local gay nightlife scene heats up with ‘the hideout’
Early next month, Downtown is “coming out” and raising its bid to become the next gay mecca of Los Angeles.
The Hideout, a new gay lounge/club concept organized by angelenic contributer Bryan Higgins, will be hosted on a bi-weekly basis at Tranquility Base starting Saturday, July 12.
Don’t let the restaurant venue or the event name fool you.
Tranquility’s expansive outdoor lounge with cabanas and fire pit is ideally suited to accommodate large crowds, and the main dining room space will be converted into a dance floor where DJ Digital Imposter is set to spin out house tunes until 2:00am.
To get people in the door (as if the theme isn’t enough), there’s no cover charge. Also, $4-$5 specials for wine, drafts and cocktails will be offered for the first hour of the night. Everyone is invited to attend.
This gay-oriented venture is another notch on Downtown’s designer belt, following hot on the heels of the popular underground party Shits & Giggles, which found a permanent home at the Globe Theatre back in April and takes place each Friday night.
With local LGBT options lacking on Saturdays, organizers of The Hideout seek to offer refuge to the Downtown crowd left without a social hangout the rest of the weekend.
This isn’t the US Military, tell everyone you know!
The Hideout @ Tranquility Base
Debuts Saturday, July 12
9:30pm – 2:00am
Held Every Other Saturday Night
myspace.com/tranquilitybasela
801 S Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90017
213-404-0588
tranquiityla.com
-‘shits & giggles’ may have permanent party pad
-friday night downtown boyz out for ‘shits & giggles’
-downtown: los angeles’s new “gayborhood”?
67 comments
finally!!!!!
drink specials after 10:30 PM!!! will there be go-go boys? downtown is missing hot go-go boys and cheap drinks…
Sorry, no-no on the go-go.
Ew @ gogo boys. Poor kids.
And no cover? I finally might have to treck from Riverside.
why the name the Hideout, What are they hiding from? lol
Interesting, i would of never thought that a place like Tranquility Base would be open to this, right on cool for them.
I think the name thing is in reference to the restaurant being kind of a “hide out”.
Seriously its not that obvious and apparent when one walks by there.
Personally i prefer my gay lounges/clubs a little more relaxed,grungy, have some character and history and actually “underground”.
Tranquility Base “to me” seems like its too “vanilla” and clean. And i do like my “french vanilla”
Its like some people like Lost Souls( independent) and others like Starbucks(national chain).
Im more of a Lost Souls guy.
Raymond (#5), they’re hiding from the Abbey.
^ lol i haven’t been to the Abbey in at least 6 years.
I remember when it was cool and relaxed and all gay.
Way before chicks and straights started going and before their expansion.
I guess in a way it went thru a form of “gentrification”
Lol..chicks and straights. You make it seem as though they have leprosy.
They should have called it “Tran-y Base” …. for the night! that would attract a less vanilla crowd
I meant females and heterosexuals..better?
I mean if you 300 are like me a homosexual, a minority it really sucks when straight people try to take over some places and try to make them their own.
Seriously there are how many straight-heterosexual lounges and bars in Los Angeles? – 100′s maybe 1000′s
There is a need and a want for lounges and bars that cater to our community where we can be open and relaxed.
Be free of fear, doubt and worry.
My parents are straight : )
Good one Calvin ..lol
Well, good on Downtown for taking a corner of WeHo’s action. For the folks that like their Top 40 and House, this looks like a really lovely space. S&G has been getting more of the WeHo-type, pretty-boy crowd lately, so perhaps they’ll flock to this and S&G will retain ownership of my beloved band of freaks, geeks, genderqueers, and hpstrs.
…speechless. So proud of you B. The flyer looks amazing too
I am so pleased this is a topic that you want to talk about. With so many responses, some already answered, I will do what I can to shed a little more light on “The Hideout”.
Lovehatela – I get what you are saying about Tranquility Base being a “Starbucks” but I disagree. Your description of the club you like sounds right for you, and I too enjoy a grungy club, but Tanquility is both relaxed and original. It has a chain air about it but I will have to pass on the “brand” perspective. If you knew Dave and the people at tranquility i am sure you would have a different feeling too. The goal is to give Saturday a little culture for LGBT’s left with only the option to travel or hit up Shits and giggles on friday which has the feel you are describing.
Calvin, there is a tranny night, again it is shits and giggles.
ON taking We-ho’s action. I think there is a need for this type of venue in Downtown, my opinion is that if I were out drinking and having a good time, the last thing I would want to do or have my friends do is drive home from we-ho drunk.
And last but not least, thank you Saysheen, I wish you could be here to enjoy the fruits of your labors and that lovely HOUSE soul we enjoy so much.
Any more questions?
