$6 well runs deep at 6ix on Sunset
The recession just doesn’t seem to have reached certain parts of the city. Along the billboard-bombed and bar-crawl crush of the Sunset Strip on any given night are few, if any, signs of an economic downturn. It’s the magic of Hollywood in action.
But now that the recession has moved beyond media-driven hysteria to a sobering new reality for many Angelenos, it has changed how urbanites go out and unwind.
The changes have hit both high and low: Hipster enclaves and big-box night life destinations have been offering deals and specials for a while now, hoping to bring in customers. But recently, even posh party spots frequented by celebs and the glitterati have been offering price-slashing initiatives to keep the house full when extravagance feels like, well, an extravagance.
All of which puts the new 6ix on Sunset events at the posh, Philippe Starck-designed XIV Restaurant by Michael Mina in the pole position to become the city’s hottest happy hour. Featuring cocktails, appetizers and even valet parking for a reasonable $6, it’s a shrewd move that turns the posh establishment into a hot after-work destination that won’t stress your budget.
“Given the location and this patio, it only made sense to open things up a bit,” said SBE promoter Grace Fernandez, who manages the event. “As the weather warms up, it will only get better.”
“We’ve been talking about doing something like this for a while,” echoes Ryan Cole, the general manager of XIV. “There’s such a drastic difference between the terrace area and the restaurant. The terrace allows us to do a lot of different, fun things. It’s possible for us to be a little more approachable for those in the area.”
On the first night of 6ix on Sunset, the terrace area at the front of the restaurant was already buzzing with energy just minutes after opening.
While a small pocket of guys discreetly took in the closing moments of an NBA playoff game, the bar area was already packed with patrons partaking of the party’s specialty drinks, such as the M, a vodka-based mango cocktail, and pitchers of vodka-ginger limeade.
Among the well-heeled crowd of loosened-up business types and flirty swinging singles were genuine celebrities, including a low-key former NFL star/current ESPN analyst, Keyshawn Johnson, who was holding court at a table situated within view of the big-screen TV pumping out the playoffs.
Wait a minute -- there’s a television at XIV?
“They’re using my cable connection to show the game,” said Tony Ciulla, whose artist management company -- it represents the likes of Marilyn Manson and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs -- is adjacent to the restaurant. “So I’m drinking for free tonight.”
“Yes, it is happy hour, so we have to keep things like big games in mind,” admits Fernandez, “but we keep all of that out here on the terrace, so it doesn’t intrude on the dinner guests inside. This is a Michael Mina restaurant after all, and we’d never do anything to compromise the integrity of the establishment.”
“Our goal is to create a fun, high energy that’s an extension of the restaurant,” adds Cole. “This is not a stuffy restaurant.”
The happy hour appetizers offer tantalizing tastes from XIV’s menu, with Kobe beef slider burgers and lobster corn dogs. But the runaway winner is the dangerously addictive truffle oil popcorn, the most genuinely crush-worthy bar snack to come along in ages.
“It’s a nice way to really introduce ourselves to the area,” Fernandez enthuses about 6ix on Sunset, which runs Tuesdays through Saturdays.
“Now, a lot more people can come and experience what we have to offer without having to commit to a full-on dinner. But we’re confident that after checking out the happy hour, they’ll be back for more than just drinks.”
It’s situated on the corner of Sunset and Crescent Heights, and patrons overlook a stretch that feels like the heart of Hollywood. There’s the perpetually evolving 8000 Sunset plaza; the Virgin Megastore has been replaced by an ironically music-themed Trader Joe’s, and now a new CB2 (the hot spinoff from Crate & Barrel).
“In the seven months that we’ve been here, so much has changed around here,” marvels Cole. “It’s a much more chic destination.”
During the launch party, the intersection was an endless stream of traffic until a two-car collision created a logjam that grew with the arrival of ambulances and fire trucks.
Commuters didn’t even bother to rubberneck, instead just driving past like it was another pothole or construction detour.
It all created quite a scene to take in from XIV’s terrace, where the party continued to rage. Recession or not, the show must go on.
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6ix on Sunset
Where: 8117 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A.
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays
Price: No cover
Contact: (323) 656-1414, www.sbeent.com/xiv/
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