Walk into the Moxy and AC Hotel in DTLA and you’ll see people looking around with that specific kind of "where am I supposed to go?" confusion. It’s understandable. You’re looking for Level 8. It’s not just a floor; it’s basically a massive, 30,000-square-foot adult playground that Mark and Jon Houston—the twins behind No Vacancy and Dirty Laundry—decided to drop right across from the Crypto.com Arena.
Honestly, it's a lot.
Most people show up thinking it’s a single restaurant or a standard rooftop bar. It isn't. Level 8 Downtown LA is actually eight different concepts squeezed into one floor, ranging from a South American open-fire grill to a Japanese-French fusion spot, and even a cathedral-themed nightclub. If you don't have a plan, you'll end up wandering through a maze of velvet curtains and secret doors while feeling very underdressed.
The Houston Brothers’ Vision for DTLA
Los Angeles nightlife is usually pretty predictable. You get the velvet rope, the overpriced vodka soda, and maybe a view of some traffic. But Mark and Jon Houston don't really do "standard." They do immersive. When they took over the eighth floor of the dual-branded Moxy/AC Hotel, they treated it like a movie set.
Think about it this way. Usually, a hotel has a lobby bar and a restaurant. Level 8 has a carousel bar. It has a wrestling ring. It has aerialists performing over your dinner. It’s the kind of maximalism that shouldn’t work in a city that’s currently obsessed with "quiet luxury," yet it’s packed every single weekend. They’ve managed to turn a corporate hotel footprint into something that feels like a fever dream of Old Hollywood and global street markets.
Navigating the Eight Concepts of Level 8 Downtown LA
You can't just "go" to Level 8 without knowing where you're landing. Each spot has a different vibe, a different price point, and—crucially—a different entrance.
Maison Kasai and Citrine
This is where the food gets serious. Maison Kasai is Joshua Gil’s baby. It’s Teppanyaki, but lose the image of the guy flipping a shrimp into his hat. This is high-end Japanese-French fusion. You're getting wagyu and black truffles. Right next door is Citrine, which focuses more on live-fire cooking. The transition between these spaces is seamless, but the flavors are worlds apart. If you’re here for a "dinner-dinner," this is your zone.
Lucky Mizu
Ever had seiro mushi? It’s a traditional Japanese steam cooking method using bamboo baskets. At Lucky Mizu, it’s the star of the show. The room is lined with Ukiyo-e-inspired art and a heavy dose of butterfly motifs. It’s probably the most "Instagrammable" of the dining spots, but the food holds its own. The broth is clean, the ingredients are top-tier, and it feels surprisingly healthy compared to the heavy cocktails you'll likely drink later.
Qué Bárbaro and Golden Hour
If you walk out onto the terrace, the vibe shifts immediately to South America. Qué Bárbaro is all about the parrilla. We’re talking 24-hour marinated meats and charred vegetables. It smells incredible. Right outside is Golden Hour, a poolside carousel bar. Yes, a literal rotating carousel. It’s gaudy, it’s bright, and it’s where you go to see the sunset over the DTLA skyline.
The Brown Sheep and Mother of Pearl
For something faster, The Brown Sheep is a "tepache and taco" window. It’s colorful and a bit more casual, though "casual" at Level 8 still means you should probably be wearing nice shoes. Mother of Pearl is the seafood counterpart, serving up oysters and crudo in an outdoor setting that feels like a vintage Pier.
👉 See also: Ion Azure Hair Color: Why This Specific Blue Is So Hard to Get Right
Sinners y Santos
This is the one everyone talks about. You enter through a "confessional." Inside, the room looks like an abandoned 19th-century Spanish cathedral. There are candles everywhere, wrought iron, and a wrestling ring where luchadores actually perform. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It’s exactly what the Houston brothers are famous for.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Experience
The biggest mistake? Showing up at 8:00 PM on a Friday without a reservation and expecting to "look around." Security is tight. Because the space is divided into so many venues, they manage capacity strictly. If you want to see the whole floor, you basically have to be dining at one of the restaurants or be on a list for the clubs.
Another thing: the dress code.
DTLA can be gritty, but Level 8 is not. If you show up in flip-flops or gym shorts, you are going to have a very short night. It’s "fashion-forward." You don't necessarily need a suit, but you need to look like you tried. People dress up here. It’s part of the theater.
The Logistics of a Night Out
Parking in Downtown Los Angeles is a nightmare. This is a fact of life. The Moxy offers valet, but it’s expensive. You’re better off using a rideshare app, especially since the cocktail program across all eight venues—curated by guys like Devon Espinosa—is dangerous. The "Holy Water" cocktail at Sinners y Santos is a crowd favorite for a reason, but it’s not exactly light on the alcohol.
Is it expensive? Yes.
You aren't just paying for the calories; you’re paying for the square footage of the design. A dinner for two at Maison Kasai can easily north of $300 with drinks and tip. However, if you just grab tacos at The Brown Sheep and a drink at Golden Hour, you can get the experience for a fraction of that.
Why Level 8 Matters for Downtown LA's Recovery
For a while, people were saying DTLA was "over." The pandemic hit the area hard, and many legacy spots closed down. Level 8 Downtown LA represents a massive investment in the idea that people still want to come to the city center for big, bold experiences.
By grouping eight concepts together, the Lightstone Group (the developers) and the Houston brothers created a "one-stop shop" for a night out. You can start with oysters, move to a seated Teppanyaki dinner, grab a cocktail on a rotating carousel, and end the night watching wrestling in a cathedral—all without leaving the building. That kind of density of "things to do" is exactly what the neighborhood needed to compete with places like West Hollywood or Silver Lake.
🔗 Read more: How Do You Say Red in Chinese? It’s More Than Just a Word
Practical Tips for Your Visit
- Book the "Right" Reservation: If you want the club vibe later, book a late dinner at Qué Bárbaro or Lucky Mizu. It’s much easier to transition to the bars if you’re already "inside" the ecosystem.
- The Secret Entrances: Part of the fun is finding how to get from one room to another. Don't be afraid to ask the staff, but keep your eyes peeled for things that don't look like doors.
- Check the Schedule: Sinners y Santos doesn't have wrestling every night. If you’re going specifically for the show, check their social media or website first.
- The View: Golden Hour has one of the best unobstructed views of the Staples Center (Crypto.com Arena) and the Ritz-Carlton tower. Get there right at opening to snag a spot.
- Sunday Brunch: Everyone forgets they do brunch. It's much chiller and the lighting is better for photos if that's your thing.
Making the Most of the Night
If you're planning a trip, start by picking your "anchor" restaurant. Maison Kasai is for the foodies. Lucky Mizu is for a date where you want to actually talk. Qué Bárbaro is for a loud group of friends. Once you have that locked in, the rest of the floor opens up to you.
Don't try to do all eight in one night. You won't remember any of it. Pick three: a dinner spot, a terrace bar for the view, and a late-night spot like Sinners y Santos or Mr. Wanderlust (the piano bar/jazz lounge near the entrance).
Actionable Next Steps
- Check Availability: Go to the official Level 8 website or SevenRooms to see which restaurants have openings for your desired date. Weekends usually book out two weeks in advance.
- Coordinate Your Outfit: Aim for "clamshell" or "chic." Avoid sports apparel unless you’re just hitting the taco window (and even then, it's risky).
- Plan Your Arrival: Aim to arrive 15 minutes before your reservation. The elevator situation and check-in desk at the Moxy can take a moment during peak hours.
- Budget Accordingly: Set aside at least $150 per person if you plan on doing a full dinner and a couple of rounds of drinks.