Circus Disco

by Lin T.

If you are looking for an upscale "Hollywood"-type club, this is not it. But if you're looking for a club where you can chill and/or get down on the dance floor, Circus is for you! Personally, I love Nikita (the current promoter) at Circus because it's not too crowded, it's only $15 if you're on the guestlist, and the vibe is really chill. There's a lot of couches to sit on (I hate how other clubs don't have places to sit unless you pay for VIP tables) or you can hang out with friends outside. Parking is much cheaper than other places in Hollywood ($10, even to valet!) and I've never had a problem with parking. The bartenders are really nice. There are usually 4 rooms open, and if trance is not your steez you can head over to the hip hop room. I took one star off because I know this is not a typical club that people look for in Hollywood where it's very dressed up, expensive what not. If you want to dress down in jeans and sneakers and just go to listen to some good music, then you'll enjoy Circus. Also another plus is that they've redone the lights so it looks MUCH better if you know what I mean.

by Tasha H.

not one of the better clubs i have been to. lets keep in mind that i am the kind of person to make a piss smelling hallway shaped bar the best night ever. so my standards are pretty damn vague.my first and only experience at Circus (see: http://www.yelp.com/bi...) was mildly exciting. i had previously heard so much about this spot from event coordinators like Spundae and Giant. but, since the event coordinators dont actually run the club, i am going to lay out my opinions of the venue and its employees.i went on a saturday, one of the most expensive nights to not sit on your ass. and for $25 i wasnt sure if getting off the couch was a better idea. the club owner just sliced the heads off the event coordinators; closed guest list early to charge full price and rake in the profits for themselves. not cool, and viciously money hungry. the people handling guest list and tickets were just rude, a little condescending. they ruin the club before you even get inside!it is a very nice looking club... 5 rooms with full bars and a VIP lounge upstairs. the main room had go-go platforms and 2 stages. awesome sound system to rattle your brain. the bathrooms were located in good spots so there were never any wait-lines. the outside patio has heat lamps, cabanas, and tables to sit, smoke, a chat. it looked very similar to the Vanguard's patio (probably the same designer).the bartenders are nice, they were all men from what i saw. bottled water was $4 but it had a cool little flip cap. i didnt order up any liquor because i dont like drinking at expensive looking clubs. silly, i know.the parking was ridiculous. expect the parking lot that Circus shares with Arena to fill up by 1030. hunting for a spot on the street was extremely difficult (but i found one!). and there are other lots in the area, but they were already full too.so what kind of people show up to dance at Circus Disco? well... LGBT people and asian people. thats it. i dont know what it is that make droves of asian ethnicities flock to flashing lights and sing songy trance music, but if anyone ever finds out please do tell.to sum it up... it was crappy. semi-ok electronic music. the employees were shitty (not including the bartenders). parking sucked. but the actual venue was beautiful. id rather go to my piss smelling hallway with awesome music and awesome people than hang out in a nice venue with everything that i hate. the end.

by Reviewer P.

this place sucked balls when i went. i decided to go based on other reviews, but was sorely disappointed when i went last night. the cover was $20, but it went up to $25 after 11! and then, when i actually got inside it was completely dead; like only 15 people in both the huge rooms at first, if that. then when i went outside i was told by the ticket taker that you cant leave and return, only for "extreme" emergencies. he then told me to talk to the ID checker guy. i told him i 'needed to take care of something' and would be back. he said my emergency was not their emergency, so it depends. he then unbelievably asked me, a female, was it that time of the month?! i could not believe he even had the audacity. he was not going to let me come back in, so i told him yes! he then said, 'you need to hurry or else you'll have to buy another ticket, and i'm going to need to SEE A TAMPON when you come back!' I was completely disgusted and outraged! needless to say, I will not be going back there ever again. They have no class, and you will be wasting your money. Do not go to this place; its over-priced, the workers are classless and rude, and it was dead. oh and there were no go-go dancers. not this night- a SATURDAY!Overall, a complete waste of time

by Michael M.

This place is huge!  Three dance floors, more bars, an outdoor patio, and a little taqueria, crazy!  It did seem a little "Oktoberfestish" i.e. alot of "sausage" and beer; there were women but not as many as a single man likes to see.  Although they had three dance floors, each with it's own DJ, all the music pretty much sounded the same.  They did the fake line thing I hate, the line was easily +150 deep and once inside you realized there were more people waiting to get in than already in.   The drinks were stupid expensive, $15 for a red bull/vodka and a coke for my designated driver.  The one redeeming factor were the ladies they had dancing on stage, OMFG!  They were banging, unavailable to the mere mortal, but still banging.On my next weekend trip to LA I will skip Circus Disco and try to find a smaller venue,  but for a one time experience it was ok.

by Jason P.

