THE EDISON 108 W 2nd St #101 Los Angeles, CA 90012 213.613.0000 www.edisondowntown.com
Take yourself back to the 1920s by stepping into this establishment that is fashioned as if a nightclub and Edison light factory merged into one.
“THE EDISON LOGO IS ‘LIVING HISTORY IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES’ AND CELEBRATES THE FIRST ELECTRIC POWER PLANTS, THE INVENTIONS OF EDISON AND TESLA, AND THAT BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME IN WHICH ART AND TECHNOLOGY MELDED INTO ONE.” - BARBARA JACOBS
E
legant, refined, industrial. These are words that immediately come to mind when you see the inside of The Edison. Take yourself back to the 1920s by stepping into this establishment that is fashioned as if a nightclub and Edison light factory merged into one. Although the setting has the feel of a power plant, the mixture of clientele dressed in upscale and proper attire with comfortingly classic cocktails in hand projects a sophisticated impression overall. This is more than a club. It is an experience, and was created to give adults an environment where they can revel in the old manners of the past, and appreciate a time when attention-to-detail was of the utmost importance. Enjoy trapeze artists, a big band and burlesque dancers while you enjoy one of the finest menus of food and drink. Just make sure to pull out that fine suit or dress since there is a dress code, and don’t miss the hidden door on the way into this tasteful speakeasy. COO of The Edison, Barbara Jacobs, explains just what the main focus was when creating this venue, and why every little detail is constantly taken into consideration when running this establishment. Let the staff at The Edison take you back to a more decorous time— if even just for an evening. Q: Where is The Edison located, and how does that play into the overall theme of the lounge? Barbara Jacobs: The Edison is located in the Downtown Los Angeles historic core. The location was integral to the theme and design of the space. The Edison logo is “living history in downtown Los Angeles” and celebrates the first electric power plants, the inventions of Edison and Tesla, and that brief period of time in which art and technology melded into one. All of this was reflected in Andrew Meieran’s original concepts and it is what continues to set us apart from any other nightlife destination in the world. Q: What were you and Andrew Meieran aiming for when designing this incredible location? BJ: The Edison purposefully offers an upscale experience, and that is reflected in our continuing attention to service and varied entertainment options. The experience of The Edison
128 |
| AUGUST 2015
mirrors a period of time when everyone dressed to the nines to go out on the town. Q: There is so much history connected to The Edison. How is that depicted to the clientele? BJ: The Edison’s ultimate goal is to entertain our guests and to momentarily suspend reality. You might not actually notice all of the historic details, such as the original power generators or the repurposed machinery used to create elaborate fixtures, but you will immediately notice that you are immersed in a total sensory experience that includes the décor, the dress and attitude of the staff, the lighting and entertainment. The historical elements are found in every nook and corner of the space, but the intention is that the guest is immersed into another world—a time and place when this keen attention to detail was cherished. Q: Can you describe the dress code, and why it is so important to the atmosphere? BJ: The Edison strives to create the ultimate nightlife experience. To that end, we recommend that guests dress in upscale cocktail attire. We request that guests refrain from wearing athletic or tennis shoes, athletic wear, ripped or torn jeans and that gentlemen wear collared shirts. The intention of the dress code is intended to maintain an upscale venue for adults to enjoy. It also offers our guests a great excuse to dress up, with many of our guests arriving nightly in period costumes. Q: What type of entertainment is typical at The Edison? BJ: The Edison prides itself on varied and upscale entertainment. We create an atmosphere of excitement, by featuring a variety of artists, including aerialists elegantly descending from high in the rafters, burlesque dancers, period music, big bands, stilt walkers, tap dancers and an array of assorted talent. You never know exactly what you will experience at The Edison; sometimes, you are not certain that you can believe your own eyes. Q: The cocktails and food play an important role at The Edison. What is it about your selection that is so impressive? BJ: The Edison enjoys the largest and most comprehensive offering