Tag: bars in Downtown LA

Celebrating the Holidays in Style at the Biltmore Gallery Bar

Just walking through the doors takes your breath away. The majestic columns, the frescos on the ceilings, the ornate chandeliers, the exquisite details dripping in gilded gold embrace you in elegance as you enter the Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles.

This historic downtown hotel is always a feast for the eyes and one of my favorite places to visit. Built in 1923, the hotel offers a variety of features from ballrooms to the spectacular Rendezvous Court (which hosts afternoon teas I previously wrote about, see here.) The Biltmore’s beauty has served as a backdrop for multiple movies and television shows.
Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles.

I stopped in for cocktails at the gorgeous Gallery Bar recently. The golden grace of this bar is something to behold. A long granite bar flanked by golden angels serves up a sophisticated cocktail list to hotel guests and local residents to come and be steeped in Hollywood history and glamor. You can also order light fare to nosh on in secluded leather banquettes, or lounge in the adjacent to the Cognac Room with its comfortable couch seating area.

Biltmore Gallery Bar

It’s a perfect place to put on your best vintage and celebrate the holidays. During the month of December, the hotel is all decked out in Christmas trees, garland and sparkles. The lobby itself is a winter wonderland of Christmas trees and a golden throne surrounded by nutcrackers for that perfect holiday selfie.

I sipped on a delicious Mango-Cucumber Cosmopolitan as I watched several scenes of people enter the bar, including a birthday party, a formal wedding party and an entire flight crew in full uniform taking photos under the giant Christmas trees.

Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles.

Don’t miss an opportunity to go there for your next special occasion and take in the atmosphere, a good cocktail and people watching!

What I Wore

The evening called for some Christmas color so my green vintage, estate-sale find was the perfect dress. I love the light, flowing fabric of this 1930’s era frock with padded shoulders and art deco-style accent on the front pockets. I paired it with some texture via leopard faux fur purse and my trusty Mary Jane heels.

vintage holiday OOTD

What to Wear

Celebrate the holidays in style with an outfit that brings back the elegance of bygone eras. This navy wiggle dress is chic and svelte with a 1940’s silhouette and dramatic (removable) snowy white faux fur collar. It’s perfect for New Year’s Eve celebrations or those office holiday parties – you’ll be the one who brings the glamor! Plus it’s versatile enough to wear anytime. Pair it with white heels with mesh side panels topped with beaded floral and rhinestone detail. Hold your essentials in a beaded, shell-shaped evening bag. Click the links to shop* this look.

vintage holiday OOTD

The Millennium Biltmore Hotel is located at 506 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071

 

Photo of the Gallery Bar courtesy of The Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles.

Here’s to holiday cheer!
Kastle

*Disclosure

Email Signup Button

Tags: , , , ,

Tag: bars in Downtown LA

Retro Glam Style at General Lee’s

k150_28Stiletto_City_heel_iconSZDLooking like one of those bars you have to be in-the-know about, General Lee’s is subtly tucked into Chinatown Plaza, with a tiny neon sign above the doorway. Enter and you’ll find two floors to explore. Tiki-style palm frond upholstery jazzes up the conversation-inducing seating arrangements as part of the Asian-influenced interior design by William Edwards. Expert mixologists behind the venue’s two bars will keep you enticed with creative libations crafted with clever ingredients.

General Lee Bar

The bar itself has quite a history, its name pays homage to General Lee’s Chinese restaurant, which occupied the space from 1878 to 1985, which was a favorite spot of Frank Sinatra, Gary Cooper and Judy Garland.

It’s now known as a favorite watering hole for those seeking interesting cocktails and an old school vibe. The venue also hosts occasional live DJs.

What I Wore

The night I went, the world was still reeling from the passing of David Bowie, so I decided to put together an outfit to pay tribute the best way I knew how – with fashion. Drawing from one of my favorite films, “The Hunger,” I channeled Bowie’s immortal lover Miriam (played by Catherine Deneuve) with a mix of seductive retro glamour and sophistication. A sparkly, low cut , three-quarter sleeve wiggle dress provided some sexy retro glam style with spiky stilettos and fishnet stockings. I added a vintage purse with a bit of fringe trim, and the look was completed with a black pillbox hat and veil that Miriam would surely favor, and marked my mourning for the great Starman.

ootd retro glam style

retro glam style accessories

Dressing Retro Glam

To bring some retro glam style to your look, think bling and sophistication. A little sparkle in your outfit or accessories, such as this bedazzled retro style evening bag, helps you get your glam on without overdoing it. A sleek silhouette, such as this cap sleeve wiggle dress in a deep green hue, will up your game. Fishnet stockings bring just the right amount of sexy. Then top it off with a veiled hat or fascinator for just the right amount of drama. Click the links to shop* this look.

Retro Glam Style

 

Now go out and be glamorous!

General Lee’s is located at 475 Gin Ling Way, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Style on,
Kastle

Shag Store photos courtesy of the Shag Store.

Photos edited with PicMonkey*. Get it!

*Disclosure

Tags: , , , , , ,

Tag: bars in Downtown LA

Swing Dress Style to Heart Clifton’s Cafeteria

k150_28Stiletto_City_heel_iconSZDWe waited for it. Word spread throughout Los Angeles a few years ago that Clifton’s Cafeteria would be undergoing a massive renovation and reopening.  Finally, in the fall of last year, Clifton’s double doors ushered in a new era – and it did not disappoint! With it’s all encompassing design full of intrigue and whimsy, it’s a place to be whether you are out for a casual meal or fancy cocktails. It quickly became the largest jewel in the crown of a revitalization-in-progress in Downtown LA’s Historic Core.

