Welcome to the Conga Room

This spot consistently books some of the hemisphere's top Latin and Afro Cuban acts. The Conga room offers dance lessons and food. You might even see owner J-Lo strutting her stuff in the Conga room.

Venue Description

The chocolate-colored wood floors felt their first quick rhythmic steps from just-hired hostesses dancing over fragile fiber cable waiting to be installed. Barbacks delivered cases of premiere rums to the rich red “S” bar curving against a backdrop of tiled butterflies lit by orange light. Nearby, the exploding lines of the Papaya Bar, designed by Cuban-American artist Jorge Pardo, made halos on the floor when hit with afternoon light.

In a far corner, next to a nest where DJs will survey the dance floor, young artists were applying final touches to a Sergio Arau mural. It’s a luchado, a masked Mexican wrestler seen in mid-fight from his high flying move. He's distracted by a Latina in head dress, striking a pose from "One Million Years B.C."

Indeed the female form even looks like Raquel Welch, highlighting her Bolivian background with eyes gazing over to the VIP area at the back of the 15,000 square foot club. Textures abound in the new space, designed by architect Hagy Belzberg. From the ground-floor entryway a sculpture known as the Vortex rises up through the second floor and into a white ceiling composed of glossy, tilted acoustic tiles. Strips of LEDs reflect color off the ceiling, instantly changing the color of the venue. The VIP rooms are decorated with rich wallpaper and plush furniture.

Most patrons may not notice, but the new Conga Room is heavy on technology. The venue is fully wired as a live broadcast facility, able to plug straight into L.A. Live's satellite and microwave links. A small control room operates cameras mounted around the venue.