DTLA’s once-famed nightlife is flailing. Can this cozy DJ bar bring crowds back?

by

Bar Franca was buzzing with energy the Saturday night the Dodgers won the World Series. The recently renovated lounge in downtown Los Angeles quickly filled with people – some still in Halloween costumes, and others celebrating the Dodgers’ victory with car horns and cheers outside. Though owner Rolando Alvarez was at another event, the bar’s DJs, Maddy Maia and Tottie from Sisters of Sound, kept the lively crowd going under the bar’s unique, hand-painted pink roof.

It almost felt like 2019 again, before the pandemic changed things, when downtown Los Angeles was the center of the city’s nightlife.

Food

Now that the downtown curfew has ended, the city is starting to feel lively again, but local restaurants still need our support.

Maia noted that the downtown area is still recovering from the pandemic and could really use a boost. She believes it’s crucial to support neighborhoods that have been struggling and feels optimistic that Bar Franca is helping to revitalize that part of the city.

Los Angeles nightlife has faced a relentless stream of challenges this year. Wildfires, the ongoing effects of the Hollywood strikes, rising living costs, and even ICE raids and related protests have all hurt the downtown scene. These issues piled on top of an already difficult recovery from the pandemic, which particularly impacted this sensitive area of downtown.

Bar Franca is a new spot created by a well-known local dance music promoter, and it’s bringing a welcome bit of energy to a neighborhood that could really use it.

Alvarez explained that while downtown remains a vibrant area and business owners are optimistic, they could use some support. They’re working hard to attract a diverse range of people back to the area – people who genuinely want to spend time downtown – but they’re also focused on ensuring it remains a welcoming and well-maintained space. The big question is how to achieve that long-term.

Food

Cole’s French Dip initially planned to close on August 2nd. However, due to a large turnout of customers wanting to say goodbye, they’ve now extended their closing date to mid-September.

Downtown Los Angeles was a thriving nightlife hub for twenty years, but it’s really struggled since the pandemic. Even though more people are living there now, the rise of remote work, the continuing homelessness crisis, and recent political issues have created major problems for restaurants, bars, and clubs. Many popular spots have already closed, and others are worried they might have to soon.

Several long-standing local businesses have recently announced closures. Cole’s, a historic establishment that persevered through major historical events, will close on December 31st and is currently for sale. The Mayan, a concert hall operating since 1927, has also closed after 35 years. Additionally, Precinct, a popular queer bar, announced on Instagram that it’s facing closure due to financial difficulties caused by the pandemic, legal issues, and a general downturn in nightlife. They stated they are just a few slow weekends away from having to close their doors.

Downtown has seen many of its beloved establishments—from trendy hotels like the Ace to neighborhood bars like Hank’s—close their doors, diminishing its appeal as a vibrant place to live and have fun. While new venues such as the Level 8 complex, Issa Rae’s bar, and Uncle Ollie’s Penthouse have emerged, even the Central City Association of Los Angeles acknowledges significant problems. Their recent report, “Revive DTLA,” states that downtown is facing a serious crisis, with the pandemic, homelessness, and other issues disproportionately impacting the area. The report highlights that a lack of support and representation over the past five years has negatively affected the neighborhood’s direction.

Downtown areas across the country have struggled since the pandemic began. Previously, these areas were improving, but now they’re facing increasing difficulties. According to Nella McOsker, president of the Central City Association, downtowns have the potential to thrive with nightlife, thanks to a growing number of residents. However, it’s crucial to create a safe and inviting atmosphere because people’s impression of downtown is currently quite delicate.

Alvarez understands this intimately. As the founder of Midnight Lovers, a well-respected independent concert promoter specializing in dance music for the past ten years, he lives only a short distance from Bar Franca.

Franca launched in 2018 as a stylish cocktail bar near the Regent Theater. It quickly became popular, with its beautiful Art Deco design and great music – the space previously held the Stellar Remnant record store. For a couple of years before the pandemic, Franca thrived, but the neighborhood, located close to Skid Row, unfortunately began to decline.