Clifton's Los Angeles

Originally opening in 1935 and decorated in the style of the Brookdale Lodge, where founder Clifford Clinton spent much of his childhood, Clifton’s was known as the world’s largest cafeteria and attracted everyone from luminaries such as Walt Disney, to blue collar workers, to the depression era’s down ‘n’ out who were welcomed with the policy of, “pay as you wish.”

The new Clifton’s retains much of the quirky charm of the original, including a forest theme featuring a five-story redwood tree sprouting right through the middle of the venue, as well as waterfalls and charming bridges, and winding, cavernous paths dotted with taxidermy wild animals – a tribute to founder Clinton’s love of hunting (though if you hold your phone over the nearby plaques, you’ll hear about wildlife conservation efforts.)

Clifton's Los Angeles

Under the carefully guided vision of its latest owner, Andrew Meieran (known for his stunning creation of the Edison Bar), the new Clifton’s has three floors to explore with a bevy of treats for the eyes and belly. The Cafeteria is located on the first floor with classic foods from pizza to pie to Jell-O. On the second floor is the Monarch Bar where you can socialize in elegant style under the giant redwood tree and take your trays of food up to the many tables and chairs and nooks and crannies to dine with your peeps. On the third floor is a Gothic Bar, which offers dramatic style. More rooms and bars are expected to open in the near future including a Tiki Bar, which my little circle of friends are quite excited about! 

What I Wore

I went to meet friends for Valentine’s weekend cocktails so I felt a frothy, feminine vintage-style swing dress was in order. I’ve always considered myself a pencil skirt, wiggle dress kind of girl but with some recent purchases of a full circle skirts and dresses, I’ve been enjoying the new silhouette. Pair it with a voluminous petticoat and you have a classic ‘50s heartbreaker, such as this look I put together with a red, floral swing dress and black petticoat peeking out to accent the pattern. Some delicate, vintage-inspired earrings and black pumps completed the look – and a rose from my sweetie!

OOTD valentine swing dress style

 

How to Have Swing Dress Style

You’ll feel like the belle of the bar in a swing dress with a fun print and a frothy petticoat underneath like this dress in hot pink with white polka dots. Add a white petticoat to compliment the print and you won’t be able to help but sway bath and forth like sweet Sandra D. in “Grease.” Some classic pumps will take you higher and balance the look with ultra girl appeal. Click the links to shop* this look.

 

swing dress style

If you’re in LA, you simply must check out Clifton’s Cafeteria, have a drink and enjoy their “cabinet of curiosities!”

Clifton’s is located at 648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014

We heart you Clifton’s!
Kastle

Photos edited with PicMonkey*. Get it!

*Disclosure

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Tag: bars in Downtown LA

Getting Nutty at the Edison in Punk Pinup Fashion

k150_27 Stiletto_City_heel_iconSZDIt’s not often I venture out clubbing on a weeknight but every once in a while the stars align for a cool event at an early enough time that I can still get my beauty sleep.

The Edison is one of my favorite bars in Downtown LA for the visual pleasure alone. Featuring award winning interior design by Andrew Meieran, the nightspot is located in the subbasement of the historic Higgins Building and retains the architectural and mechanical artifacts of the original space that served as Downtown LA’s first private power plant. The design works around industrial generators and furnaces lavishly layered with a combination of art nouveau touches and gothic textures and lit in deep shades of gold and red. It just feels decadent and elegant at the same time. Check out the scene:

The Edison, Downtown Los Angeles

edison3

The bar often features live music and performances that fit the atmosphere in the form of cabaret, burlesque and jazz acts. On this particular night I went down to see the band Nutty, who call themselves a “hard-swingin’ octet” who create jazz arrangements around classic pop and rock song performed with the swagger and style reminiscent of the Rat Pack. I especially liked their versions of “Ballroom Blitz”, “Detroit Rock City” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday.”

Nutty at The Edison, Downtown Los Angeles

Singer Sonny Moon definitely got looser as the night went on the and the drinks went down, dancing with the girls on the dancefloor and struttin’ his stuff on stage. His cocky character fit the bill perfectly and got a few laughs when he stopped in the middle of their version of “Knights In White Satin” to do a little spoken word read from “The One Hour Orgasm.”

What I Wore

For the night I decided to do my own outfit mashup of punk pinup fashion, combining a vintage dress, retro hair, studded belt and spike earrings. My gal pal Eva went for a vintage Polynesian look and sampled the bar’s fantastic cucumber cocktail.

Vintage Punk Pinup

spike earrings

vintage tiki look

 

How to Dress in Punk Pinup Fashion

Punk and Pinup style seem to be go well together. I know lots of pinup girls who love punk rock as well as rockabilly and both looks go to the extreme in their subculture aesthetics. For a look of punk pinup fashion, try pairing a sweet, retro dress like this floral one or search for a vintage dress on Ebay. Juxtapose punk accessories with it to toughen it up. Here, a studded black belt plays off the grey tones in the floral print for an edgy fashion statement. A leather barbed wire accented bracelet cuff toughens the look further. For shoes, slip on some classic black pumps with studs to continue the punk theme that says you’re a rocker chick with an elegant touch. Then carry all your necessities for the night in a black, leather-style purse with silver chair detail. (Click the links to shop* the look!)

Punk Pinup Fashion

 

Try out this fun fashion statement next time you head to the bars in downtown LA or wherever you are!

The Edison is located at 108 W 2nd St #101, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Check the website for upcoming events.

Go get nutty,
Kastle

 

Photos edited with PicMonkey*: fearless photo embetterment. Get it!
*disclosure

Tags: , , , , ,