Historic Gold Coast Transforms Into West Hollywood’s Next Chill Out Bar Next January

Since 2020, a number of longstanding West Hollywood’s longstanding bars have closed, including Flaming Saddles, Rage, and last August, the 40-year-old Gold Coast. The latter’s shuttered space is in new hands with a tribute name — Or Bar — and is scheduled to open in January 2022.

Translated from French, Or is “gold” and a nod to its previous tenant, which owners Stephanie (Stevie) Schestag, Circus of Books owner Rob Novinger, and former Fashion Police co-host George Kotsiopoulos are designing as an inclusive LGBTQI space. Kotsiopoulos noted the trio rented the property directly from the landlord and is not a continuation of the Gold Coast, which closed in August 2020. “What we are doing is starting a new chapter continuing the traditions the community covets for this space,” says Kotsiopoulos. “The last thing we wanted was for it to become something other than a gay bar.”

The partners are preparing for an all-day bar model where people can enter Or Bar for a coffee during the day, and cocktails at night. Says Kotsiopoulos, “It will be equal parts bougie, classy, and ratchet. Everyone should be a little bit of all of those things.”

In other news:

• Long Beach could see a food hall the same size as DTLA’s Grand Central Market. The former Acres of Books site will have a 23-story, 252-foot high mixed-use residential tower on the former site of the historic Acres of Books. Brian Addison’s revamped Longbeachize has the full story.
• The 11th annual OC Japan Fair is on again at the OC Fair & Event Center from October 15 to 17. Tickets are a steal at $10.

• ABC-7 reports a snag in LA County’s vaccine requirement order. According to bar and restaurant owners, some businesses will fall under a different policy and inadvertently create an uneven playing field.
• Restaurants with a “party vibe” are navigating a new path in the age of COVID-19. The Robb Report shows how.
• DTLA’s rooftop bar Broken Shaker is raising money for relief efforts after Hurricane Ida this Monday with an event called A Taste of New Orleans. Proceeds will benefit Turning Tables and Another Round Another Rally, and the $20 ticket includes complimentary beverages, small bites, and New Orleans entertainment. Vaccine proof is required, and tickets available here.

Wonho Frank Lee