In the vibrant tapestry of Los Angeles' nightlife, Tricia La Belle stands out as a beacon of alternative culture and gothic elegance. As the owner of Bar Sinister and several other iconic establishments, including Boardner's of Hollywood and Bon Vivant Market & Cafe, Tricia has cultivated unique spaces that celebrate diverse lifestyles, music, and fashion. With 26 years of history, Bar Sinister has become a cornerstone of the goth community, offering an eclectic mix of entertainment that defies the mainstream. Join us as we delve into Tricia's journey, exploring the origins, evolution, and enduring allure of Bar Sinister, and her indelible impact on the city's hospitality scene.
I've always been a bit different than most of my friends and family, but not limited to where and how I am different. I embrace many different lifestyles, fashion, music, design and styles. After starting Fang Club with my ex many years prior, I found that the gothic world embodied many of the inspirational attributes that I very much was attracted to. When we ended, I went out on my own and started Bar Sinister but with a little twist! I wanted an entertainment experience that brought all of what I loved, and, to bring that, as well, to many who appreciate alternatives to the 'standard' environment. I wanted a club that evoked gothic, alternative, LGBT, rock n roller, BDSM, sensuality and fun all in one and I think that Bar Sinister has achieved that.
The venue was a third of the size it is now, so expanding was a key to the continued success. We are also located on a discreet side street in the heart of Hollywood, making this an ideal destination for the uniquely discerning clientele. We used to be just a dance club, but we've now brought in so much more talent to keep the customers' entertainment pleasure a full experience with bands, BDSM guest players and dedicated BDSM monthly events, along with the many DJs who each bring their own individuality to the dance floor! It's a bigger experience than when we first opened our doors for sure. Our discreet alley entrance is now lined with very creative and alternative vendors from jewelry, clothing, and art, so if you forgot a necessity, we might just be able to fulfill it upon entry - so don't stress about not having a cool choker or leather cuff!
The Butterfly Ball, The Harry Potter Event, the annual Dark Alice n' Wonderland Event, Halloween every year is epic in entertainment and debauchery, and certainly our annual anniversary parties are so special and a way for me and my team to thank everyone for the decades of support, it's a very personal night for me and my peeps!
My main DJs Tommy, Jpeg, and Rocky have been with me for years, and in recent years, Noizith joined the iconic team. DJ Tommy has been with Bar Sinister since day one! We seek DJs that not only are familiar with the music, lifestyle, and scene, but also embrace it themselves as they become quite a symbolic instrument in the night and the scene.
HA, well, it's different for everyone. It all depends on the openness and the experiences one has prior to ever visiting Bar Sinister. We are certainly no vanilla bar. From the fashionable Goth, to the well-manicured BDSM performer, the Rocker n Roller, to the best in drag, Bar Sinister is the Galactica of Creativity & Entertainment. Hence my motto, "Leave Your Religions at the Door & Elevate Your Mind" -- something we are being conditioned by society NOT to do.
As one of the longest-running establishments and world-renowned, I'd say Bar Sinister has had a tremendous role not only in the scene but as well as in our guests' lives and livelihoods. We have brought so many people together from all over the world. Guests have found love, married, and had children in our timeline of business, and now I have patrons who come to Bar Sinister with their kids - that is pretty special to me! I've had customers who once only wore blue jeans now wearing leather and cinched in corsets while enjoying bottle service. I love to see and hear from customers who have come to appreciate the scene and fashion. Creative stimulation drives all of us to greater levels of acceptance and inspires us as well!
The talent alone on this night has already stimulated the buzz. We have Matte Blvk, The New Division & So Below -- just an awesome line up. Our gift bags are packed with incredible suprises from local shops, goodies, and our annual Bar Sinister anniversary Tshirt. Our Purgatory Playroom hosted by Master Feenix, Bella Donna, Rose Darling and Kasade will be a pleasureable night of fun and special guests. I am blessed with an incredibly talented team of people and we collectively contribute to the experiences at Bar Sinister.
I strongly feel this is because I personally promote Bar Sinister as an alternative entertainment experience. I've opened doors for some talent that would never be exposed to such an environment, like Miles Mosley, Tibeten Drums Corp, Tina Guo, aerialists, and other talent that one wouldn't ordinarily see in such places as Bar Sinister. It's magic, it's uniquely different, it's dark, alluring, edgy -- elements that we will always find in society that are overlooked and under-appreciated.
Wow, that is a very long list and needs a podcast series to open this discussion -- and that would be fun to do! Judgment of me and the scene is a constant, which comes from ignorance and nothing else. The scene has been known for its scantily-clad fashion, which for some visitors has unfortunately made them feel as though such expressions are for their delight, however, not recognizing it's merely an expression of an individual's fashionable expression -- and often gorgeous -- but just to be admired! Not having a big enough dance floor at times, the pandemic, and coming back from it.
The gothic scene and dark alternative music scene has always been a light over the past 10 years. We don't have the Nine Inch Nails, Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus-style bands as popular as they were, and that has certainly had an impact on the scene and creates a never-ending battle to spin new music. Thanks to Spotify we now hear music from all over the world that we would never have had the opportunity to hear! We also don't see the club scene like it was in the 80's! With the onslaught of social media and phones in everyone's hands the freedoms we once had are disappearing as is the fun.
Too many rules and laws now for what we can't do. I've never been concerned with what other venues or promoters are doing, as I think there is a place for all of us and the more of us the better as it keeps the scene alive! Other challenges: just doing business in the City of Los Angeles and the State of California. We live in a state that has, by design and policies, pitted business owners against employees and vise-versa as well as customers against the same. Costly regulations, lengthy bureacracy, and involvement of government into the very design essence of our commerce has hurt the vibrancy of businesses and certainly viability, which ultimately hurts our employees and the customer. In my thirty-plus years as a business owner in this city and state, it has only gotten worse -- far worse -- for all of us. We need to get back to common-sense basics, take responsibility for our own actions, and cut out the freebies - they help no one but to become dependent.
Our lives are short, experience is everything, learning to live through heart aches, nicks and bruises, getting fired, and achieving great success is all a part of life and makes us worthy, whole, and most importantly grateful.
