News Summary
Melody, the renowned wine bar in Virgil Village, has closed its doors after eight years due to declining business linked to various challenges, including the writers’ strike and wildfires. Co-founders Eric Tucker and Paloma Rabinov transformed the venue over the years, hosting pop-ups and collaborations. Despite the closure, Tucker plans to keep the community engaged with low-cost offerings until a new operator takes over. Meanwhile, other local establishments like La Dolce Vita and Rustic Canyon are introducing new menus and events, enriching the culinary scene.
Los Angeles – Melody, a beloved wine bar located in Virgil Village, has officially closed its doors after eight years of operation. The announcement was made on July 2, with the closure taking effect on July 12. The venue, which became known for its French-leaning menu and vibrant atmosphere featuring vinyl DJs, was co-founded by Eric Tucker and Paloma Rabinov in 2017.
Over the years, Melody evolved significantly, transforming from its original offerings to host an array of pop-up residences and collaborations that showcased both food and music. Notable partnerships included collaborations with chef Tiana Gee and the SoulPhil concept, which celebrated culinary creativity within the community.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Melody’s closure can be attributed to several challenging factors, including a decline in business linked to the ongoing writers’ strike that started in 2023. Additionally, the venue faced repercussions from the devastating wildfires in January 2025, which have heightened operational challenges amid an unfavorable political climate and a rising cost of living in Los Angeles.
In light of the closure, Tucker plans to continue engaging the community by hosting “Bar Band-Aid” at the venue starting July 16. This initiative will offer lower-cost wine, beer, and bar snacks until a new operator takes over the space.
Meanwhile, the Italian restaurant La Dolce Vita, located in Beverly Hills, has rolled out a new and exciting cocktail menu, revamping its drink selection to include both classic and innovative new cocktails. Notable new additions include the “All Day and a Night,” which combines Cynar, gin, and grapefruit soda; “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” featuring dill-infused vodka; and the “Pine Barrens,” made with mandarin liqueur. This new menu aims to enhance the dining experience for patrons, making their visits even more memorable.
In a further development in the culinary scene, Rustic Canyon, a popular restaurant in Santa Monica, is launching a summer dinner series that showcases New Orleans-based chefs as part of the “LA x LA” collaboration initiative. This unique series commences on July 17 with chef Mike Stoltzfus from Coquette collaborating with chef Elijah Deleon of Rustic Canyon. Future collaborations are also in the works, promising an exciting culinary exploration for participants.
Furthermore, a new coffee pop-up named Cortado is set to open at Bar Siesta in Silver Lake on July 17. This venture is operated by actor Jhon Mejía, who is also in the process of producing a television show focused on coffee. Cortado will offer patrons a taste of Spanish delicacies such as pan con tomate and jamón, in addition to a variety of signature coffee drinks. The pop-up will operate from Thursday to Monday, serving from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The evolving food and beverage landscape in Los Angeles continues to adapt to changes, with establishments like Melody making room for new experiences and culinary ventures. As the community reflects on the loss of Melody, there is hope for innovative concepts that will undoubtedly emerge in its place, while other businesses like La Dolce Vita and Rustic Canyon further enrich the local culinary scene.
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Additional Resources
- The Infatuation: Most Fun Bars in LA Right Now
- Wikipedia: Los Angeles
- Time Out: Best Bars in Los Angeles
- Google Search: Los Angeles bars
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- Encyclopedia Britannica: Los Angeles
- NBC Los Angeles: Molotov Cocktail Attacks
- Google News: Los Angeles cocktails
