Movies

‘This is our Super Bowl’: Where to watch the ‘Love Island USA’ season finale in L.A.

BBG News

“Let it go!” one person screamed at a massive TV screen.

“Get him out of my villa!” shouted another.

Another exclaimed, ‘We’re having a vote tonight!’ It was as if they were gesturing to rally support, suggesting we should gather our allies and prepare ourselves for a significant endeavor.

8 p.m. finds The Palm & Pine bustling with every seat filled, causing some enthusiasts to gather outside for a peek at the festivities through the window. A compact team of bartenders is putting in extra effort to churn out wings, fries, and exotic cocktails with tropical flair.

Typically, evenings at the locally-owned Hollywood establishment, affectionately known as “your girlfriend’s favorite sports bar,” see patrons gathering to catch tennis, basketball, or soccer games. However, on this particular Tuesday night, the crowd had gathered for a different kind of competition. They flocked to the bustling bar to cheer on “Love Island USA” alongside 200 other enthusiastic fans who share their passion for the reality dating show.

Television

This week, I’m pointing you towards an intriguing documentary about the inventor of the Polaroid camera. Also, don’t miss out on a roaringly funny British competition series. Last but not least, Season 2 of ‘Love Island USA’ is now streaming! Enjoy your screen time!

In simpler terms, Colin Magalong, co-owner of the Palm & the Pine, stated that the sound levels were so loud they surpassed any Super Bowl, World Series event or anything else previously presented at their venue.

Madeline Biebel, founder of the Reality Bar pop-up event series, stated, ‘This feels like our own Super Bowl’ as they have been organizing free ‘Love Island USA’ viewing parties at establishments such as Palm & the Pine and various other bars throughout L.A.

VIDEO | 01:38
‘Love Island USA’ watch parties are taking over Los Angeles bars

For several years, groups of people have been convening in public areas to collectively watch popular TV shows on broadcast. However, the communal viewing party trend has recently experienced a revival, propelled by social media and the intricate narratives of series such as “The White Lotus,” “Severance,” and “Traitors.” This summer, the U.S. version of “Love Island,” a reality dating show airing six days a week, has ignited a cultural phenomenon. As a result, Angelenos are swarming coffee shops, bars, restaurants, exclusive social clubs like Soho House, and entertainment venues like Dave & Buster’s to watch the show together and discuss it in person.

In its seventh season now, the concept of “Love Island USA” is quite straightforward: Ten singles are dropped into a luxurious villa in Fiji, where they must form romantic pairings with members of the opposite gender to avoid being eliminated from the island. Throughout several weeks, contestants, or as they’re called, “islanders”, engage in elaborate challenges (often involving seductive outfits and kissing), which are intentionally designed to create drama. Occasionally, newcomers, referred to as “bombshells”, are introduced to test the islanders’ relationships. Meanwhile, viewers can vote for their preferred islanders, similar to “American Idol”, hoping they will reach the finale and win the $100,000 prize.

Lauren Sowa, who teaches about television and pop culture at Pepperdine, commented, “It’s incredibly unconventional.” Shows such as ‘The Bachelor’ strive to uphold a sense of decorum. However, shows like ‘Love Island’ disregard this completely by immersing it in their ocean, pool parties, and foam festivities with abandon.

In the midst of intense games, isolation from the outside world, shared living arrangements reminiscent of dorm rooms, and the high-stakes quest for love, Sowa notes, “The potential outcomes are greater than ever. The excitement couldn’t be greater, making our entertainment level unmatched.

Television

Cierra Ortega departed from ‘Love Island USA,’ making her the second participant this season to withdraw due to past employment of a derogatory racial term.

In 2021, as Los Angeles began to reopen following the COVID-19 pandemic, an idea sparked in Biebel’s mind: creating a venue where people could gather to watch reality TV shows like “Love Island” and “The Bachelor.” She mused, “Why doesn’t L.A. have a bar or restaurant that airs ‘The Bachelor’?” Biebel, aged 28, reminisced.

Initially, when I asked the bartenders at my neighborhood sports bar to turn on a specific show, they chuckled, thinking it was an unusual request. However, when a group of people gathered around me on the patio to catch the same program, I realized that I had stumbled upon something special.

Guests start showing up from 5 p.m. onwards to claim their spot for the “Love Island USA” viewing event in Hollywood. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

According to Madeline Biebel, founder of Reality Bar, there’s something truly enchanting about those instances when everyone is experiencing shared excitement or anxiety together. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

In 2023, she organized the initial Reality Bar event at a restaurant located on the rooftop of Kimpton Hotel Wilshire, with around 40 people attending to watch Season 5 of “Love Island USA.” Subsequently, she maintained hosting duties for reality show watch parties, featuring series like “The Real Housewives” and “The Bachelor.” At one such event, Joey Graziadei, the star of “The Bachelor,” made an unexpected visit.

The events for this season of “Love Island USA” have been incredibly popular, outshining all others. A TikTok video with almost 3 million views caused a significant increase in attendees at Palm & Pine’s watch party, which originally had around 100 RSVPs but swelled to 1,500. On Sunday, fans cheered as Austin Shepard and Charlie Georgiou, who were booted from the island, made a surprise appearance at the event. To manage the escalating demand, Biebel added ten more venues for watching the show, including Nickel Mine in Sawtelle, Roosterfish in West Hollywood, and Happy Rabbit in Sherman Oaks.

According to Biebel, there’s an overwhelming desire for companionship and belonging, particularly following the COVID period. He emphasized that such shared experiences foster connections among individuals with similar passions. In his words, “There’s something truly enchanting about those instances when everyone is collectively excited or anxious together.

1.) Fans of “Love Island USA” express excitement with cheers, screams, and gasps during a thrilling episode.

2.) Demand for “Love Island USA” watch parties at Reality Bar increased so much that 10 additional L.A. locations were introduced.

3.) Maya Suarez, to the left, and Reanna Davidson indulge in drinks and roses provided by Reality Bar (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times).

On Tuesday evening, people began showing up as early as 5 pm to claim a spot within the bustling two-story bar. As the rhythm of pop and hip-hop filled the air through powerful speakers, guests indulged in an array of creative cocktails inspired by “Love Island”. Some popular choices included the “I’ve Got a Text-ini” (a vodka martini with cranberry juice), “Bare Minimum” (an espresso martini), “Hot New Bombshell” (tequila, grapefruit and lime), “Aftersun Spritz” (Prosecco, mint, soda and lemon) and “I’m Open” (cucumber, vodka, lemon and soda).

As soon as the show started playing simultaneously on all the bar’s televisions at 8 p.m., a powerful wave of cheers echoed throughout. During the intense episode where islanders were reading secret letters about their fellow contestants’ true feelings, various patrons engaged in conversation and shouted at the TV, but no one appeared to be disturbed. The atmosphere was lively, and subtitles were displayed.

Travel & Experiences

Show unabashed enthusiasm for the L.A. Sparks, Angel City Football Club, and all your beloved teams alongside fellow supporters!

Twenty-seven-year-old Branson Bond, a resident of Hollywood, along with his six companions, attended a watch party for the very first time, having discovered the event through various social media platforms.

Online, it’s different seeing people’s views, but there’s a depth to it – be it music or movies – when you’re with others who share your passion,” Bond noted, locating a booth upstairs with his companions in the bar. “Given the state of things globally, it’s refreshing to take a break from serious matters and enjoy some lighthearted moments together every so often.

I just can’t get enough of those wild kiki sessions and parties! After every show, I simply must debrief – it’s an instant post-show necessity for me, being from Hollywood.

Reanna Davidson (age 26) and her sister Maya Suarez often take turns to watch “Love Island USA” at either of their homes. However, they decided that hosting a joint watch party would make the experience even more enjoyable.

Davidson mentioned that he and others seem to be quite engrossed in “Love Island,” causing quite a stir at home, and they were curious about what it’s like behind-the-scenes, as he took a sip from his martini.

She expressed her appreciation for both the dramatic elements as well as the romantic ones, mentioning that witnessing the characters develop genuine relationships beyond the drama was particularly endearing to her last year.

As a film enthusiast, I couldn’t resist returning to Reality Bar’s watch party after my first visit at another location. I simply had to bring along my crew of workmates who have just begun their journey into the captivating world of this show.

Waugh expressed his affection for the friendly atmosphere and everyone cheering, while also admitting that he’s still irritated about Jeremiah getting eliminated during one of the show’s most surprising scenes. He went on to say that it’s enjoyable, similar to watching a sporting event. And as a joke, he mentioned there are more attractive females than men on the show.

After the TV show ended, some visitors hurriedly left the bar, but others chose to linger for karaoke sessions, photo booth fun, or discussing the show with their fresh acquaintances. It’s the sense of community that JP Stanley, a 29-year-old resident of Hollywood, values the most about these watch parties.

Stanley remarked, “I believe what makes it special is the feeling of belonging,” as he enjoyed a glass of Prosecco. Accompanied by a friend, he expressed his anticipation for future gatherings, long after the ongoing season of “Love Island” ends. He noted that Los Angeles seems to crave this sense of community, and he feels this event offers a platform where individuals of all ages can connect effortlessly, serving as an uncomplicated shared interest.

He stated, “No prior knowledge is necessary. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know anything about me, and I don’t need to know anything about you either. We can simply start a conversation as if we’ve known each other for ages, like this: ‘Hey, let’s talk about Love Island,’ and you might respond, ‘Oh, yes, Amaya!’

Read More

2025-07-10 13:33

Previous post Lewis Capaldi tour sells out in seconds with fans furious at Ticketmaster for ‘crashing as they reached front of the queue’ – as adored Scotsman issues emotional update
Next post First look at Delta Goodrem’s ‘fairytale’ wedding with Matthew Copley in Malta as the pop star walks down the aisle in stunning couture gown that took months to make and is embroidered with deeply personal details