Anderson .Paak, producer, rapper, and drummer, partnered with the experienced nightclub runners Mark and Ronnie Houston to open his new jazz and R&B club, Andy’s. Since September 25th, .Paak fans have packed into this latest addition to the LA nightlife scene.
Beyond providing an appealing venue for live music, Anderson .Paak brought chef Chris Oh’s talent to devise a casual club menu. Since its opening, many club enthusiasts have asked whether Andy’s offers the full club and restaurant experience.
A Full September Schedule for Anderson .Paak
The opening of Andy’s nightclub ended a particularly prolific month for music star and producer Anderson .Paak. As reported by Thrillist, Anderson .Paak premiered his directorial debut feature film, K-Pops! At the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7th. On September 24th, he performed his GRAMMY-nominated album Malibu at the Hollywood Bowl.
Andy’s opening night followed just one day after Anderson Paak’s Hollywood Bowl performance. He later informed Thrillist of his positive feelings surrounding the accumulation of these events, stating, “I want to use my platform for good, and I want to tell these stories in different mediums and in different ways. So, it feels really cool to see all of these things happening in perfect timing.”
A Venue Designed for Intimate Connections
Anderson .Paak claims that creating his nightclub was more than just an entrepreneurial venture. He informed Thrillist that he wished to craft a place in LA where he and his friends could connect.
“Ever since I moved to Los Angeles, I always wanted to have my own place where people like me could play and musicians could come and hang out.” Paak stated. “Coming up in LA, I always wanted to make a place like that because those were the places I went to get our music heard and to hang out with friends.”
Andy’s appears designed for that end, with warm lighting, vintage appeal, and a close, intimate interior. To create his ideal atmosphere, Anderson .Paak partnered with Mark and Ronnie Houston, a brother duo with much experience in LA nightlife venues.
Mark Houston stated their outlook regarding the new club, claiming, “We create spaces where we create new friendships. Us building this is going to continue that journey together.”
Culinary Experience Recruited for a Full Menu
More than the typical nightclub affair, Andy’s full kitchen menu features plates designed by experienced chef Chris Oh. According to Eater Los Angeles, Oh opened Seoul Sausage, a popular Korean restaurant Umma in San Francisco, over a decade ago. Since then, he has appeared in a variety of cooking competitions.
Another expert entry into Andy’s kitchen is chef Brandon Kida. Oh and Kida had assembled a menu to satisfy late-night cravings, including hamachi crudo with leche de tigre, pastrami bao, Korean barbecue spare ribs, and kimchi fried rice.
The Houston brothers brought in barman Devin Espinosa for Andy’s cocktail menu. One of the club’s feature cocktails is the Yes Lawd!, a mix of pomegranate vodka, Grand Marnier, and lime.
Journalist Reviews for Andy’s
Between inspiration from a music star and expertise from nightlife and culinary veterans, Andy seems poised to deliver a complete experience that will satisfy any searching for the perfect spot to land a night out.
However, some journalist’s reviews have been tepid.
Patricia Kelly Yeo from Time Out summarizes Andy’s experience with the unenthusiastic phrase, “It was fine.” Yeo notes that the live music typically begins after 10 pm. Before then, the venue primarily functions as a sit-down restaurant. Yeo wasn’t completely taken with the menu or bar offerings. However, she said she enjoyed her stay on her second visit, primarily focusing on the live show and drinks.
Similarly, Brant Cox from The Infatuation posted a review advising nightclub enthusiasts to visit after 9:30 pm to make the most of the live music and intimate setting. Cox observes that the venue’s bands are pleasantly surprising, ranging from soul singers to 80s cover bands.
Regardless of reviews, fans of Anderson .Paak and music, in general, appear drawn to the dream of Andy’s as crowds continue to pack into this new addition to the LA club lineup.