I normally party here on Fridays when I do go. The crowd is more diverse, the music is jammin and the dancers are normally pretty hot. One thing they could improve on is their drinks. Other then that, it's a pretty chill spot.

by Steven N.Angela H.Giancarlo C.Sarah C.Reviewer P.

This is another significant review for me. I first started to love Electro/Tech/House/Trance music on my Birthday 3 months ago at the Shark Club in Costa Mesa when I saw DJ Andr3x and Jim Carson spin. It was my buddy's BDay (The one who introduced me to this type of music) and DJ Andr3x and Jim Carson was spinning here with Trance DJ John Askew. We got presale tickets from DJ Andr3x for $15 while they were selling them at the door for $25. Circus Disco is also a gay club but on Saturday night it is not. I'm not gay...not that there is anything wrong with that. Anyways, this place totally reminds me of a freaky carnival. The outside front entrance has some elephant statues and a big tiger. The outside of this club reminds me of the old Club Vegas in Costa Mesa. The inside has Jack and Jane types of room with bathrooms connecting to each side. That is cool and convenient. There are several bars in this place. One outside the main room, one in the far back of the main room and one upstairs of the main room. I love this club. It has a very good layout. The sound and the lighting is amazing. They have good speakers, a pseudo equalizer led light behind the DJ booth in the main room, laser lights hitting one of several large disco balls, and spot and strobe lights. We got here around 10:30 PM and I believe DJ Kevin S was spinning at the time. He did an excellent job kicking off this night. He did lay it down pretty hard. Then it was the famous John Askew spinning from 12 AM to 2 AM. This trance DJ was effin' amazing. He really laid it down hard and you can totally feel everyone's energy on the dance floor. He is the best Trance DJ I have ever seen. When he was done with his set, I went over to shake his hand. I was shooting the shit with him a bit and asked if he had any CDs he was selling. He didn't as he threw all the CDs he had into the crowd earlier but he did give me a cool led light key chain. I told him I really liked his style and he replied back with, "I really like your style for coming up here and talking to me the way you did." That gave me a big smile. After John Askew, Andr3x and Jim Carson tag teamed it from 2AM to 4AM. They were good and did a good job keeping the energy up after John Askew left. While Andr3x was spinning, I went up to Jim Carson and shook his hand also. I told him that I first saw him and Andr3x at the Shark Club about 3 months ago and they are the reason I love this type of music so much now. He asked me for my name and I told him. He then smiled and said you are that guy on Yelp and thanked me for the kind words. Another great moment for me that night. I love grateful and cool DJs. That's why I go out and support DJ Andr3x where ever he goes. This was truly an epic night for me. I got to experience some excellent spinning and got to meet some cool and grateful DJs.Granted, I haven't been to many clubs, but this one definitely blew me away. The security was firm, but nice and surprisingly efficient. I heard there were supposed to be 4000+ people showing up for the SCREAM5 event, and I thought that my girlfriends and I would NEVER get into the club (I've heard horror stories about how long you have to wait in line). We were in line for max 15 minutes. The venue is so huge that it didn't matter if there were a million people in line- all I can say is that there were a LOT of people, but it definitely wasn't overcrowded. The Halloween decorations were absolutely stunning. There were three dance floors and bars located all throughout the club (there was even one upstairs from one of the dance floors!). The most unique aspect about the club was the fact that they were selling hot dogs. The grill was going on all night. Too bad I wasn't really hungry, because the hot dogs smelled absolutely heavenly. All the people attending the event were also really nice/amusing =)Parking wasn't too bad of an issue because we arrived perfectly on time- we parked along the street across from the club, right past the gas station. The spots behind us filled quickly, less than 10 minutes later. The only thing about this club is that you can't see any signs for it along Santa Monica Blvd- the entrance is actually tucked on the side of a small street (you'll have to walk down past the 7-11, and you'll see it on your right side). I definitely want to come back at some point to see what the club is like, sans all the elaborate Halloween decorations.Wow. That's all I will say about this place on friday night. I go here with my boyfriend... we love dancing, and I must say love all the dance floors. One after another (and yes, I'm one of those shirtless latin guys dancing with his boyfriend). I really enjoy going to this club... the bartenders are nice, and the drinks are great, and the dance floor is really rocking. And I thought Rage was good... if you go to Circus, Rage will seem awful compared to this place. So instead of going to Rage on thursday, go to Circus on Friday (my favorite night). And that's all I will say. Maybe you'll see me there some time... or at Arena (next door on wednesday lol).And some people say there is a lot of "bitchy ass" people here. Well that's from your own perspective. I find a lot of nice people go to this club. You may think that I'm one more of those guys... but really keep an open mind when you go to a place like this and just have fun. You'll encounter people you don't like all over the world, just ignore them and have fun.Dirty Electronic Clubseveral full bars, large dance floor, electronic music, afterhours/gay scene, street parking, 21+, large patio, lasers and speakers.this place sucked balls when i went. i decided to go based on other reviews, but was sorely disappointed when i went last night. the cover was $20, but it went up to $25 after 11! and then, when i actually got inside it was completely dead; like only 15 people in both the huge rooms at first, if that. then when i went outside i was told by the ticket taker that you cant leave and return, only for "extreme" emergencies. he then told me to talk to the ID checker guy. i told him i 'needed to take care of something' and would be back. he said my emergency was not their emergency, so it depends. he then unbelievably asked me, a female, was it that time of the month?! i could not believe he even had the audacity. he was not going to let me come back in, so i told him yes! he then said, 'you need to hurry or else you'll have to buy another ticket, and i'm going to need to SEE A TAMPON when you come back!' I was completely disgusted and outraged! needless to say, I will not be going back there ever again. They have no class, and you will be wasting your money. Do not go to this place; its over-priced, the workers are classless and rude, and it was dead. oh and there were no go-go dancers. not this night- a SATURDAY!Overall, a complete waste of time