The owners of the well-known downtown nightclub – famous for appearances in movies like “The Bodyguard” and “Night at the Roxbury” – have announced they will host a final series of events in September before closing its doors.

When regular customer Alvarez learned the owners were considering selling their venue this year, he quickly invested in securing a permanent location for his concert series, Midnight Lovers, right in the downtown area. Even though Alvarez had already rented a bigger space near the L.A. River for his shows, he really didn’t want to lose the original, neighborhood venue, Franca.

Alvarez explained that downtown doesn’t offer many venues with a pleasant ambiance for enjoying music. They described being drawn to this particular spot years ago because of its cozy feel, noting that people often have different moods – sometimes wanting a lively warehouse, a bustling club, or a relaxed cocktail bar. Ultimately, Alvarez believes the most memorable experiences happen in smaller, more intimate settings.

Franca’s decor remains largely the same since it was taken over in October, although their drink menu, created by Gabriel Orta and Jonny Child of Broken Shaker, now features more seasonal options and non-alcoholic choices. More notably, Franca is aiming to become a key spot for people heading out to clubs, similar to Gold Line in Highland Park and Zizou in Lincoln Heights, acting as a lively gathering place before a night out.

Alvarez usually performs at bigger events featuring house, techno, and disco, and recently, his audiences have been getting younger. However, he’s always wanted to play a more intimate show, and this is a chance to fulfill that dream.

With the downtown area becoming more unpredictable and it costing more time and money to go out, he admitted people have suggested a more relaxed option – somewhere good for a date or for visitors who don’t want to go to a large, crowded venue. He sees this as a natural evolution and feels it’s the right direction to take things right now.

I was immediately impressed when Alvarez revamped the place with a fantastic new sound system and really highlighted Franca’s DJ sets right behind the bar. It’s become such a vital spot, especially for those of us who aren’t up for all-night warehouse parties anymore, or for the amazing local artists and promoters trying to rebuild the music scene after everything the pandemic took from us. It’s more than just a bar; it’s a place where music feels alive again.

DJ Tottie, originally from the U.K., explained that pubs back home are about more than just partying – they’re community hubs. While she enjoys late-night events, she feels Los Angeles lacks venues that focus on that kind of atmosphere. She loves that Midnight Lovers, now at Bar Franca, offers a similar vibe for free, with good drinks, and allows people to still get a full night’s sleep – finishing up around 2:30 a.m. – making it a great experience.

Business

For Subscribers

With a surging residency rate, this neighborhood is transforming L.A.

Even with problems like a large homeless population and a past reputation for being unsafe, downtown Los Angeles is still attracting new people to live there.

It’s crucial that Franca stays open, not just for the business itself, but for everyone who enjoys downtown nightlife. With so many long-standing spots shutting down, there’s a real fear that the area is losing its appeal, and that negativity could actually make it happen.

Alvarez explained that living downtown after 2020 meant dealing with a constant stream of negative changes. Despite this, she still enjoys living there and feels optimistic when new businesses open. Seeing empty storefronts, however, is discouraging. While an occasional ‘for lease’ sign doesn’t bother her, a growing number makes her worry about the future of the area.

According to McOsker, the vibrancy of downtown nightlife is a key indicator of the overall health of the downtown economy and community. She emphasized the significance of long-standing businesses like Cole’s, questioning the impact of its 2025 closure after enduring so much history. While acknowledging the social losses experienced during the pandemic, she expressed optimism about the nighttime economy, seeing it as a crucial element of downtown’s attractiveness and something worth continued investment. She described it as a unique environment that can’t be replicated elsewhere.

Despite facing serious challenges like homelessness, fires, economic hardship, and protests, the downtown area remains attractive and won’t stay quiet for long. While Franca alone won’t bring everything back to life, it could encourage people to start enjoying live music downtown again.

Alvarez believes the area still has a lot to offer, with its beautiful buildings and central location. Midnight Lovers has always been rooted in this neighborhood, and he’s optimistic about the future. Despite some residents being hesitant to go out as things have changed since 2015-2019, he feels a collaborative effort can revitalize the downtown area, especially given the continued presence of many artists and creative people who live there.

Read More

2025-11-10 14:34