I visited Grandmaster Recorders, a former recording studio turned bar where you'll spot everyone from Rihanna to the cast of 'Euphoria'

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Anneta KonstantinidesMay 27, 2022, 01:34 IST
I visited Grandmaster Recorders, a former recording studio turned bar where you'll spot everyone from Rihanna to the cast of 'Euphoria'

Grandmaster Recorders is the stars' new favorite bar, but it's so much more than a Hollywood hot spot.Wonho Frank Lee

  • I went to Grandmaster Recorders, the new Hollywood hot spot loved by Rihanna and the cast of "Euphoria."
  • The three-story building stretches a block and features a restaurant, rooftop bar, and dance club.
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Grandmaster Recorders is a little bit Italian, a little bit Australian, and a whole lot of rock and roll.

Grandmaster Recorders is a little bit Italian, a little bit Australian, and a whole lot of rock and roll.
Grandmaster Recorders is in the heart of Hollywood.Wonho Frank Lee

Welcome back to Insider's Happy Hour series, where I'm taking you to bars with the coolest stories, wildest drinks, and plenty of celebrities.

You'll find all of the above at Grandmaster Recorders, which has become the newest LA hot spot for stars including Rihanna, Robert Pattinson, and the cast of "Euphoria." The three-story, 15,000-square-foot space stretches a block and includes a club, restaurant, and rooftop bar.

Once a legendary recording studio, Grandmaster Recorders is breathing new life into Hollywood. And I got a chance to go behind the scenes and discover why it's the new place to be.

At Grandmaster Recorders, you'll wish the walls could sing.

At Grandmaster Recorders, you'll wish the walls could sing.
The entrance of Grandmaster Recorders.Wonho Frank Lee

Rock-and-roll history is deeply embedded in Grandmaster Recorders' DNA. Everyone from David Bowie and Stevie Wonder to Gwen Stefani and the Red Hot Chili Peppers recorded some of their greatest hits at the studio, which was open from 1971 to 2016. Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, made his iconic sophomore album "Late Registration" at Grandmaster Recorders, while Beck recorded "Midnight Vultures."

It was a natural fit for co-owner Grant Smillie, a former Australian DJ and producer who's become a major player in LA's competitive nightlife scene with Botanical Hospitality Group. Smillie told me he was drawn to the unique space because it already came with a story.

"The Chili Peppers did their first album here, our dining room is where they used to make guitar pedals for Mötley Crüe and have secret raves," he said. "We wanted to design everything from a musical perspective, but to feel like it was organic."

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On the first floor, you'll find 71 Studio Bar, where the former recording studio has mostly been left intact.

On the first floor, you'll find 71 Studio Bar, where the former recording studio has mostly been left intact.
The bar on the first floor of Grandmaster Recorders.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

The bar is dripping with dim lights and metallic gold, making it feel luxe and sexy rather than cliche and kitschy — no easy feat in a place that could have easily turned into a cheesy tourist destination.

Smillie told me he wanted to pay tribute to Grandmaster Recorders' storied history through subtle touches and details, rather than being obvious in the style of Planet Hollywood.

Grandmaster Recorders' cocktails — many named after iconic albums recorded in the space — were also inspired by its musical legacy.

Head mixologist Milosz Cieslak told me he wanted to create drinks that are "a little on the edge."

"We're adding things like beetroot and hoping people in Hollywood won't be scared of that," he said with a laugh.

The cocktail list is long and varied, featuring everything from light and bright Italian-style spritzes to sexy, smoky mezcal drinks.

The cocktail list is long and varied, featuring everything from light and bright Italian-style spritzes to sexy, smoky mezcal drinks.
The Midnight Vultures cocktail.Kristie-Valerie Hoang/Insider

One of my favorite cocktails on the menu was Midnight Vultures.

Currently Grandmaster Recorders' most popular drink, Midnight Vultures — named after the Beck album — features mezcal, Campari, Ancho Reyes Verde, prickly pear purée, cilantro, and a Tajin rim.

The color, first of all, was gorgeous. I've never seen a cocktail with such a vivid magenta hue. And while I've never considered myself much of a mezcal girl, I was a huge fan of the $18 drink. It had just the right amount of smokiness and tasted unlike anything I've sipped on recently. A true original.

