More than just a TV spinoff

WHEN the cheery West Hollywood restaurant-lounge ICandy opened in June, it was but one of two irons entrepreneur Tyler Robuck had in the fire.

The other was “Open Bar,” a six-episode series on the Logo Channel, a gay-themed cable network under the MTV umbrella. The show, created with filmmaker James Tooley, revolved around Robuck’s efforts to open ICandy.

Synergy, with a twist.

“I think the show helped get the word out,” Robuck, 35, says of the show, now in reruns. “I’ve seen a lot of people come in from out of town now ... and say, ‘Oh, we saw the show. We want to come in for a drink.’ ”

What tourists find is a spot that’s already popular with the locals. ICandy won best new business in the WeHo Awards and was recently voted best gay and lesbian nightspot on CitySearch.com. The other quality that stands out for first-time patrons is the openness -- ICandy is no dimly lit retreat.

“From a historical standpoint, years and years ago, gay establishments would be somewhat dingy and dark and people kind of hid and went into it,” Robuck says. “I didn’t want to hide things or be ashamed of anything.”

The vivacity of the Asian-styled venue is evident even from the sidewalk, as passersby are frequently greeted by patrons on the patio facing Santa Monica Boulevard. Inside, incandescent lighting illuminates the wood-and-stone decor and red leather seats, with house music and multiple video screens serving as a backdrop. The predominantly gay crowd chats, drinks and dines on one of ICandy’s signature dishes, such as chicken satay or Kobe beef sliders.

It’s a mix that’s winning over some West Hollywood locals. Jeffrey Roth, a once-a-week regular since ICandy opened, cites the food and the people. Patrick Weldorn, another regular, expands on that theme: “To me it’s kind of a different temperature than any other club around here. It’s just some place you can get a couple of drinks, relax, and it’s quiet. You’re not really posing or dancing, and the appetizers are really good. It’s a fun place to have a couple of snacks right after work.”

Adds regular Ric Coy: “The thing I love about this place is every time I come here, I bump into friends I have not seen in two years. It’s like a reunion. I’m a Midwest guy [from Wisconsin] and to me it’s got a Midwest feel, there’s not typical attitude, it’s a nice neighborhood place.”

ROBUCK, who comes from working in the family business of making medical equipment, acknowledges he’s still learning about running a bar, which means there will be some changes.

“Our license right now is as a restaurant. We’re working with the city to possibly make some changes where we’re allowed to have DJs more nights a week,” he says. “But what I’d really like to do, and I’m working on it, is having a jazz dinner night [on Wednesday].... Jazz date night, that sounds hot to me. And Tuesday nights after the New Year will be a lesbian night.

“If you just let things get stagnant, that’s what they become. Our goal is not to just be a destination for people to come and drink; we want to have good food, entertainment; we want to switch it up a little bit.”

Still, as he tinkers with the different nights and does things like change the menu for the seasons to keep it fresh, the overall attitude of ICandy will remain unchanged.

“I’d like to see a dinner crowd come in earlier and then maybe stay for a drink,” Robuck says. “But I like the vibe of it right now, I really do.”

So do the regulars.

Says Coy: “I hope they stick to what they’re doing and stay strong. It’s a great place.”

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Steve Baltin can be reached at weekend@latimes.com.

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ICandy

Where: 7929 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood

When: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays

Cover: None. Kobe beef sliders, $12.25; chicken satay, $7.50.

Info: (323) 656-4000