A new restaurant has planted itself right on the edge of Intuit Dome, and it's not just serving up modern American fare with a view of the action — it's also hiding a private speakeasy behind its walls. Lounge 1888 opened its doors on August 4 at 3930 W. Century Blvd., Building C, Space 5-101 in Inglewood, bringing a blend of game-day energy and upscale hospitality to the city's fast-growing sports and entertainment corridor.
The concept, first spotted by FOX 11 Los Angeles, actually operates as two venues under one roof. There's 1888, the flagship dining room and lounge open to the public, and then there's The 8, a hidden speakeasy tucked inside the same space, according to Lounge 1888. The 8 is a members-only affair capped at fewer than 80 guests, complete with private liquor lockers, a vintage spirit vault, and a six-course tasting menu that isn't listed anywhere on the regular menu, per the venue's own description of the space.
A Name Rooted in Inglewood's 1888 Founding
The restaurant's name isn't random branding. It's a direct nod to 1888, the year Inglewood was established as a settlement following the construction of a regional Santa Fe Railway station, according to the venue. That bit of local history ties a brand-new, high-end restaurant to the city's 19th-century roots, even as it sits inside one of the most modern arenas in the country.
That arena is Intuit Dome, the 18,000-seat, $2 billion home of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, which opened in August 2024. Lounge 1888 sits directly on the arena's campus, meaning diners can take in the same broadcasts and buzz as ticketholders without necessarily holding a ticket themselves. The main dining floor is built for exactly that dual purpose, featuring 17 high-definition perimeter screens, terrazzo bars, polished black marble, and bespoke leather banquettes meant to merge arena broadcasts with a fine-dining atmosphere.
Getting In Means Crossing a Pedestrian Bridge Through Arena Security
Reaching Lounge 1888 isn't quite as simple as walking in off the street. Guests are directed to park at Intuit Dome's West Garage at 10117 S. Prairie Ave., then cross a second-floor pedestrian bridge through arena security before taking an escalator down to the main floor, according to the restaurant's own guidance for visitors.
Leadership and Local Hiring Ahead of the Opening
The project was developed under restaurateur Sebastian Laborde, with media outreach for the launch handled by brand spokesperson Marlo Richardson, according to the Los Angeles Sentinel. Before opening, venue management held a local hospitality recruitment fair in July to hire line cooks, prep cooks, and sous chefs, a hiring push that surfaced in local job postings on Craigslist ahead of the debut.
The timing of the opening lines up with a bigger picture for Inglewood's commercial district. The Sentinel notes that the restaurant's debut coincides with growth along Century Boulevard ahead of a string of major global athletic events set to land in the area, including the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Summer Olympics. For a city already anchoring itself as a regional sports and entertainment hub, Lounge 1888 adds another layer of dining and nightlife aimed at both locals and the crowds those events are expected to bring through Inglewood.
