On New Yr’s Eve, 1980, the legendary Hong Kong Café in L.A.’s Chinatown hosted its final beer-soaked, raucous punk present. This previous New Yr’s Eve was additionally a milestone occasion for the historic neon-lit area: It was the opening preview evening for Keep, the primary alcohol-free cocktail bar in Los Angeles.

The sultry new cocktail lounge is the brainchild of actor and inside designer Summer time Phoenix, of the celebrated appearing household, and Stacey Mann, who labored in artwork course for films like “Crimson Rock West.” Situated off Broadway on the pedestrian plaza of Gin Ling Means, the previous Chinese language restaurant oozes Hollywood glamour, from its ornately painted facade and entrance flanked with guardian lion statues to the glowing backlit bar, groovy ’70s espresso tables and unique embossed ceilings. Classic punk photographs beautify the hallway, in a nod to the bar’s run as an essential venue on L.A.’s punk rock music scene.

Non-alcoholic cocktails, beers and wines have been exploding in recognition over the previous two years, with bottle outlets like Smooth Spirits and Boisson opening throughout Los Angeles. However whereas shops, eating places and bars are more and more providing deeper picks of zero proof drinks, till now, there hasn’t been one place within the metropolis the place every part on the menu is non-alcoholic.

Beverage director Derek Brown, a distinguished mixologist on the zero-proof scene, created the whole menu, naming the advanced creations for indicators of the Chinese language zodiac. At Keep, the smoky Ox is made with Kentucky 74 bourbon different and ginger syrup, whereas the zippy, margarita-esque Tiger combines Free Spirits Tequila Various and lime with inexperienced Tabasco. Different drinks have taste profiles that recall espresso martinis, rum and cokes or gin martinis.

Mann grew up within the enterprise, as her household ran a jazz membership in New York. However Phoenix says her expertise in hospitality was extra restricted. “I performed a waitress in a film, that was the extent,” she says.

“I needed a spot the place I might collect the place alcohol wasn’t the main focus,” says Phoenix, who has been engaged on the idea with Mann for about two years, after they first kicked it round over a decade in the past.

“Even two years in the past, individuals had been nonetheless like zero proof, what’s that? However now it’s within the zeigeist, the time is now and we really feel very lucky and grateful,” says Phoenix.

“We’re motivated to vary the way in which individuals socialize. You possibly can imbibe, you’ll be able to get pleasure from, with out alcohol being the main focus,” says Mann.

What do they are saying to those that query why alcohol-free cocktails will be the identical value as these with spirits? “We’re within the wellness capital of the world. There may be loads of literature that reveals that consuming alcohol in any quantity will not be one thing that’s contributing to good well being. We pay all kinds of cash to maintain ourselves — it’s a private alternative,” says Phoenix, who factors out the drinks are additionally labor-intensive, with housemade syrups and an array of zero-proof spirits.

A number of plant-based bar snacks is curated by Kitchen Mouse’s Erica Daking. DJ nights, artwork openings and reside music will even be on the menu.

Keep Zero Proof, 425 Gin Ling Means, Los Angeles