Saints & Sinners

I LOVE this place. Best tres leches cake that I have ever had… and it was gluten free too!!! Will def be back when I’m back in LA!!!

I AM SO SAD THIS PLACE CLOSED DOWN. Is it our fault for having too many options and choices? Or for not writing enough reviews? Or is it just another business fallen victim to this economy?
Anyway, I loved this place. Dive bars are my thing. Loved the décor, drinks, atmosphere, not to mention the name of it! Where are the pattrons of this place going now? I want to follow you.

So sad to hear this place has gone. First starting coming here about 4 years ago and absolutely loved the atmosphere. The whole fire and ice. saints and sinners ambiance. was awesome. The bartenders were amazing, oftentimes putting on a show. even flame throwing!
The drinks were strong. reasonably priced. There was nbo bullshit, just a good ass bar with some awesome people. Great music, definitely my crowd.
R.I.P. Saints & Sinners. I doubt there’ll be another bar like you.

RIP Saints and Sinners.
The stories and adventures that centered around this bar are many.
Absolutely the greatest staff that has ever worked a bar,
it was poor judgment to fire the majority of them earlier this year.
Some of the nicest social deviants in LA were regulars here.
The music was always on point.
Even in it’s decline, this place was great.
In 5 years, there were only two fights. Impressive.
About 4 years ago,
fate lead me to the back lounge where I met my girlfriend.
We got married last month.
Hence, this place will always be special to us.
Thanks S&S.
You will not be forgotten.

As someone explained to me once:
This is the bar that you go to when you don’t want people to know where you are.
Kinda dingy. It reminds me of one of those clubs that I’d see in a really low-​budget film about life in LA. So if that’s the life you’re striving for, then S&S is your place.

When this place first opened, it really stood out. It was unique, and it was in a unique location. With interesting drink selections and a hip ambiance you otherwise wouldn’t find in the middle of Venice Boulevard, the locals quickly embraced Saints for what it was and made it a hit. The staff were (and I would like to underline WERE) for the most part pretty much the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
While the place had the exterior if some unapproachable underground Hollywood goth lounge, it had the beating heart of a brave, naked baby baboon; thrusting its fist into the air, as it looked over the Serengeti horizon as the blood red sun retired to the west. Yes, that’s what this place felt like. Naked … baby… baboons.
Anyway, as I said previously, it had a strong local following. Recent events have lead to the exploitation of just about everything that gave this place a strong foundation. I won’t go into the details, but from everything I know, it just isn’t the same.
… and to be completely honest, sometimes it’s the people that make the place. A drink is just a drink, unless you have good people to share it with. A to A, D to D.

Wow.
Apparently, a lot of hearts have been broken lately.
I just went to Saints and Sinners for the first time. Loved the ambiance; very passionate-​ritualistic-​Mexican-​Catholic folk artsy.
Ordered the «Holy Water.» The bartender warned me that it was nothing but Ketel One and Tanqueray. No fillers. I was glad he told me since I was on a first date and the last thing I wanted to do was get shit faced and make a bad impression. (Or, be completely naughty like the bad Catholic girl I am and end up having sex in the back of his car in a school parking lot just west of Sawtelle.)
So, I ordered your basic Tanqueray and tonic. These drinks were incredibly watered down. I had three and nary a buzz. I did enjoy the music, though. The DJ spun a lot of alt rock and 80’s.
The bartenders (all guys) were kinda hot. So was the guy at the door.
I also liked that the dimly lit banquettes offered a lot of privacy, which is good when you’re totally making out with someone you’ve just met. (I can’t even blame it on the alcohol!)
It is an absolute shame there’s been so much drama with the firing of what seems to have been a much loved staff. I’m all in favor of supporting your local bar. I live in the Valley and my place is Henry’s Hat. I’m there all the time. I would be so bummed out if they fired my people. The ones who treat me like a good friend and buy me shots and know my name. (Shit. My picture even made it on the wall.) It’s my hang.
Despite the watery drinks, I would have gone back simply because I like the atmosphere, but after learning that the owners don’t seem to give a shit about their clientele, I will stand in solidarity with my bar hopping brothers and sisters and forgo any future visits.

