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To get into this speakeasy-themed Cuban oasis (in the space that used to be Blacklite), reservations are recommended and you'll need to wear somewhat dressy attire (no baseball hats, shorts or flip-flops). But La Descarga's dramatic details make it worth the trouble. If you make it past the guard outside, you'll get to walk up a stairway into what looks like a dilapidated hotel room. Inside, a pretty gal sits at a desk, checks off your name and opens the doors to an armoire filled with Ricky Ricardo garb, moving them aside to reveal an entryway. You walk through and - voila! - you're inside a dark and decadent hideaway boasting a fat roster of fancy rum drinks and a separate, semiventilated room for puffing on cigars. The sultriness of the experience reaches eye-popping heights a few times a night, when a scantily clad burlesque babe (backed by live Latin musicians) writhes about the room, hangs from the balcony and stomps atop the bar while eating and playing with fire. Hot, hot, hot!
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This place is sad. After dealing with the reservations person, it sounded like it is on the verge of closing. Their policies regarding weekend "reservations" change daily and the whole club seems to reek of desperation - financial and otherwise. Is a "table reservation" required for 2, 4, 6 or 8 people? How many bottles per table minimum? What's the difference between the "guest list" and a "standing room reservation"? Don't ask me because you'll get a different answer every time you ask. And then again, you may never get an answer.
Nothing lasts forever in Hollywood and but it's still tragic to see how far and fast this place is falling. Maybe they're running out of people who will pay $250 for bottle of 4-tier liquor like Bacardi? Who in their right mind wants to drink Bacardi all night? Probably the guy that mixes it with Diet Coke. Can you say classy? Maybe put some Rose's lime juice in there to balance it out...mmm... sexy...
Maybe it's due to the complete flake who takes the reservations. Certainly lack of communication skills have ruined better ventures then this excuse for a bar.
Maybe the place smells awful. Not just any awful but vomit awful.
Ultimately, who knows what's up with this place - maybe someone can do a post mortem after they close their doors for good.
Choose somewhere else.
A hidden gem in a gritty part of Hollywood. Gorgeous design and cool band. I recommend it, though I resent the "Hollywood" touches, such as velvet rope, the "handlers", etc. It's also extremely loud and way too packed to be able to show off your dance moves. But it is totally worth checking out, if only for its design and the cigar lounge.
I'm Cuban B....and this place is LEGIT. It offers up a sorta secret entrance (in a word -NARNIA), a burlesque floor and catwalk show, a dedicated cigar and premium rum room as well as an impressive menu of about 70 rums. Their Mojitos are SO good, and Honey Swizzle is even BETTER.
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