The h.wood Group Ushers In New Era of Entertainment on Sunset Strip With Debut of ‘Keys’

Sunset Boulevard has a new tenant on the strip, with the arrival of Keys, a new music and nightlife venue that aims to bring back the glory days of Hollywood glamor and entertainment.

From hospitality firm, The h.wood Group, the 12,420-square-foot, multi-story venue opened this week at 9039 Sunset Blvd. the site of the original Key Club, which closed in 2013. The new name, “Keys,” pays tribute to the building’s former tenant while ushering in a new musical experience that will introduce a home for L.A.’s burgeoning electronic dance music scene.

Keys features three distinct levels, each offering its own bar and ambiance. The ground level is where the Moroccan-inspired green room will sit, with The h.wood Group set to welcome top DJs and artists to the space. The second level features the main dance floor, backed by an expansive LED display and soundtracked by a custom L-Acoustics sound system designed by longtime Drake sound engineer, Demetrius Moore. The third floor offers a bird’s eye view of the party proceedings down below, set among a lounge-like vibe complete with a poker table and retro arcade games. An opera viewing-style balcony will function like a private box for VIP guests.

The club says the multi-level setup and distinct characteristics of each space were purposefully designed “to cater to both clientele who yearn to be in the heart of the action, and to those who are seeking a more intimate atmosphere amidst a night-out.” And yes, true to the property name, there are lit-up “piano keys” embedded throughout the club’s four walls.

The h.wood Group calls Keys an “homage to an iconic era of LA’s party scene” that will re-capture the “history, glamour and vivacious energy that has shaped the city’s legendary nightlife culture for decades.” The opening of Keys also marks The h.Wood Group’s first foray into the electronic music space, though the owners say the venue will also welcome artists across the musical landscape, from rock to hip-hop to pop.

“We are thrilled to finally introduce Keys to Sunset Boulevard,” say Brian Toll and John Terzian, the two co-founders of The h.wood Group. “As a brand, we really embody Los Angeles, and all that it stands for. It is our goal to honor not only the revered venues that have previously called this space home, but to reinvigorate the rich musical history of the Strip.”

Of course, there was one other infamous tenant in the space after the Key Club shut down: the massive Sunset Boulevard venue was home to the celeb hotspot 1Oak, which shut down shortly after the pandemic.

Keys launches with opening hours on Thursday and Saturday nights, from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.