When someone yells, “Put your hands up!” in a crowded bank, it usually doesn’t lead to an impromptu bump-and-grind session.
Welcome to
The Bank Heist, a brand-spankin'-new restaurant/bar/lounge/music venue/bingo parlor—OK, we made that last part up—located in a converted Security Pacific Bank building in the North Hollywood Arts District.
Like an indie kid's ironic mullet, The Bank Heist is all business up front, and party in the rear. To get to the nightclub, you must first enter through Bank, a restaurant that serves contemporary takes on comfort food (open daily from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.—compare those hours with
your bank's). Heist is divided into two areas on two sprawling floors: There's a bouncin' downstairs dance area for flirting, dancing and dance-flirting, as well as a spacious upstairs lounge complete with a long bar, comfy sofas for chillaxin' and a breezy second-story smoking deck with a view of glorious NoHo.
To compete with the 21 active theaters within a one-mile radius of the club, Heist has assembled an eclectic roster of live entertainment throughout the week. "Moonshine Mondays" features live rock and indie rock bands like 5 Alarm, fronted by Beach Boy Mike Love’s son Christian (yes, his name is Christian Love); there's also a weekly house music night and—why not?—Heist's very own cabaret show, "Bomb Cherry Dolls Cabaret."
As the night progresses, a swarm of "shot girls," done up like flapper-era Pussycat Dolls, circle the club offering long vials of Sex on the Beach, apple martini mix or just straight-up tequila for $3 each. If you're not into test tube boozin,' Heist also has a selection of signature drinks available in large carafes, which hold the equivalent of four normal-sized drinks—or one carafe-sized drink, if it's been a particularly rough day.
First-timers should check out the new space during Heist's "Five at Five" happy hour. Weekdays at 5 p.m., the club offers $5 beer and well drinks, as well as a limited bar menu featuring $5 appetizers. All my bank ever offered me for $5 was ... change for $5.
Parking: The on-site parking lot is $4.50, but there’s usually plenty of street parking—though the night we went we parked near plenty of shattered glass).
Getting in: No tricks needed to get through the door, just a casual dress code for super-casual NoHo scenesters: No jerseys or ball caps allowed, but a T-shirt, jeans and a nice pair of sneakers will get you in.
Insider’s tip: A meal at Bank guarantees admission to club Heist, so plan a pre-drinkin’ meal to skip the velvet rope.
Click here for Heist's address, phone number and website.
Amir Kenan is contributing editor for Metromix Los Angeles.
