The Cinema Bar has been serving up drinks and live music in Culver City since 1947. This is a great place to go enjoy a beer in a dimly lit atmosphere while listing to live music.

The music definitely leans more toward Folk/Americana as does the decor. Be sure to stop by when there is live music – their calendar is posted on their website.

Location

Backstage Bar & Grill is the oldest bar in Culver City – it opened in 1939 and has been open and operating in the same location for over 75 years. It’s a place I’ve been to numerous times (there is always at least one birthday party going on) and with the dim lighting, packed crowds, cheap beer, and karaoke music, I never suspected it had been around for so long.

What’s Nearby

• The Shack – Playa Del Rey
• Dear John’s – Culver City
• George Petrelli’s Steak House – Culver City

The bar sits on Culver Blvd directly across the street from Sony Studios (formerly MGM Studios). As such, according to their website, the bar has hosted a variety of studio employees over the years including The Munchkins from the Wizard of Oz & Cary Grant.

It’s definitely a place worth seeking out if you’re in the area – they’ve got a great happy hour every night, one of the best karaoke places in Los Angeles (Thurs – Sat), and great pub-food. And as you sit there drinking down cheap beer and watching the always entertaining karaoke, just imagine you’re there in 1940’s hanging out with Cary Grant and The Munchkins.

Location

Some historic eating enthusiasts may view the exterior of George Petrelli’s Steak House, scratch their head and wonder: “Is that roof really blue tile?”, “Is this a Chinese restaurant?”, “The sign proclaims it’s an Italian-American Steakhouse, open for 80 years no less, but I’ll be damned if it looks it…” And so on and so on. Continue Reading →

Dear John’s, opened and virtually unchanged since 1962, is in a league of its own out here on the Westside when it comes to old time feel and charm. The walls are covered with pictures of Famous Johns, hence the name. Continue Reading →