A groundbreaking entertainment complex has taken over Downtown Los Angeles, offering residents and visitors a multi-dimensional escape dubbed the city’s own ‘Mini-Vegas.’ Level 8, a sprawling 30,000-square-foot destination, occupies the entire eighth floor of the dual-branded Moxy Downtown Los Angeles and AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles. Situated mere steps from the Crypto.com Arena and Los Angeles Convention Center, this ambitious project is rapidly becoming a trending hotspot, delivering an unparalleled blend of dining, drinking, and performance-driven nightlife that has significantly impacted the Los Angeles entertainment scene.
The Visionaries Behind the Spectacle
Conceived by the renowned Houston Brothers, Mark and Jonnie Houston, in collaboration with Mitchell Hochberg of Lightstone, Level 8 is the culmination of years of experience in creating immersive hospitality ventures. Known for their whimsical and transportive spaces across Los Angeles, the Houston Brothers aimed to address a perceived gap in Downtown LA’s nightlife, creating a singular destination that negates the city’s notorious challenge of bar-hopping. Their vision, realized with the support of Lightstone Design Studio, Undisclosable, and Basile Studio, has culminated in their most ambitious and intricate project to date, designed to provide a comprehensive pre- and post-event hub for major venues nearby.
A World of Culinary Delights
Level 8 is home to eight distinct culinary and beverage concepts, each offering a unique flavor profile and ambiance under the guidance of Executive Chef Richard Archuleta. Michelin-starred Chef Joshua Gil leads Maison Kasai, a French-Japanese teppanyaki restaurant where culinary artistry is complemented by card-wielding magicians from Los Angeles’s famed Magic Castle, and Mother of Pearl, an elegant champagne and oyster bar located on the outdoor terrace. Chef Ray Garcia, an Esquire Chef of the Year, presents Qué Bárbaro, a vibrant South American live-fire grill, and The Brown Sheep, an LA taco truck-inspired eatery serving “authentically inauthentic” Mexican street food. Completing the diverse gastronomic lineup is Lucky Mizu, helmed by Joel Robuchon protégé Chef Hisae Stuck, specializing in the Japanese art of shabu shabu and seiro mushi, offering an interactive dining experience.
Beyond Dining: Immersive Nightlife and Theatrical Wonders
The complex truly transforms into a Sin City-esque playground as evening descends. The journey often begins at Mr. Wanderlust, a sophisticated piano bar and jazz lounge designed with a theatrical flair. This captivating space features aerialists gracefully swinging from chandeliers and a rotating piano stage hosting live bands and burlesque shows. Hidden passageways lead guests deeper into the labyrinthine complex, connecting them seamlessly to the various dining and nightlife experiences.
Outdoors, the rooftop pool bar, Golden Hour, evokes a Miami-meets-Copacabana vibe. This urban oasis features private cabanas, swing seats, and a large, rotating carousel bar visible from the street, becoming the epicenter for DJ-led dance parties and live entertainment, including fire dancers and even underwater contortionists. The most talked-about new bar and club experience is arguably Sinners y Santos, a nightclub paying homage to the Mexican luchador El Santo. Designed like a repurposed 19th-century cathedral, it boasts a pipe organ disguised as a DJ booth, stained-glass windows, and, most sensationally, a wrestling ring that descends from the ceiling for live luchador matches, creating a high-energy spectacle unlike anything else in Los Angeles.
Transforming Downtown LA’s Landscape
Level 8 has injected a significant dose of vitality into Downtown Los Angeles’s evolving hospitality scene. By consolidating a diverse array of high-quality restaurants, innovative bars, and captivating entertainment venues within a single expansive floor, it eliminates the need for navigating LA’s sprawling distances to experience varied nightlife. This all-encompassing destination has swiftly become a magnetic force, drawing crowds looking for a complete night out that rivals the energy and extravagance of a Las Vegas getaway, without leaving the heart of Los Angeles. The buzz around Level 8 continues to spread, making it a prominent piece of recent local news in the entertainment industry.
