by Justin C. on Over a thousand reviews, so you have the facts--cavernous DTLA lounge featuring industrial chic 1920s style, well-dressed crowd in their late twenties and early thirties. I've never waited in line, but I come at odd hours since I live down the street. Four stars on the fairly interesting cocktails, but as you probably know that's not the draw of this place, it's the ambiance (except for during the monthly radio room mixology event). Four and a half stars in general, only because it's a bit too crowded here sometimes. I also wish I could meet more fellow early-twenties types here, but that's my problem, not theirs. I've been here six times, three of which ended in a member of my group getting bounced (politely: "sneakers / jeans / shorts are not allowed, _sir_). I warned them that it was going to happen, so I don't hold it against the Edison. My theory is that they look at what you wear below the waist, and not above. Or that what you wear on top can be balanced out by what you wear below. Figuring out how far I can take this is my new hobby. My first time here I came in black canvas pants, a tan collared short-sleeved button down with suspenders and shod in black boots. No problems getting in, pretty par for the course. The third time, I came looking like a rainbow exploded on my upper half. My bespoke houndstooth trousers, handsome loafers, and winning smile must have saved me, because I didn't get bounced. I think next time I'll wear my comme des garçons slacks, ferragamo oxfords, and a banana suit. Maybe I'll even eke out a coy wink.
by Rudolf Mclure on Okay, I usually have a pretty good time here. But my last experience was kinda annoying. One eventful Friday night I was out with some friends. Pretty typical. We were put on the guest list for Trigger by another friend of ours, which was convenient. When we arrived apparently it was too late to get in free at the guest list entrance. No big deal. 8 bucks cover charge is not awful. However, when I asked the guy taking our money about the list I got some very unexpected attitude. Without looking at me I got, "Well it looks like you're too late aren't you? You can pay the cover or walk away. And we're kinda busy so make up your mind". I wanted to sock him in the face. I can't imagine the owners of this bar wanting this guy's attitude to be the first thing people experience when walking in. Other than this fool, the rest of the staff is great.
by Bennett Brusseau on I tend not to go to places that ask you to submit to full cavity searches upon entry and so if it were possible to give this place zero stars, i would. Now, I haven't been out on the night club scene for a while, but this place makes me want to abandon all hope and hang up my dancing shoes. Went there last night for a friends big 3-0 and left just as things were in full ghettofied swing. Strata is typical of most places that tend to the hip hop crowd (Mars 2112 I'm talking to you). Things are overpriced, the music is too loud to even scream over, and everyone acts like their in some low budget rap video.Sure, there as no cover before 12 but the bar wouldn't accept credit card charges under 75 dollars, the ATM had a 3.50 surcharge, the music was as lame as the crowd, and things got uglier then all sin once the dj realized people were drunk enough (read thouroughly ignorant enough) to accept the onslaught of his" Bitches and Hoes" discography. When we got in at 11:30 there were two hoe bags with bad weaves straddling and fake humping some skinny white dude with locks on the couches who was taking their pics in the empty club as hip-hop blared. Next to them , two old ass chicks were shaking their butts on an empty dance floor. The place did fill up considerably after 1am though to my dismay. I knew I had to bail on my buddy when I looked to my left and to my right and as far as the eye could see in the considerable darkness ill-tempered hoochies with faces (and bodies) that deserved to be held in the confines of brown paper bags ( or plastic ones if you believe in eugenics) teetering in cheap shoes started to do the dance of preemptive procreation with individual men( and their boys) who somehow used the overpriced bottles of Hennessey they clutched in their fists while air humping to "superman that hoe" as bait. Needless to say it wasn't my scene... AT ALL! Best night to go : Never P.S. They don't let you out once you're in.If you want to come back then you have to pay cover again. I was screamed at by a bouncer who informed me that the "smoking section" was closed. Is the sidewalk an official smoking section now?Fucking pricks.
