Nestled covertly behind the Off The Charts dispo like a secret after-hours club, in the heart of the now christened Emerald Village (WeHo), the Private Reserve lounge feels like an opulent cocktail bar straight out of John Wick. Anchoring the space is a dazzling U-shaped bar with tony bar stools. There, a perfectly attired budtender indulges your every whim: You want ultra-rare strains? No problem. You want to have your pre-roll rolled in front of you? Sure. You want to partake with a Puffco bong or Stündenglass gravity rig? Okay. Want to imbibe a cannabis-infused cocktail? Theyʼve got that too.

“We wanted something that was focused on the cannabis, not on food,” says Nima Haddadi, a restaurateur and hotelier who helped design the space. “You get to try out different strains and won’t have to pay $20 to $40 for a gram.”

WHERE DIM LIGHTS MEET LUSH GREENERY

With five other lounges in the Emerald Village, Haddadi and the CEO of Off The Charts, Norman Yousif, knew they had to build something special. “Our vision was clear—we wanted a place focused on quality cannabis, emulating the feel of an upscale bar,” says Haddadi. “Only here, the drinks are psychoactive seltzers and the ambiance invites a relaxed, yet sophisticated cannabis experience.”

The beverage star of the joint is Cann. A California-based cannabis beverage, Cann drinks are like hard seltzers and feature flavors such as yuzu elderflower, blood orange cardamom, and lemon lavender, which rotate seasonally. In addition, guests can enjoy a “cannabis flight” experience, allowing them to sample various strains.

Seating 60 people across six booths and another 25 at the horseshoe-shaped bar, it’s smaller and more intimate than the other lounges. Hanging plants cascade from the ceiling. Sophisticated brushed-wood planks criss-cross above the bar. Lush, cream-colored hotel curtains ring the booths with mirrored tables, creating hushed, private nooks that elevate the sensory experience. Moody blue, purple, orange, and yellow lights are stationed throughout, giving the space a sensual, silhouetted ambiance.

Like most opulent cocktail bars, Private Reserve makes you want to dress up and stay out late. (By state law, cannabis cannot be sold after 10 p.m., but guests can preorder and have purchases stored in a secure locker to retrieve at a later time.)

CATERING TO YOUR DESIRES

At the nexus of the Private Reserve experience are the intimate tasting galas and brand launches. Recently, they hosted an event for the El Blunto x Asake launch of GIRAN, a high-end cannabis brand collab. El Blunto is known for its signature full-flower, tobacco-free pre-rolls, utilizing proprietary nano-infusion technology for enhanced effects.

The night felt more like a movie premiere than a cannabis lounge party—red carpets, celebs, and plenty of photographers snapping away. And a line around the block. They came for the Grammy-nominated Afrobeats artist Asake—and, well, the heady diamond-infused pre-rolls. The budtender told me that it was Private Reserve’s biggest party yet. “People love El Blunto!” he said. “They offer ‘The World’s Only Full-Flower Pre-Rolls.’ El Blunto is an evolution of historic cigar-making traditions, borrowing age-old techniques from master cigar-rollers, the products of the highest caliber with the highest level of finishing. It’s both a theatrical and satisfying experience. This combined with the unique talent of Asake made for a special night.”

READY FOR YOUR CLOSE-UP?

Saturday nights in the Emerald Village are hopping. And Private Reserve has become the place to be. But make sure you make a reservation. You don’t want to be stranded outside while everyone else is enjoying an atmosphere dripping with allure, seduction, and top-shelf flower. Bonus: you’ll be the envy of all your Instagram followers—you literally can’t take a bad IG picture there.