Venues

Opened in June to much public attention is Skyspace from U.S. Bank Tower owner OUE. The space on the building’s 70th floor offers 360-degree views from California’s tallest open-air observation deck, nearly 1,000 feet above Downtown Los Angeles. For events, the 3,500-square-foot private space and bar holds 300 for receptions. The space also connects to the new Skyslide attraction, an all-glass slide from the 70th floor down to the 69th—along the outside of the building. On the 69th floor, there are also two outdoor observation decks facing northwest and southeast, totaling 2,500 square feet.

Partners Beau Laughlin, Brett Cranston, and Jay Milliken opened the seafood-focused restaurant Sawyer in Silver Lake in May. The 2,400-square-foot indoor-outdoor space seats 90 in a U-shape indoors. The high-design space has detailed tile work, butcher-block countertops and tables, modern Windsor chairs, hand-painted wall accents, flowered wallpaper, a large handmade copper door, and floor-to-ceiling windows facing the street. There's also an intimate back patio with olive and birch trees and a fireplace.

The restaurant Paley, which opened in April, marks the first West Coast opening from hospitality group Plan Do See, and takes inspiration from the classic gathering spots of the old Hollywood era. Chef Greg Bernhardt's menu consists of takes on California cuisine influenced by Los Angeles’ multicultural heritage. Named for the age of innovation and artistry shaped by CBS C.E.O. William S. Paley and his wife, the venue is meant to conjure Hollywood’s early radio roots while incorporating elements of the historic 1930s landmark building that was formerly home to CBS. The primarily banquet-style seating can accommodate 150 inside, including the bar seating, and 50 outside. 

Hollywood Park Casino Company is slated to open the new Cary Grant Pavilion at Hollywood Park Casino in the fall, with a target grand opening in October. The casino is part of the developing retail district in Inglewood. Set on nearly 11 acres, the new location has a design by San Diego-based JCJ Architecture, and the casino will span 110,000 square feet. The venue's casual American restaurant, Century Bar & Grill, will have a seating capacity of 210. The casino will have three bars and the Raise Lounge. Meeting space will be available using designated areas in the casino. 

Appropriate for a hotel that caters heavily to a Hollywood industry crowd, Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills debuted a new screening room in June. Adjacent to Culina restaurant, the boutique theater can be equipped with 38 plush leather recliner chairs, all with retractable tables and armrests. The room has a drop-down 14-by-8-foot HD 4k widescreen and DCP-compliant Proscene 1080p, a full 3D projector, and a Klipsch Pro-THX surround sound system.

Opened in May from entrepreneur Sarah Meade, the bar/restaurant Westbound is housed within the Michael Maltzan-designed One Santa Fe mixed-use complex and built on the grounds of the historic La Grande Station passenger terminal. Appropriately, the venue is inspired by travel, paying homage to the romance and luxury of early 1900s railway history. The venue is available for buyout with 68 seats indoors and nine outdoors. Design highlights include leather Pullman booths, reminiscent of a luxury train car, and design elements like a hand-painted, copper-clad bar and Tom Dixon-designed satin brass light fixtures. Outdoors, there’s an olive tree-lined garden patio.

SBE’s Doheny Room opened on Santa Monica Boulevard in May (with a soft opening in April), and features a stylish bar, an eclectic menu of shared plates from chef Danny Elmaleh, and a craft cocktail menu. The vibe is meant to feel like old Beverly Hills, with the venue sprawling across two floors, including both indoor and outdoor space, lush greenery, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The flexible event space designed by David Rockwell is available for buyout with room for 250 for receptions. There are two full-service bars, a DJ booth, and valet parking.

Bowlero Los Angeles, formerly AMF El Dorado Lanes, opened in May. After undergoing renovations, the new concept is a high-end spin on classic bowling, with a vibe that blends retro aesthetic with modern touches. Located in Westchester, the updated 34,000-square-foot venue has 32 lanes for bowling, a new 50-game arcade, vintage-style custom furniture, and an upgraded audiovisual system that includes massive lane-side video walls. Food and drinks come from executive chef Edward Porter. For a full buyout, there's room for 525 people.

Salazar restaurant opened in East Los Angeles in April, offering mesquite-grilled meats and one of the largest patio spaces in the neighborhood. Formerly an auto body repair shop, the restaurant offers a menu from chef Esdras Ochoa, owner of Mexicali Tacos, which was named to Jonathan Gold’s 101 best restaurants list in the L.A. Times. Highlights from his menu include taco de carne asada, grilled mesquite meat in a homemade tortilla, and Arrachera, a staple of the north with skirt steak and salsa vaquero. Beverage director Aaron Melendrez crafts cocktails using Mexican flavors, served in hand-selected glassware. The venue is available for partial buyout for events with 100 seated guests.

Mr. C Beverly Hills hotel refreshed some key event spaces this spring: The 12th floor ballroom nods to Italian style, with handmade Venetian chandeliers, and the refurbishments makes the look more versatile with neutral carpeting, a built-in wooden lacquered bar with silver trimming (which can also be removed), and freshly painted white walls and new white sconces. Additionally, the Venetian-inspired pool deck has undergone a facelift with added banquet seating (each booth holds 10 guests), lush greenery around the perimeters, and a refreshment of the private cabanas and lounge furniture. The palette has gone from maroon and orange to white and soft gray, with loungers and couches by furniture designer David Sutherland. The updated private cabanas feature a residential style, complete with a fridge, plush couch, chandelier, and lacquered bar area.