I first went to The Gold Room about three years ago. Back then it was dirty and dark, the ground littered with peanut shells, the air reeked of tequila, the majority present were urban Mexican cowboys/gangsters and the waitresses were dressed down to nothing while flaunting their mandatorily enormous breasts. I described it as the Mexican Hooters. It was great, a bit sketchy but nevertheless a dark and dirty novelty. Three years later not much has changed except for a minor makeover that leaves the place feeling bigger, brighter, more spacious and safer. I assume that the makeover was an attempt to cater to the overwhelming population of young, white artists rapidly taking over the neighborhood. The Gold Room did the smart thing, or should I say the lucrative thing. It adapted to survive the flood of gentrification. And so far it seems like it has. It's grown solid roots deep into the ground and can now hang on no matter how violent the flood. It also has succeeded in maintaining it's authenticity as numerous Mexican cowboys/gangsters can still be found dominating the bar stools and although the waitresses are less scantily dressed they still have enormous breasts.
A warning to all hipsters. There is a rumor that The Gold Room has an unspoken policy to allow no more then 2 booths to be filled with the gangs of gentrification. If the joint gets over saturated with the artistically Caucasian kind, it is policy to allow local Mexican cowboys/gangsters to throw at least one punch each. Don't be scared, just don't act like a fool and you should be fine. I think its a great way of keeping gentrification in check.
The Gold Room
1558 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
213-482-5259
No comments:
Post a Comment