The Vinyl District has made old things fresh again.
According to this theory, neighborhoods experience expansion, stability, decline, and finally revival. California's Hollywood is already in its rebuilding phase.
The neighborhood is experiencing a real renaissance as a result of numerous new openings and comebacks of longtime favorites. The "Vinyl District," a little neighborhood located between Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards, is the best place to see this in action. Due to a tangible spirit that evokes the neighborhood's golden age and celebrates the music and entertainment business that got its start there almost a century ago, it is a place worth revisiting.
According to Grant Smillie, cofounder of The Botanical Group, "Hollywood has come out swinging in 2022, and there are still a lot more properties to come online in the buzzy Vinyl District." Grandmaster Recorders, a 15,000-square-foot restaurant, terrace, and lounge in The Vinyl District, is managed by The Botanical Group.
Grandmaster Recorders maintained its original name, but it has changed significantly from the modest recording studio that was a part of the Hollywood landscape in 1971, according to Smillie. The old recording room where legendary performers and bands recorded has been entirely remodeled to include a new-world Italian dining area, a large rooftop lounge, and 71 Studio Bar.
Grandmaster Recorders isn't the only establishment in Hollywood that's infusing new life to a city that many people believed had lost its sparkle long ago. In October 2022, The Aster, a hotel and private members' club debuted under the Salt Hotels hospitality brand.
"Its location, which is renowned as being in the center of Hollywood, is ideal for us. We are thrilled about all the activity in the neighborhood, including the opening of new hotels, eateries, and entertainment venues, "According to Salt Hotels' founder and CEO, David Bowd, T+L. "Due to local hiring, collaborations, charitable giving, and purchases, all of our properties have significant ties to the community. The Aster will be no different, and we are now developing solid local relationships that will benefit businesses and improve the experience of our members."
Amoeba Music, a Sunset Boulevard fixture for two decades, has also relocated to a new site on Hollywood Boulevard in the Vinyl District, just down the block. The Lighthouse Art Space, where visitors can expect immersive art and music experiences, is giving its former location new life as well.
Hollywood's Vinyl District offers culture and elegance, whether you're planning a trip, a restaurant supper, or a late night of dancing and cocktails at a rooftop lounge. When you do, these are the places to stay, hang out, and eat.
The Vinyl District's Best Hotels in Hollywood
Tommie Hollywood, which will open in December 2021, is designed for the contemporary visitor who values comfort, innovation, and a relaxed atmosphere. With a midcentury California ambiance and city views, the guest rooms and lobby are cozy and practical.
Thompson Luxury hotel Hollywood, with a spectacular lobby and opulent guest rooms created by London-based Tara Bernerd & Partners and construction architect Steinberg Hart, is close to the famous Hollywood & Vine crossroads. The lobby bar and roomy seating areas are accessible from the trellis-covered entryway.
The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood, which debuts in August 2021, features 220 bedrooms, one of LA's largest rooftops, event spaces, bars, and restaurants, as well as interiors created by The Gettys Group of Chicago. A magnificent "I Love You" sculpture at the hotel's entryway is among the interactive custom art-deco items in its carefully curated art collection.
The Aster, a private members' club and hotel named after the local flower of Los Angeles, debuted in October under the leadership of renowned hospitality company Salt Hotels. "The Aster is driven by hospitality and places a big emphasis on the experience of its members and guests. With so many amenities located under one roof, such as a members' lounge, workstation, recording studio, Cabernet area, pool, wellness facilities, and spacious suites, all of which are complemented by excellent service and hospitality, it truly stands out "added Bowd.
Midway through 2017, the Rockwell Group-designed Dream Hollywood hotel on the corner of Selma Avenue and North Cahuenga Boulevard opened its doors. It included an innovative indoor-outdoor lobby, brilliant artwork, a sleek aesthetic, and all of these features. This early arrival to the neighborhood is still a popular option because of its rooftop pool, club, restaurants, and opulent guestrooms and suites.
In 2015, the casual and reasonably priced Mama Shelter LA location debuted, joining other Mama stores across the globe. The 70 rooms, restaurant, and rooftop with panoramic views of Los Angeles are all part of the trendy, amiable, and energetic hotel.
Where to Play, Eat, and Drink in the Vinyl
Three separate experiences are offered at DistrictGrandmaster Recorders: an elevated Italian & Australian-inspired restaurant, a studio cocktail bar, and a rooftop lounge with sweeping views of the Hollywood sign. The building's original use was as a silent cinema theatre in 1920. It was used as a recording studio from 1971 to 2016 when megahits by Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, and other artists were made. Australian Head Chef Blake Shailes delivers a unique new twist on New World Italian cuisine under the direction of an all-star culinary staff.
