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A cross between West Hollywood's O-Bar and Here, i Candy Lounge is currently finding its niche. The crowd is mixed, and it seems to grow exponentially each week. Additional exposure LOGO TV is undoubtedly compelling more locals to dip their beaks into this new watering hole.
In typical LA fashion, i Candy is nondescript from the outside. In fact, we nearly walked past it at first. (Angeleno rule #1 - always memorize the address and cross street.) Once inside, we were neither impressed or repulsed by the interior. The decor seemed to be an odd hodgepodge of chic meets pub. A few sparsely placed candles are a throwback to the Abbey's decor, while green tiled walls and casual--sometimes uncomfortable--furniture made for an unusual retro combination. Dated paintings and strangely bent railings rounded off the look. As a sidenote, we'll forgive the bar for naming itself after something that sounds like the next iProduct from Apple Computer.
The biggest strength of this establishment is the spacious breezeway and the front patio, both of which are havens when the tavern is crowded. A live DJ spins tunes on selected nights of the week. The music was dangerously loud on Saturday night, escalating crowd noise and making for a slightly claustrophobic feel.
The drink selection is respectable and cheaper than other West Hollywood taverns. We bought a round of 4 drinks for under $30. We weren't able to ascertain the signature drink, and moreover none of the drinks looked particularly exciting or inventive. But again, they were cheaper, and that's a plus.
As we stated, the crowd is mixed. There are themed nights, catering to the various social interests of Hollywood and West Hollywood. However, i Candy's distance from the rest of the Boulevard is the true draw. It's far enough away to be an escape, but busy enough to be a destination in its own right.
Though this is far from our favorite local establishment, it has promise. Like the aforementioned bars, it suffers from overcrowding. What was once a well-kept secret, is now just as trendy and noisy as the rest of the competition. We'll stop back in a few months to see if all the kinks are worked out. In the meantime, check it out on a weeknight if you want a more relaxed vibe, or the weekends if you want to be seen and make the scene.
i Candy Lounge
7929 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 656-400
