NIGHT LINES

One of the most ballyhooed additions to downtown’s resurgent nightlife scene figures to be the relaunch of Latin music venue the Conga Room. Located on Wilshire Boulevard from 1998 to 2006, the Conga Room will rise again inside L.A. Live in November. Seen at right in a rendering (the main room featuring an uplit ceiling), the new bi-level Conga (800 W. Olympic Blvd.) will boast a full kitchen, contemporary architecture and art from internationally known Cuban artist Jorge Pardo and others. “The Conga Room is one of the premier brands for L.A. Live, because we speak to a diverse demographic,” says the venue’s owner, Bradley Gluckstein (Jimmy Smits and Jennifer Lopez were among the early investors in the first incarnation of the Conga, dubbed the “Latin House of Blues” by some). “We have significant frontage onto Nokia Plaza, including two balconies and VIP rooms spanning almost 200 square feet.” Expect some big names from the world of Latin music later this year for the opening, and perhaps even some “secret” shows from other types of musicians -- especially during events at nearby Staples Center and the Nokia Theatre. . . . Earlier downtown openings of note this year include a troika of summer newbies. An outpost of Culver City’s wine bar Bottle Rock is on target for a June or July opening inside the Met Lofts at 11th and Flower streets, and restaurateur Steven Arroyo is opening his anticipated late-night dining and drinking destination, Church & State (1889 Industrial St.), this month across the street from the already-bustling scene at Royal Clayton’s. Later this summer, look out for the decidedly upmarket Union (760 S. Hill St.), an underground lounge housed inside a former bank vault.

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-- Charlie.Amter@latimes.com