GIN RUMMY– AN ISLAND-INSPIRED COCKTAIL BAR OPENS ON THE WESTSIDE

The New Vintage Beach Bar by the Team of Jared Meisler, Dave and Patti Reiss

Takes Over the Neuva Space

Renowned Los Angeles bar proprietor Jared Meisler (The Roger Room, Bar Lubitsch, The Friend and The Little Friend) and the exemplary team of David and Patti Reiss of Reiss Co. The cocktail program is masterfully led by Beverage Directors Danilo Kim, formerly of The Alibi Room and Nueva and Marcus Ragas, whose resume includes The Chestnut Club and Caboco.

Located at 822 Washington Boulevard, Marina del Rey, adjacent to Meisler’s popular Little Friend, GIN RUMMY takes over NUEVA after a successful three-year run. Meisler states that he and his partners saw a need for a large and welcoming bar space in the neighborhood. Meisler states, “I’ve always loved the cocktails that come from beach cultures, just as much as I love the imagery and feel of beachy bars. I see a through line between a Tiki Bar, a Cuban Rum Bar, a Mexican Cantina, a Brazilian Quisque, a Spanish Chiringuito and a Venice Beach watering hole. They’re all timeless, relaxed, and fun, serving fantastic and unique drinks. Gin Rummy is an homage to all things Beach Bar, from Nautical to Tropical, in a vintage parlor.”

Following photos by Philip Guerette or Denise Milford

At this gateway to Venice, GIN RUMMY invites passersby to escape to the tropics and get swept away, sipping exotic cocktails and enjoying delicious snacks in a pirate’s lair. The spacious 200-seat setting reimagined and designed by Jared Meisler creates a colorful and ornate island paradise marrying nautical and South Pacific themes with contemporary design. Enter GIN RUMMY through the large front door just off Washington and take in the huge zinc-top mahogany bar with shelves stacked with vast arrays of rum, gin, tequila, and mezcal along with decorative tchotchkes of ships in bottles. A large bank of skylights above the bar provides soft sunlight during golden hour as guests relax in a convivial state of mind. When dusk turns to night, the far wall is illuminated by a row of vintage island-themed pinball machines giving GIN RUMMY a timeless, comfortable feel. As one’s eye travels the room, imbibers take in giant redwood beams supporting a tongue and grove ceiling adorned by funky glassware. Native and tribal prints cover the bar stools and wood booths. Scattered around the room are mini palm trees and lush tropical plants adorned with brass ship hardware. The thick posts are wrapped in nautical rope and accented with imagery of Caribbean and Polynesian life, ocean and boats and jungle paintings. Other notes include large bone-inlaid mirrors, woven wood light fixtures, rattan chairs, and lazy ceiling fans for a sultry Key Largo effect.

Outside, the convertible indoor/outdoor patio exudes a tropical sandy beachy village vibe, adorned with wood carvings and carved wooden mirrors. The natural oak tables are painted with checker and backgammon boards, inviting guests to linger and play games comfortably in reclined rattan chairs. Lush tropical foliage is covered by a mahogany pergola illuminating the space with brass ship lights.

At GIN RUMMY, Beverage Directors Marcus Ragas and Danilo Kim have created an inventive and playful craft cocktail bar program and menu: Fun drinks equal a fun vibe. Look for categories of FROZEN RUMMYS, STIRRED and TIKI, classic and imaginative HIGHBALLS, as well as the irresistible COCKTAILS FOR FOUR that look back to the legendary Trader Vic’s from days gone by. GIN RUMMY offers several NO BOOZE options for the sober crowd or designated driver.

GIN RUMMY is open daily: Monday – Friday: from 4:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday: from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. and Happy Hour: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. nightly.

FROZEN RUMMYS

Hemingway Daiquiri with Rum, Grapefruit, Luxardo Maraschino & Lime
Guava Daiquiri; Mango Ango
Habanero Honeysuckle
Frozen Margaritas
Pina Colada

STIRRED

Mamajuana
Banana Manhattan
MSG Old Fashioned
Tail of The Cock with Oaked Cachaca, Cynar, Carpano Antica & Orange Bitters

TIKI

Agave Zombie
Velvet Falernum
Pina Colada
Nui Nui
Jungle Bird
Marina Fog Cutter
Tropical Itch; Rye Tai
Pain Killer (for two, served in a pineapple)

HIGHBALLS

Gin & Tonic
Super Paloma
Captains Wheel
AK Mojito
Yuzu Spritz with Gin, Yuzu, Aperol & Champagne

SHAKEN

Reina Picante
Strawberry Caipirinha
Baggiewrinkle
Corpse Reviver No. 47 with Chamomile Infused Gin, Yellow Chartreuse,
Lemon, Orange Curaçao, Absinthe & Chamomile Smoke
Nitro Charged Carajillo

COCKTAILS FOR FOUR

Scorpion Bowl with Vodka, Gin, Light Rum, Dark Rum, 151 Rum, Pineapple, Orange & Lemon
Fish Bowl with Vodka, Coconut Rum, Blue curaçao, Lemon & Pineapple.

