THE DOWNTOWN L.A. RENAISSANCE HEATS UP WITH THE OPENING OF BORDELLO , A PROVOCATIVE NEW NIGHTCLUB, BAR AND RESTAURANT FEATURING LIVE JAZZ, BLUES, EUROPEAN CLUB MUSIC AND—BELIEVE IT… DANCING GIRLS, CABARET, AND CLASSIC BURLESQUE SHOWS

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Bordello, On The Site of Little Pedro's, The Oldest Bar in Downtown L.A., Announced Its Grand Opening December 23 With A Performance By The Infamous Royal Crown Revue.

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Bordello's Principal Players Are Tony Gower, Former Owner Of The Derby; Designer/Developer Dana Hollister; Visionary Urban Planner Elizabeth Peterson; and Restaurateur Jim Venetos

The ongoing multi-billion dollar reinvigoration of downtown Los Angeles has created an environment reminiscent of New York's thriving SoHo district. On December 23, 2006, L.A.'s downtown artist district arrived with the opening of its own high profile nightclub, Bordello at 901 E. 1st Street.   

Formerly Little Pedro's, the completely renovated and colorfully redecorated venue has been appropriately renamed by famed L.A. club owner Tony Gower , celebrity designer Dana Hollister , revolutionary urban planner Elizabeth Peterson and innovative restaurateur Jim Venetos .

Bordello flirts with the notorious past of its infamous location, as the oldest bar and brothel in Downtown Los Angeles, by reflecting its legendary status as a theater of the unusual and provocative.

Bordello will seduce. Each night of the week will feature distinctive live music. Expect jazz, be bop, do wop, blues Latin, ska, Brazilian, soul, indie, and of course burlesque.

Bordello's grand opening on December 23 featured a headlining performance by the 7-piece band Royal Crown Revue, the famed ensemble which delighted the world in the Jim Carrey movie “The Mask” and was the featured house band from 1993-95 at The Derby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAMED L.A. CLUB OWNER TONY GOWER, CELEBRITY DESIGNER DANA HOLLISTER, REVOLUTIONARY URBAN PLANNER ELIZABETH PETERSON AND INNOVATIVE RESTAURATEUR JIM VENETOS ARE PROVING TO BE A VISIONARY DEVELOPMENT TEAM WITH THE LAUNCH OF THREE UNIQUE, VISUALLY STUNNING VENUES IN THE HEART OF THE DOWNTOWN L.A. ARTS DISTRICT

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The Upscale Restaurant Royal Claytons Opened In September To Rave Reviews And Has Quickly Become A Favorite Of Locals, Celebrities, And Downtown Clubgoers

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The Grand Opening Of Bordello, A Provocative New Night Club, Is On December 23, And A Neighborhood Bar, The Bridge Tavern Is Set To Open In Mid-February

The renaissance of Downtown Los Angeles is heating up thanks to the unique vision of new development team Tony Gower, Dana Hollister, Elizabeth Peterson and Jim Venetos. These maverick developers are on a mission to reawaken the long sleeping giant that is the L.A. River District.

Each of these accomplished individuals brings to the partnership a different discipline perfectly suited for developing venues that match the fabric and character of this unique downtown community.

Tony Gower is the impresario. Gower made history in 1993 when he and his late wife Tammi Gower bought and restored The Derby, L.A.'s premiere big band jazz and Swing Club. Their rich vision, savvy booking and retro styling brought the club back to the mythic status it enjoyed in the glory days of early Hollywood. Under Gower's watch, The Derby soon attracted top Hollywood stars including Julia Roberts, Jack Nicholson, Cameron Diaz, Bob Hope, Whoopi Goldberg and Jennifer Lopez, and helped launch the careers of innovative neo-swing bands Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Royal Crown Revue. Gower's club career began in his early teens in London, England and then in Spain where he began his development and booking career in the Spanish entertainment industry. He arrived in the U.S. in 1983 where he started underground clubs in downtown Los Angeles.

