It’s Official: One of the World’s Best Bars Is Coming to Los Angeles

Iconic New York City bar Employees Only is officially making its way to West Hollywood soon, landing in the former Baby Blues BBQ location on Santa Monica Boulevard.

Employees Only co-founder Dushan Zaric has long been attached to that space, ever since Eater broke the news last fall that Baby Blues BBQ would be vacating the address in favor of a new drinking tenant. Now the LA Times has added to the story, announcing that Zaric will indeed be doing his Employees Only thing alongside Midnight Hospitality partners Steven B. Weisburd and Tom Sopit.

What’s more, it seems that chef Sascha Lyon, a longtime NYC vet who has most recently been seen in LA at places like Commerson, will be behind the hearty bar snack and steak menu inside. The Times says to expect an opening this spring, though there’s no confirmed date as Zaric is also still currently working on a multi-functional bar experience at the remodeled Hotel Figueroa in Downtown Los Angeles, also slated for an arrival in the next several months.

For those unaware, Employees Only is a speakeasy-style bar with fans across the world. It’s routinely regarded as among the best places to drink anywhere on the planet, and should help to boost LA’s still-growing cocktail scene. Not that they’ll be alone in their efforts; Everyone is moving to Los Angeles these days, including similarly-styled NYC speakeasy export Bathtub Gin.

Employees Only West Hollywood
7953 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA

• One of America’s Best Cocktail Bars Debuts on This Gorgeous Downtown Rooftop [ELA]