Latest news with #Freehand
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Broken Shaker LA Relaunches Under Authentic Hospitality
Broken Shaker Broken Shaker LA, the rooftop cocktail bar perched above the Freehand hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, kicked off its 2025 season on May 8 with a fresh team at the helm and a new slate of drinks and bites. The space is now operated by Authentic Hospitality, the New York-based group behind buzzy venues like Ray's, Jac's on Bond and Pebble Bar. This marks Authentic Hospitality's first Los Angeles venture—and it's not a quiet entrance. The group, led by nightlife veterans Matt Kliegman, Carlos Quirarte and Matthew Charles, was tapped last year to revamp the Broken Shaker brand, starting in Miami. Their takeover of the LA location brings a reimagined cocktail menu, a refreshed design by Melissa Bowers, and a new food program with serious culinary firepower. 'We're reigniting the energy of Broken Shaker LA while maintaining what makes the concept so beloved,' says Charles. 'LA will see a slate of programming centered on music, nightlife and industry culture, alongside great food and drinks.' Broken Shaker Rooftop Bar Located on the Freehand's 13th floor, the rooftop bar has always leaned into tropical escapism—with palm fronds, poolside views and a menu of fruity, easy-drinking cocktails. This season continues that theme with drinks like the Electric Warrior, made with Absolut Elyx, St. Germain, and lemon-lime cordial and Breakfast in the Moonlight, a passionfruit-spiked take on a zombie. There's also a tangerine-laced Verbena Spritz on the non-alcoholic side, plus a punch bowl that serves up to a dozen. Broken Shaker Cocktail The food menu comes from acclaimed chefs Jeremiah Stone and Fabian von Hauske Valtierra, known for their work at NYC's Contra and Wildair. They've built a lineup of Pan-Latin and Caribbean-inspired dishes meant to complement the setting—easy to share, packed with flavor and just bold enough to keep things interesting. Broken Shaker Menu 'We wanted to create something craveable but unexpected—dishes you could snack on poolside, but that still reflect a sense of place,' says von Hauske Valtierra. 'The jerk chicken sandwich hits hard, but there's also a brightness and depth to the ceviche that makes it perfect for LA.' Guests can expect smaller plates like carne asada fries and ceviche made with pink Gulf shrimp, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, avocado, and passionfruit, served with fried plantains. Skewers—like grilled coconut curry shrimp with cabbage, peppers, and onions—round out the casual, snacky vibe. The sandwich game is strong too, led by the jerk chicken with slaw on a potato bun. Authentic Hospitality now oversees Broken Shaker in Miami, New York, and Los Angeles, with the Chicago location set to relaunch later this year. The group also runs several venues within Freehand New York, including Bar Calico and Smile To Go. 'Broken Shaker has become a key part of what makes Freehand feel like home for both travelers and locals,' says Annajane Güzel, Global Director of Brand Marketing for Freehand and Generator. 'We're excited to continue that legacy with a team who knows how to build places people want to return to.' Broken Shaker Pool Broken Shaker LA is open daily from noon to midnight. Food service runs until 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 p.m. on weekends. The bar is located at 416 W. 8th Street. Reservations available via OpenTable.
