Dakota Lounge Prepares to Reopen

The Dakota Lounge is on its way to making a comeback. The lounge, which closed after a fire nearly two years ago, is set to reopen in a matter of weeks.

The venue, which has had musicians including Bruno Mars and Foster the People perform in the past, expects to continue its tradition of offering some of the best talent around, said managing partner Alex Fieglein.

“We have an eye for judging talent,” he said. “We help them develop a fan base.”

The Dakota Lounge still plans to host showcases for record labels and serve as a platform for both emerging and established artists. A big part of the lounge’s success is having “one of the top sound engineers,” Stephane Dumont, on site, Feiglein said.

“We’ve developed a reputation for having the best sound,” Fieglein said.

With the reopening of the Dakota Lounge, there will also be opportunities for performers to record their performances and have them up online within days. Feiglein said it is all part of a plan to help unsigned artists monetize their music.

“We’re really focused on helping the artist and offering to help them reach their goals,” he said.

Dakota Lounge, formerly known as the Temple Bar, is located at 1026 Wilshire Blvd.

In addition to the musical acts that will perform seven days a week, there will also be a full bar with “reasonably-priced drinks” and a full, restaurant menu with a “higher-end” atmosphere, he said.

“We offer a Hollywood atmosphere without a Hollywood attitude,” he said.

The new venue has the same layout as before but a new interior design that has a “more opening, welcoming feeling” with 16-foot tall ceilings and more of an “industrial look,” Feiglein said.

“It’s almost like seeing a concert in a warehouse,” he said.

Dakota Lounge is scheduled to reopen around the beginning of June, according to Fieglein.

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