11 Oct Houston Hospitality’s Latest Venture: Dirty Laundry

The Houston Brothers (Mark and Jonnie) did it again with their grand opening of Hollywood’s newest venue, Dirty Laundry. With a successful track record of nightlife venues such as No Vacancy, The Piano Bar, Harvard and Stone, and La Descarga (just to name a few), it’s no wonder why their latest venture started off with quite a bang. What makes their latest venue so unique? Well to start, this newly renovated joint was none other than Rudolf Valentino’s speak easy back in the 1920s. Aside from it’s historical roots, Dirty Laundry is hidden on a side street off of Hollywood Blvd with a non-descriptive entrance. Guests are greeted at the top of stairs that lead down to a door (with the original buzzer) in which you are given the name to press as how to enter. Upon entering the venue, you immediately get an old fashioned speak easy feel that embodies a modern lounge flare. Decor includes old Edison light bulbs, bookshelves, brick walls, vintage chandeliers and an array of other old Hollywood touches.    Dirty Laundry boasts a unique and friendly assortment of staff, starting with their Bar Manager Nicolas O’Conner. Originally a Los Angeles native, Nicolas spent the last 10 years in New York where he served as a partner at Apotheke. From then on, he fell in love with the art of mixology and lucky for us, he has recently brought his craft back to Los Angeles where he hopes to share his latest concoctions in the new Hollywood joint. Both the Houston brothers and O’Conner wanted to keep things authentic and fun, so they made sure to have all bartenders involved in the creation of the cocktail menu. O’Conner describes the menu as “a play on the classics with a little personal flare,” which can be seen in his “Hollywood Park”  cocktail that includes pop rocks. In addition to their cocktail menu, the Dirty Laundry mixologists have stirred up some out of this world punch bowls that can be enjoyed with friends at a booth or in their lounge. Their menu is comprised of 8 unique cocktails and we had the pleasure of sipping down quite a few of these tasty creations:   Hollywood Park: bourbon, mint, cactus pear, lime juice, club soda, pop rock float Juice Joint: gin, grapefruit shrub, carrot juice, lime juice, habanero tincture   All Night: cognac, Applejuice, Yellow chartreuse, lime juice, orgest, cardamom bitters Virtuous Sinner: tequila, Campari, Amaro Ciociaro, orange juice, lemon juice, thyme syrup   31 Flowers: vodka, Aperol, jasmine cucumber syrup, lime juice, champagne High Desert: barley infused rye whiskey, sarsaparilla, bitters, absinthe rinse, orange zest (and a little fire) Bar Manager: Nicolas O’Conner (aka Nicologist) Mixologist: Mark Daoust Mixologist: Bayardo (B) Demurguia  Dirty Laundry Open Tuesday-Saturday: 10pm-2am 1725 Hudson Ave Los Angeles, California 90028 (323) 462-6531