Crown Bar

Formerly the Tempest Bar, this latest offering from the same team behind the still-hot Winston's (including actor Andy Fiscella, GQ editor Chris Huvane Charlie Lew and Matt Lavin) is sure to impress even the most jaded scenester this spring (Crown Bar opened April 30, 2008 to a select crowd courtesy of the Alliance).  The bar is, well, regal with several banquettes lining the walls (next to padded walls with textured wallpaper), strategically-placed chandeliers everywhere, white marble-topped wood tables, studded ottomans, distressed mirrors and a large, octagon-shaped bar at the center of the new destination.  

Expect a tight door initially at Crown Bar, as surely all of Fiscella's well-connected crowd will want to be among the first to hang here.  By summer, the scene will likely be very hot...especially on the front patio facing Santa Monica Blvd.  Overall, the design here is understated; giving the impression the bar has been open forever.  Subsequently, Crown Bar, like Winston's and the Dime (Fiscella's other bar) will never seem dated and (if all goes well) exude a timeless quality for years to come. 

It remains to be seen if Britney Spears will turn out to see Crown Bar...the singer was a huge fan of Winston's when it bowed and returned several times, much to the delight of paparazzi types who for a while became a fixture out in front of Fiscella's now well-established Santa Monica Blvd. hotspot (Fiscella reportedly had her banned from Winston's).  It's likely Fiscella and his partners will try very hard not to repeat the scene that took place out in front of Winston's for much of last year, but when you are as well-connected as Fiscella is, it is hard to keep away A, B and even C-list starlets from turning up at your bar (Lindsay Lohan has already turned up at Crown several times).

Just like at Winston's and the Dime, expect a rotating cast of DJs here like DJ Bizzy, who like to mix up genres (although you'll likely hear hip-hop later at night).

TIP: get here early if you want to see Crown this summer.  There is no guest list per se, but your chances of getting in at Crown decrease with every hour that passes after 10 p.m. (unless you happen to be a model named Agyness or an actor named Ryan).  Wednesdays are the most difficult night to gain entry into Crown (the Alliance handles the door every Wedneday).  Other evenings are usually easy for all to get into the bar before 10 p.m.
 
The menu offers straight-up American bistro fare. Corn and crab fritters and grilled flatbread with proscuitto make an appearance and seafood and charcuterie are on the way. Be sure to make dinner reservations in advance.