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."
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