Club Central LA - Bar / Club Reviews, Promotions: The Abbey

The Abbey Food and Bar - West Hollywood

The Abbey - 692 N Robertson Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

Telephone : 310.855.9977

Time of Operation: Monday-Sunday 9:00am to 2:00am

Space : N/A

The Abbey

Great music, fantastic drinks, tasty meals and amazing atmospheres, that’s what Club Central LA is all about. Each week Club Central LA strives to bring you the best in nighttime entertainment by introducing to you the hottest night clubs, bars and ultra lounges in your area. This week Club Central LA headed out to beautiful West Hollywood to visit the one venue that is said to be the crown jewel and supreme ruler of the West Hollywood nightlife. The venue we visited is known for having all the essentials that patrons want and need, such as strong drinks and great music. Yes, this mystery venue has provided the city of West Hollywood with astonishing delight and excitement for over a decade and a half and has no signs of slowing down. The venue we are speaking of is none other that the Abby Food and Bar. The Abbey Food and Bar is a 16,000 sq ft venue and is one of Southern California premier hangouts and after-hour locations for not only locals and tourists, but A-list celebrities also. The journey of the Abbey began in 1981 when owner and creator David Cooley decided to leave his state of Ohio and head westward to Los Angeles. Armed with only dedication and a degree in hotel management from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, David Cooley was determined to hit it big in the City of Angels. Cooley admits the move to LA was a disappointment to a lot of his professors and parents as he turned down plenty of jobs offers in the Midwest and the East Coast that would have had him set for life. Yet, David Cooley’s heart wouldn’t be in any of those job offers as he had a dream and vision. The road was not all fun and dandy for David Cooley. His first couple of months where rough as he waited on tables and cleaned houses to earn a living. But in true David Cooley fashion he soon bounced back as he started a new career in finance as a stock broker and soon thereafter becoming the vice president of a Wells Fargo Bank. In 1991, Cooley decided to leave his position as a VP to invest in a small location in West Hollywood that would become the birthplace of the Abbey. With the insane coffee craze of the time, the Abbey quickly took off in both popularity and success and would later have to move to its current location. In 2006, the Abbey entered a new chapter in its already long and historic story as David Cooley teamed up with Sam Nazarian of SBE, the L.A based Entertainment Company that has quickly become a force in all that is nighttime entertainment, to take the Abbey to new heights and glory. In 2009 the Abbey is still looking as strong as ever as it is just two years away from celebrating its 20^th anniversary and both David Cooley and Sam Nazarian have big plans for expanding the Abbey Empire as they look for expansion in new city locations.

Parking

When partying or hanging out in West Hollywood, parking is always an issue with a different bar and restaurant in practically every corner. Club goers and bar hoppers usually have an annoying time finding parking close to the venue of their choice. At the Abbey Food and Bar, clients will not have such a problem as this venue is located next to multiple parking structures. These parking lots are independently owned and are not associated with The Abbey, but they are more than happy to house Abbey clientele as well as patrons from other venues. The price to park at any these parking lots is $8 - $20 per vehicle.

Entrance

Unlike many other entertainment venues around the Southern California area, the Abbey is opened for business seven days a week from 9 am to 2 am. Their after-hour entertainment begins around 9 pm when the Abbey becomes a 21 and over establishment, before then there is no age requirement as the Abbey is also well known for being a family friendly restaurant. Once you arrive at the main entrance, you will be greeted by security who will be asking for proof of age. If you are 21 and over you should be admitted with no problem as long as you do not pose any threat to the venue. What’s wonderful about the Abbey is that they welcome all types of people and actually encourage diversity. The Abbey believes everyone is created equal and should be treated accordingly. In addition, the Abbey does not have a cover charge and has a flexible dress code that allows patrons to dress in a comfortable manner.

Venue

Once inside, patrons will quickly notice and be captivated by the theme and décor of this venue as each area is fashioned beautifully. Decorated in a classical Goth arrangement with a hint of contemporary style, the Abbey provides guests with a sensual and soothing ambiance that is sure to please. With its opened and closed venue design, guests can either eat and drink under the night sky or mingle inside next to the fireplace. With four different bars, guests will find bar access easy and pleasing as each bar is fully stocked with not only your favorite alcoholic beverages but with some of the hardest working talented bartenders around. In addition to this, the Abbey has one of the largest dance floors that anyone will ever see. What’s funny about this is that technically they don’t have a dance floor, but try telling that to the Abbey clientele who see every single space as a perfect spot to dance. With this type of environment it is no surprise that people from all over wish to visit this venue, especially since it feels like everyone knows your name. From what has been seen, one can literally go to any section of the Abbey and see everyone call each other by their first name. That camaraderie among guests is something that is missing in many establishments and it is nice to see it in a venue such as the Abbey.

