We came here based on a recommendation from one of the bartenders at Neat. Â This is a totally chill bar that's a good spot to just hang out with friends. Â They had a bar games machine which is rare in LA. Â There's plenty of other forms of entertainment or space to just hang out. Â A fun spot to relax and have fun.
Review Source:I've been here like twice maybe? I love a block away now so I plan on checking it out a few more times since Liron E. loves this spot. My former family friend neighbor Millie used to be a bartender here.
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LOCATION
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Located on Moorpark + Woodman avenue it's hidden away in a small shopping center between Moorpark & Ventura. You'd think business would suffer but they've been here atleast 20+ years during my lifetime and never have gone out of business... unlike the Green Frog / Oaks Tavern... which has changed names and ownership numerous times. Theres a rounded bar area, tables on the edges, a dart board and a patio area.
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THOUGHTS
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I really don't remember what the prices were like for drinks and vaguely remember coming here briefly both times. I'll be updating this review soon.
Love.
Millie.
Love. Old movies. Love. The jukebox. The dance floor. The back bar. The purse hooks. The smoking patio. Â
This is where you'll find me, when I gotsta be drinking double Makers-and-waters. (Gotta be a lady; when it's really bad out there, skip the water. When it's really really bad, what's the well?)
Hey, times are tough. The Chimneysweep is singing my tune lately.
Love. Love. Love.
The moment I stepped into this place I knew it was going to be a good experience...the friendly doorman was just that..friendly...even though he could probably break my arm off and beat me over the head with it...lol.....the bartenders Stacy (and the others, too..just cant remember names at the moment) are all cool, the waitress Skylar is great...strong drinks at great prices, amazing internet jukebox where you can find just about anything you want to hear, great atmosphere, people that frequent the place are mellow and not douchey at all......just a great find.....have been making this a frequent stop of late and see no reason to change up....
Update: A few weeks ago I walked into the Chimneysweep to see actor Paul Sorvino (Goodfellas, Law & Order, etc) sitting at the bar talking with another gentlemen. Mr. Sorvino is an A-List Actor and was super nice and approachable and seemed to be completely comfortable in that environment...just as it should be...
This place is a trip. Â I really liked our waitress Taylor. It's pretty much a dive and a gem. Very old school, a little creepy, great fireplace and comfy 40's style seating. heavy duty pours - as in ridiculously stiff drinks! strange potpourri of people, generally speaking. Not upscale at all, but great for a drink with people you know well and want to catch up with I would imagine. They don;t have anything fancy - no cheese stuffed olives or Russian mules etc. no food, just popcorn. I like it - but it is definitely, unusual, at least these days - Â a throwback in time.
it's a 3 star place but Taylor gives it an extra one.
Well...im from Cleveland....and its a Browns Bar! Amazing! Even if your not a Browns fan this bar is still a great place to go.
It has a really cozy at home in the basement type feel and everyone is nice and full of characters!
Ive only been on sunday for the games......they have free popcorn, hot dogs, and chili and long as it lasts! Ill def be back....5 or so flatscreens in every corner and pool table in back...yep..i just found my new spot.
Its like Cheers!
AKA "The Sweep" to regulars and locals.
The grouchy old bartender has retired and is gone. New employees have taken up his hours and it's all good.
Very friendly bar and it's cool if you bring in food. Mostly under 40 crowd but everyone is welcome. The later the day into evening, the younger the crowd.
Extremely clean throughout - always.
Wish the TV's at the bar were bigger and more of them,, but the game is on some place in the room so that works for us.
Parking can be tight, but remember the South lot next door if it's full in front and the bartenders know who can be trusted to walk you to your car at night if you wish.
Change is inevitable with everything. Nothing is forever. Don't let the old bar flys "it-used-to-be-better-when-I-held-court-here" takes influence you.
Recent new owner and staff,, the Sweep just keeps getting better.
Hit this joint up last night, not bad, the interior looks like something out of an 80's flick, kinda like a cross between a ski chalet and upscale homeless shelter. Beers were 3.75 and whiskey drinks were....I don't remember how much, but damn if that old lady bartender didn't have a heavy pour! Lots of trashy white girls, which by the way....................were great! Cool place i'd hit again.