Let’s just get a huge crowd there, so we can prove that downtown is a viable market to open more gay bars/clubs/lounges!
once a week or every other week is a good place to start, but most gay guys i know need to get liquored up at least a few times a week
let me know what i can do to help spread the word…
Thank you Calvin.. I really appreciate that- we all do!
As a woman I would like to say I feel safe at a gay club, which is the reason I go, so please don’t turn me away! I just wanna dance and have a good time without guys trying to freak me from behind like it’s all cool.
I promise to make you feel welcome if you promise not to crush my toes with your high heels on the dance floor and spill your drink on me, Ira!
Juuust kiddin’.
We gays do love our womenz milling about.
But as a gay guy who’s not a huge fan of ’10 Remixes of Britney Spears’ ‘Gimmie More’ shake your ass until it stinks’ clubs, I think that The Hideout is something I would love to hang out at. Meet people and go on from there. Just as long as they serve Adios. Plus I love house music. So yeah.
Enjoy while it last, Tranquility Base is a Restaurant not a Nightclub check the CUP Lic.
Ira, we will have the red carpet rolled out for you. When we were initially planning these nights the three of us touched on the very point you commented on. WE LOVE OUR GIRLS.
And Sam you are correct, Tranquility Base is not a Nightclub, and we are not making it one. We are holding social events in the restaurant.
Bryan, If you plan on “the main dining room space will be converted into a dance floor where DJ Digital Imposter is set to spin out house tunes until 2:00am.” You now a nightclub not a restaurant.
Check the CUP this is not allowed………
Sam, why do you care so much? Are you a neighbor afraid of the noise this might create or what? Just wondering if this is genuine concern for this establishment and the safety of its patrons or some sort of misguided NIMBYism. Just curious.
Sam, we are simply removing three tables. There is still adequate space and seating to serve the “late night menu” and entertain our guests. I agree with K-town, whats your deal – friend or foe?
I think this is a grear first start. I think we should maybe have a suggestion box at the entry so those who have other ideas or would like other type venues like a happy hour might add to the suggestions.
Friend, I’m very familiar with the CUP requirements and guidelines. If you don’t have the correct CUP Lic. you will be closed down and fined.
Good Luck
Mel, taking suggestions is a great idea. I’m sure the event will naturally take shape itself to best fit what people want.
Sam, I don’t know what your agenda is – but no one’s getting shut down or fined. (Careful what is said, b/c things can get misconstrued easily). Tranquility Base will be operating as a restaurant during the event – in fact the owner will have a full serving staff on hand that night.
If the dance floor becomes an issue – so what? It’s not a critical part, and the music can be played through the existing sound system – very elaborate sound system I should add. These are all solvable issues.
I went to the opening of Tranquility Base and loved it! I have been a big fan of Digital Imposter for some time. He is one of my favorite local dj’s. I think it’s a perfect marriage and I will be there with an ARMY of downtown supporters! Thank you! I love what you both are doing. Keep up the good work!
Thank you again for all of your comments. Sam, thanks for looking out for us. I hope that no problems arise, but as a Phoenix, The Hideout will rise from the ashes if burned down.
The patio will be perfect for some drinking and dancing. I can only take Weho about once a year and the crowd can get pretty cheesy. Goodluck with the night I plan to check it out as well.
I clicked on Angelenic’s full set of photos of Tranquility at Flickr.com, and if they were taken recently, during a regular hour and night of business, and the Hideout brings in a good day’s worth of new sales, then the restaurant may want that event on even more days each month.
The photo of the outdoor dining area shows the firepit going full blast, but where are all the customers to enjoy it? In the interior images of the restaurant, there appears to be the maitre d’ but almost no one else.
Tranquility looks very nice and even cozy, particularly its outdoor area, so no excuse if its not duplicating the success of at least a few other nearby restaurants. However, if the location on Grand Street south of 8th is off the beaten path for many diners, then all the more reason that special events like “The Hideout” be organized and do well.
Dorris:
Those photos were taken recently, but later at night during the week. It’s not a fair indication of Tranquility Base’s business. Also, I tried to get as few people in the shot as possible.
No doubt The Hideout will be big nights of business for them – so we’ll see what that implies for frequency during the month.
I have been to Tranquiity Base when the patio is packed, especially at Happy Hour after work. It reminds me of the Abbey on a nice afternoon. That’s why I have always thought it was a natural for a gay hot spot. I think an after work happy hour would work also as a regular thing and wouldn’t even require special arrangements, just a nod and a wink…and of course some coordinated effort by all of us to get our friends to come.
We all need to show downtown how strong and vibrant we are as a community and an economic force. From what I can see downtown has an ideal population and will be excited and accepting. As
Stephen said, let’s take it one step at a time.
