Skip to Content
Art

London Bar Inspired by Downtown LA Offers “Playful Twist on Gang Life”

There is a bar in London, England, called Gangsters [Sic] Tequila Paradise. I would describe it to you, but perhaps it is best to let the establishment reveal its concept in its own words:

“Enter down a darkened staircase and get hit with a classic LCC vibe, inspired by Mexico’s second home, Down-town LA! Expect references to “ESE’s” and “Bloods & Crips”, a playful twist on gang life, with “gang sign” art work, “pimped out” sexy bandana clad graffiti girls, and even lumberjack shirt furnishings, (no doubt buttoned to the top!).

You’ll see graffiti-covered walls depicting gun-toting clown figures and mean cityscapes. The focus of the action remains at the bar where there’s hot contest for a stool seat. Expect to be “sippin” on “Gin and Juice”.”

Wow.

And how, precisely, is this “playful twist on gang life”/crass commercialization (complete with chalk-like outlines) of gang culture and genuine human suffering on this side of the world being received in London?

Fluid London says: “Infamous for being one of the most impressive cocktail havens in London, Gangsters Tequila Paradise seems to house everything that LA vomited up. They’ve got bandana graffiti girls, ‘Bloods & Crips’ references and gang art furnishings.”

I see.

This morning, I wrote the owner of the bar on Twitter after a follower of mine identified him as J.J. Goodman.

.@JJamesGoodman Hi JJ, basing a bar concept on human suffering isn't "playful"; it's a bad look. Come to L.A. Visit some spots with me. /1 pic.twitter.com/VykWPcMy4K

— Ryan Gattis (@Ryan_Gattis) February 14, 2017

.@JJamesGoodman Meet some real humans. Understand how life for the most vulnerable people in L.A. County gang areas isn't a cartoon. /2

— Ryan Gattis (@Ryan_Gattis) February 14, 2017

.@JJamesGoodman If you're unable to come, I'm happy to sit down with you when next I'm in London (April) & we can chat more about this. /3

— Ryan Gattis (@Ryan_Gattis) February 14, 2017

I suppose we’ll have to see how that goes.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

Tamal or Tamale? How to Correctly Pronounce the Singular Form of Tamales

The tamal vs. tamale debate has an almost emotional connection with people simply because it becomes a “how my family speaks the language vs. how it’s ‘supposed to be’ written” type of language conflict. In a culture like Mexico, where family always comes before anything, it makes sense that people will go with what feels familiar rather than what they are expected to say.

December 24, 2024

L.A.’s 13 Best Bars With Games and Activities

The best L.A. bars for axe-throwing, cumbia nights, playing pool, doing graffiti, smoking, playing pinball, and other fun, possibly delinquent activities.

December 23, 2024

Everything Wrong with Tesla’s $500 ‘Mezcal’

"Mezcal has become a commodity for many, without any regard for the earth, [or] for Indigenous people's land rights," says Odilia Romero, an Indigenous migrants rights advocate from Oaxaca and the executive director for CIELO. "Oaxaca is also having a water access issue.

December 20, 2024

This Weekend: Sonoran Caramelos, Brisket Tteokbokki, Mex-Italian Fusion, and Country-Fried Tofu

Plus, Malay-style wings, a collaboration pizza-topped with Philippe The Original's French-dipped beef and hot mustard, and more in this week's roundup.

December 20, 2024

More Than 70 People Reported Feeling Ill After Eating Oysters At L.A. Times ‘101 Restaurants’ Food Event

Ragusano is disappointed that the L.A. Times didn’t publicly disclose that there was an outbreak at their event. “Obviously they’re not going to print it in their paper,” Ragusano said. “But they‘re a newspaper and newspapers are supposed to share the news. This is how people usually find out about something like this,” she added. “It's ironic because it happened to them.”

December 19, 2024
See all posts