0 Followers
Melody Bar & Grill
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Melody Bar & Grill
8.8
Classic midcentury Westchester bar near LAX with a surprisingly serious burger program, including a steak-blend patty loaded with Gorgonzola and bacon. Locals and airport workers come for half-off burger Mondays, strong drinks, and a lively mix of live music, karaoke, and sports on TV in a space that’s been around since 1952.
Must-Try Dishes:
Melody Steak Burger & Fries, Turkey Burger, Umami Chicken Burger
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A decades-old LAX-adjacent bar where burgers share the spotlight with live music and sports.
Who should go: Travelers and locals craving big burgers and nightlife.
When to visit: Evenings for live music or Monday lunch for half-off burgers.
What to order: Melody Steak Burger, turkey burger, loaded fries.
Insider tip: Hit Monday lunch for half-off all burgers and the best value.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free lot parking behind the building plus ample street parking; both can fill up on live-music nights.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable — jerseys, jeans, and hoodies all fit the sports-bar vibe.
Noise level: Loud during games and live music; moderate earlier in the day.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes, longer during big games or special events.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, even on Mondays when burgers are half off.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: A solid handful of options including veggie burgers, salads, and meatless sides.
Vegan options: Limited — customization possible (hold cheese/mayo) but no dedicated vegan entrées.
Gluten-free options: Burgers can be served protein-style or on a lettuce wrap; fries are typically safe but ask about fryer usage.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a relaxed, no-pressure hangout with strong drinks and lively energy. Not ideal for intimate conversation on music or game nights.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Absolutely — it’s walk-in friendly. Arrive early on weekends or during major sports events to avoid the short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes during daytime and early evening; families often come for burgers. After 9pm the bar vibe gets louder and less suited for young kids.
Best For
Better for: Bigger, bolder burgers, strong pours, live music, and a classic neighborhood-bar atmosphere you won’t get at chain burger spots near LAX.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, craft cocktails, or a gourmet burger experience with refined plating.
Melody Bar & Grill
8.6
A Westchester institution since the 1950s, Melody turns out surprisingly serious BBQ alongside burgers, brunch, and strong drinks. Slow-cooked baby back ribs in bourbon BBQ sauce draw locals, airport workers, and travelers looking for a real meal near LAX instead of terminal food.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baby Back Ribs & Fries, BBQ Rib Grilled Cheese Bites, Pulled Pork Sliders
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Neighborhood bar with legit bourbon-glazed ribs and 6,000+ fan reviews.
Who should go: Travelers and locals craving real food near LAX
When to visit: Weeknights for happy hour or late-night post-flight bites
What to order: Baby Back Ribs & Fries, BBQ Rib Grilled Cheese Bites, Pulled Pork Sliders
Insider tip: Sit on the patio for quicker service and easier conversation than the bar.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free lot parking behind the building plus easy street parking on Manchester Ave; can fill up after 7pm on weekends.
Dress code: Casual—hoodies, jerseys, and jeans fit right in, though you won't feel out of place dressed up a bit for a night out.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud, especially during games; still manageable for conversation on the patio or earlier in the evening.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes during peak games or late-night rush; usually quicker if you’re okay with bar seating.
Weekday lunch: No wait—walk right in.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but available—salads, sides, and a few non-meat appetizers.
Vegan options: Minimal—mostly fries, salads without dressing/cheese, and basic sides.
Gluten-free options: Some items can be made gluten-friendly (like ribs without sauce); no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—if you want a laid-back, no-pressure spot with strong drinks and shareable comfort food. The patio is the best pick for conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Absolutely. Melody is walk-in friendly; just expect a short wait during peak sports events or late-night rushes.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes—daytime and early evenings are relaxed and suitable for families, though late nights skew bar-heavy and less ideal for younger kids.
Best For
Better for: Late-night meals near LAX, casual drinks, and bourbon-glazed ribs that beat most airport-area competitors.
Skip if: You want a quiet, upscale dinner or need robust vegan/gluten-free options.
