It was a Friday night in Los Angeles, and after a quick nap, I woke up with a burst of energy. I wanted to be outside, but not just anywhere. I wasn’t in the mood for a full-on club. I wanted a spot where I could catch a vibe, sip on a good drink, and vibe to some R&B classics.
Being new to LA, I did what anyone in 2025 does when they’re figuring out where to go: I went straight to TikTok.
Scrolling through, a few options popped up. Some were earlier in the week, others for Saturday nights. But then I landed on one clip that immediately felt like the move: Love Note.
The post said Thursday nights, but after a little digging, I found out they were open Wednesday through Sunday. It was already 9:30 p.m., and with free entry before 11 pm if you RSVP’d, I decided to make it happen.
Love Note is tucked into downtown LA, which means you already know parking is a headache. After finally securing a $20 spot, I was inside before 11. The space itself isn’t massive, but it gives you a New York speakeasy vibe. It’s intimate, which is exactly the point. If you’re looking for a big nightclub with bottle service parades, this isn’t it.
But if you’re looking for a place where the drinks are solid and the music is even better, Love Note delivers.
The DJs that night, Kiara and R A D Gyal, set the room on fire in the most soulful way. From IMX’s My First Time to deep cuts off Chris Brown’s debut album, I felt like I was back in high school, rocking Enyce and fitted caps. The music was nostalgic with sprinkles of newer R&B tracks woven in seamlessly.
Everyone in the room seemed to be locked into their own vibe, but at the same time, there was this collective energy that pulled us all together.
I gotta shout to the bartender. My go-to is a sidecar, and each round got a little stronger than the last. That balance between stiff drinks and smooth R&B kept the night flowing perfectly.
What stood out most, though, was the atmosphere. There was no pretentious energy, no one trying too hard. Just people vibing, singing along, and enjoying the music. It felt like a space designed for the culture, where R&B lovers could come together without the chaos of a traditional club scene.
If you’re looking for a dope Friday night vibe in LA, Love Note should be at the top of your list. The intimate space, the curated R&B soundtrack, and the chill crowd make it a refreshing alternative to a club-heavy scene. Word is their Thursday nights are even better, so I’ll definitely be back to test that out.
For anyone new to LA or just tired of the same old scene, Love Note is proof that sometimes the best nights out aren’t about the biggest crowds or flashiest spots. Sometimes, it’s just about the music and the vibe.
