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Circle Bar

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2926 Main St
Santa Monica, CA 90405

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(310) 450-0508
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Circle Bar - Santa Monica, CA
Circle Bar - Santa Monica, CA
Reviews
( 12 )
( 9 )
( 7 )
( 7 )
( 9 )

Best

This place rules! Starting with cool and entertaining door men always willing to chat or light up your smoke. Then as soon as you enter the swanky velveted wall classic bar, you ...

Worst

I originally really liked this bar, but after constant rudeful treatment from bouncers/bartenders, I felt I had to abandon this bar. I happen to work in the "biz" so getting in h...

Worst experience 5/28/2009

Omg! I'm so dissapointed and speechless. This was my spot. I always had a good time. Even when it was super croweded. I never stood in line. All of a sudden they have a line on thursday. I'm hoping they're under new management. FYI they're doing a bad job. The bouncer are rasist. After I had over heard one tell the other bouncer if it was only us two mexican waiting to get in. First of all I'm not Mexican. Second of all they where letting other people in with out making them waite in line. When I did get in the crow was not as diverse as it usually is, and alot of the guys where old. I also couldn't believe that they had guys from a baseball team wearing nothing but a baseball jersey and shorts. So if they're being so picky on who they are letting in you would think they would be picky on the dress code. I won't give circle bar my business anymore. I'm so telling all my friends not to go there. Very bad experience after being a loyal customer. It's that bad I had to right a review. I still can't believe that they where beign rasist. Pros: Nothing now Cons: super crowded more
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BE CAREFUL with this place!!! DO NOT GO THERE!! 1/23/2009

I was pushed by a" low class" woman, and the security guard did not do a thing to protect me. I had 4 different witnesses, however, the security guard preferred not to take any action. Instead I was not allowed to go back inside after I' had gone outside to complain. DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE!!! Cons: If something happen the security guard will NOT PROTECT YOU!!! more
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Great scene great vibe hot bartenders 12/7/2008

This place rules! Starting with cool and entertaining door men always willing to chat or light up your smoke. Then as soon as you enter the swanky velveted wall classic bar, you are distracted by the gorgeous female bartenders eager to mix you your favorite cocktail. If you can pull yourself away from these gals you can make your way on to the dancefloor to mix it up to some of the spinnings of the hottest DJs on the west side. This place is a must visit; it has a ton of history because it has been around since the 40s and they can deliver a full bar to any party anywhere. Check it out. more
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Gheettoooooo 11/9/2008

This place is not supposed to be located in Santa Monica. So unlike the other places there. First of all, even though it's cold outside, it's like a sauna inside! They pack the place so much that it is impossible to dance or even move. We grabbed a table, but even that didn't help us because people are so rude and crazy that they almost sat on top of you. No joke! Some drunk girl was giving a lap dance to her friend, totally in my friend's face, who was sitting right there. So nasty! more
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Great, casual spot for drinks and dancing 8/4/2008

Named after the large bar that circles and takes up the majority of the room, this red-lit, Santa Monica nightspot lures college kids and young professionals alike with decent-priced drinks and a cozy dance floor. This bar is great for those who want to dress up to go out on the weekends, but don't want to bother with all the pomp and circumstance of the Hollywood club scene. more
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Wed Night Whack Fest! 5/21/2008

Ok, so I'll admit, I'd been to atleast one other "bar" that night, and I was indeed looking to snag a "real man". But unfortunately for me, there were none to be found. Drinks: Affordable at nine bucks Atmosphere: I saw a bunch of "White Rappers" or something outside, you know the get-o type people dressed in sweats and hoodies and baseball caps. Yhea those, guys, and when I pulled up in my car they seemed hostile...But not to worry, they were leaving...angrlly it seemed. Once inside, this place seemed like a good place for Interracial dating...great open scene for that kind of thing which I like. Ok, doorman will card you. However, I seriously, seriously wanted the blonde guy out front...maybe next time he'll have the Bhalls to come over and talk to me...Wink ....hey cutie.. Pros: The Door Man Security Guy Cons: Stinky people more
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Eh 12/19/2007

"Dark hub for hooking up" seems to be a dead on review. The layout of this place makes it really awkward to do anything but squish up against kinda older creepy people you don't want to be touching in the first place. There aren't even cheap drinks to make up for it. And when my friends and I finally scored a table where we could actually do something besides squish ourselves up against the wall near the bar to let people walk by, it ended up being conveniently located next to the women's bathroom and the line was sticking out right in the middle of our party. I guess if you're looking to hook up with some recent college grad who spends his or her time hanging out on Main, then you're probably in luck, but if you're looking for a good time with some friends or a more conversational bar experience, stay away. Pros: Hook-ups, dance floor Cons: Parking, awkward layout, too loud, to dark, too creepy more
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Should call it the circle j3rk... seems like all you do is walk in a giant cirlce 11/29/2007

People are pretty effing retarded sometimes...the circle bar does not have a DJ... it never has.... they have a computer in the back with a ton of mp3's and a few play lists.... yes they do mix as much rock as they play old garbage Rap and RandB music but for the most part the bar has gotten pretty lame.. the door guys are cool as hell, but the bartenders seem like they hate there job's except for this really hard working hispanic guy who does not stop moving... the barback has worked there for like 10 years it seems... the place is cool other then its mostly 15 to 20 dudes per every girl and there is some a-hole drugg dealer outside whom the cops nor the bar seem to do anything about... maybe they get a cut i dunno Pros: Metered parking is pretty easy to find Cons: Dude stew...... more
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Too crowded 9/25/2007

They have great music for dancing, but the dance floor is too small to actually do any dancing. I just got constantly pushed around. more
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Love the weeknights 9/12/2007

