by Henry Mitani on Been here two or three times over the years and each time I've enjoyed myself. I was able to partake in free or $1 drinks before midnight deals. Music was pretty good, I danced the night away. The venue is pretty cool, very big. I love its actual history though. Bathrooms pretty spacious, but dark.
by Stefan Deridder on The coconut crusted fish and rice was perfect. It was so good, we ate everything and didn't leave any leftovers even though the portion large. The Mamajuana mojito is also a wonderful drink and was prepared very well. Just one sneaks up on you and has you feeling real good. Yucca fries were plentiful and marvelous. The live music was also very entertaining. I would love to come here more often and with maybe another couple to really have good times with.
by Aldo D. on One of the promoters is going thru the crowd and chest bumps my girlfriend causing her to spill her drink all over her shirt. I stop the guy and tell him to apologize. He says "hey it works both ways," implying that she should apologize to him. He reiterated this multiple times until i explain to him that he spilled her drink and she doesn't need to apologize. He proceeds to get in my face and say that i was "giving him a look." My girlfriend steps in the middle and says that if he has a problem, he should keep it with her. Certainly I wasn't looking for a fight. Needless to say I walk away from the situation. We were at the top of the back stairwell in the outside patio. We walk down the stairs, back into the club, turn around, and this guy followed us into the club demanding an apology from me after I decided to walk away from the situation. His reasoning... I "gave him a look." I sarcastically tell him that I am sorry and he proceeds to approach the nearest security guard saying "he's talking shit about me. I want him and his girlfriend out of my club," even though at this point I was trying to defuse the situation. Let's get one thing straight. This is a Saturday night for GIANT. It's not his club. It's Dave Dean's club... how do I know this? I used to work for GIANT 10 years ago, so why would I ever try to cause a ruckus at a place that I loved and respected? Then again, he would never know that about me. Regardless, the quality and atmosphere of this place has gone down so much that I can no longer recommend nor endorse it to anyone. If your favorite DJ is playing at Vanguard on a Saturday night, skip it. You're better off waiting until they play somewhere else. Further, their ATM machine is broken and they charge a minimum of $30 for credit cards at the inside bar and $40 at the outside bar PLUS a mandatory 20% gratuity charge on all credit card purchases... for alcohol only (standard rate is 10-12% for alcohol only). I have been to every single club/concert/dance venue in Los Angeles. This rates in my top 5 worst establishments. I hope you reconsider the next time you decide to attend this venue. Don't be surprised when you are disappointed.
