The GasLite — Restaurant in Santa Monica

Went to Gas Lite on April 2, 2022:

*Person who replied to my email requesting a table for 12 was accommodating, helpful, and kind. We were celebrating my youngest daughter’s 21st birthday. We arrived before 9 PM, as requested, and our table was “marked” and reserved.

*Doorman that night was helpful.

*Bartenders were very responsive. Drinks weren’t very good and were very overpriced. $12 for a small, well liquor, single drink. $20 for the same small size drink but called a “double”. No one behind the bar seemed seemed to know how to make shots of any kind.

*DJ didn’t go by the signup sheet until I repeatedly asked where we were in the lineup. I signed up around 9 PM and didn’t get to sing until after 11 PM. I offered to tip the DJ. I offered to skip my turn just to hear my adult kids sing. DJ and his friends sang every few songs all night long. Same guys singing every few songs.

*We arrived at 9 PM. Spent $254 on drinks and got to sing ONCE after 11 PM. We were only allowed to sing when the DJ unfolded a piece of paper I handed him with my name and the other names in my family on it. We left after we sang.

*I chose the Gas Lite to celebrate a special occasion with a big group, but it was really expensive to only be able to sing once in the three plus hours we were there. And hard to watch the same friends of the DJ sing over and over ….

*A few people in the crowd sympathized with us and clapped for...

Before I get into the meat and potatoes, I just want to say the bartenders are great. They make good drinks, are friendly, and if you are going just for a drink by all means go.

But if you go for karaoke, expect a bad time.

I expected what I usually get at karaoke bars where you enter your name on an app or talk to the DJ directly and then your name is called when its your turn. Not here.

I was there for a good hour and realized that they weren't calling names. When my friend went to check they were accosted by the DJ and told to "wait their turn" and the DJ flipped off my friend.

That wasn't the problem at all. Waiting is just fine with us..We only wanted to be sure we didn't miss our turns.

My friend was then talked to by the friends of the DJ who wouldn't just leave it be. One claimed his job was to be a mediator for the DJ and customers. But If the DJ is going to be rude we just weren't interested in singing anymore.

We left after the friends of the DJ wouldn't leave us alone and I had to yell at the guy to get him to go away as he was mere inches from our faces not listening when we said no thanks I'm not excusing myself for being rude either that's entirely on me.

Only the same 3 or 4 people were singing the entire time we were there. This is reallyu nfortunate as I love the atmosphere but I willnot...

If you're looking for a swanky bar, go elsewhere. This place is all about the people and the terrible singing. Serious karaoke fans only! 7 days a week! I'm convinced I'll meet my future husband here while he's destroying a backstreet boys song and sipping on a whiskey/coke.

I went in on a Tuesday night around 9pm to celebrate my birthday not knowing what to expect from this place. The decor was super plain and cheesy (in a good way!) and there were only about 5 people lining the bar. I figured it'd stay like that all night but by 11pm the place went into full on rage mode with a slew of 20 somethings wobbling in from other bars to get their karaoke fix. The drinks were stiff (about $6 or $7) and the shots were flowing from strangers hearing it was my birthday. I walked in with one friend and left with about 50 new friends because the bar becomes one big karaoke band/dance floor. The bartender was suuuuper nice and it only takes a minute or two to get your drink.

It felt like a Saturday night! I heard weeknights are the best because the list is still manageable. Weekends get too crowded and the american idol wannabes try too hard and tighten up the...