Amplyfi

• Alcohol: None

Description

This cool underground club is hidden in plain sight, right across the street from Paramount Studios and just around the corner from Astroburger on Melrose Avenue at Gower Street. There is no sign, and you have to enter through the back entrance after walking halfway down the block through the alley. Look for the green door surrounded by show flyers, with "AMPLYFI" written in small black letters. The club is the brainchild of the noted singer-songwriter Kota Wade, who, at age 19, opened the intimate venue in January 2011, converting her private rehearsal studio into a public, all-ages performance space. Evoking Hollywood's storied underground music clubs, the cozy venue (with a capacity of 70 people) feels like a hip living room decorated with colorful Pop Art, lava lamps, gold records, mannequins and vintage photos of Jane Fonda. Professional lighting and a good sound system make Amplyfi feel like a real nightclub without losing the charm of its DIY setting. Kota presents a wide range of singer-songwriters, indie-pop musicians and hard rockers, and she sometimes jumps onstage herself. Parking is available on nearby streets, but do not park in parking spaces marked Astroburger, or you'll risk getting towed.