The Rooftop features comfortable seating, terrazzo tables, and a view that includes the Hollywood sign and shimmering city lights. Rock 'n roll memorabilia and creative cocktails from the ambiance at 71 Studio Bar. Only music released between 1971 and 2016 will be played at the bar as a tribute to the structure's time spent as a recording studio.
With its decor, style, and old movie stills, Bar Lis, a stylish rooftop club and a hotspot for celebrities, evokes the French Riviera. It also features live nighttime entertainment, cocktails, canapés, and a long selection of wines and champagnes. Views of the Hollywood Hills and the city are all around plush sofas with striped fabrics, indoor and outdoor seating, flora, and a fountain with European influences.
The Terrace at Thompson Hollywood offers poolside dining, beverages, and seats beneath vibrant yellow and white umbrellas for the ideal Instagram moment with city views in all directions. The Terrace is open for breakfast, lunch, and late afternoon light fare.
Mes Amis, a brand-new establishment from renowned chef Lincoln Carson, is a brasserie with French influences that captures the lively vibe of establishments along Paris' Grands Boulevards.
Karen, which is located close to Hollywood, is influenced by the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and the Mayan city of Tulum. Wes Avila, a native Angeleno, creates delicacies like Pescado Zarandeado and Nopalito Salad using regional products and historic recipes. The restaurant's outside location, informal food, and specialty drinks create a welcoming tropical atmosphere.
On the rooftop of Tommie Hollywood, Desert 5 Spot recreates the laid-back roadside hangout atmosphere of Southern California's desert villages. The cocktail lounge and indoor/outdoor music venue offer beer, wine, cuisine, "Make it a Cactus" margaritas that serve up to ten, a jukebox, a honky tonk, and an in-house band.
Chef Yoshiyuki Okuno, James Beard Award-winning Chef Consultant Tony Messina, and Executive Chef Enrico Merendino, both of Sicilian descent, are the leaders of Magari, a restaurant that combines Italian and Japanese cuisine. The inventive menu features crude, homemade pasta, and specialties. With outdoor seating, a sizable bar area, and contemporary furnishings, you can find Magari on Sunset close to Gower.
The new restaurant Lemon Grove, run by chef Marcel Vigneron, is named after the lemon groves that historically grew abundantly in the region and celebrates its agricultural roots. The restaurant is situated on The Aster exclusive club and the hotel's spacious rooftop.
Evan Funke's Roman-Italian cuisine is served at Mother Wolf along with opulent décor and the pasta, pizzas, and other dishes that have made Funke's restaurants famous. Highlights on the menu include the carciofi alla giudia (artichokes) and Fiore di Zucca (stuffed squash blossoms) in the Natuzzi (small plates) section. (And if you were curious about the name, Mother Wolf is the mythical wolf who raised Romulus and Remus, the two men who founded Rome; without them, we might not be able to enjoy Funke's delectable Roman cuisine.)
The Hollywood Citizen News local newspaper once called Citizen News is a completely rebuilt art deco structure from the 1930s, home. Its handy position between the Thompson Hollywood and Tommie Hollywood hotels adds to its appeal as a destination for events. The area has been reinvented as a two-level event space and entertainment venue.
The Godfrey Hotel's seventh-floor I|O Rooftop offers both indoor and outdoor space, including a magnificent bar, cocktail lounge, and roomy poolside terrace. Southern Californian cuisine is served in the restaurant and bars ALK (About Last Knife), which is located on the hotel's ground level.
One of the first elegant outdoor rooftop venues to open in the Vinyl District, Highlight Room at Dream Hollywood, has a pool, cocktail bar, and grill with views of the Los Angeles cityscape. Every Friday and Saturday from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., dancing, live performances, and DJ music are available in The Lounge at Highlight Room on the 10th floor of the hotel. Beauty & Essex and Tao Asian Bistro continue to be two of Hollywood's favorite restaurants.
Hollywood's iconic seafood eatery, Providence, is only a mile away. It is run by renowned Los Angeles chef Michael Cimarusti and co-owner and general manager Donato Poto.
Don't miss the pasta, especially the spaghetti all nerano, and don't miss the world-famous pizzas at the nearby L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele of "Eat, Pray, Love" fame, which also serves gelato, wine, and drinks. Later in 2022, the business also intends to branch out to Long Beach, Santa Barbara, and New York.