The West Hollywood Planning Commission reviewed an application at their meeting Thursday for a new “neighborhood” bar on the western end of WeHo.
The Bar Next Door, as developers have dubbed it, will occupy 9159 Sunset Blvd., a 1,300-square foot space on the corner of Cory Ave. The bar is expected to operate from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily; the proposed establishment will forgoes an outdoor patio for dining/smoking, and will not include a dancefloor or any live entertainment.
“The applicant’s vision is really to provide a quiet neighborhood bar for people of all walks of life to come and congregate and have a drink,” said Dereck Purifacion with the city’s planning staff. “They’re not interested in competing with the clubs on the strip.”
“I rather love the idea of a small neighborhood bar,” said Commission Chairperson Lynn Hoopingarner, “our own little sort of version of Cheers.” Hoopingarner made a motion to proceed with the agenda item’s recommendations.
The commissioners’ questions focused on potential noise the bar would create and how to mitigate it. The discussed arrangements that would prevent glass bottles from being noisily disposed of in the middle of the night, and slam-prevention on a back door facing the neighborhoods.
Commissioner Lombardi wondered whether the building’s low occupancy and its high visibility would engender long wait lines outside the bar.
“All you need are one or two really amazing Instagramable drinks,” he said.
Commissioner Marquita Thomas praised the applicant, Lawrence Longo, and his shared enthusiasm for the city’s goals.
“I just wanted to say that I know that it’s been directed by city council but the city has not officially implemented an ordinance for unisex bathrooms so I just wanted to commend you for being forward-lookin and being aware of our community needs,” she said.
The Commission ultimately decided that the project was well worth the commotion it might potentially generate, and they passed the motion unanimously.
Amazing! Can’t wait to grab a pint with those tasty slices next door.
Not a NIMBY but WEHO resident who knows how loud, disruptive, littering and dangerous drivers from bars closing at 2am CAUSE A LOT OF REAL PROBLEMS FOR BOTH NIMBYS & CITY CRIME & CRIME RATE STATISTICS WHICH AFFECT ALL PROPERTY IN THE CITY.
…It’s a bar on Sunset blvd.
Yeah, on the far west end with homes & apartments right behind.
Just a point I live a mile away, and COVID turned me into a homebody.
Isn’t beer sold in retail stores both Cold & room temperature.
Or is a bar the only place Angelenos are able to drink cold beer??
I hope it is better than that recent pizza place in the same area. Lines of hipsters all up Sunset waiting for a slice of magical pizza, I guess. Garbage was strewn all the way up into the Beverly Hills residential area.
I guess Beverly Hills should put more trash cans out. They can afford it.
Looking forward to this.
Definitely like the idea if it stays true to what they propose. Meaning here that if it does turn into something trendy that people line up to get into, it’s a HUGE turn off. Welcoming, easygoing and unpretentious is what West Hollywood needs more of, not elite/upscale/chic/hot/fashionable…..you get the picture.
Yup.
If something is a good value and enjoyed by people, you can’t really prevent word from spreading. Your comment is so weird.
We need more small, neighborhood bars where everyone knows your name.
Check local stations.
“CHEERS” Is on constant reruns 24/7
Lots of NIMBYS over in that area. I think most of them would rather have empty storefronts. I remember they were complaining on Nextdoor about Prince Street Pizza last year.
People caring what businesses open in their neighborhood is a good thing. People that couldn’t care less is never a good thing for a neighborhood. I don’t think anyone wants to see an empty storefront. But they also don’t want a business that is going to cause nothing but grief either. Fair enough. That’s why there is a conversation and a process. In this case, the residents were heard, the business went through the process and succeeded. Good luck to them.
Yeah, that place was a nightmare, Karen.
Uh, It’s still there.
They were complaining about Prince Street Pizza because the owner spewed anti-Asian comments, and people do not want to hate to succeed
Actually that was a separate issue. They were complaining because of people on the sidewalk eating pizza and leaving trash
Oh, in that case, bar would be much better.
Nothing cleaner than a group of people leaving a bar after a good night of beer drinking.
Neighborhood bars – pubs, if you like – an important feature in any town or city. I still miss Sloan’s…
I love this idea
100%