Skip to Content
Art

The Rebirth of Chinatown’s Legendary Mountain Bar

mtnbar

Mountain Bar was a pioneering space in Chinatown frequented by artists, gallery owners, and anyone who really liked the color red. The space closed in 2012, but it's now being reborn at TIF SIGFRIDS and open during special evening hours for a variety of events including film screenings, DJ nights, variety shows, and more. Original owner/creator Jorge Pardo is rebuilding the bar as an installation project. The first screening will be Eyes Without a Face (Georges Franju, 1960). Read the complete information below, along with another in-progress shot.

The Mountain Bar, originally founded by Jorge Pardo and gallery owner Steve Hanson in 2003 was situated in Chinatown, a center for art activity in Los Angeles at the time. With numerous galleries and artist’s studios in close proximity, the intention was to create a meeting place that might foster meaningful exchange and as an artwork take into consideration relational concerns.

In 2009, Pardo created the upstairs bar (Untitled 2009), that would become home to The Mountain School of Arts (a free school initiated by artists Eric Wesley and Piero Golia). Constructed on the site that was once Pardo’s studio, the piece was treated as a VIP lounge, not open to the public and functioning as a mixed purpose space. In addition to The Mountain School of Arts, various lectures, performances, and film screenings took place over the course of the next three years.

B0wb4BsJwkGhAc7S4_sPOoLxWKokjf0X7EXO1IFSXbs

Originally intended as a ten-year project, the Mountain Bar officially closed in 2012. Throughout it’s lifetime, the upstairs bar (Untitled 2009) housed lectures and presentations from artists and curators including Dan Graham, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Rirkrit Tiravanija, and many others. As the activity that happens within each piece is important to all of Pardo’s work, Untitled 2009, tells a very lively past.

From July 26 - August 10th, The Mountain Bar will be installed at TIF SIGFRIDS and open during special evening hours for a variety of events including film screenings, DJ nights, variety shows, and more.. Ffollow us on Facebook or check the website for an updated schedule.

Please join us Thursday, July 24th as Joe Sola presents: Eyes Without a Face (Georges Franju, 1960). Programming begins at 8, with a special introduction to the film by Jan Tumlir. Hope to see you!

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

The Ultimate Guide To 2026 World Cup Watch Parties And Fútbol Events In L.A.

From small, community events to gatherings at pubs to bombastic, expensive events, we’ve got you covered for this year's World Cup.

May 30, 2026

Weekend Eats: Think You Could Handle L.A.’s New Five-Pound Burger?

If not, there are always the purse-shaped flatbreads from the streets of Lebanon, Indonesian ribs and espresso in Hollywood, and Armenian smashburgers in our weekly roundup of killer food finds.

May 29, 2026

Daily Memo: ICE Is Detaining People Who Show The “Know Your Rights” Red Cards

It appears that ICE sees "Know Your Rights" cards and makes the immediate assumption that people trying to use the cards are undocumented. They have essentially become little red targets.

The 19 Best Moles in L.A., from SFV to South L.A., Ranked

This is L.A. TACO's guide to the best motherf*cking moles paying homage to centuries-old recipes and sticking the landing in L.A. County.

Investigations Newsletter: The Restaurants Feeding L.A’s ‘Most Wanted’ Journalist

A tasty meal and cold beer hits differently when you’ve just narrowly avoided arrest, even if you’re covered from head to toe in a chemical substance banned in warfare.

May 28, 2026

L.A. TACO’s 2026 Voter Guide

Here's a guide to all the heavy hitters running on L.A. County's 2026 ballot, and what they're all about.

See all posts