So how much longer does everyone in Silver Lake have to wait before the former MJ’s Bar space on Hyperion reopens? The shutter of the iconic neighborhood gay bar happened more than a year ago, and even back then word was out that the replacement was going to be carrying the name Tenants of the Trees — an homage, perhaps, to the turn of the 20th century illustrated novel by Clarence Hawkes.
The principals involved with the redo, Jason Lev and Reza Fahim, have remained surprisingly tight-lipped about the venture in the 15 months since, and while there is a website that’s presumably meant for the upcoming bar, it doesn’t lead much of anywhere.
Yet, should you be waiting in your car for 20 minutes, trying to turn into the Silver Lake Trader Joe’s parking lot, you might have noticed that the exterior facelift for the building has been largely completed. Dark stained wood now wraps the boxy building, with greenery spreading towards the back and white hanging lamps protruding from up near the roof.
Inside, a few sneaky Instagrammers have managed to snag photos, showing off a still very under-construction bar and dancing space. There’s a small stage for live music and a long white wraparound bar complete with hanging lanterns. Built in booths, recessed lighting, and a disco ball help to further confirm the all night dance party vibe — as if the existing Type 48 ABC license for the space weren’t enough.
There are further plans for plenty of greenspace out back as well (this is Tenants of the Trees, after all), with some of that leafiness likely making its way into the interior decor. Buried in a random post from last year, LAist actually managed to talk to Fahim about the tone of Tenants, and he referred to the project as an "enchanted cocktail bar", but with the vibe of a South American beach town. So there’s that.
With construction still heavily underway, the only question left to ask is: when the hell is the place actually opening?
Tenants of the Trees
2810 Hyperion Ave.
Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA