Cole's Set to Kick Off 100th Anniversary Celebration

By Sophia Kercher
Published: Monday, December 01, 2008, at 11:15PM

Francisco Arcaute

The historic bar at Cole's is once again ready to serve drinks after a lengthy renovation.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Cole's, which claims to be the oldest restaurant and saloon in Los Angeles, was once renown for looking as dowdy and dank as its one hundred years of existence. In just a few days, the historic Downtown hangout will resurface with a fresh make-over by 213 Downtown LA.

Those who feared that a rehab would strip the eatery of its character will be pleasantly surprised when they walk through the doors starting this Thursday. Though the bar's seen extensive work, it's very much still Cole's.

"Cole's is a beloved institution in L.A. and we've brought it back to life—which is the fun part," says Joan McCraw, the 213 Strategist and a Downtown dweller herself, as a myriad of Cole's vibrant antique light fixtures shine behind her. "It's not going to be about fast food, it's about sitting down and feeling like you're at home," McCraw adds.

The restaurant and saloon is located on 6th street, between Main and Los Angeles. It sits in the nearly cavernous hollow of the old Pacific Electric Building, once a center of real estate and the Pacific Electric Red Car railway network. Patrons can get a peek of the establishment's railroad connections in the hallway that leads to Cole's bathrooms. A small window allows a view of a stairway that once led directly into the station.

The 213 team has restored the original appeal of the old-timey restaurant. The new Cole's stays true to its 1908 saloon roots with preserved Penny tile floors, Tiffany's commissioned stain glass work and the sturdy mahogany bar. Cole's memorabilia dots the walls and there's a fully restored state of the art kitchen with special attention for take-out orders. There's even a looming, massive deer head at the side of the bar, no doubt one of 213's signature taxidermy pieces.

Cole's refurbished menu is described as "comfort food all grown up." Executive Chef Mike Dinon, who practically grew up in restaurant kitchens along the east coast, plans to serve the signature Cole's French dipped sandwich with a great attentiveness to the balance of Au Jus, crisp French rolls and meaty goodness. There will also be a varied selection of slow-cooked, hand-carved meat sandwiches, with a choice of custom-made mustards, all under $10. Long-time visitors should expect new twists to Cole's classics. Dinon plans for additions like dappling bacon and blue cheese on potato salad and on adding a modern spin to diner standards.

"For the coleslaw I'm thinking of doing something you haven't had before, maybe something seasonal to match the beer," Dinon says, assuring that he'll keep the classics on the menu along with his gourmet-revived items.

Cole's is looking forward to welcoming all members of the community with their moderately priced menu and late night bites for Downtowners. Wednesday through Saturday, the bar and hand-carved, made-to-order sandwiches will be available until 2 a.m. Sunday through Tuesday the joint closes at 11 p.m.

The opening of Cole's brings 213's ever-expanding Downtown bar empire to six. Owner Cedd Moses has previously opened the Golden Gopher, Broadway Bar, Seven Grand and the Doheny, and operates Casey's. Across the street from Cole's, Moses is at work on Santa Fe, a tequila bar slated to open in 2009.

Eager fans get their first chance to get inside on Thursday, December 4, as "Cole's 100 Premier Party" kicks off with a fundraiser for the Los Angeles Conservancy. It features a "classic cocktails soiree" with French dip sandwiches, live jazz and DJs. Cole's party-goers are encouraged to dress in 1920s inspired fashion and come as a favorite flapper, silent film star or gangster (after all, Mickey Cohen did have a regular booth at Cole's). Tickets are $50 per person, and include a performance by the City Ballet of Los Angeles depicting the hundred-year history of Cole’s. Those arriving after 9:30 p.m. will miss the show, but pay only $25 per person.

On Friday, December 5, the public is invited to stop by after 8:30 p.m. for the Dewar's Repeal Party. Drinks are seventy-five cents until 11:30 p.m. (in honor of Dewar's 75th), and then just five dollars after that.

There's a special tasting menu on Saturday, December 6, with everything priced at just 100 cents (in honor of Cole's 100th anniversary) from noon to 4 p.m. At 12:30 p.m., Moses and Councilwoman Jan Perry will be among those cutting the ribbon and welcoming Cole's back. Monday, December 8, will be the establishment's first day of normal business.

Coles, Originators of the French Dip / 118 E. 6th / 213-622-4090

With Opening Close, Cole's Launches New Website
November 03, 2008
As Opening Nears, Cole's Neon Gets Relit
September 23, 2008

Francisco Arcaute

Tucked away in a corner next to the bar is this cozy space that features original stained glass.

Comments

® writes:

I miss Ali already.

# on Dec.02.2008 AT 04:46 PM

celia writes:

if you miss ali, then you can drive out to the am/pm that he owns out in bumfuck and say hi.

# on Dec.02.2008 AT 09:02 PM

az writes:

The Ballet performance is during artwalk.

I got a sneak peak last night friends and family and boy was it excellent!

# on Dec.03.2008 AT 08:55 AM

Eric Richardson writes:

az: It wouldn't surprise me if they're doing a performance then as well, but they are on the bill for tomorrow night's Conservancy event.

