Where to Find Old School Funk Music in Los Angeles

Looking for some old school funk in Los Angeles? Check out our guide to the best places to find it! From clubs and bars to record stores, we’ve got you covered.

The Birth of Funk

Funk is a style of music that originated in the African-American community in the late 1960s. It is characterized by a heavy groove, often with syncopated rhythms, and it often has a sexually suggestive or Afrocentric lyrical content. Funk was initially popularized by James Brown and other artists who developed a new style of dance music that was based on strong rhythm and blues, jazz, and soul traditions. As the 1970s progressed, funk began to fuse with other genres, such as disco and rock, to create new subgenres like funk rock and funk metal. In the 1980s and 1990s, artists like Parliament-Funkadelic and Prince helped to keep the funk sound alive. Today, funk remains an influence on many popular musicians, and there are even entire festivals devoted to this unique style of music.

The Rise of Funk

The origins of funk music can be traced back to the 1960s, when artists like James Brown and Sly Stone began experimenting with new sounds and rhythms. By the 1970s, funk had become its own distinct genre, characterized by its heavy groove and simple, catchy melodies. Today, funk is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, thanks to artists like Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, and Pharrell Williams.

If you’re looking for a dose of old-school funk in Los Angeles, there are plenty of great options to choose from. Here are just a few of the city’s best funk clubs and venues:

The Roxbury
Located in Hollywood, The Roxbury is one of Los Angeles’ premiere Funk clubs. The intimate venue offers a great selection of Funk, Soul, and R&B tunes nightly, along with a full bar and delicious food menu.

The Airliner
The Airliner is a popular club located in downtown Los Angeles. The club features two floors of music, with the downstairs dedicated to Funk and Soul tunes. Upstairs you’ll find a mix of Hip Hop, Electronic, and Dance music. The Airliner also has a full bar and kitchen, making it the perfect spot to spend a night out on the town.

The Viper Room
The Viper Room is a West Hollywood club that was famously co-owned by actor Johnny Depp. These days, the Viper Room is known for its eclectic mix of live music, including frequent Funk nights. The club also has a full bar and kitchen, making it the perfect place to grab a bite or drink before hitting the dance floor.

The Funk Movement Today

The funk movement is alive and well in Los Angeles, with a number of venues and events dedicated to keeping the sound alive. Here are some of the best places to catch some old-school funk in LA.

The Mint

This historic venue on Pico Boulevard has been a mainstay of the LA music scene for decades, and it remains a go-to spot for funk fans today. The Mint frequently hosts Funk Night events, featuring some of the best DJs and live bands in the city.

The Compositeur Club

This intimate club in Koreatown is devoted to all things funk, soul, and R&B. The Compositeur Club hosts regular events featuring both local and touring acts, making it a great place to catch both up-and-coming talent and established performers.

The Catina Laredo

Located in Silver Lake, The Catina Laredo is one of the best spots in LA for Latin-infused funk music. The Catina Laredo frequently hosts live music on its patio stage, making it the perfect place to enjoy some tunes while soaking up some sun.

Funk Music in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a great place to find funk music. You can find it in the clubs, on the radio, and in the streets. There are many different places that you can go to find this type of music. You can also find it online.

The Funk Scene in Los Angeles

Funk music is a style of danceable, upbeat music that originated in African American communities in the mid-1960s. It has a strong rhythm section that plays interlocking grooves and often features horns, guitars, and keyboards. The genre was popularized by James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s.

Although funk music is not as mainstream as it once was, there are still plenty of places to enjoy it in Los Angeles. Here are some of the best spots to enjoy old school funk tunes:

The Mint
This popular club in Hollywood has been hosting live music seven nights a week for over 25 years. The Mint regularly features funk bands, and they also have a regular DJ night called “Mint Condition” that plays classic soul and funk tracks.

The Redwood Bar
Located in Downtown LA, The Redwood Bar is a cozy dive bar with a great selection of beers and a intimate stage for live music. The bar hosts regular DJ nights, including a monthly soul and funk night called “Shake A Tail Feather.”

The Airliner
The Airliner is an indoor/outdoor club located in Lincoln Heights. In addition to hosting regular live music nights, they also have an impressive selection of beers on tap and food trucks parked out front. Be sure to check their calendar for upcoming funk shows.

Spaceland
Spaceland is an intimate live music venue located in Silver Lake. The venue has hosted a variety of different genres over the years, but they currently have several regular funk nights including “Funkmosphere” and “Afroskull Social Club.”

The Best Funk Clubs in Los Angeles

1. The Bootleg Theater

The Bootleg Theater is one of the best places in Los Angeles to catch a funk show. The venue has a intimate setting which allows you to get up close and personal with the artists. The acoustics are also great, so you can really appreciate the music. They often have funk bands from all over the world playing at the theater, so you’re sure to find something you like.

2. The Mint

The Mint is another fantastic option for seeing funk music in Los Angeles. The club has a more relaxed atmosphere than some of the other options, but don’t let that fool you – the music is still great. They often have local funk bands playing, as well as some touring acts. The Mint is definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of funk music.

3. The Troubadour

The Troubadour is one of the most iconic music venues in Los Angeles, and it’s also one of the best places to see funk shows. They regularly have big name funk artists playing at the venue, and the shows are always a lot of fun. If you’re looking for a great place to see some Funk music, the Troubadour is definitely worth checking out.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many ways to find old school funk music in Los Angeles. You can look online, listen to the radio, or go to a local funk music club. By using these methods, you will be able to find the perfect place to enjoy this type of music.