I’m all for the Hollywood revival, but this time the powers that be have taken it one step too far. Tonight, low and behold, is the last night for Daddy’s. For those of us that have spent many a night, many a birthday party and drank many a cocktail at this Hollywood bar, it is a true loss.
Daddy’s is a popular bar, but a place where the bartenders, especially Brandon, actually cared about the patrons, knew our names, knew our stories. Daddy’s is one of the only bars that I felt comfortable, as a girl, going to by myself, usually before I was covering a music event for LAist to get a drink and chill before the show.
So what happened? Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency is evicting them through eminent domain my friends. Or more precisely, a $326 million mixed-use project approved by the Los Angeles City Council that is slated to be built along the east side of Vine and Hollywood Boulevard and will effectively wipeout all of the many small businesses on the block, including Daddy's.
The project, which will include a W hotel, 350 apartments, 145 condominiums and nearly 60,000 square feet of retail, is scheduled to break ground next year.
What is redevelopment about? Yes, it’s bringing more money and economic growth to a community, but does it have to be with chains, hotels, Starbucks, Barnes & Noble and other stores that are now a dime a dozen? There is something to be said for a neighborhood bar, a neighborhood place where you feel welcome. And if that means that another generic hotel and condominium can’t be built in Hollywood, well who is really going to miss it?
Rumor is tonight is invitation only, but I think I’m going to crash it to give the bar a personal sendoff.
