The Atmosphere:

Once you get past the lines, show your ID and get in the club, finding your way around is easy. The Key Club has one thing going for it that stands out above all else: you can move around the club with comfort, even with a large crowd. The club's lay out is ideal!

You enter from the street and you're in the back of the club. The stage is on this main level, along with two bars. There's seating near the bars and a large open area in front of the stage, which is elevated about 4 feet off the floor. The ceiling is three stories up, and there's a huge projection screen above the stage.

On the right side of the venue there are projection screens and the walls are draped with a velvet material, but good luck seeing the walls past all the people. It's not uncommon for the Key Club to be packed. There's a subtle industrial gothic look going on that adds a mysterious and comfortable edge to the place.

Upstairs are a dozen or so tables. The view of the stage is great and nothing is sacrificed here. There are booths or round tables and they wrap around both sides of the venue with a balcony view. Go up one more flight of stairs, and there's yet another bar that also has a good, distant view of the stage. But what you can't see on the stage, you'll see on the projection screen above the stage.

The stage is great, the sound is great and there's really not a bad seat in the house. It's no wonder the tickets can go as high $30+. The Key Club also features national acts, but they do local music often and have a great reputation for doing so.

What you should know:

Before going to see music at the Key Club, you should call the venue. In addition to doing live local bands, they also have dance music and the club is often converted to a dance club after a designated time. At which point, if you're under 21, you have to leave.

Parking Situation:

This is classic Hollywood. You'll find parking from $5 to $10. The neighborhood is fantastic and there are several other famed clubs within walking distance. If you want food before or after, Frankie & Johnnie's down the street has great pizza-by-the-slice for close to nothing, with a great corner view of Hustler, passerby's and the unexpected!