downtown’s next sultan of nightlife plans his siege
With the launch of Crocker Club nearly under his belt, nightlife aficionado and lifelong Angeleno Vincent Terzian looks back at his 17-year career in the bar business.
“I spent most of my time before coming Downtown running private clubs in Hollywood,” recalls Terzian in a recent interview with angelenic. “Downtown has become my focus because I’m a firm believer of our city and anything pertaining to its revitalization.”
Sure enough, his first independent venture, helmed under the legal entity Five Five Endeavors, is preparing for its close up underneath 5th and Spring — a sophisticated lounge concept poised to rival the best venues in the city and lure scene-seekers from all over the five county region.
Terzian, a calculated businessman who chooses his moves carefully, understands the heightened profile the success of Crocker Club could bring to him — in fact, he’s banking on it.
Plans to follow up with at least five more establishments in Downtown over the next several years are in some stage of development or negotiation — the seeds of a nightlife empire in the making. If all plans are carried out, Terzian would unseat Downtown veteran Cedd Moses as the only major player in town, possibly creating a competitive scenario where concept innovations are pushed to the limit.
Indeed, the president and CEO of Five Five Endeavors already has a tactical plan in place, hinging on originality.
One of the first to debut next, a martini and crepes bar described as “the first reservation-only martini bar in Los Angeles” may join Restaurant Row near the corner of 7th and Hope.
Other business models in development by Terzian include a steakhouse, catering hall and “outdoor” bar, all of which expect to appear in unique locales across Downtown — a promise already well endorsed by his upcoming bank vault retreat. Talks are ongoing to secure the various locations, one not far from his current place on Spring Street.
By far the most provocative, however, is a themed hangout based on one of Britain’s most familiar icons. The only hint — locations to house such an endeavor may be hard to come by. Early samples of what’s in store indicate this may be a career-defining investment.
Though whether or not he can pull it off, remains unseen.
8 comments
“martini and crepes bar ”
The only reservation only martini bars I know about are Death and Co and Milk and Honey in the EV and LES of Manhattan. Milk and Honey’s reservations only policy is so natural and fitting. It isn’t a gimmick. The owners wanted true cocktail aficionados to enjoy their cocktails in a refined environment. Are there that many true cocktail-hounds in this city to warrant reservations only?!
Crepes with cocktails?! Hmm.
Another steakhouse?! Nic N Stef’s, pacific dining car, arnie mortons, palms, etc.
He has a lot of ideas. I don’t know how many he can make stick, but I love the enthusiam and originality. I will definitely root for him.
i think its great that he is willing to invest that type of money in revitalizing downtown. All it takes is for several businesses of this magnitude to continue to keep the downtown momentum going.
Based on the fact that this crocker club space has taken 3 years to open, maybe we can expect terzians empire to actually exist in 2025. This guy has been doing private clubs for 17 years? Has he done one legitimate club we can go to experience his expertise?? Can you write an article about the next nightclub king without even finding out exactly what he’s done in the past?? I know a lot of people with big plans in the bar business…..doesn’t mean they deserve coverage like this. This sounds like like eater style bashing to me.
Wasn’t there a reference to the Stock Exchange reopening on an earlier Angelenic post? I can’t seem to find it now.
death and co. is not reservations only. but it is considered a “speak easy” style bar with no signage (sorta like the doheny, but public). fantastic drinks. and i agree that while this guy might not be a nightlife tsar just yet, anyone who is willing to put their money where their mouth is in the future of downtown is ace in my book (as long as they remember this simple credo: downtown is not hollywood!! )
Ummm someone help me out here..
where is that picture in LA. it looks cool
and Does Downtown La Have Upscale Shopping.. and why is that I came from Boston a year ago and no one of my family ever bother taking me Downtown.
until i went myself..it reminds me a little back east.. just dirty though..
“Does Downtown La Have Upscale Shopping”
LA has beverly center, roberston, melrose, W. Third, and beverly hills for extremely upscale shopping. The grove, americana at brand, H&H, century city, west side pavilion, third st promenade, and a hand full of small streets here and there all offer TONS of shopping. Probably more shopping in those areas, than a 60 mile radius around the entire Boston area combined. That being said, there are so many shopping opportunities in LA, that DTLA has to compete with some SERIOUS shopping options. LA’s surrounding areas just offer such stiff competition compared to any other city around the globe.
“death and co. is not reservations only. ”
Your right. They fill up fast, so you have to make reservations. Similar to Mozza. Technically its not reservations only, but practically, it is.
17 years in the business? I heard this guy was a bar tender at Mi Piace in Pasadena! I agree with the statement above… Can you guy do some reasearch before naming someone the “Sultan of Nightlife”. I would be interested in visiting any of his other “endeavors”. If Sed Moses was opening this place the title would fit. We have been to all his places….