JIMMY HAN CRAFT BEER IN THE HEART O F K-T O W N “Koreatown has always been its own little bubble,” says Jimmy Han. “The [biggest] change since we opened five years ago is a lot more people are discovering Koreatown who aren’t Korean.” Conveniently located in-between downtown, Hollywood and Beverly Hills, Koreatown has become an essential nightlife hub – and slap bang in the middle is Beer Belly, Han’s decidedly un-Korean establishment, which serves craft beers alongside high-end bar food. “I wanted to make sure we were unique and different,” says Han, and thanks in part to his efforts, Koreatown now offers night owls endless options for a “choose your own adventure” evening. “It’s getting much more diverse,” says Han of the growing list of dining alternatives and secret spots for debauchery in karaoke booths and 24-hour spas. “It’s always evolving, and much of that has to do with the culture and the community: it’s dense and there are a lot of liquor licenses. Even in 2008, when the market took a crash and everything wasn’t on the up and up, Koreans supported Korean businesses. People here are still going out to drink and eat, even if it’s not the best of times.”
K O R E AT O W N ’ S C U R AT O R Born and raised in LA, Han opened Beer Belly in 2011, expanding K-Town’s offerings with craft beer and high-end comfort food