Fans filled local places, old and new, during World Cup fever
The World Cup was in full swing in our neighborhood during June and July, and several local establishments (one new and one not) have been bursting at the seams with fans and supporters of teams from across the globe.
THE CROWDS at All Season Brewing were thick and rowdy for the June and July World Cup matches.
All Season Brewing Company, located at the corner of 8th Street and La Brea Avenue in the old Firestone tire shop, was overflowing with rabid fans for each and every World Cup game. Multiple bar lines 20 people deep were the norm starting from when the tournament began. Finding a seat was not for the faint of heart. If you wanted a table, you needed to show up at least an hour early. The atmosphere was absolutely electric, and, dare I say, felt a lot like Los Angeles pre-COVID, which is a welcome sign after years of building back. Let’s hope that the comeback remains strong, long after the World Cup ends. After all, Los Angeles is still looking forward to hosting the 2027 Super Bowl at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium. Let’s not forget the 2028 Olympics!
The newest sports bar in the neighborhood is the Pawn Shop, located on the corner of Melrose Avenue and Cahuenga Boulevard, which opened in June just in time for the World Cup’s most dramatic games!
The glorious 1934 Art Deco building was lovingly brought back to its roots with a brick-by-brick restoration. Formerly the home of the pawn shop Brothers Collateral, the newly envisioned space is much, much more than a sports bar. The layout is designed to mimic the look and feel of an arena. Once inside, you are greeted by an enormous center bar, surrounded by various seating spaces including tables, booths, sofas, gaming areas—the works! There are 37 TVs on the ground floor and two video walls, along with 80 bar seats. Upstairs, looking out over the first floor, are seven private suites of varying sizes. You can rent a suite per event or lock into an annual membership. As if there weren’t enough TVs downstairs, there are an additional 19 upstairs. Whew!
GIANT TVS surround the tables and bar seating at the newly opened Pawn Shop.
The menu at Pawn Shop has been prepared by James Beard Award-winning chef Tony Messina. The ingredient-forward menu includes elevated takes on familiar favorites, like a classic hamburger (yes, it was delicious) and Buffalo wings (these were actually insanely delicious), but also shoots for the stars with caviar, a whole chicken, a shellfish tower, and a 40-ounce prime tomahawk steak. The bar program features the same care as the food, as well as a significant zero-proof cocktail program that goes above and beyond standard non-alcohol offerings. I, for one, am so excited that this restaurant and bar hangout has finally opened! So, start your engines, saddle up, and let the games begin. It’s showtime!
Category: People
