Try these nine ideas for entertaining groups, whether the occasion calls for an intimate venue or a large one.
Private Rooms
Mid-Size: The new Andaz West Hollywood hotel has an acclaimed restaurant known as RH, where an open kitchen serves southwestern French food made with farm-fresh ingredients. In an adjacent private space known as the wine gallery, bottles line the walls. The 62-square-foot room seats 25 for a meal.
For a Bigger Group: One of the final pieces of the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills’ $33 million renovation project is Culina, Modern Italian, where a private room holds 40 and a semiprivate glass-enclosed room seats 10. The airy new restaurant has indoor and outdoor dining and a bar and lounge area with an interactive crudo bar.
Intimate: Inside the custom European kitchen at the Montage Beverly Hills, an intimate chef’s table for 12 overlooks the adjacent Beverly Cañon Gardens. Groups can have pre-dinner drinks in the portico, followed by an intimate meal served on signature china, with silver, glassware, and custom linens. The executive chef handles the table, offering five to six menus along with hors d’oeuvres, cheese presentations, and dessert options; custom menus are also available.
Bars & Lounges
Mid-Size: Although the name Tar Pit might conjure kitsch, it is actually a luxe Art Deco-inspired bĂ´ite with ornate chandeliers, mirrored walls, and leather banquettes. The new project from Mark Peel and Audrey Saunders offers artisanal cocktails, bar fare, and a full menu. Tar Pit is available for buyouts for events, but there are no private rooms. The space can seat more than 90 or hold about 150 for receptions.
For a Bigger Group: Station Hollywood, at the W Hollywood Hotel & Residences, is a bilevel outdoor bar and lounge named for the nearby Metro Red Line stop. The menu offers handcrafted seasonal cocktails and small plates. Decor includes dark woods, landscaping, and two fire pits. There’s also a 600-square-foot retractable projection screen.
Intimate: Porta Via owner Peter Garland opened the Bar Room adjacent to his restaurant. Designed by his wife, Jill Garland, the Bar Room offers cocktails, beer, and wine along with small plates of popular Porta Via dishes in an upscale, pub-like setting. The space is available for buyout starting at $5,000, and the total capacity is 80.
Restaurants
Mid-Size: Upper West is a new restaurant in Santa Monica serving modern American cuisine. As its name implies, the design for the venue is meant to evoke New York, with 28-foot ceilings, an open kitchen, and urban-rustic decor that channels loft life. Upper West has a 27-foot bar with high tables, couches, and a substantial list of specialty cocktails. In addition to its main dining room, there is an 800-square-foot patio. Upper West is available for buyout, with room for 125 for a seated event.
For a Bigger Group: Officially opened in May in Culver City, Waterloo & City’s main dining area and patio seat 145 guests; the bar seats 30. The venue is available for full buyout on a case-by-case basis, with preference given to daytime events. Groups of as many as 15 may dine in a semiprivate section of the restaurant.
Intimate: Tiger officially opened in Beverly Hills in April. The sushi restaurant is available for buyout with a total capacity of 100. Design firm iCrave is behind the natural, wood-filled look of the venue, which serves what it calls “post-Asian” cuisine, meaning new dishes that strive for innovation alongside well-known classics. The menu includes traditional sushi rolls, signature rolls, robata, and other hot and cold dishes.
