Grab you most dashing ‘Gatsby’ attire, strut past the vintage Ford Model Ts, down the yellow ‘brick road’ carpet leading into The Culver Hotel, to celebrate 90 years in the making at The Prohibition Ball on Saturday, Sept. 6. From 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Back in 1924, when The Culver Hotel made its debut, America was in the midst of Prohibition, with some of Los Angeles’ most popular speakeasies and night clubs just steps away on Washington Blvd. One of the most popular hot spots, The Cotton Club, was often frequented by the biggest stars of the day including the town’s movie moguls and gangsters. Even Louis Armstrong, the Jazz master himself and onetime resident of Culver City, entertained at the local clubs. Tunnels beneath The Culver Hotel ostensibly designed to ferry pedestrians under the busy streets to the nearby movie studios were also used to smuggle illicit booze. One can only imagine how roaring those twenties were…
This year, as The Culver Hotel turns 90, it is transporting you back in time with its Grand Prohibition Ball, a Jazz- Age bash featuring prohibition inspired handcrafted cocktails, imaginative dishes reminiscent of classic 1920’s fare and an array of magical entertainment.
“For our 90th birthday, we want to carry on that legendary spirit and pay homage to a unique period in our history. We should never forget to celebrate the past as it is ever present in our future,” says The Culver Hotel Owner Maya Mallick.
In fact, Mallick not only wants to celebrate the past, but also showcase the beautiful comeback of a National Landmark in a revived historic neighborhood. With a commemorative and community spirit, a portion of the proceeds from The Prohibition Ball will be donated to the Culver City Historical Society.
“When I first stepped foot into The Culver Hotel, I was immediately touched by the history,” says Director of Food & Beverage Louie Spetrini, who recently came on board and is developing an all new dining and cocktail program for the anniversary year as well as spearheading the planning of this memorable event. “I knew we had to create something special for our 90th year, and party like it’s 1924!”
“The Prohibition Ball serves as our grand re-opening while showcasing a party that this City has not seen in a long time. It’s our way of saying thank you to the Culver City community,” says General Manager Seth Horowitz.
Guests of The Prohibition Ball will be welcomed at the door with a “La Florida” libation with Selvarey Cacao Rum, orange curacao, sweet vermouth, grenadine, fresh lime juice and crowned with a festive edible flower that’s sure to get the celebration started. Beverages will be free flowing throughout the entire evening, as those attending The Prohibition Ball will experience the debut of the hotel’s 18 new handcrafted prohibitioninspired cocktails. Seven spirit stations will be spread throughout the first and second floor of the hotel offering up deco drinks such as the “Barrel-Aged Peach Manhattan,” made with Al Capone’s favorite Templeton Rye Whiskey, Giffard Crème de Peche, Carpano Bianco Vermouth and bitters, served with a peach and Fernet Branca twist (Fernet Branca was one of the only alcohols legally sold during Prohibition). One of Hollywood’s brightest stars, Orson Welles, favored drinks that prominently featured bitters, similar to the “Phony Negroni,” crafted with Ketel One Oranje, Aperol, Carpano Antica and an orange twist. And of course one cannot honor The Culver Hotel without toasting with a “Dorothy’s Daiquiri,” a take on Ernest Hemingway’s famously favorite sip which features Ketel One Citroen, lemon juice, agave nectar, fresh muddled strawberries, and a champagne float with a twist.
The dapper hotel wait staff, all dressed up for the occasion, will circulate throughout the evening with a delicious array of tray passed bites featuring Chef Samuel Vasquez’s modern take on classic grand hotel dishes. Guests will relish to the likes of crab-stuffed mushrooms, miniature suckling pig tacos, breast of chicken a la rose, spring petite lamb chasseur and lobster a la Newburg. As the clock strikes twelve, guests will be brought back to present times with a collection of modern midnight snacks: dry-age beef and lamb sliders served with truffle fries and sweet potato fries.
The Prohibition Ball will be an evening full of enchanting entertainment, giving guests much to enjoy:
Grab your dancing shoes, as live swing and jazz bands, including Sylvia & the Rhythm Boys and Modern Cocktail Society will take over the hotel’s Grand Lobby and second floor Parisian Room. There will be other musical performances during The Prohibition Ball… but some we have to keep secret.
• The Burlesque performers will unquestionably add to the glittering evening along with the wandering magician who will thrill and astound guests when least expected.
• At The Culver Hotel Blackjack Table in the elegant Parisian Room the dealer will challenge guests to a hand. Win and take home a commemorative casino chip courtesy of The Culver Hotel and Krome Vodka.
• Cigar aficionados can indulge in made-to-order handrolled cigars in the outdoor Cigar Lounge, while others can enjoy the flapper-inspired cigarette girls handing out (candy) smokes.
• An old-timey photographer will be on hand to capture all the evening’s magical moments, while taking sepia-style photos of guests all throughout the night. From posing with one of the four vintage Ford Model Ts parked in front of the hotel, to the very last couple left cutting up the rug.
• At the flip book photo concession, partygoers will have the opportunity to document their silent movie best as they star in their very own Prohibition Ball Flip Book that they can then take home as one of the evening’s souvenirs.
• In honor of the hotel’s connection to “The Wizard of Oz,” and for an added dose of movie magic, there will be little people dressed as munchkins mingling with guests throughout the ball, (the classic was filmed in Culver City, and nearly all 124 actors playing Munchkins stayed at The Culver Hotel during production).
• No birthday party would be complete without a grand cake cutting.
Help The Culver Hotel sing Happy Birthday as they reflect on 90 years of memories and many more decades filled with wonderful celebrations. The Prohibition Ball is being made possible with the generous support of the following sponsors: Ketel One Vodka, Coastal Vines, Chivas Scotch Whisky, Absolut Vodka, Krome Vodka, Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth, Nolet’s Gin, Peroni Beer, Avión Tequila, Bulleit Bourbon, Double Cross Vodka, Selvarey Rum, Templeton Rye Whiskey, Johnnie Walker Scotch Whiskey, Sysco, Kappa Pisco, The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jamaica’s Cakes, Llanllyr Source Water and American Harvest Organic Spirits.
The dress code requires that attendees wear their most dashing 1920s period attire is required. The speakeasy password hint is Dorothy’s Dog. A portion of the event proceeds will benefit the Culver City Historical Society, a non-profit organization founded in 1979 that is dedicated to collecting, preserving and exhibiting the cultural and civic accomplishments of Culver City.
Tickets to The Prohibition Ball are $90.00 per person and are exclusively available at www.TheProhibitionBall.com and www.TheCulverHotel.com.
The Culver Hotel will be providing complimentary valet parking for all guests attending The Prohibition Ball. Self-parking is also available at the city parking lot at Trader Joe’s and there is a secondary city parking lot located directly behind Bank of America, where parking is complimentary for the first two hours and $1 per hour thereafter.
The Prohibition Ball is a 21-and-over event (ID is required). For more information about the 90th Anniversary Prohibition Ball at The Culver Hotel, persons interested can visit www.TheProhibitionBall. com.