I love this joint!!! The bar is geniuis due to the fact that you can scan the room without moving your head. I like It's timeless decor. Seems more NY than LA . Cool vibe ! unpretentious and intimate. Pros: Hot bartenders consistent Cons: crowded more
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A gem, easy clean fun! 7/11/2007

The music is good, the place is small so it is alway crowded, the people are nice, the service is good, the prices are far, the door policy is not like a Hollywood bar. Great spot Pros: its a great place to go Cons: The dance floor is too small more
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Circle Overated 4/24/2007

The CIRCLE BAR is a circle and seems you have to actually go around the whole circle to actually get a drink. To be fair, on the weekends, it is crowded and completely packed (so perhaps this place is considered to be popular) but most of the time, because it is so crowded you can barely even move. The bartenders do their best to service but I think with just so many people hanging around "the circle", it takes a while for them to get to you. The drinks are decent but the place is dark, and the music is too loud. You could be yelling in the ear of the person next to you and they still wouldn't hear you. There are a few tables and chairs in the back but even that can be uncomfortable with someone usually standing right above you. If you like that sort of scene, this is your place but I'd spend my weekends elsewhere. more
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Fun Times 4/17/2007

Great doorguys and hot bartenders who don't put up with LA nonsense. Strong drinks, wild music, and you'll never figure out what might happen next. Sure it's crowded, but if you don't want people then stay at home on your couch! more
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Excellent drinks! 3/26/2007

The place is tiny, crowded but the drinks are worth putting up with all of it. I ordered a french martini and they made me a perfect one! But it's not really a pick-up place unless you come with a group of friends. If you are 2 people (girls or guys) you'll leave with a good taste in your mouth but nothing else. However, yes, the place is filled with singles. Pros: best french martini in SM Cons: very crowded, tiny - not enough space to dance more
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TIGHT!! 11/6/2006

This is the place to get snockered when you want to be trendy without being "hollywood". Highly recommend!! Pros: Good pick up scene, trendy Cons: SMALL more
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Relaxed westside bar 11/2/2006

This bar really is designed in the shape of a circle, and it is fun to make your way around. On Wednesday nights the DJ is awesome, and the patio out back is nice on a warm night. A good spot to go when you want somewhere fun but not pretenious. more
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this place changed: too loud, too much hard rock 8/25/2006

this place used to be great. now, around 11:30-12:00, they stop playing r&b, and start playing loud hard rock. people stop dancing immediately. why cant they recognize that? at around 12, it fills up with tons of guys who by then start to feel their booze, and start to elbow in to everyone. the music level was deafening! it was so loud, we couldnt hear each other even though we were yelling in each others ears...note to staff: stop playing hard rock and turn the volume down a little. or keep it the same and it will be just a bar for drunken obnoxious guys. you had a great formula. why change it? Pros: used to be good/ lots of potential Cons: deafening, loud hard rock more
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Say No: to Circle Bar on Thursdays 8/3/2006

First off, every club/bar has its different days and with that, its different crowds. So this review will be fair and will only be on CIRLCLE BAR: Thursday night. That said, it was horrible. I was bar hopping with my friends on Main St. for her b-day and we stumbled into here. We instantly recognized the DJ--the same douche or douches who play the same playlist at weekends at The Room. At first, hismusic was cute and a challenge to dance to. But now, after 1.5yrs, its getting old and not fun to dance to. When the DJ quit, Circle put on rock music to end the night. There was glass all over the floor, the Long Isle was weak. It was really crowded which made for difficult dancing, but Ive been here other days when Ive had a good time dancing. So overall, Thursdays no, but Id be willing to go back on a different night just because its a chill bar where people actually come to dance. Pros: chill crowd who likes to dance Cons: Thursday night and its DJ, drinks more
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Mondays! 6/11/2006

The only night that I really mess with is Monday nights! As the other reviews state - it gets pretty packed easily on most nights, but Monday nights fill up to just the right amount of room to dance, talk to people, or have more elbow room to drink your drink. The music is sexy and fun, with tan eclectic crowd. The DJ is really what makes the night. The staff is dope, and I always close the bar out! I always invite friends I never get to see, so I can start the night catching up, and end it by rockin out on the dance floor. I love that I can wear my flip flops and no make up and still feel like hot stuff! Pros: dope music, good drinks, mellow yet live! Cons: gets a little hot when the dance floor is full! more
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Not the best clientele 6/8/2006

I've been there a few times now, and only really had one decent night. The second time I was there my friend we got into a raging argument with 2 bartenders who insisted that he hadn't opened a tab with his credit card - he had, and we had our apology eventually but it took about 30 minutes and almost gettting thrown out for nothing. Generally though, the bouncers and barstaff are good - especially when you consider the people who frequent the place - VERY ugly, and I'm not talking in terms of looks. These people are TRASH! more
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Editorial

  • The Scene
    A neighborhood dive for three decades, this Main Street bar has redefined itself as a destination for the single, 20-something lush. After enduring the sometimes half-block weekend wait outside, ex-fraternity boys and grown-up party girls cram into the crowded dark den where drinkers radiate from the central circular bar. The more intimate booths and bar stools fill quickly, but the best hottie-spotting--and shoulder-brushing--is done while squeezing against the red-lit walls, haphazardly decorated with old photographs. Circulating socializers eventually find enough room to groove on the dance floor.

    The Draw
    Swanky singles come to get down and dirty at this unabashed pick-up scene, where dancing to N.W.A. and the Beastie Boys seems secondary to making out on the dance floor. The red and black atmosphere also helps to bring out devilish tendencies, especially after downing a few strong drinks--most likely paid for by the winking cutie sitting nearby.

  • 8/28/2003 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Payments: Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Ocean Park, West LA
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