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Formosa Cafe
Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/RichyFormosa Cafe

Formosa Cafe will get a new lease on life thanks to the 1933 Group

Written by
Brittany Martin
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The storied Formosa Café may have shuttered, but it has certainly not been forgotten. Now the nightlife gurus of 1933 Group have announced that they will step in and restore the historic drinking den. 

1933 Group has quite a track record for turning vintage spots to modern-day establishments where we love to drink. After all, they’re the team responsible for the restorations of Highland Park Bowl and Idle Hour, as well as the creators of some of the best bars in Los Angeles, including Harlowe, Sassafras and Thirsty Crow.

“We are honored to partake in the next phase of Formosa Café,” Dimitri Komarov, one of three co-owners of 1933 Group, wrote in the announcement of the project. “In a time when beloved establishments are closing throughout Los Angeles, our company mission has evolved to prioritizing the preservation of the city’s architecture and history by acquiring and breathing new life into notable gathering places such as these.”

Formosa Café soaked up decades of Hollywood history since opening in 1925. Golden Age stars from Clark Gable to Marilyn Monroe were regulars. In 1991, West Hollywood conferred a historic designation that preserved the building itself, but that couldn’t prevent the bar from ultimately closing in December of last year.

Much like their conversions of Idle Hour and Highland Park Bowl, the new owners are expected to bring the place back to its vintage glory—and, if those two projects are any indication, the quality of the cocktails and food menu might even be better than ever. We look forward to donning our best vintage outfits and heading out to the restored version of this Hollywood classic.

 

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