Great concept, TERRIBLE NAME. This kind of name is throwback to a time when gay bars were hidden. Why do gay people in Los Angeles in 2008 need to hide from anything?? What are we hiding from?? Do gay people in downtown LA need to hide their faces? Their social interactions?
There’s nothing sexy, exciting, edgy, or provocative about a name like The Hideout.
What is the brand message you’re trying to communicate with a name like this? You are building a brand here (or I’m assuming you want to build a brand anyway).
Let me start by saying..WOW… I never would have imagined that a name would generate such a response. The name was created, after a long debate between five friends to be catchy and slightly ironic. I think in times like these there is NO need to be “hiding” from anything with gay marriage legalized and the movement as a whole being so strong. I personally have been out and an advocate for quite some time in my hometown before moving to Cali.
The name reflects the spaces personality and not an agenda to keep gays out of the public. Provocative and edgy are not what we are accomplishing with the initial launch. The hideout is a place for friends to go, like a clubhouse, or a tree fort. It is meant to be fun and inspiring, almost top secret, as to keep it from developing into The Abbey.
We can not appeal to everyone and I guess we missed the mark with you. I do hope you will take a second to check out what we are doing and enjoy the company of your peers. You could always just call it what you want when you talk to friends.
P.S. With all of the advertising we are doing, “The Hideout” is hardly a secret…
Wow….I love all the juices flowing about this. Now if all of you will keep your gay enthusiasm up and help make this a success….and with a suggestion box….bring other new ideas and possibilities with you. Maybe even a drop box for your e-mail so we all know how to communicate any new events…..
Keep it going!!
Thanks for your reply Brian. It’s good to know you don’t think gay people need to hide from anyone these days. It’s unfortunate the name you’ve chose doesn’t communicate that message or your personal convictions about being out and proud. But, you’re throwing a party not running for political office, so it’s all up to you. You definitlely could do better with the name but I wish you much success either way.
I’ll come and check it out. I’ll just call it the gay night at Tranquility Base.
In my opinion the name is less about gay people hiding themselves than it is expressing an idea of an undiscovered / hidden place where friends can go.
Not only that, it’s kind of a play on the hidden nature of Tranquility Base itself.
Perfect!
It’s a name. It sounds good – I’m out and proud and don’t find this offensive at ALL. I guess I just don’t understand the controversy here. good for tanquility base
I think it’s called the “hideout” because there is no building signage.
DAVID… Put up a sign!
You’re a nice guy. I want your business to thrive.
And try replacing a few sections of your glass wall with clear glass. You can gage what the customers want by where people choose to sit.
David:
Dave Tardiff is doing everything he can to get signage up for Tranquility Base. It’s a lengthy permit process and proper signange costs are extremely high. In the meantime – he’s trying to come up with temporary fixes, all of which require certain permits.
He’s aware of the “seclusion” problem and is moving as fast as possibly to resolve it. There may even be something done by July 12, in time for The Hideout.
Amen to that David. This is LA. We want to see and be seen here.
David Tardiff is so cool, and he should have a great thing going, but please tell him to ditch the frosted glass.
I would like to nominate Ira as our girl mascot,haha…women are always welcome as long as they take their gay boyfriends with them….
^^OMG- that would be such an honor! I was telling Stephen how I regret not being able to attend the first event (will be in Berlin drooling over hot German men) but I will send over 2 gay boyfriends, who are both single, cute and sweet as pie…so give them your number and a kiss, boys!
Rich (from #19), I don’t wear high heels anymore and am usually the one getting spilled on so no worries there!
Straight clubs sometimes make me uneasy because straight guys can be apes and straight girls can be catty, which is why I love being around my gay boys. Thank you for letting me be myself and feel safe!
I was in San Francisco this weekend and didn’t read this article till today. Lots of great energy.
As a former habitue of clubs ranging from the Paradise Ballroom, Circus, Plaza, Madam Wongs, The Study, The Catch One, The Blue Parrot, Trocodero Transfer (SF), La Esta noche(SF), TheStud(SF), The Eagle (LA & NY), Larrys, the One Way, The Detour, Sit & Spin, Club Fuck, CBGBs (NY), Mudd Club (NY), The Bitter End West, The Other Side,Butch Gardens, The Silverlake Lounge, The Anti Club, Madam Wongs, and my personal favorite…theoretical, I think “The Hideout ” is a perfectly charming name.
