The Prohibition Ball at The Culver Hotel

Shannon from This Girl Friday is back with a fun recap of the Prohibition Ball at the Culver Hotel. She attended with a media pass.

“…and already the halls and salons and verandas are gaudy with primary colors and hair shorn in strange new ways and shawls beyond the dreams of Castile. The bar is in full swing and the floating rounds of cocktails permeate the garden outside until the air is alive with chatter and laughter and casual innuendo and introductions forgotten on the spot and enthusiastic meetings between women who never knew each other’s names.”

~F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Indeed, I was reminded of Mr. Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age masterpiece when I attended the Prohibition Ball at The Culver Hotel last Saturday. I couldn’t help but feel like I had permeated the pages of his novel and stepped into one of Gatsby’s grand midnight soirees.

Outside the hotel, we walked the red carpet, past a few lovely classic automobiles, and were greeted by “Munchkins”. We took advantage of the photo ops and were given clues to the password (these are the days of the speakeasy, remember?). Once inside the doors, we were promptly greeted with a tray of cocktails and the strains of jazz. There were even cigarette girls offering candy cigarettes! We settled into a comfy settee near the inviting bookcases as silent screen stars played out their love scenes on a wall above the mingling ladies and gentlemen.

We were itching to explore, however, and soon climbed the various staircases leading to small “half-floors” where one might find music and dancing, even a blackjack table or two, and of course, cocktails– always cocktails! Daiquiris, Mules, and Aviations, to name but a few. Many remarked on the delicious Prohibition Punch, only to be had in the vault-turned-speakeasy upstairs. All the drinks offered were modern renditions of very classic cocktails, such as the Peach Manhattan and the Hibiscus Champagne Cocktail.

Just outside the speakeasy, guests were able to film their very own flipbook, a wonderful memento to bridge the ninety years between the hotel’s opening and now. And on the third floor, various rooms were open for visiting.

The Culver Hotel, an intimate five-story hotel directly across from magnificent MGM (er…Sony) studios in Culver City, has undergone a massive renovation over the past ten years and is once again embracing its colorful history in style. Each piece of furniture in the public rooms is vintage and all the furnishings are an updated take on Art Deco style. On the third floor various rooms were open for visiting. I must say, I would love to stay at the hotel myself and I only live thirty minutes away!

The Culver Hotel has always had a strong connection to Hollywood, playing host to numerous celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin, as well as starring in films from the 1920’s through today. It is also the hotel that housed many of the stars of The Wizard of Oz, including the little people who played the “Munchkins”. Thus, you will notice many little homages to the 1939 film. I embraced the Oz history by indulging in a Yellow Brick Lemonade, garnished with a little “flying monkey”. (I’m sure you’d see it flying around if you indulged in too many of these!)

Speaking of cocktails, the spirits were flowing like, well… wine at the Prohibition Ball. And of course, what better way to celebrate the birthday of a hotel that has underground tunnels rumored to have been used for smuggling liquor during Prohibition?

We spent most of the evening mingling and people-watching, to be honest, and dancing just a little. Then, at the stroke of ten, a cake was brought out, from which emerged a girl, much like Debbie Reynold’s in Singin’ in the Rain, amidst a shower of confetti. From then on the party really got started. I have to say my only disappointment was that the music changed then from 20’s style jazz to pop remixes. It was like stepping out of the pages of Fitzgerald’s novel and into the Baz Luhrman film. I guess, if that’s your thing… But certainly not period correct and I was not the only one to comment so. However, minus that change, I’d say the party was a smashing success. The Culver Hotel should really make this an annual event. I can only imagine what her 100th will be like!