BEVERLY HILLS—Nic’s Martini Lounge in Beverly Hills will be closing its doors after it’s last shift on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2016.
The establishment was opened by Larry Nicola in Silverlake in 1980, under the name L.A. Nicola. It later expanded a few years later to the restaurant Nicole in downtown Los Angeles. The restaurant was later moved to Beverly Hills in 1997, where it became Nic’s Martini Lounge.
The 19 year-old establishment has housed the product of Nicola’s journey with food, which began at his family’s market in Silverlake, Nicola Twins. He learned to cook at an early age from his grandmother.
Nic’s Martini Lounge is best-known for its live jazz music, as well as a vodka tasting room, the VODBOX, which is a giant freezer for patrons of private parties and events to have the ultimate experience while tasting the Russian spirit. There are over 50 different kinds of vodka in the tasting room. Drinking vodka in a low-temperature environment heightens the flavor profile.
The restaurant boasts an extensive list of cocktails, martinis, spirits, beer, and wine, as well as an innovative menu.
Nicola’s wife Melisa is the co-founder of CAKE (Culinary. Arts. Kids. Eat.), a non-profit that encourages and provides a means for children to express themselves through cooking, as well as equip them with important skills for the future.
In an announcement sent via email, Nicola reflected on the nature of the establishment saying, “Remember Nic’s as a place where people gathered and shared opinions.”
“We want to take the VODBOX and perhaps bring a little bit of Beverly Hills to London and other cities.”
