"The freshly revamped, DJ-driven lounge in downtown's historic core filled out with loft-dwelling locals still getting mileage from their Halloween costumes, while incoming Dodger fans hooted and revved their engines out on Main Street. The bar's owner, concert promoter Rolando Alvarez, was off tending to another event, but Bar Franca's two DJ's for the night, Maddy Maia and Tottie of Sisters of Sound, wound up the ebullient crowd under a soft pink, hand-painted barrel roof."
"This year has seen unrelenting bad news for L.A. nightlife - the impacts of the wildfires, the continued Hollywood strike fallout, the cost-of-living crisis and ICE raids and protests that temporarily squelched downtown's after-dark industry. That all came on top of a miserable post-pandemic environment for a vulnerable downtown neighborhood hit harder and longer than most. Bar Franca, a passion project from one of the city's elite dance music promoters, is a little sliver of re-growth in a neighborhood that desperately needs one."
Bar Franca reopened as a DJ-driven lounge in downtown Los Angeles, drawing a lively crowd of loft residents and Dodger fans. The venue's nights featured DJs Maddy Maia and Tottie of Sisters of Sound and a hand-painted barrel roof setting. Downtown has faced layered setbacks including wildfires, ongoing Hollywood strike fallout, cost-of-living pressures, ICE raids and protests, and a prolonged post-pandemic decline. Bar Franca represents a small instance of re-growth and targeted investment intended to revive foot traffic and nightlife. Promoters and owners express optimism while acknowledging continued need for support and broader recovery.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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