Business, Not Pleasure
L.A. has some fabulous hotel bars. The happening lobby lounges at the SLS Hotel and Palihouse offer quirky-glam surroundings and beautiful people, while the Chateau Marmont bar is essentially a private club for L.A.'s top tastemakers.
So when the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott hotels debuted downtown this spring — jointly inhabiting that hulking new skyscaper next to L.A. Live — you'd think they would have taken more pains to infuse personality into their watering holes.
But what each of the four hotel bars (three at the Marriott, one at the Ritz) lacks in charisma, they somewhat make up for in slick, sterile functionality — which, truth be told, is sometimes what we're in the mood for.
While these aren't the spots to guzzle tequila with your hipster pals, the bars boast an inclusive corporate vibe — ratcheted up slightly by stylish decor. Don't have tickets to the Lakers game, but want to be in the vicinity for the big win? These are your joints. Need to take a client to a downtown spot that's nice but not intimidating? Stop on by, babe.
We skipped the daytime-y pool bar and the too-bright lobby bar — both at the JW — but checked out the Ritz' WP24 Lounge and the Marriott's Mixing Room. Here's what we discovered...
LOUNGE U.S.A.: The Mixing Room at the JW Marriott.
The Deal: WP24 Lounge is an extension of Wolfgang Puck's WP24 Asian-fusion restaurant, which is right next to the bar, but still separate. The Mixing Room is adjacent to the JW Marriott's lobby bar. So yes, there are two lobby bars. Super confusing.
The Scene: You could be in any major city perched on a leather-ette stool in either bar. But WP24, at least, has a view worth the 24-floor elevator ride, panning across downtown's glittering financial district. The cast of characters in the Mixing Room was heavily male — and, from the looks of it, just passing through (think khakis and button-downs). Electro muzak ran like a mindless river behind it all.
But the small crowd at the much-more-intimate WP24 felt more L.A. A few hip couples and a trio of 40-something girlfriends joined a smattering of young, stylishly dressed solo artists bellying up to the bar. It's a touch more rock up here — Lenny Kravitz, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and U2 provided the soundtrack.
The Visuals: Lots of steel and glass. But the Mixing Room's wall of windows looks out onto a patio with oversized seats that — boardwalk-style — frame one of the L.A. Live complex's main walkways (this feels very Disney, with huge lit Coca-Cola billboards clouding any potentially organic views). WP24 is miles more subtle — but no less bachelor-oriented with its Modern marble-topped tables, big-screen TVs and gray walls.
DISNEY LITE: The veranda of the Mixing Room at the JW Marriott backs up to the L.A. Live complex.
The Dress Code: Anything goes if you're hanging with your crowd. But if you're looking for a love (or lust) connection, keep to more conservative garb. Ladies were in skinny jeans and simple cocktail dresses (all with heels), while the guys who weren't in Dockers chilled in Levi's and nicer tees.
The Hot Seat: Any of the window seats at WP24, and — depending on your mood — either the veranda or the bar at the Mixing Room. You can peep the room's scene from either position.
The Drink: Asian-themed cocktails ($14 each) abound at WP24, including the Pearfect Martini (made with Pear Absolut), the Dragon's Fire (crafted with tequila, jalapeno and grapefruit) and the Lychee Martini. The Mixing Room's bevvies are cheaper ($10) and read like a spa menu, i.e. the Cucumber Gin Martini and the Vanilla Jasmine.
The Door: Non-existent — this is Corporate America, Kiddo. But you'll have to mind your watch. The Mixing Room is open until 1 a.m. every night, but WP24 closes down at around 10:30 on weeknights and 11:30 on weekends.
The Parking: There's a spanking new public parking lot on Georgia Street (which intersects Olympic, where the complex is located), that charges $5 for the first two hours...you really shouldn't be there longer than that. Forget about street parking; it's sparse around L.A. Live.
The WP24 Lounge and The Mixing Room inside the Ritz-Carlton and the JW Marriott, respectively; 900 Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles.