I didn’t know what to expect walking into WisdomeLA located in the DTLA Arts District. I had heard so much about the place and seen all the photos online — so I was excited for the chance to actually experience the world’s first immersive music and art park in real life. My expectations were high going into the night and were exceeded by the end of it.
Bathtub Gin, the beloved New York speakeasy bar by visionary Dave Oz, has expanded to new heights, “Bathtub Gin LA” in West Hollywood. The new Prohibition-inspired speakeasy channels a Roaring Twenties vibe, with exceptional craft cocktails, a unique G&T menu, an expansive gin selection, unique décor and robust live entertainment. Located at 7174 Melrose Avenue, it is hidden above Stone Street LA, a working all-day café that opened in July and serves as the speakeasy’s “front.”
“Bathtub Gin LA is a dream come true and a celebration of our concept’s 10th anniversary milestone,” says Dave Oz, Owner, Bathtub Gin and Bathtub Gin LA. “LA has long been on my radar and I have many friends here. I saw that cocktail culture was starting to bloom and there was a unique opportunity for a Prohibition era-inspired speakeasy. LA also has an incredible entertainment culture, which resonates with our brand’s DNA. Coupled with the fact that Bathtub Gin has a strong bicoastal clientele, the expansion here made perfect sense. Other cities are in the pipeline, too, so stay tuned.”
With no outdoor signage, guests knock on a discreet door on the side of Stone Street LA. Through a peephole, they are asked for a password. Once inside, they are escorted up a stairway where they are transported back in time to what feels like a secret speakeasy set in a 1920s Hollywood home. Guest privacy is assured through a strict no-photography policy which is great for the celebrities, artists, models, musicians, and business moguls who Bathtub Gin readily attracts.
Bathtub Gin LA’s location in the Melrose Arts District straddles the border between West Hollywood and Hollywood. Melrose Avenue enjoys heavy foot traffic and the residential neighborhood hosts numerous up-and-coming fashion stores, interior design showrooms and art galleries, along with a diverse clientele, much like Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood that is home to the original Bathtub Gin. Centrally located in Los Angeles, it is a destination for a growing roster of on-trend and timeless restaurants and bars, like Mozza, Delilah, Milk Bar, Formosa Cafe, Jones, Umbrella Company, Roger Room, Employees Only and Pink’s Hot Dogs.
Be sure to swing by if you’re ever in Los Angeles. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the celebrities you may see and which guest who had one too many drinks actually end up getting in the tub.
Comedian, actress, and producer Aida Rodriguez takes the stage in the Bronx for her first hour-long stand-up comedy special, AIDA RODRIGUEZ: FIGHTING WORDS, debuting THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4 on HBO Max.
Aida Rodriguez’s first hourlong stand-up comedy special comes at an interesting time — post pandemic, new political administration, heightened awareness regarding racial injustice, and elevated levels of care around touchy topics like gender inclusion. In comedy industry, there is a fine line between hurtful laughter and funny truths that comedians have to walk and Aida did a masterful job at sprinting in her truth. After watching the special Tuesday night (11/2) at a private screening in Downtown Los Angeles, all I can say is “Wow, what a star making performance!”
With her grounded and unapologetic point of view, Rodriguez gets candid about being worn out from political comedy, embracing both sides of her heritage, getting back into the dating game, and so much more. A hilarious, no-holds-barred exploration of identity and family, the special concludes with a documentary of Aida’s travels to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic – a celebration of these vibrant cultures as cameras capture Rodriguez reuniting with her estranged father and paying it forward for up-and-coming comedians.
AIDA RODRIGUEZ: FIGHTING WORDS is written and performed by Aida Rodriguez and directed by Kristian Mercado and Nadia Hallgren. The special is executive produced by Rodriguez as well as Michelle Caputo and Shannon Hartman for Arts & Industry.
Grab some popcorn and get ready to laugh out loud at one of the best comedy specials this year. You can stream AIDA RODRIGUEZ: FIGHTING WORDS, debuting THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4 on HBO Max.
The World’s Largest Pizza Festival, the highly anticipated party of the summer, returned for its biggest celebration to date on Sunday, August 29. This year’s festival benefited Model Citizen and featured carnival-style games and exhilarating thrills which included a giant slip-n-slide, bounce houses, and of course lots of pizza. DJ Irie provided the atmospheric music vibes all night in addition to performances by two of music’s biggest stars.
Where do I start? For starters… let’s get the formalities out of the way.
I have a soft spot in my heart for dogs. As most people would agree, there’s something special about them. Whether its that tender loving feeling you get when they run to you after coming home from a long day’s work or the look they give you during the causal walk around the neighborhood — whatever it is, I like it.
It’s official, live music is back! Even though masks were still permitted to enter the theater, it felt pretty good experiencing live music with a room full of people again.
On Thursday, June 17, Roc Nation recording artist Maeta had her first live performance on a candlelit stage at the iconic Orpheum Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. She performed some stunning R&B covers in addition to songs from her new EP, Habits. She was accompanied by Orchid Quartet (a local string quartet that has performed around the world with Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and other influential artists).
It was a mesmerizing evening featuring some of the greatest songs from the world of R&B. Maeta is just starting off for promising music career but everyone in attendance noticed the star power she has. In time, Maeta’s lovely voice will echo across sold out concert halls around the world.
You can stream Maeta’s new EP, Habits, on all streaming platforms and follow her behind the scenes life on her Instagram: @maetasworld.
Photo Credit = Davey Carlson
On Friday, June 4, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) advocate and Center Without Walls founder Nancy Davis welcomed guests to the Rose Bowl for the 28th Annual Race to Erase MS Gala: Drive-In to Erase MS.
KOSINE hosted a live screening/listening event to celebrate the release of his highly anticipated EP “Truth Serum” at Neuehouse Hollywood. The 9x GRAMMY Nominated Producer and Rapper is solidifying his role as a recording artist with his latest project expressing his personal ideology towards cultural themes around Relationships, Black Lives Matter and navigating the rise + fall of a career.
Something happened on April 24 in Orange County, California that hasn’t happened in over a year: a music festival — specifically the ROSE FEST.