A new yet-to-be-named bar is in the works for the corner of Pico Boulevard and Carmona Avenue in Mid City at 5500 W. Pico Boulevard.
The project, led by Robert Vinokur, is set to transform the current Okay Liquor Store into a full-service bar, as part of a larger effort to bring more businesses to the area, according to documentation submitted to the Los Angeles City Planning Committee. The space, located in a 2,722-square-foot commercial building, is set to feature 1,809 square feet of space dedicated to the new bar, with 65 indoor seats. The proposed hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. every day. In addition to drinks, the bar will offer food, though specifics about the menu have not been released yet.
The change of use request is currently under review by the Los Angeles Planning Department, and the bar would require a special permit to serve alcohol on the premises. This project is part of a larger zoning case for the area, which also includes a proposal to turn an auto repair shop next door into a restaurant and food hall. The bar would be located in a commercial building already home to a coffee shop, a pizza restaurant, a beauty supply shop, and the liquor store currently on the site. The building, built in 1946, is one of several businesses in the area, alongside a mix of residential and commercial properties.
Though there are some concerns about parking and noise, the local neighborhood council has expressed support for the project. Over 80 letters backing the new bar were submitted, and the neighborhood council voted to approve it, though they asked for the bar’s hours to be reconsidered. One resident expressed concern about potential noise from the bar, while others worried about parking issues. In response, the applicant confirmed that there will be no outdoor seating or music and promised to encourage patrons to use nearby street parking or ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft.
A public hearing was held earlier this month, where the applicant addressed these concerns, including security measures. The applicant also plans to hire local staff to work at the bar. The project is still in the early stages, but if all goes as planned, the new bar could be a welcome addition to the neighborhood. With more businesses opening along Pico Boulevard, the area is seeing a revitalization that could help breathe new life into the community.