I think this social event is going to be a success as long as our downtown community embraces it. Though we all come from different walks in life and have different styles and opinions it is important for us all to support night life in downtown if we want other establishments to open up. As far as negative comments on here go we are all entitled to our own opinions, but us downtowners need to stick together and support our community. By creating new alternatives for all of us to choose from we enhance our city and make it more well rounded. Whether you like the name or not should not be an issue. The real issue is what are we going to do to help our city be progressive and diversified. Embrace diversity and help create a place where we will all be welcome! I commend Bryan and Stephen and everyone involved in this project. I plan on making The Hideout, “my hideout”.
I say AMEN to K-inLA!
That’s the kind of attitude that we all need. Now lets go and support these efforts and embrace our diversity and economic strength! No one can take that away and the more we realize how important we can be to an evolving community the more they will pay attention to us!
Now let’s all put on a great shirt, our best smiles, spend a few bucks on a drink and let’s make Tranquility Base know we mean BUSINESS!!
Any of you ever been to Mustache Mondays or Shits N Giggles (Fridays)???
Both are held at Club 740…
Simply fun, fun, fun!!!
Absolutely! S&G is great – and it’s become really popular. Apparently the Flaunt party they hosted a couple weekends ago brought in a few celebrities.
Mustache Mondays is hard because it’s – well, on Mondays. I’m guessing it draws a similar crowd.
Best names ever: “The Manhole” and “The White Swallow” replete with a cartoon bird on the awning.
LOVE S&G… Victor is great and in fact he let us flyer last Friday. He is very supportive of the downtown movement…We are all in this together:)
Hey guys – I’ve been following the discussion and just wanted to let you know that both Victor and I support you 100% – we will definitely be there next Saturday
Feel free to promote all you want on Friday – we can even have Barbie-Q do a little shout out on the mic for the night.
Chris – Thanks so much for the support!!! OOooh and let Barbie-Q sing it from the rooftops!!! (or dance platforms)
Downtown has always had a gay scene. underground as it was. anybody remember score? very different from tranquility tho. as is jalisco bar. and a couple other DL spots. the complete opposite of the sanitized weho vibe.
S&G is a good medium and i look forward to july 12th!
thanks for other options. i have been partyn in DT since my teens and i rarely if ever head over to the west hollywood area. i have always preffered DT but was relegated to the other locales.
now that there is a more gay venues/nights i will patronize them and tell my friends.
i predicted this a while back and its great that people or all walks are realizing the potential DT has
thanks again
ah yes, i miss score.
RIP Score…
Love the amount of comments on this topic! Someone tell me, because I don’t get the correlation (I’m over 40), how do house & top 40 go together?
^Bryan has a great mix of music lined up for The Hideout. I have no doubt everyone, regardless of age, will have a great time.
Oh, and angelenic.com is now an official partner with the event.
Vero and Stephen…
It’s very exciting to see all the interest in this! I think this shows the need for a separate Downtown Gay Blog! How about it Stephen et al?
More house music? Ugh.
It’s sad that homos in LA will only move their waxed assed to house music. Cliche much? Why not keep WeHo in WeHo? Talk about a gradual emasculation of gay nightlife.
unico, i think i know you from Score or Jalisco.
Meet me in the ladies room.
Dear Sam…poor thing….so bitter. You were probably a grade grubber in school before you became a snitch.
House and Top 40 mesh well together in remixes, they offer dance beats with lyrics of songs that pop culture deems appropirate… House is a staple of Gay culture and I feel it has its place there.
Do you have other suggestions for the music Toni? I am open…
VERY DISAPPOINTED by this. I went hoping it would be great to opening night to Hideout at Tranquility Base.
I had a big group of friends with me. I doubt any of us will go back. After being made to wait in line for near 30 minutes to get in, we assumed it was at capacity. It became clear the bar was empty and they were using us to attract others. A very bad call on managements side. The doorman was the nicest member of the staff. The crowd was far more friendly then the rest of the staff. The drinks were OK at best.
Todd – I understand where you’re coming from, but please allow me to explain. The line was formed by the doormen b/c the serving staff was at full capacity. I pleaded with the TB team not to make anyone wait in line, but there so many more people there than ever expected.
This was a management decision out of our hands to accommodate a huge crowd of people who were lining up at the bar waiting for drink orders, not to mention the shoulder-to-shoulder situation on the patio lounge. We’re working to make things run more efficiently next time.
Todd, I am sorry to hear your experience was sub par. The staff made a judgment call that The Hideout had no say in. Both Stephen and I were trying to move things along as quickly as possible but it was out of our hands.
I did not have a chance to give the staff a try but I will side with experience on this one. They were mostly up in their heads due to the demand of customers. I am certain they were merely concentrating on the tasks at hand. With such a large response it was Tranquility’s first test at being real busy.
I do hope you will let us rework the efficiency and reintroduce you and your friends to what a great night this can be.
Cheers!!
Photo Slideshow from Saturday night:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fridayinla/sets/72157606173132665/show/