What is the door policy?
At first we wanted to let anyone in, but we ran into an overcrowding issue. We have so many investors and a large entertainment industry following from The Dime. So now I have to leave room for our core 100 to 120 regulars a night.
What about if the bar’s not at capacity?
Anyone can get in until the doorman comes on at 9 p.m. We open at 8.
Have you ever kicked someone out to make room for more "important" clientele?
No. But if there are people sitting at a reserved table, we might ask them to move and make it up to them by giving them a round of drinks on the house.
Do you let celebs cut the line?
They don’t usually show up randomly. Their publicist will call me to let me know they're coming and I’ll accommodate them. But my business doesn’t entail catering to them or getting pictures in all the f---ing rags. If certain people bring negative attention, I don’t want them f---ing in there. If they’re rude to my clients, to my staff, if they’re on a downward spiral in their life or in their career, I want them out. That’s not the vibe I want in the bar.
How do customers reserve a table?
The tables are reserved every night and preference goes to friends and friends of friends. You can’t actually call the bar to reserve a table; you have to call me. Bottom line, we want people to respect the integrity of the place. They have to belong. When alcohol is involved, people don’t know how to act in public. That’s why we have to be careful whom we let into the place and who we have mixing with the regulars.
Can people buy their way in by ordering bottle service?
No they can’t. But we do bottle service; we just don’t demand you buy a bottle in order to reserve a table.
Is there a dress code?
Flip-flops and shorts won’t cut it, but I roll around in my jeans and my Chucks.
What’s the hardest night to get in?
Friday.
And the easiest?
Sunday.
We'll see you then, Fiscella.
Alexandra Le Tellier is Bars & Clubs editor for Metromix Los Angeles.
