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Talk about interesting timing. Just as the stock market plunged, the original 1920s Los Angeles Stock Exchange Building was getting made over into Versus, an opulent multistory nightclub fit for world-class DJs and musical acts. Market conditions didn’t derail the owners, though, who opened the Downtown club with a splashy party on Oct. 25 with perfect-bodied go-go girls dancing around headliner Dave Navarro. Among the revelers in the crowd was Audrina Partridge from “The Hills.”
But Versus' beauty goes beyond the stunning people in the house on opening night. Designer Aramik Gragosian went to great lengths to restore the building to its former glory, from the classic marble staircase and historic bronze doors to the art deco light fixtures and stained-glass windows. He also added an indoor pond, a 60-foot bar decorated with glass tiles imported from Mexico and a dance floor made of Brazilian walnut. As for more modern touches, the 1,300-person-capacity club now has state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems that produce stellar light shows. Even the soaring ceiling, which reaches 50 feet from the ground floor, is jaw-dropping.
Cocktails: The bar can whip up any drink you’d like, but head to the mojito lounge for a special minty treat.
Attention, VIPs: If you can score an invite (or afford a seat) in the VIP lounge, you’ll have access to the best spot in the house. Its intimate size and dance floor give the space a feeling of a club within a club, but you don’t feel disconnected from the rest of the action because the mezzanine overlooks the main floor. This is also where you’ll find the DJ booth—and therefore the DJ (wink, wink).
Have to use the restroom? While the bathrooms weren’t quite ready on opening night, Versus will soon have seven unisex bathrooms—meaning you can use the bathroom and find someone to dance with in one trip.
Stay tuned: Director of marketing Nico Bacigalupo tells us the owners plan to open a restaurant inside the club in April. They’re still deciding on the cuisine.
Alexandra Le Tellier is Bars & Clubs editor for Metromix Los Angeles and Jane Pham is a contributing editor for Metromix Los Angeles.
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