Spaceland

It’s been here forever and I hope it never goes away. It’s a shitty, cheesy, small club; but it’s MY shitty, cheesy, small club and I love it and would be crushed if it was ever gone.
I’ve seen most of my favorite bands here and I’ve played here a dozen or so times. It’s in my top 5 clubs in L.A.
It’s also one block from my house. Yeah… I did move here to be closer to this club… WHY IS THAT DUMB?! It’s a great neighborhood. Get over it.
Eat more vegan food and ride your bike more often. You’ll be happier.

The parking here sucks. I mean, it’s god awful in every possible way and I have no idea why I keep coming back… Oh wait, now I know. It’s cause its’ Spaceland!
Oh Spaceland. the place that launched so many bands and indie darlings. Yes, it would be redundant to say that if you hated hipsters this would be the last place you would want to go to…
Or would it be the first place? Because I know what’s more annoying than hipsters. People who complain about hipsters. Yes, you’ve become what you hate. A hipster, as it is so hip now to hate hipsters.
But this small-​ish venue saw the rise of Silversun Pickups, Arcade Fire, My Morning Jacket and of course Beck. And while I’m sure you loved them all when it was cool to love them and not a second later, I’m sure am going to miss this place.
Not that it’s going anywhere. I think they’re just parting ways with the Spaceland promotions and it’ll just be changing names to something along the lines of The Satellite.
So will I be coming to this new place? More than likely. It’s a really intimate music experience and while I can’t say I’m really a hipster, the hoodie I’m wearing and the converse on my feet all suggest otherwise. Though I have no god damn PBR in my hand. I’m not that thirsty or broke for a cheap happy hour…
Which by the way, the drinks here in their full bar was nifty. But yeah, the parking just flat out sucks. It was at least tolerable before they made the whole areas around it permit parking only.

Hipsters Paradise!
if you have an usually large mustache or scruffy facial hair, tight jeans, earth colored plaid shirts, dirty ass converse shoes, greasy long hair, bad posture, smokes camels, claims to «get» bob dylan…
if you’re a girl, that has bangs, freckles, red lip stick, black rimmed glasses, vintaged dress, has an asian best friend, and thinks he does «get» bob dylan…
THEN THIS PLACE IS RIGHT FOR YOU!
It’s Silverlake, good music, good bands. Seriously, if you want to talk to some girls, you can’t be normal self, you have to as hipster as can be… oh yeah and don’t forget to say that you «get» bob dylan.

I hadn’t been to Spaceland in a few years, but went recently to see one of my old-​school favorite bands. It was just as I remembered it – difficult to find parking, huge full bar, lots of room to shimmy right up near the stage (well it helps if you’re a cute girl), and lots of hipster kids talking about what they’re studying at Art Center or culinary school or whatever. Sound quality is usually exceptionally nice, and the décor and lighting are always fun.
There’s something a little bit magical about small venues like this: you go in there, see some band you love, and often times the band is walking around having a drink or something before they play, and you have the opportunity to feel uniquely connected to something in such a cool way. I love Spaceland, and it’s been one of my favorite places to go to see bands play, and I think it will be for a long time.

I suppose the 5 stars is more for the best show of last Fall that I went to, over the venue.
I have been in the venue with a slew of teen hipsters with fake IDs… ones that throw up the pint of beer they can’t keep down in the sink. Gag.
But, Spaceland will always be infamous for me for the Builders & The Butchers show… got to chill with the band, drink tons of Blue moon on tap (with orange slices!) without breaking the bank, and have a really easy going night out with shit-​faced debauchery.
It’s that sort of place… pack the place and it gets more fun. AND! Free Monday night residencies of some of the best local tallent.
The countdown to 21 should include Spaceland for the young ones.

Wow… they had some great great bands playing here and you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank. $ 15 for hours of great music, lots of space and plenty of cool people.
Came down here under the wise suggestion of my friend Miguey, to check out Those Who Bury Strangers (I should have a seperate review on how great these guys are!) among other bands.
First thing I knew coming to Silverlake was the parking situation, If you don’t want to spend more than half an hour looking for safe parking get there early and get ready to walk a block or two.
Did I miss anything else? Umm nope, so what are you waiting for go out to Spaceland and discover your new favorite band, I did :-)

As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… hipsta’s paradise, sorry i couldnt resist.
But seriously this place is in silverlake where the guys are as anorexic as the pbr is of plenty. I must say that I am a fan of Spaceland though, alot of interesting local acts (mostly bad, but some good) and on occasion you get to see something special. I hear Spike Jonze’s band plays here every now and then. Though the music is often hit or miss, you can usually find some semi friendly people outside smoking, and usually strike up a conversation about the latest happenings in the world, from the eyes of a silverlaker.
The only thing I do not like about Space Land is that they often do not fill to their full capacity. This is quite unfortunate, not that they do sell out all the time but on occasion it happens. When i came here to see memory tapes, they had supposedly «sold out» but would slowly admit people throughout the duration of the show. They let people in by groups of 5 – 10 every thirty minutes. Eventually everyone got in, but why the hell would you make everyone wait in the first place?

Swarms of hipsters fly here like bees to a flower waiting to be pollinated. Most of them don’t sting so you should be fine.
The drinks are cheap and good, the coziness reminds me of my high school days when I had time for more shows, and the sound ain’t so bad either.
The free shows are definitely a draw in, an easy way for someone to discover a local band that’s waiting for you to tell them they’re cool enough.
Parking sucks and lots of no parking without a permit in the area. I guess the valet is the only way these days.

They have great bands playing all the time. Four stars.
other perks:
*shiny curtains – I’m not really into the american apparel lame (as in the material, not the adjective, accent on the e people!) thing, but something about these curtains makes me want to get all ‘sound of music’ and cut them/​rip them and play dress up.
*you can pretty much see from wherever you’re standing. I’m 5’3″ and it’s not often I say that.
*There’s an upstairs room where you can play pool and smoke. I’m not into either of those things but I could see that being a perk for others.
*It’s called spaceland… I mean, c’mon, it just sounds fun!

Wow, it’s been a while since I first wrote that. Well, I’ve been here for a bunch of shows since and it’s a nice, little venue that allows for seeing bands close up.
I’m downgrading it because I accidentally bought tickets online for the Saturday show instead of the Friday show (the band was to play 2 nights in a row). When I showed up on Friday with Saturday tickets, I was made to purchase 2 more tickets. Even though the show wasn’t sold out either night, they would not accommodate me.
Now, I understand policies being strict and all, but this one is designed simply to screw me out of money, which I did not appreciate. This is horrible customer service.

Disclaimer: This review is not going to be based on the live music, the sound, beer selection, or ample (or lack there of) parking. This review will be based on special criteria for the *special ladies* out there. It will be a passage in a guideline for the obsessed fans seeking to bypass security to get photos with bands or autographs. Who am I kidding… it’s also targeting groupies. I had my phase when I was younger and I have great stories. I might as well help aid the modern generation of gals who just want a little piece of the band for their own…
Guide for Obsessed Fans & Groupies #7:
Grab your popcorn ladies & gents!!! I hope you are comfy! I know how much the Unilocal community just loves my documentary/​study of LA concert venues. Don’t try to play innocent… I know you secretly want my tips on meeting your favorite bands! So here we go again… with Spaceland.
Spaceland is the heaven for the pretentious hipster that is just dying to meet his/​her favorite Indie-​rock musician who is way too cool for school. The intimate surroundings and all the other fans who act way too cool to be at the show (but wouldn’t miss it for the world); results in an ideal environment. I have worked merch at several shows at this venue and therefore, I am allowed to enter before doors open. Don’t be intimated by the doorman (the younger hipster guy or the older dude). The second you say you are working merch, they don’t even question you but just let you in. One of them (I won’t disclose which one in case they read this) doesn’t even ask for ID for shows which are 21+ (that helps all you youngsters!).
Once inside, initially park your anorexically-​skinny body in your vintage dress near the bar underneath the pool table window. This is where the bands set up their merch tables and generally, indie bands run their own merch. Text on your phone like you have SO many friends to attend to but give your favorite band member slight glances or shy smiles. They will notice. Don’t talk to them yet!
During the show, stand either right in front of the stage to the right toward the stand-​alone bar with the small counter tables. The band members have told me they can view your Zooey Deschanel-​esque bangs the best from this angle. Grab the drink— the bar tenders are super fast at their job and thus can give you the Blue Moon you crave in record time.
After the set, head back to the merch table and voila! Your indie bearded heartthrob will remember you from earlier and from during the show. Luckily, most shows end before bar-​closing time and the bands hang out so you will have plenty of time to chit-​chat even they load out. Share some indie music trivia and you have your favorite band member on lock-​down. Spaceland is the easiest venue to meet your favorite band.
There you go, obsessed fans! Your guide to Spaceland. I hope your indie band dreams come true!

I’ve been frequenting spaceland for a while and every time I have a fantastic time. The bartenders are always fast and attentive, and there is always good music playing.
The biggest downside and what really irks me is the sound. The sound there is so cranked up and so terrible even your favorite band will turn to crap. I was seeing These Arms are Snakes play there a while back for the third time and seeing them at spaceland was horrible. It really just made me sad how bad it sounded. last night was no exception in the horrible sound department.
The crowd at spaceland is usually way chill. I can’t say that about many venues.
To smoke you’ll have to go outside, but you get a hand stamp so you can come and go.

Go
See your
Favorite
Band before they
Disappear or get too big to say hi.

I Usually show up to spaceland on mondays, since its free. Finding parking here can be a bit of a challange, i usually have to park a couple blocks away. no big deal. i’ve been here about a dozen times and never had trouble waiting in line, i just go by the doorman. The inside is great. there is a stage, a bar, and a pool table room with its own bar. the pool table room is chill, its more of a lounge with HDTV’s that display whatever band it is that is playing that night. I love the beer selection. when i’m feeling like a high roller i usually go for the better stuff, but when its that time of the week, when i’m on my last few dollars, i go for the Miller High Life $ 2.50 a glass or $ 4.50 for those really cool Oktoberfest mugs. All in all spaceland is a great place to hangout and check out local/​touring bands. Restroom is kinda small, and usually a long line.
bottom line spaceland is a must, to add to your going out rotation. its like the Roger Clemens or Randy Johnson, a consistent reliable place to go. there is even a 711 right next to spaceland, so you can grab a tall can of PBR before checking out spaceland, or get a hotdog to sober you up. cuz you know D.U.I’s are nothing to mess with!!!

Average venue, but good on them for having some sort of theme.
Sound quality is loud. Drinks are normal. Street parking is surprisingly OK. I think the only cool thing about this place (other than their old New Yorker door guys) is that it is in Silverlake.
It’s not worth leaving the LBC for.
Don’t half step. Watch the LA Weekly because they do get some great bands here.

I came to watch The 88’s perform last Tuesday. This was my first time here. It was a little smaller than expected, but I prefer intimate venues when it comes to certain artists anyway. It wasn’t very crowded so there were plenty of seats and room at the tables to rest our drinks.
I didn’t get a chance to explore the back room, but I could see there were pool tables and heard there was another bar up there. The bathrooms were clean, but the doors were a bit sticky (push hard). The bar is decently stocked and have a reasonable selection of beers. Drinks are moderately priced and cocktails are served up in the usual style.
I don’t know if they have a lot or valet, but parking wasn’t too hard if you don’t mind walking. We found parking a couple blocks up to avoid the permit areas. I’d give this place a 3.5 stars for now. I’m pretty sure I’ll be back to check out more bands.

LadiLadiLa…
Went to Spaceland awhile back (July) on a Monday to catch a free
show.
Walked in around say…9 ish, and thought I was in the wrong spot. It was dead, but i liked it already.
It kinda reminded me of my old cafeteria in grade school (where I had my 8^th grade graduation dance and was asked by a boy, lol).
Couple of Indie bands were playing that night, Andy Clockwise, Little Red Radio…
Purty cool.
Venue itself is not big but not small either and you can get purty close to the stage. oOoh lala.
It did get crowded around 10ish, so don’t worry.
There’s a so-​called upstairs (separate room, up a couple of steps) which has couple of pool tables and a bar. And damn smakin’ right it SMOKEY up in there.
Cool Vibe.
Cool Crowd.
Heads up, If you park on the street, move yo’ damn car b4 11pm.

I love this place. It’s funky, friendly and has some of the nicest people working there. I have been here a handful of times and always enjoyed myself. The have seating here and there all over the club and a pretty good sound system. Thy also have a pool room and a second bar, if you want to escape from the dance floor in front of the stage.
The parking is typically horrible, so be prepared to leave at 11PM or get a ticket if you can’t park in the tiny lot along the side of the building.

I went back here because my BF asked nicely!
Just replace cowboy boots with ankle boots and the review still applies!
BTW its $ 4 to valet.
Dont waste your time driving in circles!

I went here with a friend tonight to check out a band, and yeah yeah the $ 10 cover and the fact you have to valet. But the drinks could have definitely been a bit cheaper. $ 5 for a beer? I think they should change it to $ 4
It was great with the smoking room, but I do not know how they can do that because it seemed the room was indoors.
Cool crowd though!