Elvis' Kitschy Living Room Inspires Two-Night-Only Bar In LA: Pop-Up Spotlight

LOS ANGELES, CA — The King is coming to Los Angeles. Or at least his Jungle Room is.

The Elvis Presley-themed "Love Me (Bar)Tender" pop up will stage a two-night run at the Arts District's Truly LA next week, where visitors will be able to enjoy food and drink in a replica of Presley's Graceland mansion den, according to Memphis Tourism and Graceland, which are organizing the event.

The pop up features recreation of Presley's tiki bar, faux-fur furniture, wood paneling and naturally, music from Memphis artists.

The pop up has been making its way across the country, making stops in New York City, Boston and Chicago.

“After seeing the love everyone showed the city of Memphis and the ‘Love Me (Bar)Tender’ pop-up last year, we are thrilled to bring this activation celebrating the Home of the Blues to the City of Angels,” Memphis Tourism marketing chief Regena Bearden said. “The Jungle Room pop-up features something for everyone, whether you are a lover of Elvis, music or Instagrammable moments. We invite Angelenos to visit this pop-up, and then book a trip to Memphis to experience the real thing.”

A themed food and drink menu will be curated by Truly L.A. chefs and mixologists. Food will include fried green tomatoes with buttermilk dressing; a spicy fried chicken sandwich with homemade white bread, pickles and coleslaw; a Memphis BBQ plate featuring dry-rubbed ribs, pulled pork, mac and cheese, braised collard greens and corn bread; and Elvis' bread pudding, served with peanut butter creme anglaise and vanilla gelato, organizers told Patch.

The original Jungle Room made its debut in 1965 at Graceland as a reminder of Presley's time in Hawaii, with its green shag carpet covering the floor and ceiling, a rock waterfall, a lacquered tiki bar and matching furniture.

Though the Presleys used the room as a den, the overabundance of carpeting made for great acoustics — Presley recorded “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and “Moody Blue” in the room, organizers said.

Entry into Love Me (Bar)Tender is free and takes place April 4-5 at Truly LA, 216 S. Alameda St. You can RSVP here.

Know of an exciting pop-up business opening in Los Angeles County? It could be highlighted in Patch's next Pop-Up Spotlight. Email your ideas to chris.lindahl@patch.com.