Hollywood Bars Mix It Up

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It’s a testament to how far the Cahuenga Corridor has come that the neighborhood features not one, but two sports bars.

A decade ago, the Hollywood street was better known for its seedy adult bookstores and broken-down storefronts. But in the last several years, it has undergone nothing short of a renaissance with new stores and restaurants.

Now, as if to a put a point on it all, a rivalry has been heating up between Capitol City Sports Bar and Lounge, and its neighbor down the street, Big Wang’s.

Capitol City, which opened in the fall at 1615 N. Cahuenga Blvd., represents nothing less than the new Hollywood, with its 48 flat-screen televisions and a decidedly upscale menu that includes ahi tuna salad and a $15 pulled pork burger.

Big Wang’s, which opened six years ago at 1562 N. Cahuenga as the area was starting its comeback, is better known for its chicken wings, beer-soaked ambience and rowdy sports fans.

Capitol City owner Curtis Nysmith said he knew just what he was getting into when he opened his bar only a minute’s walk from the competition: the age old practice of similar businesses congregating together – with a twist.

“It seemed like sports bars haven’t moved beyond the 1970s. They were still stuck with the pennants on the walls. What I was looking to do was expand the market,” said Nysmith, who spent nearly $3 million on Capitol City, which has private cabanas and is swathed in “gender neutral” colors to make the bar more inviting to women.

Still, not one to cast aspersions on the competition, he added: “Big Wang’s does a good job of what they are; it’s more traditional.”

The way Big Wang’s manager and investor Ted Russell sees it, his bar is the more laid-back of the two. Thus, he hasn’t changed a thing since the competition opened, though he acknowledges the crowds have been a bit thinner lately.

“I know what we are,” he said. “I don’t think it’s Capitol City. I think it’s the economy. Everyone is feeling it on the Cahuenga Corridor.”

Leron Gubler, president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said there is room for the bars to co-exist. But his preferences may highlight the differences.

While Gubler has been to Capitol City, he’s never stepped foot in the competition.

“But, Big Wang’s is really popular – with some of our employees,” he said.