WeHo prepares to give the Roxy and Rainbow Bar & Grill the iconic status these rock institutions deserve.
The City of West Hollywood’s Historic Preservation Commission will recommend that the City Council approve a Mills Act Contract for two of the city’s most rockin’ cultural icons: the Roxy Theatre and the Rainbow Bar & Grill, both located on the world-famous Sunset Strip’s “Rock Row,” at 9009 and 9015 Sunset Boulevard, respectively.
The Historic Preservation Commission is dedicated to preserving historic structures that represent WeHo’s unique cultural and social heritage. “Protecting these landmarks helps deepen public understanding of the city’s past and ensures that future generations can appreciate its rich history,” says the Commission on its website.
Rock Venues Land a Mills Act Contract
A Mills Act Contract is a legal agreement between the owner of a historic property and the municipality. It allows for lower property tax rates in exchange for the owner’s commitment to undertake specific rehabilitation, restoration, and maintenance work. To qualify, a property must be listed in a historic national, state, county, or city register, be privately owned, and not be tax-exempt.
The Roxy Theatre and the Rainbow Bar & Grill meet these criteria, being listed in West Hollywood’s Register of Cultural Resources and privately owned.
Roxy Theatre’s Rockin’ History
Built in 1938, The Roxy Theatre is a French Revival-style building in the heart of the Sunset Strip. Known for its asymmetrical façade, neon blade sign, and rich history as a music venue since 1973, the Roxy has hosted legendary bands like The Go-Gos, Ratt, and Guns N’ Roses, who filmed early music videos here.
Rainbow Bar & Grill’s Famous Guests
Constructed in 1935, the Rainbow Bar & Grill is a Tudor Revival-style building. Famous for its association with rock legends who continue to frequent the venue—from Ozzy Osbourne, Guns N’ Roses (pictured above) to Sebastian Bach. The Rainbow is also where Guns N’ Roses filmed multiple iconic videos and where Led Zeppelin famously hung out in the band’s heyday, as chronicled in Hammer of the Gods.
The Rainbow remains a vibrant part of West Hollywood’s nightlife and the anchor of Sunset Boulevard’s “Rock Row,” along with the Whisky A Go-Go; both venues are owned by the legendary Maglieri family.
Commitment to Cultural Preservation
“By recommending a Mills Act Contract for these properties, West Hollywood reaffirms its commitment to preserving its cultural landmarks,” says the West Hollywood City Council. “Maintaining The Roxy Theatre and the Rainbow Bar & Grill honors the city’s past and enriches its present and future community life, ensuring these iconic venues continue to be cherished for generations to come.”
Historic Highlights from the Roxy and Rainbow
1991: Guns N’ Roses and Arnold Schwarzenegger film the iconic GN’R video for “You Could Be Mine,” featured in The Terminator 2: Judgement Day, in the side lot between the Rainbow and Roxy.
2011: In her best-selling 2011 memoir, Lips Unsealed, The Go-Gos’ frontwoman Belinda Carlisle fondly remembers the Rainbow Bar and Grill as a favorite hangout from when she was a teenager and would take the bus into WeHo to hang out with fellow musicians.
1992: In Guns N’ Roses’ classic music video for the 1992 power ballad “November Rain,” Axl Rise and the band are prominently featured hanging out at their real-life favorite haunt, the Rainbow.
1985: In Hollywood band Dokken’s 1985 video for “It’s Not Love,” the band is featured cruising around L.A. en route to the Rainbow.
1980: Music icon Donna Summer pays tribute to the Rainbow Bar and Grill in her 1980 hit “Sunset People.” In the timeless tune from her seventh album, Bad Girls, Summer sings: “Late night flight, L.A.X., limousine and you’re all set for Sunset, for Sunset…Rainbow girl, Whisky man, spotting every star they can on Sunset, on Sunset…”
1981: In their 1981 music video for “Our Lips Are Sealed,” The Go-Gos are seen riding around L.A. in a 1980 Buick Convertible before stopping by the Roxy on Sunset, where the video’s concert footage was shot.
2011: In the summer of 2011, arena rockers Motley Crue performed a full show in the middle of Sunset Boulevard in front of the Rainbow Bar and Grill as headliners for the 4th Annual Sunset Strip Music Festival.
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