The enigmatic dive bar at the heart of Johnny Cosmo's new novel, "The Regulars," has been revealed as Ye Coach and Horses, a legendary Los Angeles establishment once frequented by Hollywood elite. The novel, which follows a protagonist named Jimmy Ruggiero navigating Hollywood after a breakup, features a mysterious bar as a nightly escape, populated by eclectic characters.
Cosmo described the bar in his novel as having a nondescript exterior, a neon sign, and velvet curtains. A specific clue on page 40, mentioning Jimmy "continued past Fairfax" to reach the location, fueled speculation among readers. In response to the buzz, Cosmo confirmed the bar's real-life inspiration is Ye Coach and Horses.
Established in 1935, Ye Coach and Horses was a known haunt for stars such as John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and Alfred Hitchcock, who reportedly valued its dimly lit atmosphere for privacy. More recently, director Quentin Tarantino is said to have spent time at the bar, even penning parts of his iconic film "Pulp Fiction" in one of its red booths.
Cosmo recalled the bar's distinctive ambiance, noting its darkness, illuminated by a single nightlight, and its clientele of day drinkers and smokers. He described the interior as having heavy doors, black velvet curtains, and crescent-shaped booths, with a scene of people doing shots. The author also acknowledged a slight homage to Dan Tana's, another West Hollywood bar, particularly its late bartender Michael Gotovac.
Ye Coach and Horses, located on the Sunset Strip, closed its doors in 2010. The novel "The Regulars" captures the essence of such classic dive bars, which Cosmo described as places to "cherish."