Elina ShatkinThe long-dormant space in the courtyard of Hollywood's Egyptian Theatre is finally seeing some life. The space that several years ago housed the short-lived but fantastic frozen custard shop Lickity Split, will re-open as the beach-themed Maui & Sons bar on January 8th.
Think grass-hut decor, waitstaff in board shorts and bikini tops (girls) or rash guards (boys), fruity cocktails, tons of flatscreen TVs and 20-30 beers on tap. The bar can seat about 50 people inside and another 30 on the patio.
Chris Breed, of Sunset Entertainment Group (Green Door, La Vida, Cabana Club), which also owns nearby Pig 'N Whistle, wants to appeal to out-of-towners and locals, but this bar concept seems destined for tourists.
If you recognize the name Maui & Sons, that's probably because it's a well-known surf and skatewear brand. The company does have a few bars, in places like Greece & Hong Kong, doing their best to export a simulacrum of surf culture across the globe.
Maui & Sons' grand opening occurs on Elvis' birthday along with a courtyard luau and a Cinematheque screening of the 1961 film “Blue Hawaii.” 50 years on, the perpetually sunny beaches of Hollywood's mythical L.A. still have their appeal, but how well does the concept play to locals living only 11 miles from the beach itself?
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