Historic blues venue Harvelle’s has been serving up live music since 1931. The doors of this legendary club first swung open during the Great Depression and today patrons who step across the threshold get a taste of a bygone era while enjoying the sounds of contemporary artists. Located just a few blocks from the beach in Santa Monica, Harvelle’s is that hip little getaway spot where world renowned musicians and local talent come together to put their spin on classic sounds.
Harvelle’s offers a full selection of premium wine, beer and spirits. If you really want to get into the groove, try one of their specialty cocktails like The Boogie Chillin’ (Southern Comfort, Absolut Mandarin, sloe gin, orange juice) or Mojo Workin’ (Baccardi limon, fresh lime juice, sweet & sour soda, Chambord float) and if you are feeling particularly decadent, there’s Cevin’s Deadly Sins, a martini list featuring drinks inspired by all seven deadly sins.
Tasty libations are great, but the main attraction is the sound emanating from the stage. The intimate venue is the perfect space for catching live acts. Weekly favorites include:
Harvelle’s Local Mondays
Every Monday the stage is taken over by local talent. Westside musicians and artists drop in to showcase their chops to a crowd that’s not quite ready to put the weekend behind them. Doors open at 8:00pm, show starts at 9:00pm and to sweeten the deal, there’s no cover.
Westside Wednesdays with the House of Vibe All-Stars
Mid-week is all about the vibe. Taking you on a journey through rock, jazz, hip-hop and R&B with non-stop rhythmic sounds and hard-hitting beats, the House of Vibe All-Stars remind you, “It’s not about the perfect song or a perfect show, it’s about a perfect VIBE!” The Wednesday night show starts at 9:00pm. There’s a $7 cover and a two drink minimum.
The Toledo Show
Sunday night is when you can catch Harvelle’s most talked about act, The Toledo show. Lead by the smoky-voiced Toledo Diamond, the show grooves through funky bass lines, soulful horns and ad-libbed debauchery as burlesque dancers bump and grind their way across the stage and into the crowd. In between the stage show sets, a DJ spins and everybody dances. One of the longest-running weekly cabaret acts in Los Angeles, it’s one of those quintessential Southern California experiences you have to take in at least once. The show starts at 9:00pm, but get there early or fight the standing-room only crowds. There’s a $10 cover and a two drink minimum.
In addition to Harvelle’s regularly scheduled performances, there’s always a new R&B, soul, jazz, blues or pop act to check out, so no matter which night of the week you show up, an evening at Harvelle’s will be the epitome of cool.
