Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
New Player In Town - The Edison

When exactly The Edison started their soft opening, we don't know - what we do know is that we've haven't seen a bar like this in Los Angeles, well, ever. In major East Coast cities this is a trend we've seen before - taking over an old space be it a bank vault or power plant and making it a lounge, but this is the first we've seen in Los Angeles and it's guaranteed to be the talk of the town. When we made it down to the new hotspot Saturday night at 11:30, there was a massive line outside. We sweet-talked our way inside, capacity at this venue is 400 people afterall, so plenty of room for everyone but once inside we heard the line was moving fast and, gasp, the door guys weren't half bad.
The first original power plant is Los Angeles, The Edison is inside the Higgins building. It has been a three-year and $2 million dollar renovation led by Andrew Meieran and the result is Metropolis where everything is dark and twisty. A lot of the original pieces of the power plant remain and around every turn (and there are quite a few) there are amazing homages to the power plant that once habitated this space.
The official opening is Friday night! It's sure to be a madhouse, but if you're so inclined it's RSVP only. Read up on the hype while you're at it.
The Edison
Second St and Main St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 613-0044
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.