Review Source:The Chimney sweep is 100% authentic. If your looking for bad talking, wanna-be's then the Chimney sweep is NOT for you. If your looking for a place that has the friendliest people around this is the real deal. Best drinks, a popcorn machine, best music. Last time I was there Aretha's keyboardist and his band we're rocking the place through the night. It's a true gem and always a good time!
Review Source:I've been going here for almost 6 years now. It's a great hidden watering hole with an outdoor patio for smokers. The drinks are reasonably priced and the bartenders are very welcoming. Rick at night especially is a big talker, very friendly fellow. They usually have great deals and food for for football if your a sports freak. See ya there.
Review Source:Absolutely one of my favorite little bars. It's more like going over to a good friends house that just happens to have a good supply of booze =D It's one of my favorite places to spend a Sunday or Monday having great conversation surrounded by some excellent patrons. The people there are just solid down to earth goodhearted people. You're not going to see anyone over dressed or under dressed it's just casual with everything you could want in a Cheers like environment. They can expect my patronage for many years to come.
Review Source:Step right in and see the 142 year old bartender! Â Some of my friends love this place, me...not so much. Â It's a hit or miss -- sometimes there's 3 people here, and other times its jam-packed.
It's a classic style, dive bar stuck in the 70's. Â Absolutely nothing fancy. Â A few small TV's may have a game on, but good luck trying to get the channel changed. Â For smokers, it has a small outdoor patio to puff away on, then cough and hack.
The aforementioned bartender, both times I've been, is super grouchy. Â He just might be whispering curse words while serving you.
If you like this sort of service -- go for it! Â Also, no happy hour specials! Â Boooooo...me no likey.
This bar might be better suited in Panorama City or Bakersfield or something. Worst bar in Sherman Oaks. EASILY...
The staff is absolutely God-awful, utterly rude, and unpleasant. Â The atmosphere is dingy.
This joint completely lacks character.
Did I mention they're rude, and the layout sucks?? They do serve alcohol.
The Chimneysweep Louge is one of my favorite dive bars in Sherman Oaks. Definitely not for "College kids" or "Hollywood" types ... but for more "groovy artist paving the way of total self express" types! ... lol! Â
Parking is pretty easy, as long as you don't mind to walk and know where to park.
The staff is really nice, they have a pool table, dart board, and FREE popcorn for the lightweights... lol
Drinks are cheap, the jukebox is always playing something good, and it's super chill. My definition of heaven =D
xx
I guess I'm like a total bar noob because despite having been to several bars, I didn't really know what a "dive bar" was.. even though I had been to some previously.
Anyway, first point. Parking sucks in Sherman Oaks. Next point, crowd is def older (I'm a college kid), so when I walked in I was a lil surprised, almost thought I came to the wrong place.
Music can get pretty loud, so it's hard to talk. I met up with a few of my high school friends to grill our newly engaged and soon to be married fine gentleman of a friend. It's kind of small too, and the bathroom is tiny. Mrawr~ probably won't come back
I almost hesitate to write a review of this place, because there is nothing I can say that will change anyone's opinion of the Chimneysweep; you'll either love it from the moment you walk in, or you'll wrinkle your nose and wonder what anyone could possibly see in the place.
My five-star rating is kind of a giveaway as to which category I fall into. Â
I will admit, I was not a member of the Rick (referred to here on yelp as 'the cranky old guy') fan club at first, but over time I've come to appreciate his surliness as part of the charm of the 'Sweep.  Nina is, without a doubt, my most favorite bartender ever.  She makes a MEAN dirty martini, and you never know what hilarious thing she's going to say next.  Nina and Rick are definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but the entertainment value they provide is priceless in my book.  No they will not kiss  your ass because you wave a dollar in front of them, but if  you're patient and friendly (well, it works with Nina, at least...), they will treat you well, and remember you the next time you come in (I recently discovered that Rick knows my name, and I even made him laugh once, so I know it's possible to crack that shell).
Do they have draft beer? No. Â Do they have waitresses? Â Sometimes... but they never seem to last long. Â The place will be insanely crowded one Saturday and a ghost town the next. Â One night it's filled with the over-60 crowd, and then next night, 22-year old hipsters; I think perhaps this is because people read the great reviews, come in, and then they just don't get it.
