Big Wangs Preps for Sunday Kickoff
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
Big Wangs partners Joe Barker, Ted Russell and PJ Brill are getting set to open their third location at 8th and Grand on Sunday.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The former Tranquilty Base space at 8th and Grand starts its new life on Sunday as sports bar Big Wangs opens its doors for the Super Bowl. It's the third location for the eatery, which also operates in Hollywood and North Hollywood.
Downtown's different, though. "We think it's a more hip, discerning crowd," said partner PJ Brill this afternoon. While the menu and experience from the other two locations will carry over, Downtown will feature a traditional happy hour and a more offbeat selection of beers on tap.
The sports bar will be open from 11am to 2am daily, with the kitchen closing around 1:15am. Some of the theme-night promotions from the other locations will carry over, but 8th and Grand will also feature a happy hour menu from 3 to 7pm with both appetizer and drink specials. A late night happy hour from 10pm to midnight will focus on drink deals.
Brill emphasized the eatery's emphasis on value, something that should appeal to locals who have seen many a high-priced establishment open during the Downtown boom.
Most of the bones from Tranquility Base have been kept intact, but more TV's have been added and some of the more questionable design choices have been replaced. The frosted glass on the patio is now clear, and the ceiling drapery has been lost.
Four 58" screens will get those outside into the sporting action. Brill and partners Joe Barker and Ted Russell are particularly excited about the patio, which they see as both a day and night hangout spot.
Six Downtown residents are on the service staff, which also includes imports from the other locations.
While Sunday's Super Bowl viewing is being pitched as a first-come-first-serve affair, a few group reservations have been taken, including from a contingent of Saints fans who will be taking over one side of the room.
After Sunday, the plan is to take two days to iron out some final details and then reopen on Wednesday.
Big Wangs / 801 S. Grand / 213-629-2449
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crystal on February 05, 2010, at 04:54PM – #1
we'll be there on Sunday! Excited to have a good local option.
Patnet on February 05, 2010, at 08:26PM – #2
Excellent. Will they beat Weiland's 2.50 16oz hand crafted IPA?
downtownstylee on February 06, 2010, at 02:39AM – #3
Big wangs is AWESOME! i am so excited its going downtown... so close to all the action... Downtown is officially becoming a REAL downtown city! yippee
Kressky on February 06, 2010, at 10:38AM – #4
It would have been interesting if the new owners were asked what thoughts they had, if any, about why the previous tenant couldn't make a go of it in that location. For instance, did the frosted glass around the patio hurt a lot of the potential drop-in trade of Tranquility?
The 800 block of Grand is both helped and hurt because the eastern side is mainly a big parking lot. Helped because potential customers won't be discouraged by seeing almost no place to leave their car. Hurt because all that blacktop makes the immediate area seem abandoned, at least on those days, or during those hours, when the parking lots empty out.
Incidentally, is "big wangs" a reference to a certain physical attribute of the owners? Or if they reply "we wish!", is it therefore just blue humor? Or are they Chinese, or what?
General Jeff on February 08, 2010, at 12:19AM – #5
Just when I thought "Big Wangs" was going to be my new spot for sports, I got "bitchslapped" at the front door only minutes before Super Bowl kickoff.
For those that remember, I was one of the first endorsers on this blog of their "brand" seeing that I used to frequent their Hollywood location. So quite naturally, even though I had many other options, I decided to "support the new guys" and welcome Big Wangs to Downtown.
First, the doorman denied me access because of my backwards baseball cap, stating that there was a dress code being enforced. But I could clearly see through the glass window that there were already others with similar caps on inside.
Shortly thereafter, I saw one of the co-owners that recognized me from their Hollywood store and he also denied me access. He said that it was because of my baggy attire.
I had on a collared dress shirt, jeans and a leather jacket with a baseball cap. Afterall, it's a football game! No need for a suit and tie. It wasn't my usual "hip-hop" style. And I don't wear "skinny jeans", one of the latest clothing styles.
Then, the "big" bouncer came to the door and said that I could "get in", maybe some other time as if it were a night club. He said they were going for an "upscale crowd" on their opening day. Even though I could clearly see the other patrons with similar casual attire, I didn't say a word. It was too close to kickoff.
I then had to scramble to contact the rest of my party to direct them to a different place to watch the Super Bowl. We ended up at the Holiday Inn on Figueroa.
Trust me, with this kind of treatment, I'm already "done" with Big Wangs!
nanorich on February 08, 2010, at 07:08AM – #6
General,
After your kind words when they announced they were coming, I think they picked the wrong guy to disrespect.
I walked by the place when they were setting up, it does seem to be marketed to people who think Hooters is too up scale.
Simon Ha on February 08, 2010, at 09:45AM – #7
General: I was there for the game. Sorry to hear about what happened to you. Most people inside were invited guests. I think we had one of two tables that weren't reserved.