This used to be one of my favorite bars. Sure, there were nights spent here when I’d stumble home with friends arm-​in-​arm singing some random song we’d heard at the bar, but there were plenty of nights when I wouldn’t have a sip of alcohol and still have a great time. This is one of the few bars a gal could go to alone and feel comfortable. I never got harassed by «douchebags» and – in fact – I met a lot of interesting people here, some job leads, and fellow artists that I’ve maintained contact with over the years. This place was unique, warm, and hospitable and so were most of its patrons.
Then there was the staff. It would be far too easy to compare the scene to «Cheers», but yeah, the bartenders, DJs, and door people here were always friendly, funny, energetic, and remembered my name. They worked hard to make this place what it was and spent many hours outside of the bar doing things like putting together questions for trivia night, compiling AWESOME playlists and getting requested songs for DJ nights, researching movies to project on the wall… who knows what else. Most nights ended with a bartender or two breathing fire while customers cheered, smiles all around.
Well, these times are over and I will never set foot in this bar again.
As you may have heard/​read in other reviews, the entire staff was fired with no warning. Happy New Year! Ass-​holes. While I must be respectful to the new employees – its not their fault this shit went down, they probably didn’t know – I would not describe them as «unique, warm, or hospitable.» I walk in to a virtually empty bar, «metrosexual» snooty bar tenders, crappy electronica music, no familiar faces, no more person A-​B-​C-​D or E working there, no more fire breathing, and no more special events like iPod night, Metal Night, Kareoke, or Trivia.
So what the hell happened? Seems like the people who own this bar, 1933 Group (who also own Bigfoot West, Bigfoot Lodge, The Thirsty Crow, and Little Cave) have no care or even awareness of their surrounding community or clientele. Everything that could have been considered good about this place is gone, dead, decidedly murdered. Its going to turn in to another lame bar full of bro’s.
There were times when I walked to this bar, and times when I drove 60+ miles to get here after work. It was all worth it then, but now it’ll be worth all the effort I can muster to spread the word about what happened and tell everyone: DO NOT GO TO THIS BAR!
It sucks, I liked Bigfoot Lodge a lot too but after all this I will not give any of the 1933 bars my business.
I wish the former staff much success in finding new employment, you’ll be missed by many.

I live a quick walk away from Saints & Sinners… My first day in Culver City, I visited the place and immediately fell in love. Over the past year or so, Saints became my «Cheers». I was there often… as much as four or five times a week. I loved this place… the karaōke, the fire-​breathing, the tacos, the trivia…
Just recently, the owners of this bar made their biggest mistake yet and destroyed what made this bar so very special to me and many of the other regulars… They laid-​off their entire staff. These people were the heart and soul of the bar… They made it the success that it was.
There are plenty of soul-​less bars in LA… we don’t need one more. You won’t see me walking into Saints ever again.

Went during happy hour, which is when I do my best drinking nowadays. Okay, nothing special, even the music was disappointing. Not sure why I would come here when I’ve got Bigfoot west around the corner.

As many have mentioned, Saints & SInners defies labels. While that might work for the cool kid in high school, it might not always be in the best interest of an establishment. Are you a dive, a lounge, a dance club? Are you kitschy or trying too hard? I can’t tell, and that’s a little frustrating.
I was here for a birthday party, and they let us have free reign of this room near the back, which was pretty great. Someone ordered pizza and they had no problem letting us indulge. The «LA Water» drinks here are strong enough to make your liver twitch, something I can appreciate occasionally.
It’s a decent place to get drunk, but then again, so are most places.

Ah, Los Angeles I love thee. Saints and Sinners offers you what you need, low lighting, kitschy décor, rocks, fire, cool wall paper, good bar stools, banquettes, quick bartenders and a small smoking patio.
It has the feel of an Eastside bar — just closer to the westside. I guess everyone really does want to see how the other half lives every so often.

The lady and I had wrapped up an art show in Hermosa a little early and decided to check this place out… it was kind of a unique night, because they were hosting the «after-​party» for the LA Beerfest, had $ 3 Colt45’s and I’m not sure if it was their regular crowd or not. It’s not a big place at all, but it wasn’t overcrowded. They also have a small smoking patio, but for some reason one cannot take their drink out there. (Must be a law)
Anyway, the décor was great… circa 1960’s with older movies on the wall and a glass firepit. The bartenders were all very cool too. Just a few beers on tap, so I had a mixed drink; it was kinda weak. We hung out for a couple hours and then walked over the Bigfoot Lodge West for a night cap. We’ll definitely be back to give this place another chance and see what’s up!
P. S. — They have $ 5 valet parking and I’m a BIG fan of that!

*** What is Saints & Sinners? I dunno. ***
From the outside, it looks like a local bar.
Yet ppl from all over West LA were here.
From the inside, it looks like a tiny lounge.
Yet ppl were doing karaōke on Thurs nite.
From a bar stool, it feels like a cozy dive.
From sidewalk patio, a smoker’s haven.
From the sofa, it feels like a living room.
There’s even a fireplace in center of floor.
So how then should I judge S&S fairly?
I judge it now by its overall comfort level.
I met Jess and Amber here for a nightcap.
A quick in&out turned into a cool 1hr convo.
*** I’ll def ret’n for Sun nite free tacos?!? ***

Love the name, so-​so on the bar itself.
The coolest thing about this place is that the fireplace looks like it’s going to be warm, but it doesn’t put off any heat.
Suggest hiring Go-​Go dancers dressed as angels and succubi… that’d be hot.

As far as swank factor goes, this place is tops in my book.
The leather, the leopard print, the 60’s bachelor pad/​lounge feel to it; awesome.
I thought that the little «bohemian rhapsody» show wasn’t bad — a bit kitsch but it was good to have a song everyone could sing along to, etc.
My bad, i was sober at that point.
Drinks were alright, not terribly strong — I just didn’t feel like getting hammered.
the place is spacious, stylish, but got really crowded quickly. At that point, you don’t notice the swank and spend your time trying not to get nailed in the face by some hipster lifting his glass to get by you.
Not cool.
So, yeah. minus one star for the crowd, but otherwise a 5 star place.
Swank!

S & S puts the cool back in cool. From the intimate lighting to the kick butt fire spiting action. This place is where you want to be.
I went on a Saturday night and this place was packed. I had to park far, but I would do it again. The bartenders are actually have personality and they had a DJ playing fantastic music. The drinks are reasonably priced and they even have a fire pit and projector playing a movie in the background. I couldn’t hear it, but I was at a bar. Who’s going to pay attention to a movie rather than talking to women?

Really dig the vibe here. Very eclectic music played occasionally on vinyl but mostly from iPod/​laptop by the house DJ on saturday night. He played everything from 80s hair metal to late 70s era punk to classic hip hop. The crowd was pretty well mixed both in age — ranging from early 20s to early 40s, and in «type.» I saw a lot of hipsters but a fair number of preppy looking people too.
The drinks were made well, and you gotta check out that fire show the bartenders put on. What is cool about that is that the bartenders really seem to enjoy doing the show! About once an hour, the lights go down and everyone clams up to watch them. I took away one star cuz the music, while good, was soooo goddam loud and the acoustics do not allow for good sound absorption that it was impossible to have a convo without shrieking into one another’s ears.

Saints and Sinner’s is what happens when you travel back in time to the 70’s and a busload of all of LA’s weirdest get dropped off to join you for a drink. This retro living room-​looking bar is replete with a glittery popcorn ceiling, an indoor firepit, and LSD-​inspired naked-​woman wallpaper. The specialty drinks are sort of expensive, but humorous and therefore almost worth buying. (the Golden Shower and Evil Dewers are just two of the many that i’ve tried… I’d suggest just laughing at the names and not actually buying them, however). Overall, drinks are slightly overpriced and somewhat watered down (but what bar in LA isn’t?). And if you’re comfortable being packed in like a lost little sardine, then you’ll fit in just fine. Oh, like to people-​watch? In one night, I saw every size, shape, and color imaginable that a person can be, including a very convincing (read: scary) tranny. Other than the bartender constantly hitting on my boyfriend, I have no real complaints. I think the bathrooms are finally in working order again…
lol this place is just entertaining. it’s one of my many suggested «you have to go there, because well, what else are you going to do in Culver City?» places.

I have driven by this bar infinite times over the past 5 years completely attracted to the sign but I never stopped in until last night. My friend and I had planned our birthday party at world on wheels and then chose this place as the after party. The vibe was great! I lived the people and the staff were all really friendly. My favorite part was when they turned off the lights, everyone shouted and the the bartender shot a huge fireball. I still am not sure what was going on but it was entertaining.
I will definitely go back. Thanks for an awesome party!