Melody, the vibrant bungalow located in Virgil Village, is set to close its doors permanently on July 12 after nearly a decade of operation. The establishment, known for its open-air living room and patio, provided a unique space for diners to explore diverse food pop-ups, indulge in natural wine, and enjoy genre-spanning DJ sets by owner Eric Tucker.
Tucker shared that he wishes Melody to be remembered not just as a trendy bar but as an inclusive environment that thrived on the curiosity of its patrons. ‘We were that cultural [and] gender safe space where you could be whoever you wanted to be,’ Tucker remarked, adding that the bar aimed to expose diners to new foods while providing chefs with opportunities to shine.
Business began to decline for Melody during the Hollywood strikes in 2023, compounded by the impact of January wildfires, a tense political climate, and the high cost of living in Los Angeles. Tucker expressed his concerns about the viability of small businesses in current times, stating, ‘I don’t see how places survive anymore.’ This closure marks a significant decision for Tucker, who has never closed a business before.
Before establishing Melody, Tucker operated an Italian restaurant and bar in New York City. He launched Melody in 2017 with his ex-wife Paloma Rabinov. Initially, the establishment followed a standard dinner service model with a California- and French-inspired menu. However, less than a year into operation, the financial struggles prompted a shift to a rotating pop-up format that allowed various chefs to introduce their culinary creations to eager diners.
Melody began to flourish as it hosted different chefs for days or weeks at a time. Notably, the Mexican-Jewish pop-up Malli enjoyed a two-year residency, showcasing the ever-changing menu. In tandem with these culinary innovations, Tucker developed Melody’s wine list, focusing entirely on natural, low-intervention wines sourced globally, many priced affordably under $80.
Reflecting on his journey, Tucker described the early years of Melody as its ‘golden years,’ when patrons formed queues outside the door, eager to join in the vibrant atmosphere. The bar’s goal was to provide diners with new experiences and give rising chefs a platform to experiment and create, all complemented by exceptional wine.
In an Instagram post announcing the closure, the Melody team articulated its identity: ‘We weren’t a restaurant. We weren’t a bar. Thanks to each of you who entered our little bungalow … a unique experience-experiment that was always a best kept secret.’
As Melody prepares to close, Tucker plans to maintain its communal spirit by temporarily reopening the space on July 16 while searching for a buyer for the bungalow. He described the upcoming nights as ‘rent parties,’ offering a relaxed atmosphere with minimal rules and affordable prices.
Upon its temporary reopening, Tucker, alongside one other employee, will manage operations, serving pizzas under his pop-up persona, Ugly Pie. This concept has previously made an appearance at Melody, and some customers may not have realized that Tucker himself ran it. He expressed that he is ready to operate the restaurant independently if necessary, whether it lasts for two weeks or two years.
Longtime Melody customer Princie Kim shared her thoughts on the bar’s unique ambiance, stating, ‘Melody was a really formative place for me to get my feet wet in terms of tasting a bunch of different wines. There’s no air of pretension in there … Most nights of the week, I want to feel taken care of, but in a very relaxed and very human, raw way — and Melody gives me that in all ways.’
For its final days of usual service, Melody will feature Ugly Pie on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by offerings from popular pop-ups like Little Piggy on Friday and Standing’s Butchery on Saturday. Although the duration of Melody’s reopening remains uncertain, Tucker indicated that he plans to leave Los Angeles afterward and might eventually return to New York.
Tucker concluded with a reflection on the bar’s impact, stating, ‘It was always really rewarding to look across the room and just see all different types of people in here together. We weren’t perfect, but it wasn’t supposed to be.’
image source from：latimes
