“Why are the dinner lights still on right now?”
It’s nearing 10:30 p.m. and Berry Bly, co-owner of Hermosa Beach’s newest hot spot, Studio Restaurant and Lounge, darts his eyes from one end of the brightly lit bar to the other.
Bly, no stranger to a club opening, understands that even the most miniscule of details must be tended to, especially on the Saturday of his bar’s grand opening. Moving swiftly past the enormous, silver-framed, 12-foot mirror that sits facing the dance floor, Bly quickly hustles behind the bar to remedy the light issue.
“I know it may seem like a small issue,” explains Bly, “and a lot of people might not even notice the difference, but if we have decided to cue the blue lights at a certain time during the night, then it needs to be done. No short cuts.” With such a meticulously driven attitude, it’s no wonder that any bar or club Bly touches turns to nightclub gold.
For those of you that have randomly stumbled in to The Shore in the past on a random Friday night looking to enjoy a nice lounge environment, but instead found yourself in the midst of yet another Hermosa Beach “reggae night,” you will be happy to know there is not a trace of the prior. Rather, you will be pleasantly surprised by Studio’s true lounge-like nature that Hermosa’s bar scene currently lacks. From the sheer, curtain-like drapes that clothe the walls, to the prominent DJ booth that sits five feet above the dance floor, Studio reeks “Hollywood lounge,” but with the familiar casualness and low prices of the atypical Hermosa bar.
“We aren’t trying to create this pretentious bar, where we turn people away because they aren’t dressed nice enough,” Bly explains. “All we are trying to do is bring a Manhattan product to Hermosa. We want to maintain an upscale quality while keeping it cool with the local Hermosa culture. We’re trying to meet in the middle.”
Between Bly’s managerial prowess and local interior designer, Jocelyn Borys’ impeccable eye for Hollywood chic décor, Studio has fashioned itself amongst the ranks of any lounge you might find off of Hollywood Boulevard. After dumping close to $200,000 into the remodel and ultimate re-launch, Bly and co-owner Michael Sribney have not only developed a ravishing lounge appearance, but have concocted a small intricate menu with the help from Executive Chef, David Linville.
“The menu is smaller than other places, but the quality is astounding,” says Sribney. “There are several options, from the Red Rock Snapper to the lamb meatballs with stuffed mushrooms. Quality at moderate prices.”
If not for the scantily clad cocktail waitresses wearing bondage like collars while serving $9 drinks, or the music, which Bly promises will include big Hollywood and Vegas DJs, then stop into Studio for a guaranteed entertaining night of people watching and undisputed fist-pumping.
Studio is located at 1320 Hermosa Avenue. For more information, visit www.studiohermosa.com or call (310) 376-0414.
