Memories and Bloody Marys: how the Mexican-themed bar La Cita became a cultural crossroads

La Cita—a bar and club that is at once a Latinx immigrant dive and hipster hangout—sits across the street from the long ago demolished Bunker Hill and Angel’s Flight (the last remains of the complex streetcar system that once traversed the bustling downtown). In this thesis, I explore the history of La Cita, its evolution, and what its existence means to a city that constantly attempts to erase its past. With over a 100 years of history, this space is both cross-cultural and multi-generational, existing as a liminal space where many worlds in Los Angeles collide. Through interviews with bartenders, regulars, owners, and academics, the thesis tells the story of the bar and venue and why it’s important for marginalized communities that make the space a second home.