Dana Hollister opens Villains Tavern in LA

Dana Hollister, restaurant and barimpresario and celebrated interior designer, opens Villains Tavern, a stunning new bar and entertainment venue with over 1,600 sq ft ofpatio on the edge of Downtown LA's vibrant Arts District. Situated next to the railroad tracks with stunning views of the 4th St and 6th St bridges, Villains looks like a cross between a Barbary Coast Saloon and a cabinet of curiosities.

The main interior bar features artfully prepared cocktails made with squeezed to order fresh juices. Signature Villains Libations include: Poison Apple, a tart concoction of Vodka, Fresh Green Apple Juice, and a dash of Bitters, served on a bed of shaved ice, in a coupe; Bella Donna, a chilled jar filled with shaved ice, Makers Mark Whiskey, Mint, Citrus, and a Bramble of Blackberries on top; Cerberus, A Brazilian Mnage Trois of Cachaa, White Peach, and Pineapple.

On tap, Villains has up to 28 beers available in chilled jars. Relive your college days with a PBR, or for seasoned hop-heads, one of the more esoteric offerings, such as Maredsous 10, a nutty triple beer with citrus hints. 20 of these beers are available in an 8 oz jar,with flavor-profile matched shots of liquor, in a Villains Mix & Match, for $8. These can be enjoyed at the patio bar, where guests can sidle up to the counter outside on a stool, or nestle on wooden pews under the huge canvas awnings ringing the patio.

Drinkers with an appetite can savor tasty morsels from Villains concise menu of barfood classics. They might be familiar, but there's nothing ordinary about these bites. Villains Burger is a 1/2lb Kobe style burger, topped with bacon marmalade, balsamic, and sour cherry spread in a toasted bun. Villains Dog is a German Weiner, with Braised Red Cabbage, Olive Tapenade, Bacon, and Cheese. Grilled Cheese is thick-sliced Sourdough, Cave Aged Cheddar, and Chili-Onion-Tamarind Sambol. Summer Farro Salad features Roasted Beets, Heirloom Tomatoes, Feta cheese, Purslane, and Sumac Vinaigrette.

Designed by owner, Dana Hollister, the Villains Tavern interior bearsher signature stamp of bold color, lush patina, and eccentric salvaged, up-cycled details. Walls are paneled in a deep rich red, guests can experience a bar that dates back to The Bowery, NYC in the 1880s. Behind the bar, an old Gothic-arched church window, rescued from a Brooklyn church, is repurposed as a giant mirror. Vintage chandeliers glimmer overhead, and a 14 ft high plate glass window is lined with 600 antique apothecary bottles, in jewel-tones. A mezzanine level above the bar features cozy couches, and low lights. Ornate railings around the edge started life as the giant gates to a 1920s apartment building in Buenos Aires, before being disassembled and reconfigured by Hollister.

Villains features two large outdoor patios, totaling 1,600 sq ft,where revelers can enjoy a balmy evening drink. Furniture on the patios is primarily Argentinean wrought iron, dating from the early 1900s. Wood couches under the iron entry canopy offer a spot to people watch or take in a game of shuffle-board being played on the outdoor board. The larger of the patios features a stage for live performances. Bands, singers, magicians and dancers will be hoofing the boards in an eclectic program of live entertainment. This patio also has huge stained glass and steel doors that can be closed to create a completely separate venue suitable for private events.

Villains Tavern is located at 1356 Palmetto Street, Los Angeles, at the corner of Palmetto St. and Santa Fe Avenue (213 613 0766), moments from SCI-Arch, Molino Lofts, and Barker Block Lofts. There is plentiful, free, on-street parking. A secure bicycle rack for up to 12 bikes allows downtown bikers to leave their wheels safe and sound.

ABOUT DANA HOLLISTER.
Dana Hollister is an internationally renowned interior designer, with an illustrious clientele, including Tom Petty, Tim Burton, Courtney Love, Robert Downey Jr., Madonna, Patricia Arquette and Tatjana Patitz. For several years, she has been instrumental in the creation of some of Los Angeles most successful and unique nightlife enterprises.

Her ventures include Silver Lakes 4100 Bar (founder and designer), Cliffs Edge Restaurant (founder and designer), Brite Spot Restaurant (owner and designer). In Downtown LA, she is the force behind Bordello Bar (designer and owner) and Villains Tavern (designer and owner).

In 1998, she acquired the historic Canfield Moreno estate in SilverLake, which she renamed The Paramour and has since restored to its original beauty. It is listed as Historic Cultural Monument # 391, by the City of Los Angeles.

Dana Hollisters philanthropic ventures include her organization, Silver Lining, and The Paramour has hosted a series of concerts to benefit the Sunset Free Clinic, which included performances from Elton John, Sting, Beck, John Mayer, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

www.villianstavern.com