Los Angeles, CA – Immersive visionaries in hospitality sign And Johnny HustonIn cooperation with Mitchell Hochberg to Light stoneWe launched a multi-layered concept that is the first of its kind, Level 8. Bringing Los Angeles to life, this revolutionary dining, drinking and entertainment experience features eight distinct and exquisite destinations, occupying the entire eighth floor of the recently launched building. Moxy & AC Hotel Downtown Los AngelesIt is located directly across the street from Crypto.com Arena and the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Spanning 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, the story of Level 8 is told through the eyes of its fictional founder, Mr. Wanderlust. This vast maze of concepts brings together a riot of seemingly disparate global influences held together by their connection to downtown Los Angeles culture and by a masterful blend of authentic cuisine, performance-driven nightlife and interactive design.
Level 8 serves as a stage for some of Los Angeles’ best culinary talent to create innovative, chef-driven concepts, providing a truly unique destination in the city. Michelin-starred chef Joshua Gill Transports guests to a French Teppanyaki experience Maison Casai and al fresco oysters and a mother-of-pearl ceviche bar. Esquire Chef of the Year and Los Angeles’ Original Chef Ray Garcia helms Qué Bárbaro, the live fire grill of South America, and Brown sheepa food truck serving “authentic” Mexican street food with an Angeleno twist. Joel Robuchon The protected chef Hisae is stuck attention Lucky MisoInspired by the Japanese art of cooking with water: siro mushi (steamed) and shabu shabu (boiled). Combined, under the supervision of a Level 8 Executive Chef Richard ArchuletaCulinary Concepts in Level 8 will showcase a range of culinary experiences.
“Partnering with nightlife executives Johnny and Mark Houstonthe duo behind Los Angeles’ most sought-after and exclusive hospitality hotspots, from No vacancy to “Black Rabbit Rose, we’ve designed a premier destination that turns a night out into a transporting experience.” says Mitchell Hochberg of Lightstone. “You can start your night off with a cocktail and live music at Mr. Wanderlust, choose from any of three unique and innovative restaurants, and end the night dancing at one of LA’s hottest clubs, Sinners y Santos, and maybe even late into the night. Taco Night – All Designed for the city where restaurants and bars are difficult. Only the Houston brothers had the curiosity and imagination to create this series of experiences, all tied together, each epic in its own way.
“What we’ve learned in more than 20 years of opening restaurants and bars all over Los Angeles is that people want more than just dinner or drinks. They want to discover something new and walk away with a feeling that they did something memorable, something different. Level 8 is about creating opportunities For this kind of immersive discovery – it’s the culmination of our experiences that pay tribute to the rich heritage and history of downtown Los Angeles. Mark Houston shares.
The heart and soul of the 8th floor is Mr. Wanderlust, a lively piano bar and theatrical jazz lounge where guests begin their journey. Mr. Wanderlust shows the eccentric, globe-trotting life of his namesake, a fictional adventurer whose collection of books and antiques – and cocktail recipes – reflects his eclectic tastes. Golden Hour, a Miami meets Copacabana’s rooftop pool deck, complete with a revolving bar, boasts unobstructed views of stunning sunsets and the Hollywood Hills. As the sun sets, the pool deck turns into an outdoor lounge with DJs and live entertainment. Finally, Sinners y Santos showcases two decades of Mark and Johnny Huston’s nightlife prowess, transporting revelers to an abandoned 19th-century cathedral that guests enter through a “confession.”
“Being from Los Angeles, we have always been immersed in the city’s Latin culture, and embracing the overall culinary diversity of Los Angeles is a beautiful thing.” Johnny Huston adds. “Our brand is a trifecta of a unique concept, a great cocktail program, and great entertainment, and the neighborhood provides us with so many unique cultural references that we can draw from. We’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to open downtown and bridge the gap in Los Angeles by providing a pre- and post-event destination.” “For Angelenos and travelers alike from not only Crypto.com Arena, but also from nearby SoFi Stadium, Kia. Forum, and Banc of California Stadium. With Level 8, we’re really blowing it out of the water.”
Mark and Jonny Houston oversaw the design and visualization of Level 8 in collaboration with Lightstone Design Studio, Undisclosable and Basile Studio. Together, the team has created a captivating maze of spaces that offer theatrical moments at every turn, from the 40-foot-tall floor harp stretching across the ceiling of Lucky Mizu to the trapeze artist descending from a chandelier at Mr. Wanderlust.
“Whether you’re coming from out of town or just down the street, you can have a completely different experience every time you visit.” Hochberg says. “Anticipation is a very powerful emotion: people are excited to encounter something they have never seen, tasted or experienced before. It’s the same desire that pushed Alice down the rabbit hole. Together, Level 8 and the Moxy & AC Hotel Downtown LA promise many new discoveries. Whatever Whichever adventure you choose, it is sure to be captivating and unforgettable.
Mr. Wanderlust
The eighth level journey begins in Mr. Wanderlust, a lively piano bar and jazz lounge that exudes the adventurous spirit of its imaginative namesake, Traveler Extraordinaire. Featuring two intimate and inviting rooms, this lounge invites everyone to embark on an exploration of their musical and worldly delights.
When guests enter Mr. Wanderlust, they are welcomed into a beautiful library decorated with intricate wood paneling and bookshelves displaying Mr. Wanderlust’s cherished experiments. A dark oak host stand serves as the centerpiece that welcomes guests into his world of adventures, while above, aerialists will gracefully swing from the chandelier, setting the stage for captivating performances throughout. The library is also a treasure trove of memorabilia featuring globally inspired rugs, collectibles, paintings and black-and-white photographs – each a treasured memento that echoes Mr. Wanderlust’s travels.
Entering through a hidden passageway, audiences may venture into Mr. Wanderlust’s home, where winding booths are upholstered in patterned fabrics, and the walls are adorned with intricate oak detailing. The lounge features a stage where Grammy Award-winning artists perform throughout the night, while silhouettes of mysterious performers can be seen on either side. As evening falls, the stage is revealed, and the pianist or performer begins the show.
Indulge in a captivating journey through Mr. Wanderlust’s world-class cocktail menu by Devon Espinoza. The wine program at Mr. Wanderlust is a carefully curated collection by award-winning sommelier Eric Railsback, who transports guests on a sensory journey, offering a harmonious blend of Old World classics and innovative New World discoveries. The exceptional selection of cocktails is the result of collaboration with respected mixologists from around the world, including Julian Cox, Alex Day, Dave Kaplan, Christian “Suzu” Suzuki-Orellana of Wild Hook and Kagano in San Francisco, and Kate Jerwin of Happy Accidents in Albuquerque. , among other things. Each drink is meticulously crafted to showcase the spirits and flavors of their region, inviting guests to embark on an enchanting journey with every sip. To accompany these drinks, Level 8 Executive Chef, Richard Archuleta, serves up a selection of globally inspired omakase-style small bites, ranging from delicious Frog caviar in the hole to Braised Wagyu Beef “Cigarette” and Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup. For an exceptional combination, Espinosa additionally offers an omakase-like capsule experience, carefully mixing handcrafted cocktails with selected small plates of Archuleta. Waiting to be transported into the brilliant world of Mr. Wanderlust.
From Mr. Wanderlust, guests can embark on their own culinary journey through one of two secret entrances. The first entrance leads to Maison Kasai, a French-Japanese teppanyaki restaurant run by Chef Joshua Gill. The second entrance draws guests to Lucky Mizu, a seiro mushi restaurant, designed by Chef Hisae Stuck.