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As I sampled more drinks, I realized how much work had been put into making them unique.

As I sampled more drinks, I realized how much work had been put into making them unique.
The Hard to Handle cocktail.Kristie-Valerie Hoang/Insider

Hard to Handle, named after The Black Crowes album, was another showstopper. The $18 cocktail features Cieslak's homemade beetroot cordial, which he said pays homage to both his Polish roots and the Australian influence that runs through Grandmaster Recorders' menu.

The tequila drink — Cieslak's twist on a Paloma — has an electric-pink hue but tastes fresh and bright. There's a surprising softness to the taste that makes it perfect for a hot summer day.

Directly next to 71 Studio Bar is the dance floor, which comes complete with a massive glittering disco ball.

Directly next to 71 Studio Bar is the dance floor, which comes complete with a massive glittering disco ball.
Big-name DJs have come to spin at the 71 Studio dance floor.Kristie-Valerie Hoang/Insider

Smillie told me the disco ball actually came from "Dancing with the Stars," and was so big it had to be craned into the space.

The effect is worth it, giving 71 Studio Bar a major dose of '70s glamour. It's an intimate and sexy space, which has hosted everything from secret DJ sets to Camila Cabello's 25th birthday party.

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After a couple of drinks, I headed to the roof for some panoramic views.

After a couple of drinks, I headed to the roof for some panoramic views.
The Studio Spritz and Late Registration cocktails.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Grandmaster Recorders' rooftop has a completely different vibe from 71 Studio Bar. The light-green booths and lush green plants give you the feeling of a seaside escape.

<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@foodinsider/video/7102118991774174507" data-video-id="7102118991774174507" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;" > <section> <a target="_blank" title="@foodinsider" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@foodinsider" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@foodinsider</a> Wake up Mr. West! This is the Late Registration at Grandmaster Recorders in LA. <a title="ye" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/ye">#ye</a> <a title="cocktail" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cocktail">#cocktail</a> <a title="happyhour" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/happyhour">#happyhour</a> <a title="hollywood" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/hollywood">#hollywood</a> <a title="drink" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/drink">#drink</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ Kanye Went West-JP - D Sirrom / David Morris" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Kanye-Went-West-JP-7000028354015594497">♬ Kanye Went West-JP - D Sirrom / David Morris</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

But the bar also comes with stunning views of Los Angeles at every corner. You can see the Hollywood sign perched in between the Church of Scientology and a massive billboard promoting STD testing.

On the roof, you'll also find some special spritzes on the menu ...

On the roof, you'll also find some special spritzes on the menu ...
Just me enjoying Grandmaster Recorders' rooftop bar.Kristie-Valerie Hoang/Insider

I was a huge fan of the $16 Studio Spritz, which features Liquore Strega — an Italian herbal liqueur — along with prosecco, honey, passion fruit, and lemon.

The cocktail is deliciously juicy, and the colors are gorgeous. If you love a fruity cocktail, this is definitely the drink for you at Grandmaster Recorders.

Equally refreshing was the $18 Late Registration, named after Ye's album. The light-pink drink — which features Grey Goose, Chamomile Blanc Vermouth, ginger, and yellow watermelon — is fresh but complex (not unlike its namesake).

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… plus Tuscan-style pizza slices.

… plus Tuscan-style pizza slices.
All three pizzas currently on the rooftop's menu.Grandmaster Recorders

Adding to Grandmaster Recorders' Italian spirit are the new schiacciata pizzas you can only get on the roof. Ranging from $8-9 a slice, the three flavors currently on offer are tomato, pepperoni, and clam pie.

Also on the bar's menu is a delicious chicken parma roll I enjoyed on a recent night out, a beautifully creamy burrata with black truffle and crunchy chili oil, and even homemade gelato.

But the food that really blew me away was at Grandmaster Recorders' restaurant on the middle floor.

But the food that really blew me away was at Grandmaster Recorders' restaurant on the middle floor.
The Grandmaster Recorders restaurant.Kristie-Valerie Hoang/Insider

Culinary director Monty Koludrovic, his pastry-chef wife Jaci, and their friend and fellow chef Blake Shailes are behind Grandmaster Recorders' innovative menu.

All three left life in Australia to infuse the restaurant with dozens of dishes that manage to be playful, sexy, and delicious.

