Hollywood : Athletic Club to Reopen

The landmark Hollywood Athletic Club, once the playground of movie stars, reopens this month as an upscale billiards club, restaurant and bar after a major restoration effort.

The athletic club, located at 6525 Sunset Blvd., was built in 1924 as the exclusive playground of stars including Errol Flynn, Buster Crabbe, John Wayne and others.

The club remained a popular watering hole for the elite of Hollywood until the mid-1950s, when it became a college of Judaic history, according to Tom Salter, the new owner and manager. The club changed hands a number of times after the late 1970s and recently fell into disrepair, he said.

Since taking over the club more than a year ago, Salter said he and his partners have spent $1.3 million in renovations to refurbish the interior and restore the building’s Spanish/Mediterranean-style exterior.

After several private unveilings this week, the club is expected to open to the public next week, Salter said.

The restaurant and bar will be called the Drones Bar and Grill, after a popular London restaurant.