Formerly the beloved Temple Bar, Dakota live music lounge aims to provide Santa Monica residents with reliable live hip-hop acts, djs and more this winter. The diverse and eclectic club will have a focus on socially conscious indie rap, soul and reggae, but will also be booking local DJs such as Lady Sha, who knows how to bring the party correctly (be sure to stop by "hot butter fridays" to hear Sha spin this winter).

Eclecticism is the move at this friendly night spot, which now has new management. Local artist Jorge Tellaeche gave the hang a new look, and you can count on talent booker Heather "Rae" Ramirez to bring the heat in 2009, with names like Prefuse 73 already booked. Food will also be served at Dakota, with an emphasis on tapas-style dining. Most entrees feature organic and all-natural ingredients from local suppliers.

Sabrina and Alex Fieglein purchased the bar in Septmber of 2008, and Dakota officially held its grand opening party Saturday, November 29th with a big get: R&B singer Janelle Monae.

Here is some more on the bar from a press release:

"Alex and Sabrina plan to bring people of all backgrounds together to eat some good food, share some good drinks, enjoy some good company and listen to some good music. And while many bar owners stay behind the scenes, Alex and Sabrina plan to stay behind the bar...learning the names of everyone that orders a drink there."

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