There were a few people with baseball caps sitting near us who were with the investors of the restaurant. The owners and staff seemed extra careful. I suppose that still doesn't warrant selective enforcement or profiling.
crystal on February 08, 2010, at 11:45AM – #8
was there as well. met the owners and they were very cool. Trying to make this location a bit nicer than the Hollywood location so I guess dress code comes with that. Sucks, but it is what it is. Think I saw a sign about dress code somewhere.
They had all tables reserved by 1 when we got there so the chances of your group getting in were probably slim anyways. is say give them one more try and see what happens. It was tehir first day and def still working out the kinks.
Don Garza on February 08, 2010, at 03:13PM – #9
people with lots and lots of money don't need to dress up!!! Me , I have lost over 88 lbs and intend to buy a suit for everyday of the month once I lose more and get fit. This way I can be in fashion and go anywhere downtown. Next time just stay home and watch the game on a big screen tv with friends...why put yourself through all of that, anyway? oh , yeah1 Blogdowntown said it was a happening place.
If Downtown Businesses don't want downtown resident business , I am not saying that is the intention here ,then let's head over to Hollywood. Me I would have stayed with the tried and true like Pete's Cafe..Coles , or Golden Gopher..
On another note: many of these establishments don't sit too many people and that becomes a problem and this is why I push hard and encourage these types of businesses to open up all over Downtown.. because many times there are people paying for a private party at these places...and it leaves a bad taste in future customers mouths about their business if people are turned away..
Can't believe the Mayor of Skid Row was turned away . Congratulations on skid row 3on3 Basketball League and their Downtowners of Distinction Award. You guys deserve it General Jeff.
Howie on the Hill on February 08, 2010, at 05:12PM – #10
Joe Barker, Ted Russell and PJ Brill (See picture above) don't seem like "high end" people themselves. I read The Generals piece above, again and again. What kind of nonsense is this Wangs dress code? Oh BTW Wangs: people of color do "get it".
nanorich on February 08, 2010, at 05:46PM – #11
I visited their website...and also checked out reviews for their North Hollywood venue.
They had shills posting on Citysearch, as well as complaints about their heavy-handed bouncers. The Website is just plan downmarket sexist offensive. There is nothing remotely upscale about Big Wangs.
There are plenty of places to get average bar food, but I think when you specialize in downmarket dives in an area with no shortage of bars, you just might find Tranquility Base not a great place to badly treat locals.
Matthew Jackson Cooper on February 08, 2010, at 07:05PM – #12
Yeah, nothing says "hip [and] discerning" like a beer-and-wings joint called "Big Wangs."
Because you'd have to be pretty "hip" to be able to "discern" that "wang" is a kind of slang for a particular body part, and putting the word "big" in front of it, well that just makes it all the more clever
Jamie DeFrisco on February 09, 2010, at 10:25PM – #13
I've been to the Big Wang's in Hollywood and North Hollywood and it's one of the few bars that I would leave downtown to go to. I was looking forward to a Big Wang's coming downtown because they have good deals and good food. (With a big variety of foods on their menu.)
I'm saddened to hear there's a dress code for the joint though. I want to hear the specifics of what the dress code entails. Big Wang's is far from a classy joint and to have restrictions such as at The Crocker Club and The Edison is asking too much. No baseball caps or backwards baseball caps is silly, but no overly baggy pants isn't bad. Unfortunately when you say no baggy pants you then leave it up to the bouncer to decide what is and isn't baggy.
Martin Romo on February 10, 2010, at 07:32PM – #14
I showed up with my roomates right as the Superbowl was starting. I was welcomed nicely and after speaking to one of the friendly servers was directed towards a table that recently cancelled -we were wearing our normal street attire. The food/beverage was great, service was stellar, and the interior design was just what my European roommates wanted to partake in for an American Superbowl (the quintessential Sports Bar). All in all our experience was excellent. Welcome to the neighborhood Big Wangs.
General Jeff on February 11, 2010, at 02:32PM – #15
I'm sure my dining experience would have been wonderful as well, if I would have been able to get in.
I guess for next year's SuperBowl, I'll be in Hooter's wearing a tuxedo!
General Jeff on February 11, 2010, at 02:41PM – #16
Hey, Martin!! As a matter of fact, since a previous reader said that the place was packed, your party probably got the very table my party would have gotten.
Now I know for sure that we would have had "an excellent experience".
Gosh Darn It!
I know, I know- Let it go, General Jeff.
Downtown Lalo on February 13, 2010, at 11:08PM – #17
I'm looking down at the outdoor patio from across the street and it looks pretty empty. It's a cold night. The fire pit is on. Four big TV screens brightly lit. Kind of sad, but at least it's quiet.
People coming and going most of the day (Saturday). Got loud for a couple hours. People laughing, whooping it up. Music cranked up a couple times. Mostly 80s classic rock (Mr. Roboto, for god's sake).
A couple mornings ago they were blasting music at about 7 am. Walked down and spoke to someone and asked him to turn it down and he did after a while.
They haven't done anything to make themselves welcome into my neighborhood. Don't want it to fail, but there's always ESPN Zone for the sports fans.