# on Dec.03.2008 AT 09:10 AM

Susana writes:

I will be there Friday for the cheap drinks! :) The place looks amazing! I can't wait. It's great to see how many restaurants and bars have been opening in the last couple of months, and doing well, despite the frazzled economy.

# on Dec.03.2008 AT 03:13 PM

IF writes:

According to the flyers that are currently being distributed by Cole's, the Friday night 75 cent dewars drinks lasts till 11pm and then $5 after that. Just a heads up.

# on Dec.03.2008 AT 03:54 PM

Eric Richardson writes:

IF: I get to take credit for adding that error into Sophia's story. I got my presidents and their bills confused. Fixing now...

# on Dec.03.2008 AT 05:46 PM

li writes:

if you miss ali, then you can drive out to the am/pm that he owns out in bumfuck and say hi.

LOL!

# on Dec.03.2008 AT 06:30 PM

Ali writes:

I am glad it opening again. But sorry, I was only helping my aunt when owned Cole's. it was never a career for me. I am real estate developer and I am very happy that I now own and operate the largest ARCO ampm in United States. It pay better.:)Ali

# on Dec.05.2008 AT 08:06 AM

Susana writes:

I headed out to Cole's with a couple of friends last night. They had a great turn out, the place couldn't have packed more people in if they tried. The bar was nice, the place somewhere you'd want to hand out. Unfortunately, principle and honor must not be very high on their list. Turns out that at 9:20ish they rang a bell signifying they had reached their target of 1,000 drinks so they revoked their 75cent offer and started charging $5 without making an effort to let people know. Now, I can respect the fact that an establishment has a need to make money and they succeed by supply and demand. Last night the demand was very high, people flocked to the 75 cent drinks. Now what I cannot respect or accept is when a bar chooses to break their word and advertisement when they feel like they've made enough money with the 1,000 target and can now take advantage and charge the $5. It's not the amount that bothers me, $5 is still very cheap. But why lie? I refused to be insulted and asked for my tab to be closed without those drinks. I liked the venue and what they did with it but it left me with a very bad taste in the mouth. I won't be making any future visits to Cole's anytime soon.

# on Dec.06.2008 AT 04:32 PM

Cole's Proprietor writes:

Hey Susana, I am one of the owners of Coles. I apologize for your experience with the Repeal Day Party. Dewars sponsored the night at Coles and only gave us $1,000 worth of product to price at 75 cents. We would love to have you back to Coles. Please realize the cutoff of the promotion was set by the sponsor and not us. Restoring Coles was a labor of love for us and we are proud of the way it came out and the quality of our food and cocktail program.

# on Dec.08.2008 AT 12:51 AM

Susana writes:

It would have been much better for your PR if you would have advertised "First 1,000 drinks are 75 cents" and saved yourself the uncomfortable position your establishment was placed in. Even more shocking is that you knew this in advance and continued to spread the word as the promotion lasting until 11 o'clock. It would have been a great outcome if I knew in advance the reality of the promotion. I hope you understand that I and many other patrons around me were disconcerted with the fact that the fliers at the bar claimed 11 0'clock and your bartenders (who are not at fault) had to take the unfortunate task of contradicting the written advertisement to patrons. As always I hope any establishment in Downtown flourishes, including Cole's. You did a great job in bringing it back and the love in the labor truly shines in the restoration.

# on Dec.08.2008 AT 07:54 AM

Matt writes:

It's convenient that the "one of the owners" of Cole's pass the blame onto the "Sponsors," as if it were their fault that Cole's passed out flyers and printed newspaper ads promising cheap alcohol. Even if the so-called sponsor/s did only provide the bar with enough free booze for 1000 drinks, Cole's should have made good on their published promise to provide drinks at 75 cents. Obviously, Cole's still had alcohol left since they were willing to sell it at the higher price. However, the prospect of hawking expensive drinks to the droves of people lined up to buy what they thought would be cheap drinks was too much temptation for management to overcome. The managers/owners at Cole's should be embarrassed that they welched like that. They should know that their shortsighted cheapness may have hurt their long term prospects. Cole's left me - and I'm sure other customers - feeling that we'd gotten the old bate and switch... As a gesture to the community, Cole's should hold an holiday party and offer the same deal to make good on their broken promise. It's be a simple way to apologize to the customers they jilted on the opening night.

# on Dec.09.2008 AT 09:29 AM

Joyce Marie writes:

I was happy to see that Cole's was still alive and refurbished. It was our favorite place to eat back in the 1940's and we knew the original owners, the Mandecamps (sic) I think was their name. My Dad owned a wholesale dry goods store for many many years located at 645 Los Angeles Street - My sisters and I were going to boarding school at Ramona Convent in Alhambra, and once a month we were allowed to come home - so we would catch the red car all the way downtown and walk to my Dad's business. As a treat, we would go to Cole's and have the BEST french dip sandwich I ever (and still ever had) had in this world. The sawdust on the floor, the ambiance is still fresh in my mind, and I am so happy to see that you have revived it. I live in Northern California now, but the next time I come to Los Angeles, you can be sure I will stop by and have a wonderful nostalgic french dip on fresh french bread. The best of luck to you in your new establishment.

# on Dec.14.2008 AT 11:34 PM