The Del Monte Speakeasy

One of the gems in Venice, this speakeasy has a great happy hour ($5 for a glass of wine) and eclectic performances by underground, global, and independent artists.  I've been here a couple of times, once to check out a Brazilian concert that I heard about on KPFK and the second time for the Super Serious Comedy Show.  If you're looking for a laid back spot with friendly bartenders, awesome locals, and really fantastic performances then give this place a try.  They even have free popcorn!  FYI...no food is served so make sure you eat at one of the food trucks or restaurants along Windward Ave.

This place was okay. I expected more of a traditional speakeasy feel, but this place is more of a nightclub with good drinks. The drinks are really good though, but just not what I had expected for a speakeasy style bar. It was really loud and kinda dirty.

Well let me start off with the fact that the location is pretty primo.  Right at Windward circle and steps from the Venice Boardwalk.  Enter the Townhouse and go directly down the stairs to the right.  Once down there its like being transported back in time and the decor is awesomely authentic. The celling is a bit low but Im a tall guy so im not going to bitch heavily about that. I came for a show on Wednesday night and a show I got one.  The best part,  the Wednesday shows are FREE.  

I walked straight up to the bar to order a drink.  I saw everyone drinking PBR tall boys and as a previous bartender I know PBR's are typically priced lower on the scale of all menu items.  The charge was $8 for the tall boy....too much in my opinion and lead me to believe that the rest of the drinks on the menu are not nicely priced. Rule of thumb, pre-game a bit before going anywhere that has high real estate value and always bring a flask.  Any way....

First up was a comedy bit.  The two guys I saw, one was ok the other was a pro.  I laughed at the headliner Dove Davidoff.  He was interesting if not hopped up on some kind of drug but that might as well have been part of his bit.  He was good.  

Second up was a Burlesque show with the girls of BOOTLEG BOMBSHELLS.  I got a front row seat and settled in.  Note to any one sitting in the front row of a burlesque show, understand that you will get messed with or become part of the show.  That's the fun of it.  

All the girls (a troop of 5) were very very entertaining and performed very fun numbers with good music and fun outfits.  My favorite performer was Lee Acosta on the pole.  Im not a strip club guy but I can definitely appreciate the talent and skill it takes to work the pole the way she did.  Half of her acrobatic tricks gave the illusion of defying gravity and for a tall woman on a pole only a couple of inches taller than she was (due to low celling height) was STUPID IMPRESSIVE. Bravo.  

Akira has a fun set too where I was actually able to take a pair of scissors from her and cut away at her outfit.  What can I say other than awesome and fun!  I don't think any man has not had that fantasy before and if you haven't you need to live a little and open up your mind.

Bottom line the girls had a fun time performing and I enjoyed watching them.  Im pretty certain a number of other guys and girls enjoyed it too because there was a load of hooping and hollering throughout the entire show.

I'll be back to the Del Monte next Wednesday to see what the BOOTLEG BOMBSHELLS have in store.  The word on the street is that each show is different so that awesome.