Reviewed by Jeff Walker

**My Bar Standard**

Visited: Friday, March 28th, 2008 (and at least a dozen or so other Fridays and Saturdays within past year)

Location: 3110 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90025 (map)(Link)
Phone: 310-828-4567

Busby’s (My Bar Standard) offers a little of everything (dancing, drinking, games) in a friendly environment that is perfect for anyone in search of fun.

Deeper Insights:

Take a few of the things that make going out fun – music, dancing, games, strong drinks, cheap cover, short lines, attractive crowd – and put them into a large, rustic space separated into smaller, comfortable areas, and you have Busby’s West. It may not be perfect for the raver or club-hopper, but Busby’s offers a little something for everyone else, making it ideal for groups who look for a variety of things to do in their nightspots.

Simply put, it’s tough to not have a good time here. The crowd is almost always out-going and friendly, and even if you’re not feeling it or not having much luck with the ladies, head to the back rooms and play some games. Foosball, Pop-a-Shot basketball, two pool tables, and often times even a ping-pong table create a lively atmosphere (even the girls get in on the action) that is unique to most nightspots, especially one that features dancing.

On that note, if one thing could be changed, it would be the small dance floor that tightly hugs the DJ booth. Once it gets going (just two to three dozen people fill it up), there is little room to shake your thang and it can be tough to find space. However, because the dance floor is so small and the aisle runs alongside the dance floor, girls will find fewer creepers lingering nearby.

Busby’s has a unique identity that is comfortable and welcoming. The place itself has unusual touches, like a fireplace and a private bathroom partially hidden up the back stairs. The personality extends to the bartenders as well, who are all really cool and seem to care about more than just a tip. You’ll feel like fast friends and want to come back to this place where everyone really can know your name.

A quick story – A few weeks ago, some friends and I were trying to go to a club in Santa Monica. After waiting in line for an hour (and refusing to pay the promoter $30 for instant entry), we attempted to salvage our night by heading elsewhere. It was already midnight, and The Parlor had a mass of people out front, The Room was likely full, and other places were dicey at best. So, we headed to ol’ reliable – Busby’s – even though we had been there the previous night. We paid our $5 cover, didn’t wait in line, got our drinks immediately, played some Pop-a-Shot, had good conversation, danced for awhile, and basically made the most of our limited time prior to last call. Our plans changed, but Busby’s still gave us the fun Saturday night we were seeking without some of the crap that comes with other places.

Breakdown:

Attire: After 10 p.m., hats, jerseys, open shoes, and loose clothing are not allowed. Go with collared shirts, nice T-shirts, jeans, and slacks. Ladies just need to look cute.

Attitude: Laid-back comfort bar that gives you a fun time through dancing, drinking, games, or meeting cool people.

Bar/Bartenders: 2 bars – 1 in the front (right of the entrance), the other in the back. Front bar has 3 bartenders (normally guys), while the back has 2 (usually girls). Wait on drinks can be as short as a couple minutes or as long as 15 at peak times. There also are several servers in each bar area if you don’t want to fight your way to the actual bar.
Tip: The bartenders are really friendly and it is worth it to get to know them. Joel and Brad are the best. And if you’re an Ohio St. fan, make sure you mention it to Brad.

Bathrooms: Main bathrooms are left of the entrance. Men’s room has two urinals and one stall with a lock. There is also a single bathroom if you head to the back bar and go up the stairs. This bathroom has its own toilet, sink, and even a shower! Warning: This bathroom closes at 12:45 a.m.

Tip: Had Chipotle and looking for privacy that rivals your bathroom at home? Spend all your money on games and have no singles to tip the bathroom attendant? Head to the “secret” back bathroom. You may have to wait a few minutes, but you get your own bathroom and avoid the awkwardness of stiffing the bathroom attendant.

Bathroom Attendant: Yes.

Bottle Service: You can reserve tables and probably arrange for bottle service, but it’s unnecessary. There is also a lounge with couches up the stairs near the back bathroom, but it is away from everything else and may be too quiet and kick-back.

Cover: $5 after 10 p.m.

Crowd: Fun, friendly, and attractive Westsiders ranging from twenty-somethings still in college to those in their thirties looking to settle down or let loose for a night. Usually about a 55/45 guy-to-girl ratio.

Dance Floor: Small one that fills up and gets pretty crowded. Girls can dance on a small elevated area if they desire.