Dana Hollister is the designer, and bold colors, daring concepts and fearless designs are her trademarks. In the early nineties, Hollister opened what was to become one of the premiere interior design firms in Los Angeles, Odalisque. Tim Burton, Madonna, Cher, Tom Petty, Charlize Theron and John Malkovich were just some of her clients. Shutting down Odalisque at the peak of its success to pursue her own vision, Hollister bought and threw herself into the restoration of the abandoned Canfield-Moreno Estate, rebranding it The Paramour. Under Hollister's command, The Paramour has become one of the most exquisite residences in all of Los Angeles and is in demand as a world famous filming location. Annie Leibovitz, Steven Meisel, Bruce Weber, David LaChapelle, The Coen Brothers and David Lynch have all featured Hollister's Paramour in their projects. Elizabeth Peterson is the visionary urban planner. As the owner of Elizabeth Peterson Group, she has introduced, entitled, and constructed over 500 venues in the L.A. market. Peterson is considered the United States' foremost expert on urban planning, development, and construction of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and hotels. She speaks all over the country on the issue of urban development. Knowing that the hospitality industry is the 2nd largest producer of revenue in the world, Peterson has worked for multiple states to revitalize downtrodden neighborhoods. With Petersons help, derelict communities have experienced artistic and creative rebirths. Her recent client roster includes Andre Balazs, Core Group, CIM Group, Kennedy Wilson, Sean McPherson, and John Lyons/Lyons Group. Peterson is the 2007 Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and sits on many government task forces including the Responsible Hospitality Institute of America.

Prior to founding the Elizabeth Peterson Group, Peterson built, operated and was the talent buyer for Hollywood's Knitting Factory, the Hollywood Athletic Club, St. Marks Jazz Club in Venice, and the legendary At My Place in Santa Monica. She booked and developed artists in the L.A. market such as Boney James, Everett Harp, Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, Billy Vera & the Beaters and Etta James.

Jim Venetos is the innovative restaurateur who owns one of the most famous diners in Los Angeles, the Brite Spot. Through his efforts, this landmark diner has redefined cool, with late-night DJ's, comfort food, and around the clock hours. By remaking this historic diner into a destination restaurant, Venetos has renewed interest in L.A.'s East Side and helped change the fiber of the Sunset corridor in Echo Park. Regulars at the Brite Spot include Jack Black, Kim Gordon, Perry Farrell, Juliette Lewis and Tatiana von Furstenberg.

The team's first opening is Royal Claytons, located at 1855 Industrial Street in the Toy Factory Lofts Building. As the first upscale restaurant to hit the Arts district in a decade, Royal Claytons has been enthusiastically welcomed by downtown loft residents and has quickly become a linchpin for this burgeoning downtown community. Locals and celebrity clientele spotted there include members of The Black Eyed Peas, soul singer Macy Gray, and fashion designer Adriano Goldschmied. Claytons is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and after 10PM transforms into “Claytons After Dark,” a great hang for cocktails, billiards and avant-garde music.

Architect George Kelly, who is known for his design and construction of bars and restaurants throughout Hollywood and the Downtown area, is also a partner in this venture.

Next is the grand opening of Bordello, a luscious hypnotic carnival of a nightclub located in the oldest bar in Downtown L.A. at 901 E. 1st St., formerly the site of Little Pedro's. On December 23, Bordello kicks off its opening with a live performance by the infamous Royal Crown Revue. This bacchanalian nightclub, bar and restaurant will feature special nights dedicated to jazz, blues, Euro club music and, true to the location's roots as a onetime legal bordello, classic Vaudeville styled burlesque shows.

The third venue, of the seven this group has planned, is a medieval-styled English Beer Garden called The Bridge Tavern . It will feature a vast beer selection, boutique wine list and comfort food served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Live jazz will be featured on Saturdays and Sundays evenings. Located at the site of the former Studio Café, The Bridge Tavern is set to open at 1356 Palmetto St. in late February.