The Gold Room was one of a string of Sunset Boulevard dive bars - such as El Prado, Little Joy Jr., New Hollyway and The Short Stop - that attracted the loyalty - and ire - of Echo Park residents. Those bars have either closed or been transformed into havens for hipsters. Locals have been debated whether The Gold Room, which was long popular with Latino immigrants and working class drinkers, lost its dive bar status long ago. The bar's owners insist it's still a dive bar despite a recent renovation that left it with more of a lounge-like look, complete with a glowing wall of gold, a new banquette and furniture, sound system and digital jukebox. But what about the free peanuts, tacos and the $4 beer with a shot?***
Don't worry - the prices and specials remains the same, said general manager Lionel Ledezma, who used work down the street at The Echo. "We are just trying to bring out the gold in the Gold Room. I think people are going to love the change."
But things have not changed too much, he cautions. "It still has the vibe of a dive bar."
Posts
the coolest bar in la has been destroyed.
ReplyDeleteMan... The Gold Room was my favorite bar. I'm afraid to go back.
ReplyDeleteThe Gold Room lost me years ago. The glowing wall looks terrible. Total bum out.
ReplyDeleteMe and my friends walked in last night. Not knowing about the renovation. We already miss the booths. Its not ugly, but it doesn't look the same.
ReplyDeleteThe general manager of the Echo?
ReplyDeleteThis bar is ruined.
i don't think it looks awful. why does everyone have to knock it when people make attempts to make places nicer?
ReplyDeletewhere's a real local to go now, damn yuppie puppys...
ReplyDeleteI used to care about good bars going the way of lounges (and diverse neighborhoods turning into american apparel ads) but I've lost steam. It's almost a losing battle at this point. Little Joys has been insufferable for years now, since it's refurb effort.
ReplyDeleteWord to the wise: don't talk or write about the bars you love.
I was there last night with my girlfriend, and the gold room is a nice place to chat with friends. You ask me, I will probably be there this weekend again...
ReplyDeleteThis place originally was a photo studio by the name The Golden Room, I remenber pretty well, family used to go to have their portraits for family wedding etc. Too bad was changed to a bar.
ReplyDeleteThis place was never a Portrait Studio, that studio was down the street. My dad used to go to the Gold Room back in the 70's. I was born and raised in Echo Park, you want to talk about a real local. I now live in West LA, but frequent Echo Park at least 3 x's a month. What I miss most is the Sexy Outfits Lily Used to wear. The new girls do nothing for me.
ReplyDelete