El Gaucho

$ 5 Cover to go into a shit hole.
While barhopping my boyfriend and I heard some blaring music coming from a basement so it peaked our interest — we are BIG FANS of dirty dives. We went to the Golden Gopher first, then Ham and Eggs, and decided to give El Guacho a try. As we were going down the stairs, the «bouncer» or whatever you would call him stopped us in our tracks. I didn’t understand too much of what he was saying but what I did understand was «no women allowed. Men only.» I was disgusted and felt discriminated. I tried to walk a few steps more to get a better peak, but the man started walking up the stairs to block my path. I get it, I’m unwelcome.
If there are strippers down there, why wouldn’t women be allowed? Even gentlemen clubs and strip clubs I’ve been to allow women. Either way, the place looked dumpy and sketchy from what I saw, and the male patrons that were coming and going looked just as grimy. As someone who lives in downtown, I support DTLA establishments but El Guacho has made it to my shit list. Steer clear.

This place is pretty strange. Was stumbling around some downtown restaurants and bars last night with a buddy. Saw this joint and figured we’d wlak in. Went down a staircase where a security guard told us there would be a four dollar cover, but I’m summertime so-​cal casual and my flip flops aren’t permitted. Run back to the car, throw on some shoes and cruise back in. This place was a real shithole but our interest was piqued so a quick change was alright. Finally downstairs we are met by a largley ranchero crowd of people. Bunch of pretty beat looking and overweight latina chicks milling about. Order a beer and we’re told its non alcoholic, the bar serves juice and sodas but no booze. Already on a mission for drink we say fuck it, but before we left we checked out the adjacent (empty) dance floor and another larger room filled with shitty love seat size sofas. In this room there are fifteen couples sitting in said love seats just kind of cuddling. As my buddy and I are cracking up a club employee told us that room was for couples only. This place was really strange, came on Unilocal to find answers but apparently I’m the only Unilocaler who has visited.
Again, I grew up here, I’ve seen my fair share of whacked out places, and El Gaucho hostess club is at the top of the list. For general filthiness and a level of creepy disgust this place would get 5 stars, but alas its a shithole where you may get stabbed. Fair warning. Funny that my first review is for this joint but I had to post notice.