Having swept onto the L.A. social scene in 1998, the Conga Room earned a following with its hip ambiance and hot performers.  It hosted record launches, movie debuts, award shows and parties, including the 2001 Latin Grammy Award Presentation.  It featured concerts by top Cuban and Latin tropical legends such as Celia Cruz, Tito Puente and the Buena Vista Social Club and its stage was graced by the likes of Shakira, Juanes and Carlos Santana.

OWNERS
The world famous Conga Room was founded by real estate entrepreneur Brad Gluckstein and co-owned by Jimmy Smits, Jennifer Lopez, Paul Rodriguez, Sheila E., Amaury Nolasco, Baron Davis, Trevor Ariza, and will.i.am. After closing its original doors, the Conga Room reopened in December 2008 as part of L.A. LIVE, the new downtown entertainment district, offering a significantly larger, more sophisticated destination for loyal patrons and all those seeking an exciting, authentic Latin sabor.

HISTORY
For a decade the Conga Room has earned a reputation as “the House of Blues for Latin music.” Early on, it broadened its musical repertoire beyond salsa ( Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Buena Vista Social Club and Oscar De Leon) to spotlight popular artists in other genres: rock en Español (e.g., Aterciopelados, Julieta Venegas), world beat (e.g., Susana Baca, Lila Downs, Hugh Masekela, Bebel Gilberto), jazz (e.g., Billy Cobham, Poncho Sanchez, Jack DeJohnette), urban (e.g., Common, Wyclef Jean) and pop/rock (e.g., Jose Feliciano, Nelly Furtado, Los Lobos).  With its rebirth at L.A. LIVE, the Conga Room is poised to host an even broader array of concerts and parties, many in the wake of entertainment, social, political and sporting events at the nearby Staples Center, Nokia Theatre, Club Nokia and JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

VENUE
Designed by the award-winning Belzberg Architects, The Conga Room is a contemporary space that reflects the vibrant energies of Barcelona and Mexico City. In collaboration with several artists, The Conga Room is designed to pay homage to contemporary Latino culture with special additions including a digital mural and sculptures created by Artist and Film Director, Sergio Arau, and the sensual Papaya Bar designed by internationally acclaimed Cuban American Artist, Jorge Pardo. The Conga Room also boasts a breathtaking VIP area with panoramic views of the Staples Center and Nokia Plaza, as well as full broadcast and programming capabilities in collaboration with broadcast partners such as Univision, LATV, MTV Tr3s and others.

STAGE & AMENITIES
The stage of the new Conga Room will be worthy of presenting national and international acts, its advanced lighting and sound system extending from a high-definition screen behind the stage to A/V amenities throughout the club.  A sizable green room directly behind the stage allows performers not only ample space to prepare, but also a one-way mirror to assess the audience.  While patrons can be comfortably served by three full bars, and served comfortably in multiple seating areas, no floor space is taken by the DJ booth, which is suspended above the action.

CATERING
Along with its signature drinks, Pan Latin cuisine tempts hungry patrons at the Conga Room restaurant, which embraces regional influences from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America.  Catering for onsite special events and parties would be handled through an association with Wolfgang Puck Catering.  A multitude of areas are available to host any size event. We can help you plan your party from start to finish. Please see our Private Events page for more information.

CLUB
In the late hours, the Conga Room restaurant can morph into a dance club, creating a separate environment for live or DJ’d music, and on Thursdays and Fridays, after-work patrons might not be surprised to see a bolero orchestra or perhaps a well-known mariachi group, whether from Mexico City or Los Angeles. As it did in its Miracle Mile location, the Conga Room will teach regular dance lessons – from popular forms such as salsa and tango to regional steps from around the globe – as well as hosting annual dance competitions.

SALSA LESSONS:
Salsa classes are complimentary from 8-9pm before club on
Thursday and Saturday nights with cover charge admission!
Thursdays from 8-9pm with Junior and Emily alternating with Edwin and Ashle
Saturdays from 8-9pm with Rodrigo and Vai
Classes are $10 without cover charge admission.

BROADCASTING
The world-famous Conga Room will also have a way to reach global audiences through onsite TV/radio production and broadcasting, from specials to potentially regular programming.  For larger Latin-flavored events, the venue has access to the outdoor Nokia Plaza, which can hold up several thousand people.  A partnership with Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG Live) will assist in booking national and local Latin music acts for concerts and larger festivals.

CONGA KIDS
Conga Kids is an extension of the Conga Room’s mission to support Latino Culture and the Los Angeles community by nurturing the creativity in children. Scheduled to launch in 2009, Conga Kids will be a nonprofit initiative to educate and inspire students ages 11 through 17 from the L.A. Unified School District, particularly underprivileged children.  Through partnerships with the Fulfillment Fund and the after-school program LA’s Best, visitors might watch a documentary on the ethnomusicology of Latin music at the nearby Grammy Museum before heading over to the Conga Room for a live performance of folkloric dancers in indigenous costumes transitioning into contemporary song and dance.  Conga Kids will be supported by an annual gala fundraiser, a percentage of sales from the Conga Room and corporate philanthropy.

The Conga Room opened at L.A. LIVE in December 10, 2008.  Future venues are planned in such potential locations as Las Vegas, New York, Miami, Mexico City and Dubai.