Council Approves Sports Bar’s Plans
An upscale sports bar has won approval to open at a Beach Boulevard location that formerly housed Texas Loosey’s Chili Parlor & Saloon, an establishment gutted by fire two years ago.
After receiving assurance that the MVP Sports Grill would not feature adult entertainment, the City Council voted unanimously this week to allow the business to locate at 14160 Beach Blvd.
In addition to offering “micro-brewed” beers and a full food menu, MVP will feature satellite big-screen televisions, 11 pool tables, darts, a dancing area and live music on the weekends.
The bar’s target customers are young couples and professionals looking for a place to socialize rather than just consume large amounts of alcohol, said Paul Roberts, a consultant for the business.
“The key to a successful sports bar is to create a place that will attract women and make them feel safe,” Roberts said. “And you can’t do that by having scantily clad waitresses and a lot of cheap beer.”
Before approving the proposal, council members debated whether to require the club to close at 1 a.m. but eventually agreed on 2 a.m.
Because the sports bar will be near the city’s Civic Center, Councilman Frank Fry Jr. joked: “I’m in favor of 2 a.m. Some of our council meetings run pretty late.”
Texas Loosey’s closed in November 1994 after a fire gutted the interior, causing about $1 million in damage. The fire was determined to have been deliberately set, but police could find no witnesses, and the crime was never solved.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
