After 15 years slinging drinks in the space adjacent to Foreign Cinema, Laszlo (2526 Mission St.) took a little time off in February for an interior revamp. As of Thursday, however, it'll be back in business, with a cleaner new look that opens up the storefront and makes it more inviting to the street.
Owners Gayle Pirie and John Clark (who also own Foreign Cinema) have installed a number of additions, including a new platform and improved sound system for DJs, booths on the bar's mezzanine, and better lighting. But some things haven't changed: vintage European movie posters still line the walls, and longtime DJs Felix the Dog, Saurus, and Delon will continue to spin records, many of them from Pirie's personal collection.
Nicky Beyries, bar manager at Foreign Cinema, has revamped Laszlo's cocktail menu for the reopening. All the drinks have film-themed monikers, with an emphasis on local distillers and some new low-ABV concoctions that are ideal for those having a drink before dinner at Foreign Cinema.
If you can't score a table at the mothership, you can also order Foreign Cinema's entire menu from the bar, along with some new Laszlo-only bar bites like fried pickled mushrooms and curry-infused fried chicken sliders.
The new Laszlo is open Monday-Wednesday from 5pm-midnight, Thursday from 5:30pm-2am, Friday from 3pm-2am, Saturday from 11am-2am, and Sunday from 11am-midnight.