Zouk is coming to Los Angeles, opening March 14.
The nightlife idea is taking up Nightingale Plaza, at 643 N. La Cienega Blvd. The possession stays the identical: Sam Nazarian of Sbe, the privately held life-style hospitality firm he launched in 2002. However the venue has been reworked, in partnership with Hui Lim of Zouk Group.
“Each eight years or so, we reimagine the house,” mentioned Nazarian, noting Nightingale Plaza had a seven-year run.
It’s to deliver recent power to the L.A. evening scene, which has seen challenges because the onset of COVID-19, adopted by the shutdown of Hollywood with the writers’ strike and up to date affect of the wildfires, together with reviews of elevated robberies post-pandemic.
“What occurred in L.A., particularly in 2023 and 2024, was folks have been afraid to exit,” mentioned Nazarian, a identified identify in hospitality, who counts greater than 20 years of expertise within the business.
“There was a way of worry and an unbelievable quantity of uncertainty,” he went on. “I imply, it’s been extensively reported that individuals have been getting robbed. So, folks have been deciding to not exit. They’d have an early dinner and go dwelling, or they might have quite a lot of home events.”
However Nazarian, who grew up in L.A., stays dedicated to investing within the metropolis, and for good cause. With the FIFA World Cup set for subsequent yr, Tremendous Bowl LXI in 2027, and the Summer season Olympics in 2028, L.A. is gearing up for a collection of main international occasions.
“It’s an over $50 million funding into L.A.,” mentioned Nazarian, referencing his different endeavors. He’s taking up 17,000 sq. toes at Westfield Century Metropolis with upcoming Casa Dani, which he’s bringing from New York with three Michelin-starred Chef Dani Garcia, and his established Japanese restaurant Katsuya subsequent door (which has three different areas in L.A.). He lately opened MXO by Wes Avila, positioned on La Cienega Boulevard as effectively. And he’s been behind sizzling spots like Hyde and Doheny Room. (He additionally owns three institutions in Las Vegas and New York.)
“L.A. is a resilient city,” he mentioned. “And so far as the tradition and the demand of the buyer, I believe folks at this time which can be going to nightclubs or lounges predict extra.”
He goals to supply simply that with Zouk, in partnership with Lim, government chairman of Zouk Group, which owns golf equipment throughout Asia. The namesake property Zouk first opened in Singapore in 1991, then Malaysia and Tokyo, and has since expanded to Las Vegas.
Zouk L.A.
At 16,500 sq. toes, Zouk L.A. is targeted on top-notch manufacturing and sound, with stay music as a central focus; the venue is about to characteristic high expertise from its Las Vegas counterpart, together with Lil Wayne, Kaskade, Illenium, and James Hype. Visitors can anticipate a late-night menu that includes a number of American classics and lightweight bites, in a lounge-like ambiance designed by Sbe’s in-house designer Christian Schulz and his boutique company, Studio Collective.
“We encourage folks all the time to advance and make reservations, identical to whenever you go to a restaurant,” Nazarian mentioned of the door coverage. “That’s the easiest way to make sure getting in, versus folks simply strolling up. It’s sort of first come, first serve, primarily based off of the place we’re in that exact programming of that evening.”
“Los Angeles is the subsequent step in our journey, a metropolis constructed on tradition, creativity, and a ardour for world-class experiences,” Lim mentioned in an announcement. “In partnership with Sam Nazarian and Sbe, we’re bringing our signature innovation, high-energy productions, and international experience to set a brand new customary for nightlife in L.A. — cementing Zouk’s presence in probably the most influential leisure locations worldwide.”
Zouk L.A.