Arcadia Makes Itself at Home on the Pier

There is nothing pastoral or verdant or rustic about Arcadia, the 2-month-old club that has risen on the ashes of the Ash Grove on the Santa Monica Pier. No, this club is modern, arty, urban. Not a tree in site. Arcadia must refer to the owner’s state of mind. More on this later.

The pier can be such a problem child for new ventures. Reconstructed after storm damage in 1983, the pier was plagued by gang violence, keeping people away in droves well into the ‘90s. These days, pier parking is perceived as difficult and expensive, not to mention that the nighttime pier can feel like a spooky, deserted carnival. Is that the one-armed man from “The Fugitive” lurking behind the Ferris wheel? The Ash Grove struggled valiantly for a couple of years. Its owner even made public pleas to the legendary rock acts who had played there to pitch in to save it. They didn’t.

Robert Tauro is undaunted by the location of the 1917 landmark building near the carousel. He is trying to prove that a club can make it on the pier with an eclectic booking policy that runs the gamut from jazz to comedy. Tauro--a former entertainment biz attorney who discovered Poison, manages Keiko Matsui and runs an independent record label--sees the room as a flagship live entertainment venue. He teamed up with singer-songwriter Robert Schwan, who books the club with hip-hop nights, Second City alumni appearances, swing bands and national acts like Gene Loves Jezebel.

The two Roberts couldn’t be more different. Tauro, the attorney, is a soft-spoken man who uses words like “special” and “visionary” in his conversation about his “dream.” He speaks lovingly of his purchase of George Burns’ piano, which graces the club’s main room. It was serendipitous that he found it in a Brentwood antique shop after missing its original sale at auction. Yeah, this is the guy who would use the word “Arcadian” in conversation.

Schwan, the songwriter, on the other hand, is more practical and given to worries about day-to-day operations. He stresses. So much for stereotypes.

The 5,000-square-foot space itself is worth the walk down the pier. Tauro brought in Venice team Design Consortium, which created an inviting, artistic club well suited to music and big crowds. The front window unobtrusively displays the club logo in thick blasted glass, dimly lit. The two-story lobby is small but warm. Past the lobby, one is confronted by a huge column of crinkled lead that is molded around odd shapes and block letters.

“Don’t worry,” Tauro said, laughing. “The lead has been coated and is harmless. When we found out they were using lead, we made sure it would be safe.”

Near the sound booth is a modern circular wall of juxtaposed light wood. But it is the bar that is the standout here. Buried deep in a clear resin surface are pieces of wood and dowels and multiple layers of strange drawings. This bar is almost as entertaining as the acts on stage.

Part of Tauro’s dream was to have a music venue that also functions as a supper club. The Arcadia menu features a medium-priced range of California-French cuisine appetizers and entrees. At a recent appearance by swing master clarinetist Eddie Reed, many patrons were seen chowing down dinner, and no one looked unhappy.

There is no valet parking at Arcadia, but Tauro is working on that problem with city and pier officials. So where do you park? Well, there is parking on the pier for $7, available now that Cirque du Soleil has moved on. Nearby, patrons can park at Santa Monica Place and in public lots near the Promenade. Bring a coat for the walk, though, as the beach wind can be pretty fierce at times.

Inside, however, the room has an easy feel. The crowds are diverse in age, and some are dressed up and some down: It all works here. On winter nights, the locals reclaim the pier from the tourists, so you won’t be plagued by flashbulbs.

This month, the club offers Sunday night salsa (sponsored by the Conga Room), New Music Mondays, “Schwan’s Night Out” (cutting-edge rock and hip-hop) on Tuesdays, Second City alumni Wednesdays and swing music on Thursdays. Weekends are devoted to name acts like jazz vocalist Barbara Morrison, Marilyn Scott and Chaka Khan. It’s best to call the club for booking updates and last-minute appearances.

Tauro’s dream extends way beyond Arcadia. Plans are underway to outfit the club with a recording studio, and Tauro intends to broadcast live performances on the Internet. He has his eye on the House of Blues mega-operation.

“My goal is to make Arcadia the most valuable piece of real estate on the Santa Monica Pier,” he says, unabashedly, “with opportunity for artists, entrepreneurs and musicians. Santa Monica is the convergence of media, progressive politics, entertainment and new technologies. We want to beam all this to the world.”

Big words, Mr. Tauro. For right now, Westsiders can just be grateful for a nice room to have dinner, hear good music and dance.

And admire George Burns’ piano.

Say good night, Gracie.

BE THERE

Arcadia, 320 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. Cover varies. Dinner served until 11 p.m. on weekends. (310) 260-4807.