by kathy w.

My roommate loves this place, and him and his friends always take me here. Drinks are good, you get what you pay for if you know what bartender to go to!I'm not a big dancer these days, but get enough booze in me and i'll be down there. Go-Go dancers surrounded by the straight females hoping they have a snow balls chance in hell. Sometimes people can be rude. The taco stand inside is good, but wayyy overpriced.The outside staff are always pleasent.Friday's are the best night, call in before five and you're on the guest list!! so no cover charge! I've never waited in line all the times i've been there, so i feel bad for those who have complained about the wait.all and all a pretty good place.

by Anand P.

I went to this club on a saturday night! The music was techno and I really like techno music and it was great for dancing. The drinks were good as well and the bartenders were nice. It looked like it was an Asian night and  the dance floors are big. They have three dance floors. Plenty of outdoor seating for nature and tobacco lovers alike :-)I must have danced like 3 hrs almost continuously! Good work-out for the whole week :-) However I found that later that this is mostly a gay club, except saturdays when it is a straight night. So if you like techno, this is a kool place to go on a Saturday night!

by judy w.

this club celebrates it's 32nd anniversary this december.i've been here during school nights and it's pretty happenin'.  but i heard on the weekend's this place is bumpin' to the max with transvestites and gays galore. w00h00.it's a humungous place that has huge hip-hop, salsa, house, and of course - disco music rooms.  it's like a whole bunch of clubs rolled up into one venue.  every night at the stroke (ha!) of midnight, there's a drag show.  and by golly these "gals" can put a naturally born gal to shame.  i remember one time this dudechick was doin' a dance routine in stilettos all the while lip-synching to the teet.  plus he/she had nicer legs than me. dang him/her.  that takes skeels tho.  props to him/her.and you know that mexican lady waiting for you outside of the clubs in hollywood with the hot dog cart?  well she is really a he.  and he/she's cookin' up the best, cheap hot dog/burrito/tacos at an outside patio area here.  mm mmm!this is actually where my gay luver met his fiance.  they fell in love and have since built a future together in palm springs.what did i end up with? nothin' but smoke-filled hair and a lonely limb with no one to go arm-in-arm with to the gay bars. boo-hoo.

by Giancarlo C.

Wow. That's all I will say about this place on friday night. I go here with my boyfriend... we love dancing, and I must say love all the dance floors. One after another (and yes, I'm one of those shirtless latin guys dancing with his boyfriend). I really enjoy going to this club... the bartenders are nice, and the drinks are great, and the dance floor is really rocking. And I thought Rage was good... if you go to Circus, Rage will seem awful compared to this place. So instead of going to Rage on thursday, go to Circus on Friday (my favorite night). And that's all I will say. Maybe you'll see me there some time... or at Arena (next door on wednesday lol).And some people say there is a lot of "bitchy ass" people here. Well that's from your own perspective. I find a lot of nice people go to this club. You may think that I'm one more of those guys... but really keep an open mind when you go to a place like this and just have fun. You'll encounter people you don't like all over the world, just ignore them and have fun.