You may have driven by the corner of Vine and  Melrose numerous times, not realizing there was an old-school martini bar with ample free parking right there amongst the fast-food restaurants often frequented by neighborhood homeless.

 

We’re hesitant to term this neighborhood Soho, for fear of mentioning it in the same breath as  New York’s and London’s Soho, but this is definitely South of Hollywood—which means less hassle—no $20+ parking, no arrogant doormen, fewer patrol cars. It’s own kind of ambience.

 

Now, after twenty years in business, The Three Clubs is moving upscale as owners Marc Smith and Matthew Webb have tapped acclaimed DJ and nightlife heavyweight Sean Patrick to take the place to the next level.

 

They have a great nightlife track record. Smith has owned and designed LA night spots such as The Edison, Burgundy Room, North, Golden Gopher, Vinyl, and Shangri-LA Hotel while Patrick has managed and designed Temporary Spaces, Kanega, and Modular and has worked at Teddy’s, Tropicana Bar, Bar Vermont, Deep, Forty Deuce and Social Hollywood.

 

They’re bringing a fresh line-up of weekly hosted nights, in an attempt to turn The Three Clubs into a first-class entertainment venue–without abandoning its roots.  

Changes include a completely refurbished back bar housing only unique label alcohol brands with an innovative hand-crafted menu by seasoned mixologist Joel Black, who has curated cocktail menus for more than 30 restaurants and bars across the country.

 

Some of his creations available for guests: the Refresher, a mash-up of thyme, lime, cucumber, soda and vodka; the Spicy One, with basil, lime, jalapeño, agave and whiskey and the Pepper Smash, a spicy mix of lemon, honey, basil, red bell pepper and whiskey.

 

Meanwhile, the front bar is staying true to classic cocktails like martinis, Harvey Wallbangers and Rusty Nails, which have always been its mainstay. Another attraction: a roomy smoking patio complete with iron embellishment railings and new lighting ambiance.  

 

Friday and Saturday nights will be hosted by Patrick and feature an 80s playlist.   And you never know who might show up on the newly added stage with state-of-the-art sound and lighting system in the back room—adding to the club’s list of talent who has played there including the Dandy Warhols, Warpaint, Mike Mills of R.E.M., Herbie Hancock, Queens of the Stone Age, Supersuckers, and Michael Des Barres, to name a few.

 

Pop on by for the music, the vibe—and the excellent, stiff drinks.

 

The Three Clubs, 1123 Vine St., Los Angeles (323) 462-6441, 7 pm-2 am nightly