Belles Beach House Opens in Venice Beach, California

There’s a new tropical-themed hot spot open in Venice Beach! This past Saturday evening, Venice was buzzing with the who’s who of Los Angeles there to check out the unveiling of Belles Beach House. The opening VIP dinner and party included notable guests like actress Victoria Justice and her sister Madison Grace, model Kara Del Toro, influencer and bachelor alum Kristina Schulman, celebrity stylist Maeve Reilly, and many many more!

Hannah Ann Sluss , Caelynn Miller Keyes, Kristina Schulman

Belles is just what L.A. needed– a place to go to escape the harsh realities of life and relax in a fun and beautiful tropical environment, a blend of Hawaiian Izakaya meets Modern Tiki Bar. An island vacation in the heart of their own city.

Inspired by ’70s retro and the iconic Venice boardwalk, the venue is filled with elements of ’70’s retro including bamboo ceilings, oversized palms, vintage surfboards, decorative tiki sculptures, and so much more. Every inch of Belles will have you feeling like you’ve been transported to Hawaii or Tahiti.

Madison Grace and Victoria Justice

Belles is the latest concept from restaurateur and designer – Nick Mathers, founder of the ‘Wish You Were Here Group’ celebrates surf culture and Hawaiian cuisine with the introduction of Belles Beach House.

The partners behind the Wish You Were Here Group: CEO Rob Chislet, Founder Nick Mathers, and Culinary Director Thomas Lim

Belles was inspired by my travels through the South Pacific. These island destinations and their approach to hospitality and life have always appealed to me, particularly from a culinary sense.

Mathers, known for his numerous sought-after restaurants such as Elephante, Kassi Beach Club, The Eveleigh, Ruby’s New York, and Dudley’s, is adding this modern take on Tiki to his Rolodex of successful hot spots.

Guests enjoyed cocktails from the new Tiki menu, including the Local Hang, Boardwalk Beat and Breakwater. The DJ played “jungle-inspired disco” music while everyone danced the night away.

Additional party goers included Kelsey Merritt, Dean Unglert, Mina Marlena and Liberty Netuschil, and Julissa Bermudez.

Since the 1950’s the names Larry Bell and Erwin Sokol have been synonymous with the Venice Beach community. Despite their contrasting personalities, their respective legacies are equally evident throughout the neighborhood with Bell’s artwork and Sokol’s iconic Hotel Erwin remaining as testaments to their love of the neighborhood they have called home for over 70 years. Since opening in 2010, Larry’s restaurant, built and operated by Erwin Sokol, has operated on a very basic principle, support the community that supports you. Having unfortunately closed at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, the decision was made to reopen Larry’s in a new format that would continue to pay homage to the original Larry Bell. Belles Beach House is a collaboration between the Sokols and fellow beachside enthusiasts the Wish You Were Here Group, led by Nicholas Mathers from Elephante restaurant in Santa Monica. Having bonded over their mutual love of Venice and restaurants that celebrate the benefits of beachside enjoyment in Los Angeles, the team collaborated to bring to the public a new concept that will continue to draw generations of locals and tourists alike to Venice Beach. In a time when many restaurants are still struggling, or closing permanently due to the impacts of Covid-19, Belles is bringing life to the Venice boardwalk, employing over a 100 staff and serving thousands of happy guests each week in a purpose built outdoor environment designed for all guests to enjoy in this new age of outdoor dining. While the menu and design may have changed the same fundamental principle remains as the guiding force of Belles, support the community that supports you.

Belles Beach House is located at 24 Windward Ave, Venice, CA

Photographer credit: Laura Huertas Photography

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Gianna Brighton

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About the author

Gianna Brighton