‘crocker club’ working out kinks, hiring
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UPDATE: Crocker Club has a soft opening on Friday, January 23, 2009. Angelenic will not be covering the opening.
Crocker Club, the Historic Core’s newest Hollywood-style drinking establishment, is heading toward the finish line at 5th and Spring.
Owner Vincent Terzian, who has nearly 17 years in the hospitality and nightlife industry, declined an interview or tour of the space (was it something we said?), but does squeeze in that he is “still working out the kinks” on his first establishment with construction and inspections.
Updated details are scarce, though quite luckily for us, we did learn a bit earlier this year.
The basics: A former bank vault, the Crocker Club draws its name from the Crocker Citizens National Bank that once occupied the space starting in 1914. Terzian avoids the term “speakeasy” because of its overuse of late, but expect traditional cocktails and “gentlemen hosts” instead of bouncers.
Batchelder tile floors draw the eye to the centerpiece of the underground drinkery: The 38-ton vault door hiding an intimate sitting lounge. An additional seven private rooms are framed by wrought-iron doorways.
A nod to the building’s spooky legends, the Ghost Bar at the Crocker Club is a semi-hidden second bar. We wonder if those spirits are on loan from the notorious Alexandria Hotel across the street.
For all you bartenders out there, the club was in hiring mode earlier this month. More information available as it’s made public.
The Crocker Club
453 S Spring St
Los Angles, CA 90013
Opening… Soon?
-First Look: The Crocker Club
15 comments
If said owner isn’t interested in speaking with you, why bother discussing his place? Strikes me as rude and clueless. He should be reaching out to you. It is not like there’s nothing else going on downtown. He doesn’t want to talk about his new business? Fine. Turn your attention elsewhere.
There’s news there, plus a dozen people have asked me if I had any info on when it’s set to open.
I have nothing but respect for business owners that take a risk and set out to create something from nothing. Though I’m disappointed to not get any new info, I wish Mr. Terzian the best.
And yes, there’s still so much out there that needs to be covered!
You are more generous than I would be under the circumstances. A character flaw on my part, I’m sure.
I agree that opening a business is a very risky proposition. I think said businessman would be doing everything to make his place a success. My point is he is not simply dissing you. He is saying he doesn’t have time to talk with his prospective customers (i.e. people who read and contribute here). In this day and age, that strikes me as lousy marketing.
Hmm, should I spend my money at the Crocker Club or another place where the owner is courteous and seeks to cultivate my patronage? Like I said, there’s plenty going on downtown.
I am excited about this place. Actually for someone in the hospitality business for that long I am sure it was either more a matter of there being issues with the construction or that the owner wanted to surprise anyone than it was him being rude.
I don’t see how any owner would not want free marketing. Having said that, this bar will be extremely important in shaping and continuing the growth in downtown.
I am very happy with the way South Park is becoming a hot tourist/sport fan spot and that the Historic Core mainly Spring Street/Main Street are becoming hip urban centers. I walked by Spring street and am already seeing some buildings in the Old Bank district with balconies and SB Tower with balconies facing Spring. This is going to be awesome.
THIS is the club I’ve been waiting for- somehow I got it mixed up with Versus and was majorly disappointed. I agree with David though; if I was doing ANYTHING downtown I would want Rich/Angelenic to cover it as much as possible. Hopefully there is a surprise, or he did not want to show it in current condition.
And Anonymous, I agree, as I am digging Historic Core more every week. LA Live is good and I like the high-end choices there for food (and bowling!) but am glad I don’t live too close.
It just keeps getting better downtown- there’s so much going on it’s hard to convey it to my friends at the beach…
i remember seeing this space on the conservancy’s “spring on spring” tour many years ago. it should be great.
as for not being forthcoming to blogs like angelenic, i know that some business owners would love to be able to open more quietly and get their legs under them before being subjected to the microscope.
They might also be concerned about passing inspections before releasing interior photos, as things might change. But from what I have heard, this place should be cool.
Yea dont take it to heart Rico tu sabe, either way I know you will be on it right away when the news does leak, thats why I check up on this site almost every hour of the day. And also agree that Downtown’s districts are further developing into distinct and diverse districts all in themselves.
Historic Core/Old Bank: the established neighorhood and becoming the template for all others
South Park: festive, touristy, entertainment area in progress, and will only hopefully get more established.
Little Tokyo/Chinatown/El Pueblo: cultural enclaves learning to stregthen and maintain cultural distinction and cohesiveness.
Arts District: its own distinct enclave developing and marching to the beat of its own drum.
Fidi/Bunker Hill: in process of remerging from 9 -5 to 9 - midnite lol
HELLO the more mystery the more anticipation
who cares if he didnt want to show it yet. its not ready
thanks for trying though, rich!
so happy versus closed and its cheese-ball weekend clientele is gone
Versus closed already??? Did I miss a post somewhere on this?
After all the hoopla and delays?… of course I don’t miss it, I just like learning lessons on how NOT to start businesses in downtown, without having to experience them first-hand.
does anyone have any update on this place? Has anyone gone there since it opened? I called and the guy answering gave me the strictest dress code known to man. Also there are no reviews on yelp. I plan on checking it out sometime soon.
does anyone have any update on this place? Has anyone gone there since it opened? I called and the guy answering gave me the strictest dress code known to man. Also there are no reviews on yelp. I plan on checking it out sometime soon.
I do not think this place is open yet. sounds like a cool place though.
Worst club I’ve ever been to