largo is a small, all ages club offering intimate performances by musical artists and comedians. there are no tickets available for largo; you either have a reservation for a table, or you line up before the show to stand. there are probably less than 30 tables in the club. reservations for these precious tables are hard to come by. otherwise, you can stand in the back by the bar. there are a few stools at the bar, but those are even more in demand than the tables. when i say a show is "sold out" on the schedule, i mean that the tables have all been booked up.

if you do manage to get a table, there is a minimum $10 food charge, not including drinks. the food at largo includes appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pasta, chicken, and pizza. (i recommend the honey chicken.) you must get there and claim your reservation no later than half an hour after the doors open (depending on the night, usually at either 8 or 8:30pm). otherwise, they will give away your table. cover is usually between $5 and $15, sometimes more if they have special guests.

to make a reservation, call the reservation line. you will hear a recording with a fast talking irishman telling you about upcoming shows. occasionally, you may get a recording which doesn't take messages. this happens when the answering machine is full, or when it is in use. at the beep, leave your name, the number of people in your party, and your phone number. they will call you back if you got the reservation in on time. if you don't hear back from them within the week, chances are you were too late.

however, don't dispair. to snag a standing spot, line up before the show. the length of the line depends on the show that night. longest wait time for me: 5 hours for a secret neil finn show (edit 11.10.02: make that 8 hours!). and other times, like a jude or glen weekday show when they're doing a residency that month, there's no line at all and i can walk on in at any time. the line for people with reservations starts to the left of the door (going pass the jewish bookstore). the line for those without reservations starts on the right.

once you're in, the show doesn't start till about an hour after doors open. music plays in the background; softly at first, so loud that you have a hard time hearing your table mates as the night gets later. lights are dim, and they get darker as the evening progresses until you can barely see your food. once the show starts, flanagan (the owner) demands rapt attention. no chatting allowed. cell phones - no way. he's been rumored to buy people's dinners so they'll leave if they don't cooperate. this is not a hang out for your buddies with live music in the background. the artists get the full attention here, and it makes for a most wonderful music venue.

best way to find out about upcoming shows? beats me. i'm still figuring that one out. a few suggestions: call and listen to the recording often. get 'in' with people in the know (whoever those are). or snag yourself a monthly calendar. they are available at the front of the club just inside the door. however, they sometimes have special guests not listed on the calendar, and who knows who will show up at jon brion's weekly friday gigs. sheryl crow, aimee mann, fiona apple, neil finn, rhett miller, and beck are just a few who have.

largo is located at 432 n. fairfax avenue, los angeles, california 90036, between beverly blvd. and melrose ave., directly across from canter's deli. there's street parking and a lot (free after 9pm) on the corner of fairfax and rosewood. but if you're late for a weekend show, good luck finding a spot! for dinner reservations, call 323.852.1073.

good luck! and rock on.

some links:
// "forget the velvet rope" - la times //
// "pop puree" - la weekly //
// aimee mann & michael penn article - new times los angeles //
// "white trash wins lotto" article - la weekly //
// "it's not a place, it's an attitude" - sacramento bee //
// "spontaneous combustion" - boston globe //
// "all eyes on the stage" - nytimes //
// "who is jon brion? (and is there anything he can't do?)" - chicago tribune //