Décor: Busby’s has several different rooms that have a classic, almost Victorian feel that is offset by numerous flat-screen TVs. Dark woods and reds with matching leather booths adorn the front bar, classic lamps with shades provide soft light, while rustic wallpaper and exposed brick make it feel like an antique-filled home.

Drinks: $5 for draft beer (9 beers on tap), $6 for well drinks, $9 for Red Bull-infused drinks. Mixed drinks are usually quite strong.

Extras: Two pool tables, trivia machine at the front bar, ping-pong, game room – Golden Tee, Skee Ball, Pac-Man, foosball, pinball, Pop-a-Shot, and more.
Sunday nights – Rock Band
Monday nights – karaoke

Food: Full menu available with most entrees ranging from $10-20 (burgers, sandwiches, pastas, chicken, steak). Bar menu is also available and includes Chicken Tenders ($8), Nachos Grande with steak or chicken ($10), and the Heart-Clogger Combo (wings, tenders, mozzarella, calamari, and fries for $12).

Hours: Weeknights: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Weekends: 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. It should be noted that last call is around 1:20 and they attempt to have everyone cleared out by 1:45 a.m.

Line: Go before 10 p.m. and avoid both the line and the cover. I have only seen an extensive line once (about 15 people) and we were in within 20 minutes. If you go from 10:30 to 11 p.m, you’ll increase your odds of encountering a line.

Music: The usual, with bits of experimentation here and there – hip-hop with brief stretches of popular Old School, rock and techno.

Parking: Valet parking is available, but you can always find street parking on Santa Monica or on side streets.

Patio: Yes.

People Watching: Good-looking crowd of both men and women that tend to be friendly and open to openers.

Seating: Bar stools, booths, and tables throughout, with plush couches in the back room. There isn’t a multitude of seating, but if you want to sit, you can usually find a spot.

Smoking: On the patio.

Water (Free): You can get free ice water, but you may have to first decline offers of bottled Voss water.

Reviewed by Jeff Walker and Danny Walker

My Casual Dining Standard – Truxton’s American Bistro (Westchester)

Visited: Thursday night (3/20/08)
Locations: 185 Culver Blvd., Playa Del Rey, CA 90293-7659 (between Culver Place and Esplanade St.)(map)(link)

Solid, but unspectacular burgers cannot overcome a beach vibe that is too laid-back and results in long waits to get your food.

Deeper Insights:

The Shack isn’t as small and rundown as its name implies, but by no means is it a place for gourmet food or a trendy crowd. On the menu are a number of burgers and chicken sandwiches that come with a variety of tasty toppings. At a reasonable price, they are decent for a casual lunch or dinner with friends, but not ideal for your next hot date.

In fact, unless you’re going there for a few drinks (there is a full bar), karaoke or just have a lot of time to kill, you would best go when there is no crowd at all or simply stay away. On a Thursday night with an average-sized crowd, it took almost 30 minutes for diners to get their food. One pair of guys even waited that long for their potato skins.

Once finally getting the burger, it was filling and satisfying (albeit surprisingly lukewarm temperature-wise), but not worth such a long wait. The tiny kitchen could use an expansion, while the employees could use a bit of urgency. The relaxed beach atmosphere seeps its way through every bit of The Shack leaving it as a decent place after a day at the beach, but definitely not a destination spot.

Breakdown:

Attitude: Hang loose, chill out, watch some sports highlights and think about the size of the next day’s waves.

Bathroom: Tiny bathrooms in the back that can be reached by both the restaurant area and the patio. Men’s urinal is practically in the corner of the men’s room, meaning you may get hit by the door. Stall was serviceable, but there was no lock on the door – there is one on the main bathroom door if you want to try that for some privacy.

Condiments: Ketchup, mustard and Tabasco sauce on the tables.

Crowd: Laid-back locals ranging from twenty to fifty, with the occasional college kids.

Décor: Beach vibe – hanging surfboards, wood tables, and promotional posters that adorn the walls. In some ways, it represents its name well as far as feeling smaller and more cramped than it is and not having the sleekest environment.

Dress: Come as you are.

Drinks: Soda and water from dispenser (free refills). Beer and hard alcohol available from the bar. $12 for a pitcher of Newcastle that served a little under 4 pint glasses.

Hours: 11:30 a.m – 1:30 a.m.

Line: At 8:15 p.m. on a Thursday night, there were only two to three people ahead in line, but the wait for food was quite long given the lack of line.

Music: Sports broadcast played softly over the speakers.

Order to Service: 30 minutes to receive food. Sit at a table and wait for name to be called.

