Thunder Road Cafe, a new concept from Austin Melrose of Umbrella Hospitality Group, is preparing to debut next year in West Hollywood at 7253 Santa Monica Blvd.
The hospitality veteran’s new solo project will move into the former home of Blackwood Coffee Bar, according to a recent liquor license application posted on the building. Melrose tells What Now Los Angeles that this is a passion project for him. Customers can expect various types of beer and wine, and plenty of vintage, new, and old bikes will surround the area. Thunder Road Cafe will open sometime next year, likely around March 2025.
Melrose and his business partner, Zach Patterson, currently operate five concepts under Umbrella Hospitality Group that they have carefully conceptualized and created over the years, including Melrose Umbrella Company (2013), LONO Hollywood (2017), The Corner Door (2017), Umbrella TaCO (2020), and ELLA Beverly Hills at The SIXTY Hotel (2021). Melrose, an avid motorcycle enthusiast, will take on this venture independently, hoping to give people a place to park and hang out with others in West Hollywood.
This will be an excellent site for Melrose’s newest business, considering it will be attached to Thunder Road Classic Motorcycles, owned by Max Hushahn. Although the two companies will be separate, Melrose and Hushahn are good friends and are excited to embark on this next venture together next year. In addition to beer and wine, Thunder Road Cafe will offer a handful of other snacks and bites to eat, as well as non-alcoholic drinks.
