ANOTHER “TRUE HOLLYWOOD MAKEOVER” STORY entrepreneur and nightclub owner Tricia La Belle brings legendary Boardners of Hollywood back from the past and into the future with a brand new look!
Boardner's the legendary bar, is firmly back as Hollywood's truly local comfort bar with an addition - The B52 Club. With its new Asian/American menu and a real feel for a true bit of unpretentious nostalgia --- this is one hell of a Hollywood bar!
(PRWEB) July 29, 2004
Through card gambling, prohibition, the depression, the rock n’ roll explosion of the 1980’s and now the Hollywood Redevelopment Project, generations have made their mark on Boardner’s. Hollywood’s constant change and rapid growth seems to evolve around Boardner’s because of its unassuming appearance and low–key atmosphere. Yet you step inside the recently renovated and expanded Boardner’s and a jukebox is playing popular hits just loud enough to bring in a “feel good” mood blended with good conversation.
Boardner’s resides in a historical landmark building, the Cherokee Building which was designed by Norman Alpaugh, also the Architect for the Sheraton Townhouse and Santa Monica’s Elmiro Theater. The Cherokee Building was Hollywood’s first drive-in business having a large motor entrance at the rear of the building where motorists could park, then walk through a Spanish courtyard complete with a Moroccan original tiled fountain which still stands to this day – and marks the center piece of Boardner’s patio. Moorish flourishes, carvings, scrolling ironwork and arched entryways are perfectly incorporated aesthetics of this Hollywood landmark which adds to the beauty of “The Hollywood Boulevard”.
Maintaining it’s old world charm, yet bringing it into the future is all down to Tricia La Belle - a real force to be reckoned with!! A High school drop-out with a GED at 17 Trish proudly says “My s...t didn't stink… but then, I learned some lessons”. First, as a runway model in NY and then by arriving in Los Angeles in ’89 from her family home in Connecticut to “become a star” and live with her rock~star boyfriend. But by the mid-nineties however, she realised that this wasn't going to be so easy, went back to school and graduated with Honors - ready to take on the world!- Hollywood in particular!
From numerous entrepreneurial journeys since the age of 12 including acting and modeling and becoming a certified paralegal, and even club promoter - she now finds herself the proud owner of a Hollywood nightclub, and not just any nightclub by the way, BoardnerÂ’s is a Hollywood Institution in terms of bars! AND sheÂ’s kicking some ass! After working with the agency ICM, and a few of LA's 'slick' entertainment law firms she had refined her razor sharp tongue - only to wish them all well and embark on a new career!
Now a 17 year resident of California, and director on the Los Feliz Improvement Association, she’s got the attitude very much of a “been there done that… now lets’ get something done” kind of a chick!
In 2000 she became partners with David Hadley in the Boardner’s Business “which was an opportunity” she jokes, “for a complete nut willing to take on 24 hour drunks, and dig out the 'dirt' dumped on the place for over 60 years since 1942!” She‘s currently convincing Hollywood that Boardner’s has cleaned up nicely. With the help of a fat SBA loan and a bit of both Dave’s and her own hard earned cash, together they are meeting the demands of today’s party goers, and “Hollywood-ites.”
Following a major make-over & expansion... constant staff polishing & overhauling the kitchen too many times to count... she’s just brought in a new Executive Sushi Chef Mr. Ed Arai from Twist at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel. Celebrity Chef Ed has just finished designing their ‘new look’ menu marrying his own secret recipe Asian-twist delights with regular American bar food and together they are introducing a whole new concept in late night eatery – as Chef Ed says “I’m going for a combination of Asian influenced food with the Ultimate American Bar Food”! Part of the new Hollywood underground bar/nightclub scene -- AND not a clipboard in sight!
Now not everyone likes Sushi or Asian food…but stop by Boardner’s any night between 7:00 – 2:00am and you just might change your mind! There’s an original, eclectic mix of nostalgia, goth, rock & roll, and alternative designer-Asian cuisine mixed with traditional bar food taking place here in a unique yet comfortable atmosphere.
“The plan at Boardner’s is to take a vintage Hollywood Venue and mix it with the new school style of cuisine by marrying high quality Asian and American cuisine and creating the ultimate bar foods”, says Tricia. By using exotic ingredients and marrying both sushi, salads and cooked entrees Chef Ed uses new ideas composed within old classics! The new kitchen menu features, the Dinner Menu, the Late Nite Noshing menu and a “Chef Special” menu.
Most recently Ed was the Executive Sushi chef for 2 years at “Twist” in the Renaissance Hotel @ Hollywood and Highland. Here he designed food “on-the fly” for VIP customers and worked without a menu! Known for his tempura black hot special sauce and refreshing seaweed salad, Chef Ed has grown accustomed to creating the designer “off the menu” one-of-a-kinds for his celebrity customers who range from Jimmy Kimmell to Pamela Anderson. His huge following brings in the celebrity crowds, and VIP’s alike follow him wherever he goes. Before this, he was working for Wolfgang Puck’s new restaurant The Logia at The Highlands.
Along with Boardner’s already notoriously classic and Stiff cocktails like Martinis and Manhattans, Chef Ed will serve up a meal to delight. “Most people don’t want to think about the food” he says, especially if they are unfamiliar with Sushi and he finds using his own feelings to describe the food, works better than a menu.
“Eventually I just stopped using a menu and I’d say to my guests why don’t you just let me cook for you? 100% of the time, most people would say – "great, let’s do it!” Prior to this he has a background working for Wolfgang Puck as a Sous Chef in the Asian kitchen “Loggia” at the Highlands nightclub. “That restaurant was a mix of Japanese, Chinese, and Spago” says Ed. On occasion he still helps Wolfgang Puck on special events like the Academy awards. In fact he’s catered everything from the Nissan open, to movie star dinners, private celebrity dinner parties of 30 – to even 30,000 at the Rose Bowl and there’s more to come. He came from the RIX sushi restaurant in St. Monica.
