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Meow Wolf applies for liquor license at Los Angeles location

Meow Wolf applies for liquor license at Los Angeles location

Built World Los Angeles, CA local

The immersive art venue at Howard Hughes LA is expected to open late 2026 or early 2027

October 15th, 2026: Liquor license application appears on ABC list

Overview

Updated Oct 15

Meow Wolf, the Santa Fe-based immersive art collective, is seeking approvals to serve alcohol at its upcoming Los Angeles location. The company applied for a state Type 47 liquor license and a city conditional use permit for 6081 W Center Dr.

The venue, taking shape in a former Cinemark theater at the Howard Hughes LA center, is expected to open late 2026 or early 2027. The city permit application describes the project as a museum with live entertainment, exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Why it matters

The liquor license would let Meow Wolf LA serve drinks with food, a key part of the immersive experience and a step toward the venue's opening.

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Key Indicators

Type 47
Liquor license type
On-Sale General Eating Place, allowing beer, wine, and spirits with food
Applied for
License status
State ABC license and city conditional use permit both pending
Late 2026/early 2027
Expected opening
Per Meow Wolf's official website
10M
Visitors to Meow Wolf locations
Over the past decade, per Daily News

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People Involved

Amanda Clay
Amanda Clay
Chief Development Officer at Meow Wolf
Overseeing the LA location development
 George R.R. Martin
George R.R. Martin
Author and early Meow Wolf backer
Not directly involved in LA location

Organizations Involved

Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf
Art collective / entertainment company
Expanding nationally

Creates immersive, interactive art installations in multiple cities.
MW
MW CALIFORNIA LLC
Limited liability company
License applicant

Meow Wolf's California entity holding the liquor license application.
HH
Howard Hughes LA
Shopping center / mixed-use development
Venue location

Outdoor shopping and entertainment center in West LA where Meow Wolf LA will be located.

Timeline

2016 October 2026

7 events Latest: October 15th, 2026 · 4 weeks ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Liquor license application appears on ABC list

    Latest Regulatory

    MW CALIFORNIA LLC applies for Type 47 liquor license at 6081 W Center Dr.

  2. Conditional use permit application filed for alcohol sales

    Regulatory

    Meow Wolf filed for a city conditional use permit to sell a full line of alcoholic beverages at 6081 West Center Drive. The project is described as a museum with live entertainment and is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act.

  3. Meow Wolf reveals LA location

    Announcement

    Meow Wolf announces its Los Angeles location at the Howard Hughes LA center, in a former Cinemark theater.

  4. The Real Unreal opens in Dallas

    Opening

    Meow Wolf's fourth location opens in Dallas.

  5. Omega Mart opens in Las Vegas

    Opening

    Meow Wolf's second location opens with a bar inside the installation.

  6. Convergence Station opens in Denver

    Opening

    Meow Wolf's third location opens in Denver.

  7. House of Eternal Return opens in Santa Fe

    Opening

    Meow Wolf's first permanent location opens in a Santa Fe warehouse.

Scenarios

1

Meow Wolf LA opens with bar service

Likely Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Meow Wolf's official website and local news coverage

The Type 47 license is approved by the California ABC, construction finishes, and the venue opens to the public in late 2026 or early 2027. The bar and restaurant operate as planned, serving beer, wine, and spirits with food.

2

Meow Wolf LA opening delayed

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Construction and permitting analysts

The license faces delays, or construction takes longer than expected, pushing the opening to late 2027 or beyond. Meow Wolf announces a revised timeline.

3

Meow Wolf LA opens without liquor service

Unlikely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Industry observers

The venue opens to the public but the Type 47 license is still pending, so the bar and restaurant open later. This would be unusual for Meow Wolf, which typically includes bars in its locations.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2016

House of Eternal Return (2016)

Meow Wolf opened its first permanent location in a Santa Fe warehouse, with backing from author George R.R. Martin. The installation featured hidden passages and interactive art, drawing visitors from around the world.

Then

The location became a major tourist attraction in Santa Fe.

Now

It established Meow Wolf's model of immersive, participatory art and set the stage for national expansion.

Why this matters now

The Santa Fe location proved Meow Wolf's concept could work as a permanent attraction, paving the way for the LA expansion.

2021

Omega Mart (2021)

Meow Wolf opened Omega Mart, a surreal grocery store installation, inside the Area15 entertainment complex in Las Vegas. The location included a bar hidden inside the installation.

Then

Omega Mart became a popular attraction in Las Vegas, drawing visitors during the pandemic.

Now

It showed Meow Wolf could operate in a major entertainment market and include food and beverage as part of the experience.

Why this matters now

Omega Mart demonstrated that Meow Wolf locations can successfully incorporate bars and restaurants, which is why the LA location is seeking a liquor license.

2023

The Real Unreal (2023)

Meow Wolf opened The Real Unreal in Dallas, its fourth permanent location. The installation was built in a former warehouse and featured local artists.

Then

The Dallas location expanded Meow Wolf's national footprint.

Now

It showed the company's pattern of opening in new markets every few years.

Why this matters now

The Dallas opening is the most recent example of Meow Wolf's expansion model, which the LA location is following.

Sources

(5)
California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Meow Wolf Los Angeles Daily News Variety California Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation