I went to see Summer Walker last night. It was a sold out show and all the staff was great. They made the line to get in really fast and efficient. I had seats in the balcony section. It was a great view and had actually seats instead of standing in General Admission which I always prefer. Would definitely come watch another show here. SF has limited parking but thats nothing new.

Amazing vibe. Coolest looking place Ive ever set foot in. Feels like a movie set. Bands are hit or miss. Some experimental but not necessarily good. I loved Jody and was fortunate to catch Ian Sweet that night. Also: sober bar. No alcohol sold. Might be an important detail to some. Also safe for solo female.

I have always enjoyed and supported this place. However, I will not return until the covid situation is over. There is little social distancing and some goofball without a mask was walking through the bar and kitchen chatting up the staff. Not just once , but ongoing. The staff seems to be taking precautions, but allowing people to walk through the bar and kitchen and not insisting on customers manitaining distance, means I wont be returning for a while.

After they got their exposure on Buzzfeed Worth It, its been on my mind to come here. I finally found myself here with a friend for lunch one day. The parking lot is tiny shared with a couple other stores and their storefront is reminiscent of a deli/donut shop that you just stop by to grab something to-go. There are only 3 tables with a few countertop seats, but I imagine the turnaround rate to be pretty quick as the pasta is so delicious that youll be inhaling it.

Great place to see up coming female punk bands. Only down fall is that its like a sauna with no air ventilation.

Love this place. Its become our regular Sunday brunch spot. Everyone who works there is soooo nice. Really like their steak salad & on their brunch menu, their hash.

Its a wonderful gem in the valley. We love the laid back atmosphere and that we are able to talk without yelling. Scott, the bartender is wonderful at making drinks and very attentive. Gus the host also plays the part well.

Ive been here a few times for some art shows as well as to see bands and parties. Its a nice space with 2 large rooms and is great when its not so crowded. They even have Chimay on tap. Its kind of in a weird area and can be hard to park around here.

I legit thought they closed this place down years ago. So happy to know its still alive! Seen some of my favorite underground artists here.

Its a good place to see good bands up close. I went to see WÜRM, No Age, and zephyr. They all were so good, club is up close and intimate

I miss performing here!

Terrific experience. The staff was attentive. The venue is wonderful. I love the classic places like this. Sound was good. Bathrooms were a bit overwhelmed, but it was a big crowd. Wait staff was always available. Prices were in line with most similar places.

How to describe The Smell? Fortunately, it does not live up to its namesake. It does however fill a vital role in the local music + DIY scene. All ages, all shows $5 (sometimes). One star off for the acoustics, but hey, thats DIY.

One of my favorite bars in Logan Square. The drinks are cheap and expertly made. The cocktail list changes on a regular basis so there is always a reason to return. If cocktails arent your thing then the dip into the whiskey selection.

Id go here about every 2 months or so. The performers are cool and its a great place for girls... Its got more girls than any other place dntn hanging out singing and getting drunk.

Great community space to see shows featuring local and touring acts. You always feel a part of something bigger when you attend.

Great livehouse with front room to chill between sets. No alcohol all ages and nice programming. Cant wait to get back.

I had an amazing time here Saturday night the atmosphere was outstanding and the performers were great. I recommend this place to everyone!!!!

I came after the recommendations read on the internet (articles, blogs). The place is aptly named as the entrance stinks of urine. The sound was so loud that it did not allow us to enjoy the music, there is little room to sit and there is no bar. The only good thing about the place is that you might meet people with original dress styles and experimental style music bands (but not necessarily good ones). Id rather go to the side streets.

The Smell is Iconic in the L.A. DIY scene. Its an all age music venue and the kids and people there are some of the most excepting, kind and fun loving people you will ever meet. Its a wide variety of people of all walks of life. All shows are $5 dollars and for kids without alot of spending money its the best night you ask for and they come in groves. By car, bus, metro, uber and from far and wide. Vendors come set up out sell tacos or something if the kids are hungry they can grab food ($) there is a whole a scene of kids that grow up at The Smell. Its nothing out of the ordinary to meet someone that is 25 and has been coming to The Smell since they were 15. Its and Icon and we love it.

Small hole in the wall venue, no alcohol, vegan food, single restroom, alley way access.

Still a pretty cool venue that features punk rock, Indie bands in Downtown LA!

I definitely recommend making a visit, if: you feel comfortable walking through a kinda shady looking alley to get to the entrance; youre okay living without AC for as long as youre in the venue; you can accept that theres no guarantee that any of the music will be good. $5, small local bands, YMMV. The venue itself is super cool.

Its great. Just watch out for certain people when in the pit.

Loved seeing The Pantones and Plastic Otters

The Smell serves a vital function in the independent music ecosystem. It is exactly what it needs to be and nothing more.

Fantastic food. Charming 80s atmosphere

Oh I had fun

An absolute amazing place to watch local live music. Youll leave having made new fond memories. :)

Worth every minute... and she cast a shadow

Ive been coming here for about a year and I love it. The community is great and the shows are almost always stellar. I wouldnt reccomend coming to shows on Sundays and Fridays because they usually just throw whoever on the stage. I once saw a band get into a huge argument in the ally to then perform a crappy show. If you want to go for the first time I reccomend checking their Instagram and site to see whos playing first. Most pennyback and minty boy shows are good but its still the indie scene so its all hit or miss.

Its hot as all hell, but if you have an appreciation for the DIY community/ aesthetic, then youll love it!

The place is good enough to visit. He should rather give and not 4 points, but not 5 points. Rather, this place deserves its 4.5 points

Some of my best memories are here at the Smell. Dancing to sweet jams like Sloppy Jane and other artists who have great stage presence and wonderful tunes.

The stage and crowd area is cool but this place really earns its name. Do not recommend using the restrooms unless absolutely necessary.

Youll get exactly what your expecting, nothing fancy just good people and peanut chews and good music

Great DIY venue in dtla! Come here to see something different and amazing.

Great DIY venue in Downtown. Cool location, good vibes, awesome local bands. Kids love this place because it is all ages and is rad

Its a cool indie place for upcoming young acts. It is aimed at an audience of primarily younger, non-drinking crowds.

A huge DIY space with a back alley entrance. Great spot to see punk shows.

No frills, no air conditioning, very hole in the wall setup. Great shows and very invested in the local scene.

Lots of cool DIY venues come and go, but the smell has found a way to live to be 100 in DIY years. Its the best place to see and play shows in LA. Heck, they even pay bands!

As grimy as the name implies...but that makes it all the more awesome. Cant think of a more back alley, gritty venue than this.

Kids running punk-shows. Puberty put to work, this place is producing some of the coolest LA music shows.

Great DIY venue, very dear to the city of Low Angeles

Most snacks are vegan, affordable, lots of dance space, parking is the only real bad thing.

It lives up to its name.

Best place for a cheap live show with a great atmosphere.

Hot, loud, and sometimes smelly, this is the best place to watch underground bands from the area and beyond. The bathroom is drizzled in graffiti, the couches have no cushion, but theres no better to place to soak up Los Angeles underground then here. Being served breakfast from the girls of Mika Miko, getting sweaty in the pits of Retox, or even scoring that one obscure vinyl from a dude with a box outside, this place is for making memories.

Never been here but I’ve heard great stories

Authentic punk venue, perfect atmosphere.

Good spot to be chill

Cool longstanding artist space that does shows

Always memorable.

Rad venue, great volunteers and surprisingly awesome coffee!

A great DIY Punk venue.

Always love going here

Different but cool place

It was so fun!!!!!!!

Great

The most underground of the underground venues of LA.

Hot Venue

Classic

The most fun venue

Great for teen entertainment

The past events that I have been to was okay like the Halloween short films show. I rate this place about 7 of 10.

We saved it

Preppy wannabe punks

An oasis for punks, just watch out for potholes!

Smells Nice