His first “food tasting event” and Boardners Open House just took place on July 14th and was a huge success. By popular demand they are repeating it again on Wednesday August 11th from 8.00 pm – 12 midnight with ecclectic rotations from various DJ’s! It was a very tasty and fun occasion for all those who attended. Mouth watering and generous plates of special hors d'ouvres were circulating all night and people were literally running after the Boardners waitresses and standing eagerly near the kitchen door awaiting more! For further details on August's event please visit www. boardners. com and RSVP below soon to reserve your space.
In addition, to what had started out as a pastime with an ex boyfriend, BoardnerÂ’s has now become Tricia's full time career since she created Bar Sinister @ BoardnerÂ’s - a very dark edgy alternative nightclub now in it's 6th year of success...!
You’ll only find this seductive event, Bar Sinister, on Saturday nights at Boarder’s B52 Club. You enter through the discreet candle-lit alley and find yourself in a whole other world. Like a fantastic futuristic trendy scene from the Matrix lies an eclectic mix of hardcore, alternative and underground movers and shakers – “The Studio 54 of the Millenium” say Tricia proudly - “a kind of a dark, edgy, industrial, sultry, but mature fetish night, that combines music of your darkest dreams from NIN to Rammstein, Curve, Die Form to Siouxsie & Depeche Mode – with a kind of Vampy~Jean Paul Gaultier - style fashion! - And some of the clientele who attend weekly range from true Los Angeles business professionals like attorneys, designers and doctors to Disney executives and celebrities - an extremely diverse crowd!”
There’s an outside patio-courtyard under the stars which showcases live bands weekly and allows for whatever your vice; while DJ’s MJ Tom, Wednesday of KSPC 88.7 Radio & John Koviak rotate edgy-alternative underground goth~rock beats. Bella Butterflies Taunt and Teaze from on top of the bars and upstairs in the Loft enjoy the Tainted Playroom “for all your twisted Pleasures!” says Tricia “it’s definitely a night to see and be seen!”
As Trish herself says “I am EXACTLY what your so called “cool” clubs in LA want to be - and for those who know about Bar Sinister, they’ll agree it's just plain cool! and…the Hilton Sisters are nowhere in sight!” (Oh those poor girls - what they’re missing!)....
Boardner's and the B52 Club are the perfect settings for film wrap and record label parties – Recently they hosted the Official Sanctuary Record Release Party for Ministry, including an in-person schmooze with the band members signing autographs, and live soul showcase with artist Rick Fante hosted by EMI Records to name but a few.
BoardnerÂ’s & The B52 ClubÂ’s history and ambience makes it the perfect party place! In fact this past weekend marked the 6th year anniversary party for BAR SINISTER @ THE TAINTED PLAYROOM.
The infamous Saturday Night Club Bar Sinister @ Boardners just celebrated itÂ’s 6th year anniversary on July 24th at Boardners in Hollywood with a special intimate performance by Faith & The Muse and special guest DJÂ’s rotating all night. Entering through the discreet candlelit alleyway - which has become the trademark of the Bar Sinister night, guests received a flute of complimentary champagne on arrival, and giveaway goodies all night including the annual collector Sinister Panties! Theperfect way to start an evening of decadence while heavy-handed bartenders served up notorious potent Sinister Elixirs such as the famous Moulin Rouge, Absenthe and Bar SinisterÂ’ s own signature shots - Vampire Vodka Blood Shots and Red Headed Sluts!
It was completely packed out!!! While other Hollywood clubs are struggling to keep going for even a year, Bar Sinister sets the records for maintaining a consistant turnout weekend after weekend. The party night was sponsored by MALIBU RUM and BEEFEATER WET and the event definitely made a few heads hallucinate! Bar Sinister has fast become the place to be seen - it's the alternative galactica of our society!
Yes Madam La Belle – We have to agree - Boardner's truly is an Institution worth reckoning with. Boardners is Back! And it’s here to stay. Come check it out for yourself one night - you won't be disappointed.
BAR SINISTER INFO:
Only on Saturday nights! BAR SINISTER - A Dark Hollywood Decadence for All Your Alternative Pleasures & by a kiss or a whip! -- down the Candle-lit Alley Hardcore Alternative Underground-Edge Nightclub The Studio 54 of the Millenium. Dark, Industrial; Sultry; Fetish; combining music of your darkest dreams from NIN to Rammstein, Die Form to Curve with Jean Paul Gaultier-style fashion victims! A one-of-a-kind venue not to be missed!
With alternative celebrity showcase performances weekly and a Tainted Playroom for all your Twisted Pleasures!. Alternative symphonies spun by Dj s MJ Tom, Wednesday of KSPC 88.7 Radio & John KoViak - as Bella Butterflies Taunt and Teaze from atop the bar. A definite night to see and be seen at! House Elixirs: Absinthe (or Absente as known in the US) & Vampire Vodka Blood Shots, Moulin Rouge and the potent Red Headed Slut! along with $4 bartender's specialty shots all night!
Strict Dress Code Enforced>> Upscale Black, Gaultier-style, Alternative, Fetish or Futuristic
COVER: $10 www. barsinister. com
Tel: 323.769.7070
Www. barsinister. net
BOARDNERS & THE B52 CLUB ARE LOCATED AT:
1652 n. cherokee avenue
Half block south of Hollywood Blvd, on the East side of the street. Cherokee runs north/south. Entrance to Bar Sinister is through the candle-lit alley into Boardner s B52 Club.
Http://www. boardners. com (http://www. boardners. com) Tel: 323.462.9621
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