"The building has so much history of having fun," Monty told me. "And as good as we can be at providing a refined dining experience, we want people to have fun."

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The chefs also wanted to deliver food that paid homage to their Italian-Australian roots.

The chefs also wanted to deliver food that paid homage to their Italian-Australian roots.
Chef Blake Shailes at work in Grandmaster Recorders' open kitchen.Kristie Hoang/Insider

"We have a completely different connection to what America perceives Italian food to be," Shailes and Monty told me. "It's Italian through our eyes."

First up was the caviar cannoli, which was so fun and indulgent.

First up was the caviar cannoli, which was so fun and indulgent.
The $22 caviar cannolis were rich and decadent.Kristie-Valerie Hoang/Insider

When I first tried these $22 cannolis, I wrote in my notes that they felt like a "snack for the stars." They're easy and handheld, but also rich and decadent. The caviar brings the savoriness, while the filling adds a dose of sweetness. I could easily imagine the "Euphoria" cast knocking these back.

But the dish also stays true to the restaurant's philosophy of merging accessibility with fine dining.

"I love what caviar does for people, there's something about it that makes people feel special," Monty told me. "It's not how you usually have cannolis, but we haven't had to break the rule book to make it delicious — we just had fun with it."

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The cacio e pepe churros were equally playful.

The cacio e pepe churros were equally playful.
The $24 cacio e pepe churros were light and fluffy.Kristie-Valerie Hoang/Insider

This $24 app, which I watched Shailes prepare from the restaurant's open kitchen, reminded me of doughnut balls.

The cacio e pepe churros were light and fluffy, pairing deliciously with the silky and rich mortadella. And the salty cheese on top was, as the Italians would say, eccellente.

The most beautiful dish was definitely the Insalata di Pesce.

The most beautiful dish was definitely the Insalata di Pesce.
The $32 Insalata de Pesce was stunning.Kristie-Valerie Hoang/Insider

The $32 dish — which features baja tuna, radish, trout roe, and croutons — is so fresh, and there's no denying that this dish is stunning.

I mixed everything together (after snapping a few Instagram pictures), and each bite was an explosion of different flavors and textures — all of them undeniably luxurious.

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But my absolute favorite was the mafaldine pasta.

But my absolute favorite was the mafaldine pasta.
I loved how silky and creamy the $32 mafaldine pasta tasted.Kristie-Valerie Hoang/Insider

Grandmaster Recorders' $32 mafaldine pasta features spot prawns, salt cod XO sauce, Calabrian chilis, and chives. One of Shailes' creations, the dish was inspired by his travels in Asia — which has long had a huge influence on Australia's cuisine.

I loved how the mafaldine ribbons carried the silky XO sauce, which has just the right amount of creaminess. There was also a beautiful brightness and acidity thanks to the lemon oil and zest, which paired perfectly with the delicate prawns.

Last but not least was this gorgeous tiramisu, shaped like a record.

Last but not least was this gorgeous tiramisu, shaped like a record.
The Grandmaster Recorders tiramisu.Kristie-Valerie Hoang/Insider

Jaci told me that she's done a play on tiramisu at almost every kitchen she's worked at since she began working with Italian cuisine.

"But it's never been traditional at all," she added. "So this is another step in the evolution of my tiramisu."

The record on top — made of tempered chocolate — turned Jaci "into a chocolatier overnight," she said. The $24 dessert was easily one of the best tiramisus I've ever had.

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Grandmaster Recorders instinctively understands that food is as personal as music, which is why I love it.

Grandmaster Recorders instinctively understands that food is as personal as music, which is why I love it.
I've been going back to Grandmaster Recorders again and again.Kristie-Valerie Hoang/Insider

Just as a great album tells a story, so does a great dish. And while there are subtle touches throughout the building inspired by Grandmaster Recorders' musical history, it's the stories within the cocktails and food that I think have become the truest tribute. Artists once poured their hearts out behind these walls — now it's the chefs' and bartenders' turn.

I've been to many Hollywood celebrity hot spots, but Grandmaster Recorders is one of the few I've kept coming back to (and recommend to everyone). Even in a city where so many places are designed to see and be seen, there's nothing forced or cliche about it.

Grandmaster Recorders may have a history of rock and roll, but its heart is pure soul.

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