By: Ryma Chikhoune
March 10, 2025·3 min read
The nightlife concept is taking over Nightingale Plaza, at 643 N. La Cienega Blvd. The ownership remains the same: Sam Nazarian of Sbe, the privately held lifestyle hospitality company he launched in 2002. But the venue has been transformed, in partnership with Hui Lim of Zouk Group.
“Every eight years or so, we reimagine the space,” said Nazarian, noting Nightingale Plaza had a seven-year run.
It’s to bring fresh energy to the L.A. night scene, which has seen challenges since the onset of COVID-19, followed by the shutdown of Hollywood with the writers’ strike and recent impact of the wildfires, along with reports of increased robberies post-pandemic.
“What happened in L.A., especially in 2023 and 2024, was people were afraid to go out,” said Nazarian, a known name in hospitality, who counts more than 20 years of experience in the industry.
“There was a sense of fear and an unbelievable amount of uncertainty,” he went on. “I mean, it’s been widely reported that people were getting robbed. So, people were deciding not to go out. They would have an early dinner and go home, or they would have a lot of house parties.”
But Nazarian, who grew up in L.A., remains committed to investing in the city, and for good reason. With the FIFA World Cup set for next year, Super Bowl LXI in 2027, and the Summer Olympics in 2028, L.A. is gearing up for a series of major global events.
“It’s an over $50 million investment into L.A.,” said Nazarian, referencing his other endeavors. He’s taking over 17,000 square feet at Westfield Century City with upcoming Casa Dani, which he’s bringing from New York with three Michelin-starred Chef Dani Garcia, and his established Japanese restaurant Katsuya next door (which has three other locations in L.A.). He recently opened MXO by Wes Avila, located on La Cienega Boulevard as well. And he’s been behind hot spots like Hyde and Doheny Room. (He also owns three establishments in Las Vegas and New York.)
“L.A. is a resilient town,” he said. “And as far as the culture and the demand of the consumer, I think people today that are going to nightclubs or lounges are expecting more.”
He aims to offer just that with Zouk, in partnership with Lim, executive chairman of Zouk Group, which owns clubs across Asia. The namesake property Zouk first opened in Singapore in 1991, then Malaysia and Tokyo, and has since expanded to Las Vegas.
At 16,500 square feet, Zouk L.A. is focused on top-notch production and sound, with live music as a central focus; the venue is set to feature top talent from its Las Vegas counterpart, including Lil Wayne, Kaskade, Illenium, and James Hype. Guests can expect a late-night menu featuring a selection of American classics and light bites, in a lounge-like atmosphere designed by Sbe’s former in-house designer Christian Schulz and his boutique agency, Studio Collective.
“We encourage people always to advance and make reservations, just like when you go to a restaurant,” Nazarian said of the door policy. “That’s the best way to ensure getting in, as opposed to people just walking up. It’s kind of first come, first serve, based off of where we are in that particular programming of that night.”
“Los Angeles is the next step in our journey, a city built on culture, creativity, and a passion for world-class experiences,” Lim said in a statement. “In partnership with Sam Nazarian and Sbe, we are bringing our signature innovation, high-energy productions, and global expertise to set a new standard for nightlife in L.A. — cementing Zouk’s presence in the most influential entertainment destinations worldwide.”
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