The designer behind L.A’s restaurant and after-dark scene, John Sofio of award-winning design firm Built Inc, has teamed up with the h.wood group once again to bring a high-end karaoke lounge to Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood.
John Sofio is known and loved for his unconventional designs, and Blind Dragon was no exception. For instance, the veiled Maersk shipping container at the entryway was influenced by a temptress femme fatale, while one of the three karaoke rooms sports a seductive leopard carpet.
The bar was conceived as an opportunity to transport guests into an exotic world unknown. Access is gained through the parking garage where a lone shipping container bids guests to enter. This entry places guests on a path that takes a turn through a working walk-in refrigerator and kitchen. After continuing through a series of dimly lit hallways, guests arrive in the karaoke lounge, and are greeted by three private karaoke rooms crafted in the same shipping container fashion as the entry.
Conceptually, John wanted guests to feel that that the team had imported the chaos of the karaoke rooms from a foreign land to occupy this space. This adds to the sense that they have come upon a sultry, underworld Chinese bar.
The main lounge space is furnished with custom residential-style couches to allow for a level of exclusive comfort. Built Inc. designed the DJ booth as a glittering focal point, while the walls are covered in Asian art and photographs, textured wallpaper, and vintage objects collected for the project.
Set apart from the main space, the bar area offers guests a more intimate feel with low lights, a privacy screen, and lush plant life.
