One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
This New App Will Tell You If A Bar Is Packed, Dead Or A 'Sausage Fest'
A new app recently launched in Los Angeles aims to tell you which bars are happening and which are, well, not so much. Katie Weinstock and Andrew Wagner-Trugman have created a new app called Roo. This app uses crowd-sourced data to let you know how a particular bar or nightlife spot is at the moment. In that way, it's similar to Waze, where users can report driving hazards, such as traffic conditions or speed traps. These missives are called "roo-ports," and the app definitely skews on the cute side of design.
I downloaded Roo to see what news it had for me. The bar closest to me where I can have the most fun is apparently Sassafras in Hollywood. People have roo-ported that it's frequently busy, and often has live music and dancing. It's rated an 8.9/10 on the fun scale, and that's based on 50 reviews. Bars can be viewed via a map, or you can search for something specific.
When it comes to documenting your own experiences, bars can be rated 'lame,' 'meh,' 'fun,' or 'awesome.' Users can also note if the bar has a line outside the door, live music, dancing, celeb sightings or if the bouncer is making it hard to get inside. You can also choose what type of music is playing, if there are a lot of men or women there, or if the bar has 'chill vibes.' If you're really into it, you can share photos of the bar, too.
This app probably has a lot of practical applications, like finding a bar that has lots of dancing singles if you're looking to meet someone new, or finding a 'chill vibe' spot if you're going out with a friend to catch up.
Roo is currently available for iOS. It's free.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
