The first supper club in the country was established here in Southern California, in Beverly Hills. Popular during the 1930s and 1940s, a “supper club” signified a high-class dining establishment that was also a social club, a private and fairly intimate space where diners enjoyed leisurely multi-course meals, drinks, and entertainment. Here in the same city as the very first of these establishments is a modern supper club in Los Angeles that is in a class of its own.
It would be easy to simply call Verse LA a restaurant, and yes, it is technically a restaurant. However, I am here to tell you that it is so much more than that.
It doesn’t look like much from the outside, almost reminiscent of a speakeasy, with no real signage, no windows you can see through… Just a signature “V” on the door.
Verse LA has taken the concept of a classic supper club and run with it. This Toluca Lake hotspot is operated by Manny Marroquin, the 17-time Grammy-winning mixing engineer who owns Larrabee Studios next door.
Verse is identified as much as a restaurant as an intimate music venue, a perfect blend of cuisine, sound, and libation. It is essentially a recording studio big enough to fit a restaurant inside. Well-known musicians play and record here, some playing multi-week residencies, with live music every night that Verse is open.
Aside from the food (more on that in a second), what makes Verse truly special is the perfect acoustic environment. Guests are surrounded by speakers and subwoofers, and the walls are covered by disguised sound panels.
There is no stage; the band performs on the floor with no special lighting. Music can be heard equally throughout the dining area for an immersive experience, but diners can still enjoy private conversations without competition.
The restaurant is also a kind of raw, acoustic recording studio, wired to pump live music from here directly to Larrabee next door.
There are microphones for the band and microphones that capture the audience’s energy, but also noise cancellation to keep silverware and plates from being heard on these creative, live recordings.
And then there is the Angeleno cuisine and renowned libations, which center as much on creativity and “mixing” as the music.
You can expect to always be surprised in the best way with unexpected combinations, reimagined recipes, and vibrant flavors that spring from Mesoamerican culture.
Call it a restaurant, music venue, or supper club; one description may fit better than them all – an exceptional experience. Reservations are recommended and are best made well in advance, especially if you plan to visit on the weekend. Have you ever been to this modern supper club in Los Angeles? We want to hear what you think! Find more information, the menu, and reservations on the Verse LA website. You can also keep up with specials, seasonal creations, and scheduled performances by following Verse LA on Facebook. There are often special events, musical residencies, and experiences at Verse LA – check out what’s happening and get your tickets on Fever.
