In 2017 we set off to pursue a goal. There was a desire to create something that wasn't in existence the way we thought it should be. Grit Los Angeles was a one-chair studio, in front of a large window on Molino Street, in the Arts District.

At the time, the neighborhood players were Urth Caffe, Villains Tavern, and Resident. Only Urth is still operating currently, but a wave of new businesses have come. Some have made it, and others have closed down just as fast as they opened.

In Japan, even the simplest things are approached with precision. A towel is folded carefully. A meal is plated thoughtfully. A greeting is delivered with quiet sincerity. Beer is no exception.

While much of the world treats beer as casual and disposable, Japanese brewing culture approaches it with restraint and discipline. The result is something remarkably refined — crisp lagers with balance, clarity, and subtle depth. Nothing excessive. Nothing competing for attention. Every element exists exactly where it should.

Honoring the principles of traditional barbering while creating something distinctly our own.

Tradition is often mistaken for aesthetics.

The barber pole. The leather chairs. The familiar arrangement of mirrors, combs, and clippers. These are images that come to mind when we think of a traditional barber shop. And while they represent a rich history, they don't necessarily define what makes a barber shop traditional.

At Oliver Club DTLA, we believe tradition is found in something less visible: the way the work is approached.