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Lounge 1888 has opened steps from the Intuit Dome, bringing one of the few full-service dining options to Inglewood’s rapidly developing sports and entertainment corridor. With the neighborhood hosting marquee events from NBA games to the upcoming Super Bowl and Olympics, the new restaurant aims to be more than a stop before a show — it wants to be a sustained local destination.
A neighborhood restaurant tailored to a changing district
Located adjacent to the 18,000-seat Intuit Dome, Lounge 1888 debuted late this summer as part of a wave of openings reshaping the area around SoFi Stadium, YouTube Theater and the Kia Forum. The venue’s proximity to major events gives it steady foot traffic, but its operators say the goal is to attract residents on non-event days as well.
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“We saw a gap for an elevated, sit-down option on this side of Inglewood,” said general manager Phil Holmes, describing the choice to open a full-service restaurant instead of another quick-service outlet. Owners Brian Corbett and Earnest Ross secured the space in 2024; the main dining room seats about 144, with another 45 spots on the patio.
What’s on the menu
Chef Stephen Rodriguez, whose résumé includes long-running Los Angeles kitchens, has put together a menu of broadly familiar comfort dishes executed at volume. Appetizers range from a classic spinach-and-artichoke dip to truffled deviled eggs topped with candied bacon.
Entrées include a wood-fired short rib pizza, wagyu burgers and sliders, steak frites paired with truffle-Parmesan fries, and a roasted half chicken finished with a shiitake-sherry jus. Weekend brunch features expected crowd-pleasers such as chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, Champagne flights and challah French toast.
Nightlife, sports viewing and a hidden bar
The dining room doubles as a sports lounge on game nights, equipped with 17 television screens so guests don’t miss key moments during events. The cocktail list emphasizes classics — multiple martini styles, a selection of highballs and several Old Fashioneds, including one made with Uncle Nearest whiskey.
Resident DJs spin in the lounge and bar area, a sommelier runs wine tastings when the arena schedule is quiet, and live music is scheduled on Saturday evenings. An attached, eight-seat speakeasy called the Eight can be entered through a private door; it remains reserved for now.
Community role and identity
Lounge 1888 is Black-owned, and its leadership frames the restaurant as part of the neighborhood’s social fabric rather than simply a commercial tenant. Management says the business intends to participate in local initiatives and serve neighborhood needs beyond event-driven demand.
- Address: 3930 West Century Boulevard, Building C, Space 5-101, Inglewood, CA 90303
- Phone: (310) 693-9799
- Seating: 144 (main room) + 45 (patio); eight-seat speakeasy
- Hours: Monday 4 p.m.–midnight; Tue–Fri from 3 p.m.; weekend brunch 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; opens 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays
- Reservations: Available on OpenTable
- Website: https://lounge1888.com/
For visitors and residents alike, the arrival of Lounge 1888 adds a sit-down option in a part of Inglewood that has rapidly evolved into Southern California’s entertainment hub. How well it balances event-driven traffic with everyday neighborhood patronage will shape whether it becomes a permanent community anchor or primarily a pre- and post-show destination.
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