Snake Pit Ale House

Bar, Eatery

7529 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, California, 90046
United States

(323) 653-2011 | map
ordersave.com/snakepitalehouse
PLACE STATS
Average:
2.88
Reviews:
3
Ratings:
3
pDev:
13.89%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Photo of JayTheFinn
Reviewed by JayTheFinn from California

3/5  rDev +4.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3
Being that it's right smack dab in the mid of the trendy strip of Melrose Ave, you better believe the Snake Pit smacks of trendiness. And that term in this case refers to a sort of punk/skater/biker/cowboy/S&M grungy hybrid. It's a melting pot where the soul is evaporated away leaving only a "look" and vague "feel" of the original ingredients.

The decor is somewhat sparse. The cracked ceiling and intentionally partially-exposed brick walls are reallly just depressing, rather than giving it a "rough and cool" look I believe they were going for.

On to the beer! There's about 15 taps of decent stuff like Anchor, New Belgium, Boddingtons, Stella, SN, Harp, PBR, Firestone, Blue Moon and a couple ciders. Generally speaking, in this town, that's a good find. There's also a large wall of hard liquor to choose from behind the taps.

Someone else mentioned that the waitresses weren't much to look at. They're not hideous. Some might find that heroine junky look hot. I was thinking they should start a band and call themselves the Daughters of Keith Richards.

Overall this is a good place to stop at if you're in the neighborhood, but definitely not worth making a trip for.
Jun 25, 2006
Photo of Naerhu
Reviewed by Naerhu from Japan

2.34/5  rDev -18.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 1 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3
This place had nice comfy couches and cool music (sublime was playing almost the whole time). Lights were kinda low and there was sports of some sort playing on each of the monitors.

There was no table service, and the staff wasnt pretty to look at.
I ordered SN Celebration which was served ice cool. I mean, it was so cold, that my fingers hurt if I held the glass and not the mug handle. Thus, the rating of awful.

The selection was ultimately average. A dozen beers, which were mostly macro-craft brews, nothing inovative. Though, Celebration was offered and that is not in most bars, so I was happy.
Jan 26, 2005
Photo of Rumrunner
Reviewed by Rumrunner from California

3.29/5  rDev +14.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 2.5
Can you say, "Dive Bar!?" This is one of the dingiest dive bars I have ever been in. And that can be a good thing sometimes.

A small dimly lit bar and restaurant. An L shaped bar to the right and some tables and chairs to the left. Some of the bench backs have red lights in them. I have no idea why. To be different? To be strange? Maybe to help one see their food and or drink? There is a large red couch in an open space by the front door. It is bright red with old fashioned characteristics. There are also two small carved wooden tables with stools. One is in the front window. It allows perfect viewing of the "normal" people on melrose street. A very good seat if one can come by it. On the wall opposite the bar there is a great sign from circa 1940's. It is silver with neon and it just says, "Bar." A real treasure from the past. 1940's elegance. Today it is retro. Great atmosphere if a person likes dingy dive bars. Oh I forgot to mention about the water stains from previous leaks across the ceilings. I do not want to know why they are still there.

The place is named the Snake Pit Ale House. It does have ale. Unfortunately the beer selection is quite average. They have about 15 taps. The one wonderful surprise is that they have Anchor Porter on tap. They also had Anchor's summer beer. They have Firestone, Bass, Sierra Nevada, Guinness and a few other well known craft beers. The beer selection is okay. It gets an at least they do have some beer a BA can enjoy. They also have a rotating bottle selection. It ranges from about two to three beers. Plus the macros. There is a full bar.

Overall a pretty fun place to venture in and have a pint. The crowd was lively and eclectic. I did not try the food. Give this place a try and people watch the characters on melrose.
Oct 19, 2003
Snake Pit Ale House in Los Angeles, CA
Place rating: 2.88 out of 5 with 3 ratings