Melody Bar & Grill
8.6
Steps from LAX, this 1952 bar & grill turns out crispy fries to match its live-music, sports-bar energy. Regulars rave about Gilroy garlic fries and piled-high plates that fuel late nights, happy hour, and pre-flight meetups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gilroy Garlic Fries, Buttermilk Chicken Strips & Fries, Sweet Potato Fries
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 8
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Long-running LAX-side bar marrying live music, sports, and serious fry platters.
Who should go: Night owls, sports fans, and pre-flight drink-and-fries crowds.
When to visit: Evenings for happy hour, live music, and game-day energy.
What to order: Gilroy garlic fries, chicken strips and fries, slider sampler.
Insider tip: Grab a patio table for planespotting while you work through fries.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free on-site lot plus ample neighboring street parking; can fill up on game nights after 7pm.
Dress code: Casual and come-as-you-are; jerseys, travel wear, and comfy layers all blend right in.
Noise level: Lively to loud during live music and games; expect raised voices but pockets of quieter patio seating.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes during peak games or live sets; usually faster for smaller groups.
Weekday lunch: Rarely a wait—walk right in.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—fries galore, salads, and several sides can easily satisfy vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited—basic fries and a few sides work, but toppings often rely on dairy or aioli.
Gluten-free options: Some items are naturally gluten-free (like plain fries), but the fryer is shared; not ideal for strict GF diners.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Great if you want something fun, low-pressure, and lively. Not ideal for intimate conversation, but perfect for a casual get-to-know-you vibe.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Absolutely—it's primarily walk-in friendly. Just expect a short wait during live music sets or big sports events.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier hours are suitable for families, with kid-approved classics like fries and tenders. Evenings can get loud and bar-forward, better for ages 10+.
Best For
Better for: Late-night fries, LAX-adjacent convenience, and a lively mix of music and sports energy that most nearby bars can’t match.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, strict dietary accommodations, or upscale dining—opt for a calmer sit-down spot instead.
Melody Bar & Grill
8.4
A classic Westchester bar near LAX that turns out surprisingly serious burgers deep into the night alongside strong drinks and live entertainment. Locals and airport staff lean on Melody for half-off burger Mondays, late-night kitchen hours, and a rowdy but welcoming scene.
Must-Try Dishes:
Melody Burger, Breakfast Burger, Gilroy Garlic Fries
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 9.3
What makes it special: Old-school 1950s bar that still delivers big, messy burgers until after midnight.
Who should go: Night owls craving lively bar energy and big burgers
When to visit: Late-night after concerts, airport pickups, or weekend games
What to order: Melody Burger, Breakfast Burger, and Gilroy Garlic Fries.
Insider tip: Mondays offer half-off burgers at lunch—great way to sample the menu cheaply.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free parking lot out back plus limited street spots; fills up after 8pm when live music starts.
Dress code: Totally casual—hoodies, jerseys, travel-day sweats all welcome.
Noise level: Loud during games and live music; mellow enough on weeknights to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 10–25 minutes, slightly longer if there's a big game or band playing.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, even on half-off burger Mondays.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: A couple of solid options—veggie burgers, salads, and customizable sides.
Vegan options: Limited but workable—request modifications on the veggie burger and stick to fries and salads.
Gluten-free options: Burgers can be served protein-style; many sides are naturally gluten-free, but no dedicated gluten-free fryer.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—if your date is into casual, lived-in neighborhood charm. It's laid-back, energetic, and great for breaking the ice, but not ideal if you're looking for quiet or upscale vibes.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Absolutely. Melody is walk-in friendly, and even when it’s busy, tables turn quickly thanks to the bar-style setup.
Is it kid-friendly? Before 8pm, yes—families occasionally come for burgers and sports. After that, it skews bar-heavy and rowdy, better suited for adults.
Best For
Better for: Late-night eats, strong drinks, and a no-frills community vibe that outshines more polished competitors near LAX.
Skip if: You want craft cocktails, quiet dining, or meticulously plated gastropub food—this is a classic bar first, burger joint second.