TR!P Santa Monica

A great bar to come down and have a drink.... Service is amazing here

Places like this is why I like to travel. They weren't even on my list, but they were across the street from my hotel and playing good music. As soon as I checked in and settled into my room, I dodged traffic to grab a drink and listen to some tunes. They have someone playing every night. They don't have an extensive alcohol list, and I didn't see any liquor, but they had beer, wine and bubbles. I tried all the IPAs they had on tap, Garage something was the winner. I ended up going multiple times over my two day stay. Chatted with the bartenders and some of the customers and musicians. All cool people, GVO. Sunday night I only caught the last two songs of the set, but Monday was open mic and they had several decent musicians that played a couple songs each. I was impressed, but as you can imagine, talent levels are starkly different for LA artist and Pascagoula regulars. So I might not be the best judge if you're really an audiophile. No cover but that does show up in the price of drinks. Come for HH though if you want to pregame for the shows.

Fun place to play and to watch other bands play!

Went on a Tuesday about 945pm. Average age in here about 55 I’d say. Got a bar at the bar, decent vibe. 65* Sergio was a nice guy and bartender, overall good time. Hit up poom thai after!

edit: READ UPDATE BELOW, SEVERAL ISSUES WERE RESOLVED New ownership. It could work but I don't like the changes overall. For one, many fewer beers on tap. Bummer. Open mic nights used to come with a drink ticket and now the concession is that drinks are discounted but honestly I don't remember what the prices were before so that could have been absorbed. The windows behind the stage are open instead of curtained now during open mic night which I guess is better for advertising or foot traffic or something but is distracting and takes away from the vibe. Every performance is now against a backdrop of commercial real estate and cars zooming by. Probably the most egregious error is keeping football on during performances, on like 10 TVs around the room. Again distracts from the music and feels like a loss of respect for art. Somebody had a vision for this place and that vision was to make it just another bar. It's sad. I'm not mad, just disappointed. This place used to care and I just don't think it does anymore. Edit: bumping up to five stars because they turned the TVs off, closed the curtains, and restored the drink tickets for performers! It should maybe still lose a point because some of the advertised beers weren't available and the ATM machine didn't work, but I take back the remark about not caring because clearly they're listening to some criticism. And that alone is worth an extra star. If you're going for open mic night, sign ups start an hour early and fill up fast!

Cool mellow spot to grab a beer and get a snack.

Great night, Had a very good band that night. Friday 9,2024..