If I want to have a conversation with my friends, I'll tuck into one of the tables around the edge of the room; if I want entertainment, I'll sit at the bar and watch Nina and Rick work their magic. The people-watching is always fun, and you never know when you'll spot the random celebrity in there (personal past sightings include Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minillo, DJ Qualls, and Stevie Wonder - and a friend got the thrill of a lifetime when he got to ask Jessica Simpson what it was like to work with the Muppets).
In my mind this bar transcends coolness, because it's not trying to be anything, it just is what it is. Â If you can appreciate that, great, I'm sure I'll see you in there some time, if not, The Oaks Tavern is right around the corner.
I see the children of the nineties reviewing this place in the context that it is supposed to offer you a prepackaged experience replete with the latest micro-brews or a gourmet burger.
I review bars in particular for what they are and how people behave within the confines of such.
This is a relic of a by gone era in the valley.  Amber  colored 80's style English street lamps and swanky decor seem sullen after decades of existence; however, everything seems to be in its right place. There is the requisite dart board, pool table, juke box and smoking patio.
The regulars are such that their routine is written in stone and aren't there so much to socialize as maybe maintain the previous nights indulgence, some bags are heavy and some are spry but all are flies.
Alcoholic perfection.
I don't know what my problem is, but I've been coming here for at least 25 years and have never had any trouble with the bartenders, even when I order a mixed drink on a crowded evening. Â I actually like both bartenders. Â They're no-nonsense drink-pourers. Â They're not going to light the bar on fire or do their "Cocktail" bottle-tossing impressions. Â The drinks are fine, the selection is good, and the prices are pretty reasonable. Â Good jukebox, free popcorn, sports on the TV, pool, and darts. Â It's all okay with me. Â Parking can really suck.
What kills me about these reviews are those people who claim to "love dive bars," yet complain about the service/bathrooms/plastic glasses, etc. when they're actually in one. Â Dive bars are gross, not kitschy. They're supposed to have sucky elements that make you feel uncomfortable and a little ashamed of yourself for being there. Â That's part of the charm. Â This is NOT a dive bar. Â It's a little dark and there's a pool table, but that's about as divey as it gets. Â This is a neighborhood bar, not unlike other neighborhood bars.
P.S. - Could you people please stop saying shitty things about the bartender? Â It's obvious that he simply doesn't know how important you are. Â Otherwise, he'd greet you with a hello and a handshake, as he does with me. Â Thankfully, I doubt he even knows what Yelp is, so I doubt he reads the reviews. Â If you ever told him that you were going to say something bad about him on here, he'd give you that look that any bartender should give some young Coachella bracelet-wearing punk who comes in asking for a tray of Appletinis on a packed night.
UPDATE: Â Something has changed. Â I don't think the older bartender guy works there anymore. Â They've replaced him with some hip young thang. Â Too bad. Â I thought he went well with the place. Â I also think that the nice lady with the Eastern European accent may be gone as well. Â I never see her on weekends. Â Well, I miss them both. Â Without them, I think I'll find another place to drink.
This bar is in another dimension. A dimension where it's still the 1970s, and possibly the Soviet Union. The bartender lady doesn't smile, and doesn't serve you until she's good and ready. She has a very heavy accent and was probably around for the Russian Revolution, so I imagine she has a lot of interesting stories to tell. Maybe if I can get her to tell me her stories she will also make me a drink.
If you get the feeling you're being watched here... it's because you are. Take a look around and you'll find at least 5 surveillance cameras. What in the world are they doing at a dive bar?
The crowd is a seriously mixed bag. It's mostly pretty young, but you've got your middle-aged and a few senior citizens thrown in. Everyone seems pretty laid back and cool, though.
I'm not sure what this place wants to be. It kind of looks like the owner took all his bowling trophies and weird paintings, stuck 'em on the wall and called it interior design. Â
This is a creepy place. Creepy cameras, creepy bartenders. Even the women's bathroom is creepy. The door is about half the size of a normal door (hot dog, not hamburger). I'm afraid if I enter it, I may never return.
I might go back, but next time I'll dress like a Russian Spy and order my drinks in code.
Ohh myy...
Been here twice ages ago... At both occasion the place was empty. Empty from people, life, music and... A friendly service lol
Now, those who know me know how much I enjoy, love and appreciate dive bars... Honest, I am not a picky girl when it comes to bars....
Though this place.. Mmmmm.... it's just dead lol....
