Today we’d like to introduce you to Thom Sigsby.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Thom. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Been in the service industry since I was 14 years old and illegally working in the kitchen of an unnamed international pizza chain. As soon as I was allowed behind a bar I was pouring drinks for people and have been at it ever since. Helped open Mohawk Bend in Echo Park in 2011 and ran that bar program for several years. When the Artisanal Brewers Collective purchased the former Black Boar in Eagle Rock I oversaw the transition to The Old Chalet and GM’d that bar until my wife and I purchased it over this Fall. Over the next few months, the name will be changing to The Fable and you can expect the same comfortable and welcoming bar with a lot more attention to detail and much more engaged programming and events that connect deeply with the neighborhood and the beer and bar scene in L.A.
Starting at the Hidden Cove and the Holiday Club in Chicago I became a die-hard karaoke enthusiast. When I moved to L.A. a decade and a half ago I started singing at the Smog Cutter (RIP), the Drawing Room and Bigfoot Lodge weekly. The latter is where I turned this hobby into a career. I started hosting at Bigfoot weekly and hopped over to host at Ye Rustic Inn (where I’ve been for over eight years every Tuesday). With Ye Rustic as my base, I started Hi Ho Karaoke, focusing on the best quality and best sounding equipment and recordings and super personable hosts. That one spot has now grown to seven weekly nights – at a variety of locations primarily on the Eastside – and a number of private parties, weddings and charity events.
Has it been a smooth road?
The process of taking over the former Black Boar space in Eagle Rock was a tricky one. I had been going to that bar for a number of years (since it was The Chalet) and knew how much the people that went there loved their bar. So we had to carefully figure out how to grow the clientele and impose some changes to the events and beer/spirit mix without ruining the culture and the feel of the place. I think we did a decent job of that in the 18 months I managed the bar for my former bar group but I’m hoping that my wife and I can do even more now that it’s our place. We want to connect more and do more for the neighborhood (where we also live and are raising our children) while continuing to provide fresh and unique offerings of drinks and beers and event programming that keep both the locals and newcomers engaged.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Fable – We’re a classy neighborhood dive bar with a solid selection of whiskey, mezcal and tequila and a great rotating beer selection including Pliny the Elder and Green Cheek. Our weekly karaoke night on Monday makes your ears bleed a lot less than most other karaoke nights and our DJ nights and events aren’t what you’ll find anywhere else. We’re proud to have a bar where all feel welcome and everyone finds something just for them.
Hi Ho Karaoke – Hi Ho Karaoke focuses on making karaoke nights as much fun as they possibly can be. It drives me crazy when a karaoke host takes themselves too seriously or a crowd/venue is divisive and makes the singer feel unwelcome. We have a catalogue of over 9,500 unique (and good) songs and are always adding singer requests to the list. And, as our slogan states, “your ears are in good hands” – we will make everyone sound their best and keep the party flowing all night.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I love the Eastside of Los Angeles. I can’t honestly speak to the city as a whole because I’ve focused the entirety of the time I’ve lived out here living and working East of Western Ave. What attracts me to this side of town is the connectivity and altruism that you find in both the hospitality industry and the artistic community. I’ve gotten advice from and given advice to a ton of people and become life long friends with co-workers, contemporaries and competitors alike. Not to sound like too much of a hippie, but in a city this size I’m glad to have found people in both industries that are happier and more productive working together and alongside one another.
Pricing:
- The Fable – Happy Hour – 5pm to 7pm daily: $2 off all draft beers, $5 well cocktails, $5 glasses of wine
- Hi Ho Karaoke – it’s always free to sing at our bar nights. Inquire for rates for private events.
Contact Info:
- Address: The Fable – 1630 Colorado Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90041 Hi Ho Karaoke weekly: Mondays – The Fable, Tuesdays – Ye Rustic Inn, Brennans Pub, Wednesdays – Club Tee Gee, Thursdays – Hyperion Public, Sundays – Highland Park Bowl
- Website: thefable.la – and – hihokaraoke.com
- Phone: The Fable – 323-508-5058
- Email: [email protected] – or – [email protected]
- Instagram: /thefable.la – or – /hihokaraoke
- Facebook: /thefable.la – or – /hihokaraoke
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