Parking: Limited street parking. Parking available in nearby strip mall lot and a hidden lot next to the strip mall.

Payment Options: All major credit cards accepted.

People Watching: Unique crowd of locals that doesn’t provide a great pick-up opportunity unless you’re drunk, older or find a night when more co-eds show up.

Reservations: None.

Seating: A half dozen or so tables in the front seating area with another half dozen (including booths) further back. Seating also available at the bar and along a counter against the wall.

Service: Cashier was friendly, but was also forced to help in the kitchen when they got very behind on the orders. It took the busboy 10 minutes to clear off our table. The staff was unflappable under the face of pressure, but seemed to take much longer cooking the burgers than they should have. A larger kitchen would probably help solve this.

Smoking: Patio on the left upon first entering.

Take-out: Yes.

TVs: About a dozen TVs visible from the bar and the tables.

Water: Free in dispenser.

What We Ate:

Kelsey Burger (1/4 burger, Swiss cheese, bacon, avocado, BBQ sauce served with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and mayo on a sesame seed bun): The burger was supposed to be medium, but came out medium-well and not as warm as desired. Despite the extra crispness, the meat still had a nice flavor to it. The bacon was not as fatty and limp as a lot of places serve it, while the avocado was fresh and decently portioned. The combination of ingredients made for a good burger, but definitely an unmemorable one. $7.25

The Shack Burger (1/4 burger, Louisiana Hot Link on top, served with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and mayo on a sesame seed bun): The signature burger provides a decent meal, but overall uninspired. The hot links are moderately spicey but nothing that most people wouldn’t be able to handle. $6.00

Added French Fries: $1.25 with Burger

Tip: Get $1 off burgers on Tuesday nights.

Reviewed by Jeff Walker

My Bar Standard – Busby’s (Santa Monica)

Visited: Thursday, February 14th, 2008
Location: 1519 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403 (map) (link)

This sophisticated Santa Monica sports bar lacks a dance floor and any tangible excitement, but attracts a quality crowd looking to meet up, chat and have a good time.


Deeper Insights:

Valentine’s Day night isn’t exactly the best barometer of a bar’s typical night, but thankfully The Parlor wasn’t teeming with overly creepy guys and sad, desperate women. While fearless guys tested their latest pick-up lines, the girls were receptive or polite in their reactions and rejections. The upscale, yet easygoing atmosphere at The Parlor is refreshing (especially given the roots of its owners – several former Real World cast members), but the lack of overall excitement makes this less of a target in the world of the Westside nightlife.

The place itself is surprisingly spacious, and if you don’t blink while entering, there’s a stairway leading up to a small second floor with a separate bar and patio. The sunken center section would seem to be a perfect place for a dance floor, but at least on this night, there was none. Therein lies the biggest issue with The Parlor. It is a large place with lots of TVs, making it a perfect place to watch a game. The sleek setting hints at a hopping lounge or laid-back dance club, but the entertainment isn’t there to back it up. This is a great place to hang out and chat up an attractive crowd, but those looking for an adrenaline rush would best look elsewhere.

Categories:

Attire: Collared shirts, blazer, nice jeans, slacks.

Attitude: Late 20-somethings who have their careers on track and are looking for some lovin’.



Bar/Bartenders: 1 bar on each of the two levels. 3-4 bartenders for each bar. Mix of guys and girls. 3-5 minute wait on drinks.

Bathrooms: Bathrooms on first floor.

Bathroom Attendant: Yes, and he’s a very fun and friendly fellow.

Bottle Service: No

Cover: None on Thursdays

Crowd: Successful late 20-somethings looking to add a little love and company into their lives. 65/35 guys to girls ratio.

Dance Floor: Technically none, but some swaying hips on the second level.

Décor: Upscale sports bar with multiple flat screen TVs.

Drinks: $5 for Miller Lite, $9 for 7 and 7

Extras: Electronic trivia

Happy Hour: $3 beers, $4 well drinks, and $5 house wines - 4 pm – 8 pm everyday.

Hours: 11:30 am – 2 am.

Line: None after 10 pm on a Thursday night.

Music: The usual - hip-hop with brief stretches of popular Old School, rock and techno. A pianist that plays dirty song parodies performs on Sunday nights.

Parking: Street parking

People Watching: Good-looking crowd of successful and friendly guys and girls.

Seating: Bar stools, plush couches tucked away in one corner, lots of booths and tables

Smoking: Patio on second level

Water (Free): Yes