Here's a look at Los Angeles's new spaces open for events this spring. The new and renovated Los Angeles venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings and more.
A note regarding COVID-19: At BizBash, we're still committed to bringing you ideas and inspiration for when (yes, when!) events are back up and running. Some of the venues listed here may not yet be available for hosting events due to the pandemic, or they may be operating at a lower capacity.
Pendry West Hollywood
Pendry West Hollywood, a 149-room property located on L.A.’s iconic Sunset Strip, opened April 2. The stylish space, which also features 40 private residences, includes two eateries from celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck: Merois, a 107-seat rooftop restaurant serving Japanese, Southeast Asian and French/California cuisine, and Ospero, a casual European-style outdoor cafe. Also on site is a 2,300-square-foot ballroom that holds 200 for receptions, a screening room that seats 20, a multipurpose music venue that holds 120, a rooftop pool and bar, and even a 2,840-square-foot bowling alley.
Photo: Courtesy of Pendry West Hollywood
The Bungalow Kitchen
The Bungalow Kitchen, a collaboration between acclaimed chef Michael Mina and nightlife entrepreneur Brent Bolthouse, opened in Long Beach’s Belmont Shore in March. The 10,000-square-foot, bohemian-inspired restaurant and community space was designed by Studio Collective, with a menu of California cuisine inspired by local, seasonal ingredients. For events, there's a variety of spaces including a cozy game room offering a bar and pool table, as well as the Sun Room that features white oak plank walls, a green onyx-topped bar and an adjoining 3,000-square-foot patio. Other highlights include a large fireplace, a balcony, vaulted ceilings, and black and white photos highlighting Long Beach history.
Photo: Courtesy of The Bungalow Kitchen
Vista by 71Above
Earlier this month, the team behind 71Above—a restaurant on the 71st floor of the US Bank Tower skyscraper known for its jaw-dropping 360-degree views—opened a new, open-air patio two floors down, in the Skyspace area previously known for its glass slide. Created as an outdoor dining space for 71Above during COVID-19, the area, now called Vista, features a rotating collection of small dips, salads and snacks. 71Above plans to reopen for indoor dining later this month; event options include two chef’s tables that each seat five people, as well two 16-seat private dining rooms that have their own projector screens, a larger room that seats 34 and a lounge area for 75; full or partial buyouts are also available.
Photo: Courtesy of 71Above
Cha Cha Chá
The sister spot of Mexico City’s Terraza Cha Cha Chá opened in downtown Los Angeles in March. Cha Cha Chá is a colorful, indoor-outdoor rooftop space in the Arts District, serving family recipes from Mexico-born and L.A.-raised chef Alejandro Guzman. Architect Lena Kohl designed a midcentury-modern space that emphasizes the skyline and incorporates 150 plants and a hand-tiled patio. The 11,500-square-foot venue holds 300.
Photo: Wonho Frank Lee
Madre Restaurant & Mezcaleria
Madre Restaurant & Mezcaleria opened its third location in West Hollywood in November. The restaurant from owner Ivan Vasquez showcases elevated Oaxacan cuisine and artifacts, plus more than 400 rare mezcal bottles, billed as the largest collection in the United States. The stylish spot features Indigenous artifacts sourced from Vasquez's bimonthly trips to his home state of Oaxaca, plus artisan wood masks, custom tables made by a Mexican carpenter and a color scheme that evokes agave. Madre also has locations in Torrance and Culver City.
Photo: Courtesy of Madre Restaurant & Mezcaleria
All Season Brewing
Mid-Wilshire’s 83-year-old Firestone Tire Building has been transformed into All Season Brewing, a retro brewery, restaurant and activity venue. The landmarked building spans 13,000 square feet and features a new look from M. Winter Design that aims to preserve as many original details as possible, including the red floors and warehouse windows. The former car service station’s driveway apron is now patio seating, for example; there’s also an on-site brewery, a walk-up location of Chicas Tacos, booths and tables for group gatherings and a variety of vintage games. At full capacity, the expansive space, which opened in February, will seat more than 200 people.
Photo: Wonho Frank Lee
Gigi's
Chic neighborhood bistro Gigi’s opened in Hollywood in November. The 1,800-square-foot space from New York natives Alex Wilmot and Samantha Ressler serves a California interpretation of French cuisine. The venue was designed by Andrew Cosbie and prominent architect Osvaldo Maiozzi (his last project before he passed away last May); design highlights include a playful party scene mural from local artist Andie Dinkin that wraps around the entirety of the dining room. Inside, the main room seats 58 while the bar seats 18; there are an additional 42 seats outdoors.
Photo: Britt Lucas
Radisson Blu Anaheim
The first California location of the Radisson Blu brand opened in Anaheim in October. Located four blocks from Disneyland, Radisson Blu Anaheim features 326 rooms, two pools and a 12th-story rooftop. The property was designed by global firm HKS and features contrasts between light and dark. A unique, family-friendly feature? More than 130 rooms feature bunk beds that can hold up to six guests. The hotel has three restaurants and two bars, including the Firelake Grillhouse & Cocktail Bar, which features 200 seats, 50 of which are outdoors, as well as the 12th floor Blu SkyBar (pictured); both are available for semiprivate events and buyouts. Radisson Blu Anaheim also has two modern boardrooms that can be combined to hold 70 guests, or divided to hold 30 each.
Photo: Courtesy of Radisson Blu Anaheim
ADRIFT Burger Bar
Chef-restaurateur David Myers opened ADRIFT Burger Bar in Venice in November. Aiming to elevate one of America’s most celebrated comfort foods, the simple eatery offers single, double, triple and plant-based burger options, along with an assortment of globally inspired sides and milkshakes. To support the local community, the menu features a “charitable topping” option where guests can add a donation to St. Joseph Center. ADRIFT was designed by Danny Gonzales with muted tones and lush greenery, all inspired by a vibrant Tokyo street. A black and white mural of a dinner party, created by blind contour artist Sophie Kipner, overlooks the patio dining area, while a living wall is filled with succulents in hand-crafted ceramics that guests can purchase and take home.
Photo: Courtesy of ADRIFT Burger Bar
Fairmont Century Plaza
Planning ahead? After a series of COVID-related delays, the highlighly anticipated Fairmont Century Plaza is slated to open in the coming months. A $2.5 billion redevelopment of famed architect Minoru Yamasaki’s midcentury-modern hotel, the renovated space will have 351 guest rooms and 49 suites, all with private balconies. For events, there will be 24,000 square feet of flexible space including the 13,000-square-foot, Yabu Pushelberg-designed ballroom (pictured) featuring an intricate wooden ceiling and a 2,000-square-foot stage. The property will also boast a 14,000-square-foot spa, a rooftop pool and bar, and several dining options, including Lumière, a modern American brasserie.
Photo: Courtesy of Fairmont Century Plaza