Music

Music for the night was great. The Abbey crowd truly seemed to enjoy the mix and style of DJ Derek Monteiro, as he played an uplifting fast pace mix that consisted of top 40 and House. Each room and section at the Abbey was moving and grooving as DJ Derek spun hit after hit. With each successive hour that passed, DJ Derek took more and more control of the Abbey crowd as he demanded through his music that everyone dance. By the time it was midnight, it seemed that he accomplished what he set out to do as each section at the Abbey had its own dance area.

VIP/bottle Service

At the Abbey everyone is considered royalty. No matter where you’re from or how you look, you’re sure to be treated like a king or queen. However, if you would like to be pampered and have a section for yourself where you can have the full Abbey experience, the Abbey is happy to offer private VIP areas. The Abbey allows all patrons the opportunity to reserve these private lounges by requesting and reserving bottle service. Bottle service has a starting price of $300; this is not including taxes and gratuities. The Abbey’s most requested bottle is a tie between Grey Goose Vodka and Effen Vodka. If you’re looking for something a little more expensive or better suited for celebrating a special occasion, the Abbey offers plenty of wines and champagnes, with CRISTAL being this venue’s premier bottle at $500. Regardless of your bottle of choice, each bottle service request comes with all the required mixers, your own waiter or waitress, a TSA who insures that your section stays clean throughout your stay and a private lounge. Once you have picked your bottle of choice, it is time to select your private area to enjoy your night. With plenty of stunning VIP areas located throughout, choosing the right one might take a while. Yet, the section that stood out to us the most was the VIP section that is know as the Elizabeth Taylor lounge. This section was dedicated in honor of the historic actress as she is a countless regular who loves to spend her evenings at the Abbey. The Elizabeth Taylor section is equipped with a four walled soft couch that surrounds the complete section, a personal restroom and private fireplace. Yes, this section is quite a site as it demands attention. One will surely be noticed as this is the ultimate in VIP treatment. So if you truly wish to experience the best that the Abbey has to offer, we recommend you reserve the Elizabeth Taylor.

Food/Drinks/Service

In addition to being a great after-hours location, the Abbey is one of L.A. County’s premier restaurant and bakery. With delicious pastries and mouthwatering meals, the Abbey has become a hot spot for both family and company dining. Serving the best in American Cuisine, the Abbey uses only fresh grade-A products that guarantees that your meals and desserts are made of the highest quality. A dish we suggest is the Abbey sampler. The Abbey sampler comes with four breaded chicken tenders, four Buffalo wings, chicken satay, half an order of onion rings and your choice of dipping sauce. The Abbey sampler is perfect when craving a tasty snack while watching a game or hanging out with friends. With a delicious menu, the Abbey is sure to have something for everyone. If you have already eaten here and you and your friends just want to grab a couple of drinks then we suggest you visit again. John Floyd is a regular customer that comes to the Abbey to relax and forget all, “I love this place” is what he exclaimed. Known for their martinis and mojitos, the Abbey has gained the reputation as being top bar in West Hollywood. Such drinks that are offered and our known to be crowd pleasures are the Abbey Raspberry Mojito and the Abbey Blueberry Martini. Each drink is freshly made with real fruit and premium liquor in order to give your mouth an exhilarating blast of flavor and we can give testament to that, Thank you Luckes.Finally, their service is unlike any other. Each employee is hard working and loves to do what they do. With big smiles and wonderful personalities, each employee not only makes this venue welcoming but astounding. From their receptionist to their managers, the Abbey staff is incredible.

Last words

The Abbey is much more that your common restaurant and bar. If you have never been to the Abbey, you will surely not understand why so many people make such a grand fuss about the greatness of this venue. The Abbey is not just a location; it is an all out experience. From their food and drinks to their world class service, the Abbey is sure to make your stay amazing and unforgettable. Once you’ve visited the Abbey, you’ll never want to leave and if you do, you’re sure to come back soon. Club Central LA would like to thank the complete Abbey staff for having us and treating us in a way we have never experienced. The Abbey truly knows how to treat their guests and we can’t wait to come back. Club Central LA would also like to give special thanks to Victor Tomasino for taking time from his busy schedule.Once again, Club Central LA would like to Thank all staff for an enjoyable experience.