE dug it.
Oh and parking sucks around here, the end!
Got kicked out of Dungeon and ended up at Bar Sinister's door. Â They wouldn't let me in. Â I must have been a rainbow of fucked up that night. Â A nice dog walker snail-mailed my driver's license back to me a month later. Â It said... "I was walking my dog on Hollywood Blvd and found your DL on the sidewalk." Â Erika.
The following week I was back at Dungeon again.
I hate this place. Â So boring. Â So small. Â So smelly. Â Bathrooms should be condemned. Â The music isn't that great, I have a hard time dancing to most of it. Â The dance floor is tiny and people always bang in to you or spill drinks on you. Â The outside area used to be cool, I do really love the fountain with the dry ice but now that they covered it with a canopy it reeks because of all the smokers and I have been burned by folks several times. Â
The dress code is strange here....I have been with people that have been turned away for wearing jeans (and they were cute!) but then been inside when folks were wearing jeans....really weird! Â I always wore all black but was always ticked when I saw people w/jeans and sneakers inside...One time I saw this really skanky frat boy/guy taking photos up girls dresses and he was wearing a button down pinstriped shirt, jeans, and sneakers....how did he get in???? Â
I used to get dragged here all the time and I finally put my foot down and just stopped going. Â The last few times I went I was so bored I wanted to run into traffic. Â You always see the same people here so folks must really love it but man oh man do I hate it. Â If only the dance floor wasn't so small and the djs didn't suck that bad then I would go back again........maybe.......actually, probably not!
Oh Bar Sinister, how I love thee.
As a jaded East Coast gal, Bar Sinister was my only escape when I arrived in La La Land. I hate pretentious bull, but I felt right at home as soon as I stepped in the door. Maybe it was because of the calf fetishist who thought my legs were perfect. Who knows?
I really enjoy the atmosphere. I don't find the crowd too old(I'm 22) and c'mon they have an aerialist!
If you hate the place for being one of those "goth elitist" clubs, try going on their birthday. There's a "VIP list" on one side, and the regular folks line on the other. Stand on the regular folks line early, because when you do goth hilarity happens. You tend to get in faster and look a whole lot better than those who stand on the VIP line. Trust me, you won't want to miss it. Oh, and the goody bags are to die for. Free Tattoos anyone?
The drinks are tasty(but pricey), and the music is always hot. There's always live music in the courtyard, and the band is usually good or has a member that is pure eye candy. Remember when in doubt of your gothiness remember there is always eyecandy.
They just added parking so no more $15 dollar parking charges!
Score.
This bar has never really let me down, with its continuous contribution to my fetish/gothic habits.
There have been nights were I've been at countless trendy clubs in Hollywood where I turn to my friends and say "let's go to where our 'people' are." Cause that's just what it is, it's a club filled with people who don't give a shit and don't give a shit about what you think. I like that mentality and I apply it to my everyday life. Yes it's true that there are some "freaky" people in black, that is the usual crowd there but it is a bunch of bullshit that they won't let you in if you aren't wearing all black. I've worn red dresses, blue jeans, and god forbid a pink blouse. Â They just like to keep it dark in there. I've seen many amazing things go down at sinister from the bondage room upstairs to an awe inspiring band called "red lily" perform... It can definitely be hit or miss, but there is always something to appreciate there.
Definitely get down with your gothic self here and dance the night away to Sarah mclaughlin's "Delirium" or Garbage's "#1 Crush" the go go dancers in latex will keep the mood in full swing. And don't be afraid to get a free drink every now and again from the cute vampire at the bar ;-)
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