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 is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
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.
Photo Essay: Tranquility Base's First Annual Cocktail Party
Tranquility Base, downtown's newest restaurant/bar, celebrated its grand opening with a "first annual" springtime cocktail party last night. There were some passed hors d'oeuvres, a cocktail tasting to choose the restaurant's featured cocktail and lots of dressed-up 30-something revelers enjoying the warm evening by the outdoor firepit.
The restaurant, located on the ground floor of the Sky Lofts at Grand and 8th in downtown, will feature a new food menu every season. Unfortunately, despite the cocktail contest at the party, it doesn't feature a specialty cocktail menu so those craving something fancier than a two-ingredient cocktail will be better off looking elsewhere. However there are infused liquors available, no list but you can ask the servers about what's available.
There are also wine and beer lists, including seasonal beers on tap ($6 each). The wine list's whites range in price from the $28 bottle of 2007 Crios Rose of Malbec, de Susana Balbo to the $115 2005 Fisher Chardonnay; bottles of reds include the $31 2005 337 Wines Cabernet Sauvignon and the $55 2003 St. Supery Cabernet.
Support for LAist comes from
The dinner menu was comprised of mostly salads and small plates. I ordered the calamari ($9) and although it was tasty, I would have liked more squid for my money. Friends I ran into at the event liked the food as well but were left feeling unsatisfied because of the portions-to-price ratio. They ended up grabbing dinner later in Little Tokyo.
The restaurant/bar space with its stationary colored lights, many TVs, women dressed in clubwear and bouncers galore had a nightclub vibe. Fortunately the music wasn't loud, thumping beats but rather something hip and played at a low volume so you could still enjoy your meal, have a conversation and feel cool. And the televisions played FIDM fashion shows and tranquil environmental scenery like waterfalls, sunny beaches and...bears wrestling.
Tranquility Base seems like a cool, new hang where the acrophobic 30-something fashionable set can finally go to enjoy an outdoor patio and drinks downtown.
Tranquility Base
801 South Grand
Los Angeles, California 90017 (map)
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.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist