Popular Los Angeles party series Midnight Lovers introduces a cocktail menu inspired by the city’s spirit inside its newly reimagined sound lounge, Bar Franca.
Dance crews and underground collectives have always been prominent across Los Angeles. From Latine youth engaging in backyard parties in the 1990s to Black and queer communities dominating the underground, dance music culture has always been rich in the City of Angels.
Underground soirèe Midnight Lovers continues to add to that legacy by reimagining DTLA’s Bar Franca as a fresh, new intimate sound bar paired with a cocktail menu inspired by Los Angeles. The event brand has played a role in shaping the city’s dance culture by connecting artists and creatives through a shared experience of house, techno and disco on the dancefloor. Starting this month, the Euro-inspired cocktail joint is carrying that vision into hospitality, blending craft cocktails, warm interior design, and a world-class music program into a new gathering place built on inclusivity and collectiveness.
“Midnight Lovers has always been about bringing people together through music and energy,” said its founder, Rolando Alvarez. “With Bar Franca, we’re extending that spirit into a space where sound and connection meet over cocktails.”
But what makes Bar Franca stand out from the rest? Let’s break down it’s offerings.
1. Danley Sound Labs System
The new space comes with a system by Danley Sound Labs, a company renowned for creating reliable loudspeakers and subwoofers for the past 20 years. Bar Franca is designed for listening. With an outfitted custom setup, the space channels warmth and precision rather than sheer volume, helping guests to actually hear the music.
And with a new community space built on music, a hefty music program follows that reflects that same intention. The first month kicked off with an opening night featuring Heidi Lawden and Eli Escobar on October 19. Visitors can continue to expect a blend of jazz, disco, and house with talent like Eddie C, Thee Mike B, DJ Garth, Xica Soul, Club Tularosa, Masha Mar, and more, all curated by the Midnight Lovers collective.
2. Cocktail Menu Inspired by Los Angeles
The drinks tell their own Los Angeles story. Curated by Gabriel Orta (Broken Shaker, Bar Lab Collective) and Jonny Child (Bathtub Gin LA), the menu captures the city’s mix of boldness and culture. The two approach cocktails as a way to connect, and create drinks that are flavorful, inclusive, and made with intention.
Highlights include The Lover, a mezcal cocktail with hibiscus and citrus, and the Al Pastor Margarita, a playful nod to late-night taquerias. Zero-proof creations will also be served, such as the Bonfire Water, which blends Optimist Botanicals’ SMOKEY variety with Lyre’s non-alcoholic orange sec.
3. Top-notch Interior Design
Visually, Bar Franca trades flash for warmth, intimacy and sexiness. The design draws inspiration from Italian editor Franca Sozzani and his sense of quiet rebellion, fashion and photography. Attendees will be embraced with golden light, sculpted florals, and a pared-back aesthetic that feels timeless and sensual. It’s the kind of room that invites conversation between sets and makes you want to linger.
In true Midnight Lovers fashion, Bar Franca isn’t just another bar. It’s a meeting point for music, art, and community. DTLA nightlife just got a new must-see.
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