Los Angeles Athletic Club 431 West Seventh Street • Los Angeles • California 90014

The moment you step into the Los Angeles Athletic Club’s first-floor lobby, its elegant, wall-to-wall wood interior and restored original marble floor makes it obvious that you’ve arrived at a very classy place.

An L.A. landmark for over a century, the LACC was founded in 1880 by a small group of businessmen destined to become some of the city’s most influential citizens. In 1912 its members financed the construction of the present-day building that houses the club’s recreational and special event facilities as well as 72 guest rooms. Many remarkable people have since passed through its doors—Rudolph Valentino practiced boxing here, Charlie Chaplin considered it his home base, and Johnny Weissmuller trained for the Olympics in the 7th-floor swimming pool (the first suspended pool in Los Angeles).

The club’s 12th-story rooftop terrace is a spectacular setting for a one-of-a-kind wedding. From this urban aerie, guests seated for the ceremony are treated to a sweeping panorama, while towering skyscrapers nearby seem like abstract sculptures of steel and glass poised against a pale blue skyline. As nighttime descends, city lights and a panoply of stars illuminate the horizon, forming a dramatic backdrop to your reception.

If you’d prefer to take the party indoors, start by hosting your cocktail hour in the re-imagined Invention Bar & Lounge, a spacious and upscale mixology bar on the third floor designed like a swanky gentleman’s club. An abundance of rich mahogany paneling and custom leather and suede furniture create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Classic items like a grandfather clock and antique racquets arranged on a wall coexist harmoniously with modern elements like the avantgarde “molecule” lighting fixtures overhead. For a truly unique experience, upgrade your wedding package to include a world-famous mixologist who’s an expert in whipping up custom drinks as well as signature cocktails invented over the last 200+ years. While you and your guests are sampling vintage libations such as the Fish House Punch (1732), the Dark N Stormy (early 1900s), and The Last Word (1937), your mixologist can regale you with each cocktail’s interesting history.

Dinner is served just steps away in the beautifully remodeled Centennial Ballroom, where the décor evokes the Great Gatsby era of the 1920s. The original wall-to wall woodwork now has an added luster, and multiple upgrades have made the space more event-friendly than ever. Glittering crystal chandeliers on dimmers let you control the mood, while sconces on the pillars cast a soft light. At one end, a faux fireplace comes to life thanks to its illuminated interior and mantel. Even the ceiling has been enhanced with elaborately embossed white wood panels. In short, the ballroom is simply gorgeous.

The Athletic Club’s friendly, attentive staff will tailor your wedding package to your specific needs. They offer a food tasting and are happy to customize your menu, providing dozens of hors d’oeuvre, entrée and cake options to choose from. A champagne toast, wine with dinner and the wedding cake are all included, along with a well-appointed overnight suite that awaits you at evening’s end.