For guests who prefer sans alcohol, there are creative NO BOOZE options, including Passionfruit Picante Spritz with Passionfruit, Tamarind, Lime, Black Lava Saline, Thai Chili & Mineral Water; Virgin Mint Margarita with Spiritless Jalisco Tequila, Lyres Orange Sec, Lime & Agave; and Not Gin & Tonic with Ritual Zero Proof Gin, Rosemary, Sea Bean, Lemon Basil, Juniper Berry and Fever Tree Tonic.

For a complete list, please visit GIN RUMMY’s online drink and spirits menu.

GIN RUMMY offers a selection of satisfying nosh to enjoy while sipping on delicious cocktails and dreaming of the Pacific.

SNACKS

Crispy Cauliflower
Tempura Calamari
Coconut Shrimp
Fries and Sweet Potato Fries
Onion Rings

BASKETS

Wings
(with Buffalo, BBQ and Lemon Pepper Mango Habanero Thai Chili)
Beer Battered Fish & Chips
Chicken & Chips
Vegan Chicken & Chips

(Sauces – Chipotle Aioli, BBQ, Hot Honey, Creamy Ranch, Vegan Ranch, Cocktail Sauce, Tartar Sauce, Thai Chili, Honey Mustard, Yellow Mustard, Buffalo & Mango Habanero)

SALADS

Smokey Caesar
Kale Salad
Aaarrrugula & Quinoa

TACOS

Mushroom
Zucchini & Squash
Shrimp; Chicken
Carnitas
Carne Asada
(served with Salsa and Onions)

PIES

Key Lime
Chocolate Chess
Banana Cream

(for a complete list, please visit GIN RUMMY’s online SNACKS menu)

GIN RUMMY HOURS:

Monday – Friday: from 4:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Saturday and Sunday: from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Happy Hour: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. nightly

GIN RUMMY offers customized Event Planning by appointment at [email protected].

Clockwise from top left: Gin Rummy Patio; Walking Dead; Scorpion Bowl; Corpse Reviver; Gin Rummy Pinball, Tap Beer; Gin Rummy Bar; Banana Manhattan. Photos by Philip Guerette or Denise Milford

ABOUT JARED MEISLER:

Jared Meisler, raised in Los Angeles, discovered his passion for nightlife and bringing people together while playing music in clubs on the Sunset Strip. Meisler began his career promoting shows and parties and booking fellow musicians and DJs in old mansions and warehouses throughout Los Angeles. In 2006, Meisler partnered with restaurateur and hotelier Sean MacPherson. Together they opened Bar Lubitsch, an art deco-styled Vodka bar in West Hollywood, then the instant classic – The Roger Room, followed by The Pikey, a high-end pub on the Sunset Strip. Desiring to expand his network, Meisler partnered with Artist Andre Saraiva to open The Friend in Silverlake, instantly becoming a hub for artists, musicians and all creative types. The Friend, known as one of the coolest bars in town, expanded to Venice with The Little Friend.

ABOUT DAVID & PATTI REISS (REISS CO):

Dave Reiss is an icon of the L.A. scene, responsible for opening Swingers on Beverly as well as Red, Sugar, The Brig, and half a dozen other properties. Patti met Dave while working in marketing at New Line Cinema, having spanned an extensive career in the entertainment industry from Warner Music Group to BMG. Patti is no stranger to the food world, having founded a family baking company patronized by hotels and gourmet food shops in the Twin Cities. After The Brig, Patti and her husband Dave opened a series of properties under the Reiss Co umbrella, beginning with Beechwood in 2004. Together, the two share an entrepreneurial spirit that has grown over the years into the vibrant Reiss Co portfolio of restaurant and bar concepts providing outstanding food, wine, cocktail, and service in exceptional spaces throughout their Los Angeles community.