Pop-Up Craft Beer Garden Coming to the Sunset Strip Saturday

Come noon on Saturday, the James Lot between the store and 9000 Sunset building will transform into a pop-up ColLAboration beer garden, featuring scores of hand-picked craft beers from 24 changing taps.

Participating bars include West Hollywood's own , Hollywood's Blue Palms, Alhambra's 38 Degrees, Glassell Park's Verdugo Bar, and from Burbank, Tony’s Darts. 

"We wanted to break away from the idea that a beer garden means getting three hours to drink as much as you can and get out," said Tony Yanow, owner of Tony's Darts Away. "Our concept is come and go as you please, drink a real beer, and spend more time sitting with your friends than lining up." 

The Craft Beer Garden will run Saturday, July 9, 16, 23 and possibly the 30 for nine hours and will feature games and custom menus from local restaurants available for delivery direct to the tables, along with 60 great suds spanning Russian River, Avery Brewing Company, Green Flash, Dogfish Head and Grand Teton Brewing Company.

"We are hoping to get 800 to 900 people per event. We have capacity for 1,800 at any given time, but we don't want to fill it up all the way," said Yanow. "We want to make sure that it is very comfortable and the vibe is good in there."

Yanow also noted the event abides by LAFD regulations. "We have an ABC permit, health permit, tax permit and a special events permit—every single permit the city and state require to have for this event," he said.

The city also has the option to renew the Craft Beer Garden for a fourth week in July. "If people really want us, they need to come and support us," he said.

There will be a $10 admission/membership fee, which allows patrons in and out privileges and a commemorative membership glass that can be used as admission to future ColLAb events. Pours within the gardens range from $5-6.

And just down the street, at the former home of Tower Records, Record Swap, featuring more than 40 vendors and 100,000 records, will be taking place.

“We’re creating community events where both visitors and locals can come together and enjoy conversation and interact with each other,” said Todd Steadman, Executive Director of the Sunset Strip Business Association, which is partnering with Record Collector News and KLOS for the event happening between noon and 7 p.m.

Early bird admission will be $15, or $10 with the donation of a nonperishable food item. Admission is free after 2 p.m. 

Ample parking can be found on and around Sunset Boulevard, including the 9000 Sunset building and the city lot next to the Record Swap event (8755 Sunset Blvd).