New York Times
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
A First Kiss in an Elevator Was ‘More Than Fireworks'
Virginia McIntosh Venuto and Shauna Hakim Miller had both recently ended long-term relationships when they met on Tinder in September 2022. Mx. Venuto, who calls herself Gin, was new to online dating, while Ms. Miller described herself as a 'seasoned pro.' Their mutual attraction was instant. 'I thought Shauna was cute and had confidence,' Mx. Venuto said. 'I was very intrigued.' 'Gin seemed like a catch from her bio because she went to Mount Holyoke, a school I admired,' Ms. Miller said. 'Plus, I loved the oversized glasses in her profile picture.' After messaging and sharing jokes, they agreed to meet for drinks a few weeks later at Broken Shaker, a rooftop bar at the Freehand Los Angeles, a hotel downtown. Mx. Venuto, 37, said she was 'a mess' in the hours leading up to their meeting. 'I hadn't been on a date in years and called every close friend for advice on what to say and how to dress.' Ms. Miller, 38, was excited. 'I had a sense we would hit it off,' she said. Mx. Venuto arrived first and said that her eyes lit up when she saw Ms. Miller walk in. 'She was wearing a short-sleeved floral dress and was pretty and elegant,' she said. 'Gin was the manifestation of grace and edge,' Ms. Miller said. Their conversation flowed easily, and they ended up staying at the bar until closing. As they rode the elevator to the ground floor, Ms. Miller grabbed Mx. Venuto and pulled her in for a passionate kiss. 'The moment was more than fireworks,' Mx. Venuto said. 'We were enraptured in a blurry silence where time stood still.' [Click here to binge read this week's featured couples.] Not ready to say goodbye, they wandered the streets hand in hand until 2 a.m., talking and kissing all the way. 'We were all in,' Ms. Miller said. From that point on, they spent all their free time together. Ms. Miller lived with her parents in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles and Mx. Venuto shared a home with a friend in Beverly Hills, about a 15-minute drive away. They took sick days from work to have picnics on the beach and scenic drives along the Pacific Coast Highway. Each knew the other was 'the one' by New Year's Eve during a getaway to Guerneville, a rustic town in Sonoma County. 'We were staying at an empty, isolated hotel out of 'The Shining' and got drenched in a downpour on the way to lunch,' Ms. Miller said. 'We were soaking wet, but we were laughing. I looked at Gin and realized I had found my person to have adventures with for life.' 'The trip solidified my love for her,' Mx. Venuto said. Mx. Venuto, who is from Tacoma, Wash., works as a fractional chief financial officer and automation technologist at the Karlon Group, a finance and accounting firm in Los Angeles. She has a bachelor's degree in economics from Mount Holyoke College and a master's degree in business from the University of Southern California. Her previous marriage ended in divorce. Ms. Miller, who is half Persian, grew up in Brentwood and is a freelance creative director who works with retail and entertainment companies. She has a bachelor's degree in storytelling and the discovery of self from the N.Y.U. Gallatin School of Individualized Study. The couple are collaborating on a new venture, a customizable press-on nail brand that they say will be available this fall. In early 2023, they began house hunting and found their dream property in the Silver Lake neighborhood that September. The Arts and Crafts home, set on a hilltop, has city and Pacific Ocean views. They moved in March 1, 2024. 'This is the place where we want to raise our kids and grow old,' Mx. Venuto said. During a vacation the following month to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Mx. Venuto told Ms. Miller they were going to the beach to free baby sea turtles. When they arrived, Ms. Miller found an elaborate picnic instead. Mx. Venuto presented her with a notebook detailing their love story, and as Ms. Miller finished the last pages, Mx. Venuto dropped to one knee and pulled out a box with a diamond ring. 'I fell to my knees to hold her,' recalled Ms. Miller, who said yes. 'We cried and hugged while the sun set.' They were married on March 21 before 65 guests in their backyard. Rabbi Susan Goldberg, who founded the Jewish spiritual community Nefesh, officiated. After the ceremony, a marching band led guests to waiting buses that transported them to lunch at Tacolina, a Mexican restaurant in Silver Lake. A reception took place the next day for 170 guests at the Paramour Estate, across the street from their home. In a nod to Ms. Miller's roots, they served a Persian dinner of lamb and salmon kebabs cooked over an open fire on the lawn. 'We had a connection beyond language from the beginning,' Mx. Venuto said. 'Our wedding gave us the chance to extend our love to our friends and family.'
Washington Post
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Ronny Chieng on why America needs satire
Ronny Chieng in the Georgia Room at Freehand New York. (Amy Lombard for The Washington Post) Ronny Chieng's approach to comedy, along with his expanding TV and film portfolio, have put him on The Washington Post's first-ever 'Post Next 50' list – 50 people shaping our society this year. In this conversation with Elahe Izadi, he reflects on why he works to write jokes for his stand-up in a way that anyone can appreciate, even if they're coming from a different perspective, and why the work of 'The Daily Show' is crucial. By the way, Martine Powers interviewed another name on the 'Post Next 50' list. You can catch her conversation with Congresswoman Sarah McBride here. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson, with help from Ted Muldoon, who also mixed the show. It was edited by Renita Jablonski. Special thanks to Evan Bretos, Hope Corrigan, Bronwen Latimer, Daniela Santamarina and Maggie Penman. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
