Nothing sets the mood quite like live music — especially when it’s paired with delicious food, cocktails and the buzz of a crowd unwinding during happy hour, celebrating a special occasion or cozying up for date night. In and around Toluca Lake, music adds an unforgettable accent to the dining experience, whether it’s a soulful acoustic set in a tucked-away lounge or a lively band energizing a beloved neighborhood haunt. These performances transform an outing into something memorable.
Some spots have been quietly hosting performances for decades, while others are newer to the scene, building loyal followings with fresh energy and standout lineups. From jazzy lounges and tropical patios to intimate wineries and surprise-filled supper clubs, each venue offers a unique way to enjoy music with your meal. Together, they compose a neighborhood soundtrack that’s as diverse and welcoming as the community itself.
Seeing Stars
The neighborhood plays host to standout venues that offer unforgettable music experiences, both indoors and outdoors. At The Garland, the annual Songs of Summer concert series transforms the property’s tree-lined Beverly Park into a laid-back live music venue. Guests can settle into the outdoor space with cocktails and share plates from The Front Yard while local artists perform against the backdrop of a cool summer night.
“Enjoy an evening under the stars with live music, cocktails and delicious bites from The Front Yard, all while giving back to the local community,” director of food and beverage Thomas Fuchs says.
For something more exclusive, Verse is in a league of its own. Designed by Grammy-winning mixing engineer Manny Marroquin, this sleek venue is as much a sonic temple as it is a fine-dining destination. Nightly live music is part of the draw — but who’s performing is usually only announced through Verse’s newsletter. Past guests have been treated to sets by Bruno Mars, Stevie Wonder, Lil Wayne and Charlie Puth. “Verse is one of L.A.’s best kept secrets — only tell your best friends,” Marroquin says of his supper club–inspired creation.
For more about Verse, read our companion piece, “A Pitch-Perfect Dining Experience.”
Vintage Vibes
Some of the area’s most beloved music moments happen in venues that have been around for generations. Case in point: The Smoke House. This neighborhood institution has been serving steak, savory garlic cheese bread and live music for nearly 80 years.
“The live music experience at Smoke House is classic, intimate and filled with nostalgia,” manager Hector Rocha says. “Guests love the cozy, old Hollywood vibe of our space, paired with timeless music that complements our rich history.”
Performances take place Thursday through Saturday evenings and now during Sunday brunch, with a mix of jazz, classic standards and R&B that draws “a great mix of loyal locals, visiting families and curious tourists drawn by our Hollywood history,” Rocha shares. “Many Warner Bros. studio employees, actors and musicians have also made us their go-to spot.”
Nearby, Vitello’s “brings the glamour of Old Hollywood to life” at the Velvet Martini Lounge, a Rat Pack–inspired cocktail lounge located upstairs, which features live jazz and a talented cast of rotating musicians three nights a week.
“The other nights are more tonally open, with Neil Sedaka on a monthly residency, a weekly drag/cabaret residency of rotating performers, a monthly residency with pin-up darlings The Satin Dollz singing some of the best tunes from World War II and beyond, and an upcoming Yacht Rock series featuring members of Ambrosia, Looking Glass and more,” systems manager Charly Shelton says.
Guests often order retro-inspired menu items like a filet mignon “TV Dinner” with banana cake while taking in the performances. “Our space has been described by guests as sitting in the artist’s living room for a private show with friends,” Shelton adds.
Meanwhile, The Baked Potato has been the home venue of some of the world’s top session and touring musicians since 1970. The legendary jazz venue hosts nightly live shows, featuring a range of iconic musicians and those just bursting onto the scene. Add in a menu of loaded baked potatoes, and it’s no wonder this low-key club has had a devoted following for over five decades.
Festive Fusions
A number of venues blend music, culture and atmosphere to create experiences that go beyond the standard show. Celia’s Rancho Restaurante offers an intimate, relaxed backdrop for live music Thursday through Saturday, featuring acoustic sets that emanate through the space as diners enjoy everything from country and rock to soul, Spanish-language classics and original songs.
Celia’s often hosts resident performers Joe Kevany and Janine Rivera, local artists who bring their own sound and style to the stage. While Kevany performs his personal renditions of well-known classics and his own original songs, Rivera, accompanied by a fellow musician, covers modern favorites in both English and Spanish.
To owner Alonso Arellano, what sets Celia’s apart is its “capability to showcase small acoustic acts to entertain diners as well as the ability to put on a complete concert with our backroom.”
“Our favorites include the moments in which the performer and audience are engaged with each other,” he continues. “The sweet moments where a patron raises their glass and sings along with the artist. It’s the small moments that tie people together.”
Another local site entertaining audiences with a blend of diverse influences is Kahuna Tiki Tu. The vibrant midcentury tiki bar channels vintage California cool through a rotating lineup of performances that include Wednesday jazz nights, top ukulele and slide guitar artists on weekends, and weekly Polynesian dance performances.
With nearly 50 cocktails on the drink menu, diners can “discover new tropical libations and enjoy world-class sushi and California/Hawaiian-inspired kitchen fare while listening to amazing artists play the night away,” co-owner Carey Ysais shares. The décor completes the picture, surrounding guests with “a museum-quality collection of lowbrow art and local and Hawaiian carvings and handmade artwork.”
Acoustic Ambiance
For a more laid-back take on live music, these spots pair great sound with good food, comfortable spaces and welcoming vibes. Idle Hour’s barrel-shaped building is a landmark in its own right — and the atmosphere inside matches the charm. Perhaps best known for its cocktails and chill vibes, the bar hosts a popular brunch-and-music series on Sundays, featuring can’t-miss $18 bottomless mimosas.
A newer addition to the scene, The San Fernando is quickly building a reputation for its curated music nights. Tucked into a stylish space on San Fernando Boulevard, the venue regularly features local singer-songwriters and hosts a popular Jazz Funk Night on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.
A stone’s throw away is Urban Press Winery, founded by Giovanni D’Andrea, which combines award-winning Italian cuisine, handcrafted wine and four nights of live music each week. Genres include jazz, soul, R&B and soft rock, with full bands on Friday and Saturday and acoustic sets on Thursdays.
“Many guests come early to enjoy a wine tasting before the show, which can be complimentary if dinner reservations are made, making it a regular weekend outing,” D’Andrea notes. “Our Sunday Jazz Brunch has become a local favorite, where families and friends gather to unwind with great food and smooth tunes. Our audience is a great mix of Burbank locals, music lovers from across Los Angeles and curious visitors discovering the area.”
