A new karaoke bar and restaurant is coming soon to the second floor of an established Koreatown building.
Officials for the restaurant recently submitted a Conditional Use Permit application to the city’s Planning Department for 3429 W 8th St., in Los Angeles.
The CUB will allow sale and dispensing of a full line of alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption in a 4,584 sq. ft. restaurant with 16 karaoke rooms.
Ryan Yatman is involved in the project, along with a partnership comprised of local residents. While Yatman works in real estate some of the partners have specific experience with this type of business.
They aren’t disclosing the name of the karaoke bar just yet, Yatman said during a phone interview with What Now Los Angeles on Wednesday.
They’re just waiting on permits from city (expected in the next two months or so) to build out the space and then they’ll start construction, which will take about three to six months, Yatman said. They hope to fast track the permit process and open later this year.
With just under 100 seats, the karaoke bar will have a classy and comfortable setting. There will be a full kitchen and individual karaoke rooms with big screen TVs in each. Average room size will be about 200 square feet, but it depends on the configuration.
Guests will be able to order food and drinks off the menu from their own booths. They haven’t finalized the menu quite yet, but it will likely be a combination of Korean and American cuisine, he said.
Hours will likely be from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Valet parking will be available, but they’ll encourage people to ride share.
“People will have a good time and a safe time,” Yatman said. “It will be a place to gather, to drink and enjoy your time.”
The property is about 80 years old and was never properly permitted, he explained. Koreatown has a handful of legal karaoke rooms and some under radar, he added. Theirs will be fully licensed and permitted.
The karaoke bar and restaurant will occupy the entire second story of the building, which is in need of some upgrades.
“It’s completely dated, but that’s part of the charm,” Yatman said.
Although they’ll definitely being installing some modern improvements, like new bathrooms and a new kitchen.
He’s not sure if they’ll completely overhaul the exterior, it adds a “little edge” to it, he said.
Although they haven’t started construction yet, it’s becoming more of a reality as they go through the permit process.
“We’re completely excited,” Yatman said. “Everybody comes to Koreatown (pre-pandemic) for food and nightlife. We’ll fit right in.”
