It was MLK Day 2009 when Downtown's Standard Hotel greeted the public and investigating authorities with a vomit-inducing "cloud of noxious gas," thanks to the "two 50-gallon drums of muriatic acid and chlorine," they had dumped. Now the hotel's corporate operator "has agreed to plead guilty to violating federal environmental laws," according to a Department of Justice press release. The plea comes with a criminal fine of $200k (the maximum under law) and a $150k community service payment. The chemical dump was done by order by a maintenance worker; the fumes that resulted from the mix of chemicals spread through the storm drain and were released into the nearby 7th and Metro subway station. more ›

Local techno trio, Droog, has had their share of crazy parties atop the Downtown Standard Hotel's legendary roof. Earlier this year, UK record label Crosstown Rebels' web series, Rebel Rave, dropped in to one of them and chatted with the dudes about nightlife and their new record label: Culprit. more ›

Vending machines are the sacred territory of chips, candy, soda, and coffee that tastes like watery dirt...okay, and the occasional iPod. But Quicksilver, the Huntington Beach-based company that makes a popular line of swimwear and beach-going duds, is hoping patrons of the Standard Hotel in Downtown LA will drop a few coins in their new box. Starting August 8th, 70's-styled boardshorts and bikinis will be available for purchase from a vending machine they're installing at the chic DTLA hotel's rooftop pool, reports the OC Register. "The Standard Boardshorts by Quiksilver will have 4 different designs, such as red and white polka dots called Hokus Polkas, from the ’70s and ’80s [and] the bikinis are in basic black." So just how many nickels will you have to drop in the slot to make a purchase? No word yet on pricing, but online the swimwear retails $75-84. more ›

“Martin Landsky is a true jack of all trades,” said Droog’s Andrei Osyka, of the globetrotting DJ/producer/remixer from Berlin. “His music’s equally inspired by deep house and techno, as well as wedded to the timeless and of-the-moment.” more ›

There was a little something "extra" in the air Downtown on Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year, and it wasn't part of the celebration. It was "a cloud of noxious gas," that caused some folks to vomit and one "Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy to experience a burning sensation in his eyes and lungs," according to the LA Times. more ›

Family Affair celebrates it's one year anniversary by taking over the rooftop of the Standard Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. more ›

The City of West Hollywood's Planning Commission met the other night to discuss the Standard Hotel's request to extend their poolside hours to 1:30 a.m. from the current weekend midnight closing (closes at 10 p.m. on weekdays), keeping the hotel's poolside bar competitive with other Sunset Strip nightlife options. B-Side Blog attended the meeting to support the idea, but left the meeting fuming. He was the first to speak during public comment:

... as I wrapped up my little speech, something came over me. I just felt the need to be... snarky. I told the Commission that the Sunset Strip has been around for decades. People who move next door and complain about the noise, well, that's like moving next to a dumpster and complaining about the smell. ZING!

It's kinda like graffiti, only fuzzier. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Check out the lobby of the Standard Hotel on Sunset, where for the next couple of weeks, Knitta Please’s handiwork will be on display. Emphasis on “hand”. The Houston-based group of women (and one man) are giving your grandma’s knitting a healthy dose of “street” appeal. Think of it as guerilla knitting. Knitta gathers every week or so, and knit open tubes... more ›

This weekend is the launch for the new Sunday Tea event at The Standard in Hollywood (4-7 p.m). From the Cactus Lounge, lobby, or poolside, the hotel is offering a special menu of sandwiches, desserts, brewed teas and it wouldn’t be The Standard without cocktails. Called “mar'tea'ni's,” these drinks are booze infused with tea and herbal blends by La Mill, a nice change if you want some antioxidants with your buzz. There are five... more ›

When it opened in 1949 as the General Petroluem headquarters, the building at 612 South Flower in downtown was the tallest in Los Angeles. Architect Welton Becket, who did the round Capitol Records building, the Cineramadome and other icons of mid-century design, probably never thought it would be turned into apartments. But that's just what happened in 2003, as The Pegasus, taking the name from the oil company's logo. more ›