The Gypsy Lounge

by Alex G.

This place seems like it has a lot of potential, but never quite fulfills it.  I'm always somewhat let down when I go here.  The bands usually suck and are really loud (not in the good 'holy shit they're blowing the ass out of my jeans' sort of way, more the 'what we lack in musical skill we make up for in volume' sort of way).  The clientele is usually about 20 IQ points below the minimum required to carry on a conversation.  The bartenders are cool, but usually understaffed.  A smoking 'patio' in back is a big plus.  Who can be bothered to stop drinking just to get cancer?  I bet if there is a band playing there that you like and you go with some friends, you could have a five-star experience.  I haven't had this experience yet at the Gypsy.  Although I did get tanked and destroyed a piece of art by accident.  I guess that was kind of fun.Bonus points for hard-to-find strip mall location.

by Nathalie B.

good atmosphere. a little hidden from view but i love that. it's not all flashy. hole in the wall. for the most part there are good bands. just chill on the couches, stools or play pool while drinking a mojito =)

by Sean C.

Loud music, great atmosphere, and the bar tenders pour with a heavy hand; what else could you want? This place used to be my spot when I lived down the street and will always hold a special place in my heart.  It's located in south OC's plaza of sin with a strip club, head shop, hookah lounge and club all in the same parking lot!!

by Sandee R.

It costs you $8 to enter a relatively dead bar in the middle of the most ghetto place in South OC... where the drinks are overpriced, the crowd is pretty blah, and your eardrums are on the verge of bleeding the entire time.Enough said.

by Bryan V.

The Gypsy Lounge isn't really my "scene" so to speak. I don't follow the local music scene that seems to thrive in this venue. That said, I've still enjoyed my visits here - band playing or not. It's got a great lounge feel akin (in parts of the bar) to hanging out in your friends living room. Couches, chairs, cool old lamps and some fine velvet artwork of the feminine form. That's right. Don't come looking for food. Do come looking for an out of the ordinary spot in south OC where you might just find a heck of a time on a velour couch.

by Andrea C.Kira B.Jake B.Edward A.Merkin M.

I went here for a laid back folksy show a few months ago - the sound was great, the bands were great, and I love that you can SIT while watching the band and still have a great view.  The design of this venue, with the  bar raised over the rest, seems genius to me and don't know why it is not in place at all venues!  The night that I went cover was only $5, and totally worth it.  Its a little hard to find, in a sort of alcove of a shopping center (which has some good eats - fyi)I went here for the first time last week to see The Steelwells and The Living Suns. Free show, always a plus. Drinks are in the $6 range. There's a small smoking patio out back. The bathroom is painted hot pink and is covered in writing... brings back fond memories of the old Chain Reaction bathroom. It's like a grown up Chain Reaction... instead of the slushee machine there's ALCOHOL!. YAY!I had a good time, I will definitely return. This place has lots of good shows from local bands.Went here a couple weeks back to see Echo Echo play an excellent show.  The temperature gets a little hot in this place, but it's still cool with lots of awesome paintings of naked women.  Nice smoking patio, reasonably priced drinks.  I'd definately be a regular if I lived closer.3 stars because the place had no A/C. The performers and patrons were bothered by the heat. I went to see Jay Buchanan but didn't find out he wasn't performing until the 2nd performer said something. Not a bad place to see local music because it wasn't crowded and you could sit pretty close to the stage.Things I Learned @ The Gypsy Lounge:It costs $8.00 to get in.  Earplugs aren't a bad idea, sometimes.Attractive people don't come here. There's still a market for oil on canvas paintings of naked ladies, apparently. Extreme Hunting is impossible to play while drunk.

by V D.

I heard some great bands at this place and definately plan to go back.I felt really luck to have stumbled into such great talent tucked into the very back corner of a strip mall.   The scene at the gypsy lounge is perfect for me.  Great bands, a comfortable hangout and the soundsystem is very good.  I've been to some bars and the speakers are all muffled and bad, but here is great.  Bartenders are great too.

by Mike L.

Not really into the kind of music played at this venue, but living in Lake Forest for years, I had to check out the Gypsy Lounge at least once. It's a cozy little placed tucked in the corner, next to what used to be Diablo's and Wahoo's. It has a nice little smoking patio out back and some interesting interior decoration... watch out for the raised platform in the middle of the room!On the Friday I went, there was a 5 dollar cover and was asked what band I came to see. I didn't know who was playing so I said none. Don't know if that makes a difference? My musical preference aside, I was disappointed with their lack of bartenders that night (only 1) and waited a pretty long time for my drink. Most people in the room were also fanning themselves down or escaping to the patio during the breaks since it was HOT in there... As a venue for live bands, I'd definitely recommend the Gypsy Lounge for the unique setup and quality sound system, but as a dive or hangout spot, I'd stick to the local pubs just down the road.

by Jorkin W.

Ok guys... if you ever see an attractive woman here it's because she just ended her shift with the Captain. If you don't know what I'm talking about then you probably won't be going back anyway. The only reason to go is for the live music - which is pretty much a crap shoot (unless Swollen Eye is there; they kick ass). It does suck paying a cover to get into this place though. The prices have gone up a bit lately but they're right there with everyone else in the area. I've also noticed less protein staining on the furnature so that's a good thing.

by Dann M.

Found this place through yelp a while back, so I HAD to check it out...Wanted to see if I could do anything during a tuesday night instead of tacos...  So, I took the gf and went to acoustic  Tuesdays.  There was a cover charge, but for a live band, it was reasonable.Walked in... very dark, looked like a 70s / old school Vegas lounge spot.Spotted the booby pictures... all over the place...there was a ramp... i almost fell... bahSo we walked to the bar... very nice... They have STELLA on tap :)The gf got the bartender's special martini... and spilled it on my iphone :(... don't worry i got a new one :PBartender was gracious enough to give her a new one... she's cute i guess :PThe live band that we saw was amazing!  A keyboardist (lead singer), guitar player and a drummer, who was very good might I add!Went back for a smoke break, met the regulars, which are pretty nice!  One of them could suck fire out of a lighter...The pool table vending mechanism was broken, so we were able to play pool for free...Found a free deer hunter arcade credit...then the bartender closed the night with some good ol' fashion Old School on the television.it's like going to a friends bachelor pad, but you have to pay for drinks...Take a date on tuesday nights!  You'll meet interesting people and have a GREAT TIME! :)damn... iphone :(