When I ordered my drink ("Martini vermouth, easy on ice") the bar man nearly snapped at me with rage!!! "Blimey", me thinks.... Ok, ok I'll have an ale...
"What ales do you have?"
Again ( the rage!!) , he did not appreciate my question.... Good God... "UHH, Do you have newki... Uh, Newcastle Brown please??"
Haahaa....
Sorry, not too impressed and don't think I'll be back.
I had a crappy Saturday afternoon.
It happens. IMHO, the cure for a crappy day is a better evening, so in the interest of making lemonade, I set out with a girl friend on an impromptu bar crawl.
The adventure quickly felt like an adjusted version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears... Big Wangs was too trashy, Fox & Hounds was too old, Laurel Tavern too pretentious.
But the Chimneysweep was just right.
Sure it's noisy and dark, but we were able to find a little space to ourselves. Happily, the same guy (Jamie) has been working the door there for years, and is always friendly and glad to see me. The bartenders are some interesting folks as well, and if you haven't been in to see Rick & Nina, you absolutely should make the trip out and see if you can't get Rick to crack a smile. I bet you a round of drinks that you can't ;-)
I love rock n roll so put another dollar in the juke box baby.
One dollar equals two credits. Some how you will end up with one credit though certain songs needs two credits. And vice versa. Who determines which song is more or less credit worthy of others?
I spent about $10 playing music. They have every song ever created. For that they get three stars.
I hope the fireplace is for show and they dont turn it on ever. It looks nausiating.
Good drinks - good music. This place is ok. It was cool to meet a few friendly yelpers.
*** C'mon how can you not be a fan?!? ***
Sweep is the quintessential valley dive bar.
1st came here 10yrs ago ... it ain't changed.
So seeing a buncha yelpers here on TG Day
for the Loser UYE was absolutely perfect imho.
The old dude that tends the bar is f'n classic, man.
He's stoic, says little to nothing and no expression.
Me: Anything on tap?
Him: No
Me: Got Macallan?
Him: No
Me: Dewar's 12yo?
Him: A piercing stare that said "wtf keep it simple"!
Me: Ok ... JW Black and a Guinness chaser, sorry.
Drinks are cheap and he pours 'em deep. Â Me likes.
He'll charge your credit card after every round. (lol)
(Do dive bars trust anyone anymore? Â I think not.)
Now as for those 12-deep motley crew of Yelp losers ...
oh this bunch was uber mellow, conversational, and that
Joan dropped it like it's hot when she gave me a lap dance.
I owe you one, sweetie ... you were drunk and vulnerable ...
and also alone on the holiday ... I won't tell nobody. (oops)
Hell if you cannot get drunk and lol here, you need drugs.
*** No weepers ... it's a keeper ... they pour 'em deeper. ***
Three or four stars, let's say three and a half.
This dive was pretty packed on Thanksgiving night. Â If a bar is lively, that's good enough for me, and I am likely to have a good time just watching the crowd.
We sat in a corner where some Yelpers were gathered. Â My Thanksgiving had included a bit too much delicious wine (no I wasn't driving) so by the time I got to Chimneysweep I was feelin' no pain, haha.
I recall getting carded at the door, unless that was just part of a beautiful dream.....
Then I might have sipped on a shot o' whiskey that made me frisky. Â I might have sat on a couple guys' laps, apologies to my victims.....
Chimneysweep was a perfect place to cap off a lovely Thanksgiving day, actually. Â I felt thankful to be in the company of treasured friends. Â
Dunno what I ever did to deserve all the good stuff that's flowing my way lately, but I think The Secret to unlocking the gateway to happiness is appreciation & gratitude for the great people in my life. Â I don't take a single minute of these good times for granted.
I'm waaaay too old to be carded, but not too old to be havin' the time of my life......
Wow.... I was a jackass in my previous review.
I think my preferences changed a bit. I prefer to drink in quiet now ( quiet, when compared to other bars in the area). Still, there are tons of other bars I would rather go to, but everyone should check this place out at least once. You might enjoy the worn out feel.....
