What's the cool room for singer/songwriters, acoustic, jazz, listening-room type music?

Largo or The Mint seem good for this type of music. Not sure if Knitting Factory Hollywood has a good rep?
If you know of any places, please let me know. Looking for ideas for one of our clients.

Thanks.

Largo and the Mint are both good Singer/Songwriter venues. McCabe's Guitar Shop is another big acoustic venue. I've never actually been and couldn't describe their setup. The Hotel Cafe also caters to singer songwriters.

I wouldn't guess that Knitting Factory would be what you're looking for, although its a decent venue. Among less specialized (towards singer songwriters), I'd expect that the Troubadour would be a better fit. Although its an indie club in general, its roots are in the 70's Laurel Canyon Singer Songwriter crowd...the Eagles and Jackson Browne used to play there all the time back in the day, and I've seen solo acoustic acts there before.

I'm not sure what you meant by jazzy, but I'll throw out some jazz clubs...Catalina Bar & Grill and the Baked Potato are probably the two biggest. I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for though.

HOpe that helps.

Knitting Factory has been catering mostly to punk / metal these days.

McCabes has a decent-sized though small back room (50 people?) where they move the guitars out of the way and set out chairs. Has the feel of a homey-style in-store...

Knitting Factory is great for singer/sonwriters if you can get the "Alterknit" loungue - not too big, bar in close proximity, and they can pull out the chairs if you want 'em out there. It's also good if you're solo/acoustic and want to play with bands... One of the most adaptable venue spaces for small-to-medium-sized in LA...

And, I've never been to the Hotel Cafe, but that place is exclusively singer-songwriters. If your boy might not have the biggest following, he'll gain fans by playing with some local folkies there - plus, Amoeba's not that far away

knitting factory = no way. at least these days... haven't wanted to see a show there in awhile. but alterknit lounge isn't too bad (refer to what kyle said above). they have a separate entrance for the alterknit lounge then the knitting factory and definitely more of an intimate setting which would be perfect for what you're describing.

i've never been to largo, the mint or hotel cafe - but those seem to cater mostly to singer/songwriter types.

My boy Paul Doucette plays there all the time. One and all should go check him out.

That is all.

hotel cafe?

thanks for the tips guys/gals.

billy, we've called the Catalina before and the dude that books the place is also the guy who owns it and he's like 95 years old and impossible to understand.

I'm not sure what's causing all the hostility towards the Knitting Factory. It wouldn't make a top five candidate of venues I'd recommend given what stu is looking for, but I think its a decent venue overall.

I know they book some metal shows and a lot of punk but that's not all they book. I've probably been there as much as anywhere else this year. I've seen the Fall, and Blowfly there recently and have noticed Irish bands, Soul Singers, Ska and Reggae, and World music on their calendar.

Its not a singer/songwriter type place usually but i did see the Pernice Brothers there last year so I wouldn't rule it out if you need to widen your net.

I think the Knit would know how to promote this guy. I'm going to contact all of the other clubs as well to see who can give us the date we want.

I have no hostility towards the Knitting Factory. As a venue, I totally dig that place. I've just noticed that as of late, they've not been having many singer/songwriter types and catering more towards UG punk.

There aren't that many local singer/songwriters that can fill the main room of that place... There's a decent stream of acoustic or singer/songwriter stuff that goes through the other 2 rooms, but (accordingly) the ads aren't as big for those shows, as they don't have to sell as many tickets in either of those places...

If you have to fill a 800+ capacity room, sometimes you book whatever pays the bills, sistah... 8)

Dude, I totally know that. I just see places like the Silverlake Lounge, Tangiers, Hotel Cafe, etc being the ones that cater more to the s/s types.

The Mint
Hotel Cafe

I have even seen this type of show at Molly Malones.

I think we're going to book the show at Temple Bar in Santa Monica.

Any input on Temple Bar? I think it's part of Zanzibar, but they have an eclectic mix of music.

How is The Mint now? I know it's gone through some management changes. Do people still frequent the club?

I thought it was more like DJ music, but correct me if I'm wrong. This is pretty close to me, so I should probably check it out at some point.

I'm gonna jump in and ask here...

I'll be in Santa Monica this Thursday evening. Any shows I should know about to check out the one night I'll be there?

I'm at the Loews Santa Monica if that helps with proximity. Also if anyone is up for meeting up let me know. I have a business dinner but should be free after about 9:00. I'm just there for the night then headed to San Diego through the weekend.

I don't know that Temple Bar and Zanzibar are affiliated in any way, although they are similar in style of music. I like Temple Bar alot. Its mostly Soul/Funk/World/Hip Hop. It is mostly live music, not just DJ. They have a smaller club on the eastside called "Little Temple" which is mostly dj which might be what Iron & Beer is thinking about. I saw Sidestepper there a few months ago. Cibelle (from Brazil) is playing this week. Stevie Wonder played an unannounced show there last year. I wouldn't think of it really being a singer/songwriter type place but maybe I just haven't noticed. I personally wouldn't check its listings looking for a singer/songwriter but as far as a venue in general, I think its pretty good.

I've only been to the Mint once in the last several years, to see Johnny Dowd, a late starting show on a week night. It was pretty empty. It doesn't have a great location and it is pretty divey so I doubt it would really draw in a crowd regularly. I've never been but I know that they have an ongoing "Sin City" night which is run by that woman that co-produced that tribute to Gram Parson's mini tour with Polly Parsons. That night might draw a crowd if you could get in on that night, don't but it doesn't sound like that would really be a great fit for the acts you are looking to book.

you're in luck. Alejandro Escovedo is playing 14 Below in Santa Monica on Thursday.

I might be up for meeting you but am going to have to play it by ear because I'm going out of town this weekend too and am busy with work.

Awesome. I'll try and catch back up with you later in the week and see how your schedule is looking. Anyone else ineterested?

Billyg, The act isn't a singer/songwriter. It's a solo acoustic ukulele player. Sounds like Temple Bar is perfect.

Thanks for the words on The Mint. Definitely doesn't sound like the place we need to book this particular act.

Additional shows happening on Thursday:

Troubadour: The Gossip / Mika Miko
Safari Sam's: Rogue Wave / Jason Collett / Foreign Born

And I'd be down to meeting up with ya, Juice-aroo!