Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Fiscella.
Hi Andy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The Dime was founded in 2003 by underground hip hop nightlife pioneer, Andy Fiscella, who had came up in that world in the 90’s in NYC, alongside icons Mark Ronson & Noah Tepperberg/Jason Strauss of the Tao Group. Andy moved to LA after 9/11 and opened The Dime, an old school hip hop/pop cocktail lounge, loved by locals & music lovers worldwide. The Dime has started several DJ careers & is known for its houseparty vibe. Andy also owned the renowned former hot spots Winstons & Crown Bar of which he opened with his longtime friend Chris Huvane. Today The Dime is the only one of Andy’s spots that has stood the test of time and he & his current co owner, Lucy Treadway, were more than honored to be inducted in the Legacy Businesses of Los Angeles last month. Andy & Lucy recently brought in new managing partners, Chris Scardina & Le’Qoinne Rice with FTP Management Group, who recently gave The Dime a fresh new look, new cocktail list, new delicious bites prepared by chef Azeez, and new hours & events. The Dime has been written about in Rolling Stones, Vanity Fair, The LA Times, The NY Times, & has been featured in past popular TV shows such as Enterouge & The Hills. The owners hope to bring the special vibes, music, & memories of The Dime for generations to come.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We recently went through a huge shift & change in management that was very difficult. The Dime had a delayed Covid reaction and was in danger of closing. After Covid alot of the neighborhood had switched over and did not know of The Dime any longer. We are lucky to have made it through that, just barely. We are more than excited & grateful to have met our new managing partners and believe the future looks very bright for The Dime for more decades to come, continuing it’s legacy but elevating it to reach its full potential once again.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Dime Bar. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Dime Fairfax is an Old School Hip Hop dive bar in LA which Andy Fiscella opened in 2003. Known for it’s houseparty vibe, The Dime has launched several DJ careers & is known globally in the DJ & music world. Fiscella started out in the hip hop nightlife scene in NYC in the 90’s alongside music & nightlife pioneers, Mark Ronsen & Noah Tepperberg & Jason Straus (Tao Group). Andy’s NYC spot Suite16-launched all of them into a pop culture explosion where nightlife & the hip hop dance scene combined with celebrities & tabloid coverage. During this era, Lindsey Lohan, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, etc were there every week.
Fiscella moved to LA after 9/11 and opened The Dime bar in the Fairfax District. He then went on to open additional hotspots Winstons & Crownbar with his longtime friend, Chris Huvane. Chris was one of the first major fans of The Dime & helped save it a few times. Chris worked for GQ & eventually 360 Entertainment as the manager to the late great Chadwick Boseman, Margot Robbie, & others. Sadly Chris passed away in 2021 but his spirit has never left The Dime and the owners are dedicated to keeping his memory alive with many more great memories to come for future generations of music lovers.
Lucy Treadway, a TV/Film Executive with the p.g.a., and has a background in nightlife for over 20 yrs working for renowned owners such as Randy Gerber & HWood Group. Lucy came on as a co owner of The Dime in recent years. She & Fiscella share two children together and while she was never in the front of the house at The Dime, she has helped behind the scenes since 2015. Lucy recently brought in managing partners Chris Scardina (Longtime Fan of The Dime) & Leqoinne Rice “Q” of For The People Hospitality Group to fullfill the potential & continue the legacy of The Dime. The new team recently gave The Dime a makeover with a new look, fresh cocktail list, happy hours & events, And a delicious specialty menu by Chef Azeez. The team could not be more excited to join forces to keep the legacy of The Dime & revive the brand not only with the bar itself, but also with a merch launch, & a catering & events leg. This joining of forces is sure to bring alot of opportunities of greatness & they could not be more grateful and excited for this venture. Andy & Lucy are also opening The Dime Inglewood in 2025 before the next Superbowl & the Olympics take over LA.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Always surround yourself with greatness within your field. Identify those rockstar motivators whom you admire. If they are crushing it in your desired field, reach out and ask to learn from them. I have found that most people thrive when they are able to guide someone else & empower them to greatness. Attend all outings in which you would meet these people and expose yourself to different aspects of the field as well because you never know when it will come full circle. Which it almost always days.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedimela/profilecard/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/fM_8-HKDTL
- Other: https://www.opentable.com/restaurant/profile/1389958?shareReferrer=ios-share