(2.75)
Lets be honest:  if you frequent 'the sweep' you have more important things to worry about than what your peers rate [it].  That said, it is apparent that most of the reviews come from the occasional, not chronic, attendee.  I'm not sure if my intense self-hatred or my uncanny attraction to the overtly bisexual  cocktail waitress (her name is dani) keeps me coming back...Or perhaps it is the super-great juke-box and stale popcorn?  But for some reason (most likely the close proximity to my *SUPER AWESOME JOB*) I cannot avoid the sweep.  Â
Please take the following advice to heart:
1. Â PAY IN CASH - Some of the bartenders (*cough* *rick* *cough*) are notorious for changing tips on credit card bills)
2. Â Ask for the SNACK MIX - public popcorn has NOTHING on salty crackers and peanuts
3. Order food from CARNIVAL (the restaurant next door) - The sweep has no kitchen but you can order anything from Carnival's full menu and they will bring it over.
Good luck, and if you go home with Dani , tell her to say hello to her mother for me.
Can't help but love this place. Normal people. Not a scene but not too divey either. There are usually two bartenders- a man and a woman. The man is miserably grouchy and the woman is delightfully friendly. You never know who you're gonna get.
Really good sized room with flat screens all over the place. Comfy seating. The bar is really comfortable to sit at too. The lighting is just dark enough. Fantastic chimney-themed art on the walls.There's a small space outside for the smokers. Totally easy parking.
And last, but not least, the POPCORN! There must be something in it because it's impossible not to stop eating it... you can go bowl after bowl and not even know.
Another wonderful feature- totally convenient location.
This place, upon my first visit, reminded me of a Burt Reynolds movie for some reason. Â It has this vibe of a bar you'd find in the lobby of a hotel off the Vegas strip who had it's hay day in 1975.
And all of that above is a compliment. Â
It almost feels like you've entered someone's living room. Â Mind you, the person probably drinks Pabst and hunts deer while listening to Molly Hatchet or something, but that's the vibe I got.
Still, a compliment.
The beer is reasonably priced and the ambiance during the day is a completely different world than at night. Â If you head in at night, especially Friday or Saturday, expect it to be crowded with a lot of 20 and 30 somethings. Â The place still gives off a nastalgic cozy vibe. Â
That reminds me....I think I need to go there sometime soon.
I have to admit. I miss the Sweep. It was always such an anomaly.
-Dive bar with a great crowd.
-Rude staff that are great once you get to know them, if you're not a dick.
-Packed with a line out the door one Friday, empty the next.
-A jukebox with millions of songs that always seems to play the crappiest old songs imaginable.
-A smoker's patio that you can't drink on after midnight.
-Tons of TV screens that are as likely to show Animal Planet as they are to show the Dodgers.
The Sweep is hit or miss. If you go once, you might have a great time or you might not. It's inconsistent as Hell.
But I miss the place. Go with a group and you'll have a great time. Just be prepared to be patient at the bar! And if you pay with a credit card, don't expect to grab your tab and leave quickly.
Ah, Chimneysweep. Â One of the few places in the Valley where I don't mind getting my drink on. Â
I've come here on many occasions. Â To pre-pre party before shows. Â To lament the fling gone horribly wrong. Â To just sit and watch the good looking crowd. Â I was even here on a particularly sad Valentine's Day, where my other single friends and I sipped on rum and diets and watched the Westminster Dog Show on the big screen TV. Â Our conversation that night: Â "Bah! Â Boys! Â Who needs 'em when you can watch dogs groomed like mops!"
But I digress... Â This place actually seems to be a good litmus test for dates. Â Can they charm Nina into offering up some of the "kibbles and bits" she offers to her favorite customers? Â Will they appreciate the divey atmosphere? Â Will they sidle up to the bar and attempt to make the old cranky bartender smile? Â Will they pick something decent on the jukebox? Â
So much you can learn in a divey old bar, grasshopper.
This is a cozy little place with an antique fireplace and a dark environment. Â Some call it a dive bar, but that label is so loosely used these days. Â Its definitely "divey," and the crowd is hit or miss: Â Sometimes its an upbeat, trendy crowd that seems to have just gotten off work from the studios in Burbank. Â On other nights, its ugly locals dressed in tank tops and Big 5 type attire. Â On most nights, its a mixture. Â
The bartenders wear black vests over white dress shirts. Â One of the waitresses, who has a Russian accent but claims she is from Baltimore, is quite friendly and always recalls your drink when you come again. Â
Above all, I love that its down the street from me in Sherman Oaks. Â I just wished they had beer on tap.
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