Lock & Key
Lock & Key, a hidden gem in Los Angeles, offers a unique speakeasy experience with a cozy atmosphere and dim lighting. The entrance, adorned with numerous door handles, leads to a spacious interior that belies its unassuming exterior. Guests can enjoy a variety of well-crafted cocktails and a lively mix of music, making it an ideal spot for date nights or group outings. The outdoor patio adds to the charm, providing a relaxed setting for socializing.
The establishment is known for its friendly staff and diverse crowd, catering to a mix of ages and preferences. While the service can be inconsistent, the overall experience is generally positive, with a focus on creating a welcoming environment. The lack of a cover charge and the option to purchase a punch bowl for priority entry are added perks that enhance the visit.
Features and services of Lock & Key
From the business
- Identifies as Black-owned
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- On-site services
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Dancing
- Food
- Food at bar
- Spirits
- Wine
Dining options
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Toilet
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cosy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safe space
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Usually a wait
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Paid parking lot
- Valet parking
Lock & Key is in position 5 out of 32 in gay bars in Los Angeles
Customer Reviews
Lock & Key has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 based on over 814 reviews on Google
The speakeasy place is next to a pizza front. The entrance is really cool with lots of door handles on the wall. Inside, it felt cozy and cool vibes. Very dim lighting. There's an outside patio that's really cool. I would recommend this place for date nights or group hangs. It'll be a fun night out.
Food is delicious but the service is absolute trash. On top of the women taking my order for only 2 items! One was 20 the other 15 tell me how and why she charged me 9.75 IN TAXES I PAYED 44.75 ON AN ORDER THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE THEN 35-38 AND SHE THEN PROCEEDS TO TELL ME I CANT PAY IN CASH THEN PAY THE REMAINING AMOUNT ON MY CREDIT CARD STRAIGHT BULLSHIT SHE OBVIOUSLY IS JUST LAZY AND DOESNT WANT TO ASK FOR HELP IF I WERE THE MANAGER I WOULD NEVER EVER LET SOMEONE LIKE THIS WORK FOR ME DEIVING AWAY CUSTOMERS AND CHARGING THEM AN ABSURD AMOUNT. I EVEN ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE MANAGER AND SHE REDUSED!!!!! PICTURES OF EMPLOYEE WILL BE POSTED
Overall good experience. Music was great really liked the songs. Throwbacks and variety. Drinks were good. Staff were also nice. The vibes are good inside. Line on the weekend is insanely long unless u know someone or willing to pay. If willing to purchase punch bowl they were would let you in sooner. No cover charge. Wait was over an hour. Get pat down on the way in after ID check. Wait to drink can be long but be patient and nice to bartenders. There is a Bar inside and at the outside area. Crowd was mixed and overall chill 20-30s. Friendly people. Carl Sagan drink was lit. Cocktails around $15 if I remember correctly Lady outside selling hotdogs takes Zelle or Venmo.
It said it was a speakeasy and the pictures reflect it, but it looked more like a club. The crowd wasn't dressed to impress. I'm sure they would be nice, but based on the lack of parking, the neighborhood, and the multiple big bodyguards we were not comfortable.
Went on a week day (Wednesday)and the crowd wasn’t as packed as I heard it is on the weekend which is good. It’s hidden inside a cute ton of doors with locks on them, almost speak easy vibes but the inside is way bigger than you’d think. The cocktails were well crafted and the dj was spinning up a variety of throwback jams, really cool spots
First time here and loved it. The vibes and atmosphere were great. Good taste in music, there was a mix of everything. Staff were friendly and great service. I sat at the bar, since it was cold outside and didn’t want to stand in the dancing floor. Definitely would return next time I’m back in town.
This past Saturday I had the worst experience with a group of my 15 friends that were trying to have a good time here. Incidents below are as follows. Very hostile environment by the staff, uncomfortable environment for lgbt folks. Nobody was in the gentleman’s restroom and there was a toilet so I closed the door and used the bathroom— both of my friends were outside the door waiting for me. Security barges in, in the middle of me using the restroom and starts yelling at me saying I will be escorted out for using the restroom. I come outside and I tell him he isn’t one to tell me what my gender is and also why have a toilet if it can’t be used ? Another person can’t use the restroom with the door closed for whatever the case is? Very confusing and aggressive behavior in the way I was spoken. After this —I go to the bar with both my friends and the bartender is being aggressive and yelling at us for our order despite the bar not being busy. Our friends look at each other for confirmation and then we all said "ah maybe she’s just stressed out" no problem. We later come back to the same bar area to get another round of drinks and the bartender proceeds to yell at us angrily and throwing her hands up for our order. The 2 guys waiting for their next turn even looked at us in disbelief that she was talking to us like that. Once she finished making the drinks she takes the tab and literally throws it at me on the counter …. At this point I don’t even wanna tip her. I gave my friend my receipt for him to tip and sign because I was furious that everyone was treating us disrespectfully. We grab our drinks and we start making our way to the patio where we had a table with more friends. A bottle service guy bumps my friend and spills her drink on her hand, so I reached to grab a napkin from the table he was setting . This person snatched the napkin out of my hand and yells at me saying "YOU CANT TAKE THIS NAPKIN!" — "WHATS GONNA HAPPEN NOW IS AMA HAVE TO THROW EVERYTHING AWAY CUS YOU TOUCHED IT" … my friend was so uncomfortable because her drink was spilled by HIM all over her hand. Took the already touched single napkin out of my hand and threw it away. At this point we decided to leave and take our party elsewhere. Why keep spending our money in an establishment that is very unwelcoming and unsafe. Never coming back to lock n key.
Information about Lock & Key
Address
Lock & Key is located at 239 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004, United States
Phone
The phone number of Lock & Key is +1 213-389-5625
Website
The website of Lock & Key is: lockandkey.la
Business Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 19:00–02:00
Friday: 19:00–02:00
Saturday: 19:00–02:00
Sunday: Closed