When you’re in Hollywood, you never know what events are happening right next to you. Sure, on the main drags you’ll see people lined up for a show at the Pantages or a red carpet premiere at the El Capitan. But even a small, intimate speakeasy tucked just on the other side of Hollywood Boulevard next to a dirt parking lot can transport party goers to a Vegas casino or even a criminal gambling den.
On Wednesday night, the No Vacancy bar was transformed from a Los Angeles speakeasy into a secret casino in celebration of the new action thriller movie A Working Manstarring Jason Statham. Statham plays Levon Cade, a soldier turned construction worker who carves a bloody path of revenge through the local Russian mob after they kidnap his boss’s daughter. Cade’s search for the girl leads him through Chicago’s criminal underbelly including a secret casino and human trafficking ring.
Thankfully, no illicit activities or transactions took place at the No Vacancy casino night and guests were treated to special drinks, and hors d’oeuvres like lamb, salmon croquettes, egg rolls, waffles and lobster mac and cheese. The festivities included a dance floor with a DJ, a photo booth and step-and-repeat and tables running games of blackjack and roulette. Gambling chips were provided so while no fortunes were made that night, no one’s life savings were lost on a bad hand.
“When I heard this was a casino night, I’ve never gambled in my whole life but I’ve got to come and learn,” said event attendee Hansel Aquino. “Maybe I could come learn, then go to Vegas and make some money.”
Aquino, an actor and mixed martial arts fighter, had never played blackjack before but learned the game at the event.
“It was hard, there are too many rules!” Aquino laughed. “I get hit in the head every day, so that’s a lot of numbers for me. It’s a lot of numbers to take in all at once. There’s drinks and food, so still a great night.”
Tiffany Sutton is no stranger to Vegas and gambling (“I won $200 at a penny slot machine once!”), and the actor and content creator also decided to try her hand at the blackjack table.
“This is way more fun because there’s no risk!” Sutton said. “There’s no risk since we’re not betting any actual money, so I can learn the ins and outs of blackjack a little better and just have a good time.”
“The whole event is so cool and I was just texting my husband about how creative it is,” she added. “The theme of a casino night is so much fun because you can dress up and play games with cocktails and appetizers. I love being able to immerse myself in the world of a film, it’s a 10/10 for me.”
Neil Bui and Ashley Truong were also impressed by the level of immersion that the experience provided.
“I’m excited for the movie. I love seeing Jason Statham beat people up,” Bui said “[Events like this] let you enter the world of the movie, it’s another layer of experiencing the film. It’s not just sitting down and watching it, but you enjoy it in a different way with the people around you.”
“We always talk about where film is going next, especially with all the changes happening in the industry,” Truong said, “and people are leaning more toward immersive experiences, so this sort of event propels us in that direction. Now we’re a lot more invested in seeing this movie.”
One attendee who was already very invested in watching A Working Man was Terrence Green. Jason Statham is his favorite actor, and as an actor himself Green felt like attending the promotional casino night was a step closer towards working with his hero.
“As someone who gambles, it was exciting to gamble with money that wasn’t mine,” Green said, “When it’s your cash, you think differently, but when you know the money is unlimited, you can have a little fun with it. For the last three hours, I didn’t think about anything that was stressing me out in life or holding me back, I got to enjoy the moment. My girlfriend doesn’t like to gamble, but tonight she was like ‘bet it all!’ We went all in tonight and won $15,000 on our last hand.”
“Jason Statham is actually my favorite actor of all time, I’m a super fan, and my dream is to not just have a scene with him but to kind of carry a movie with him, so I feel like tonight was one of the steps that’s getting me closer to that moment,” said Green, who is not only a fan of Statham’s acting style but also his frequent incorporation of vehicles like cars, dirt bikes and motorcycles into his action scenes. “I’ve been to a lot of screenings and events for actors that I support, but for it to be someone that I invest in, I feel like I’m helping one of my homies promote his movie. He’s just that guy to me.
“As talent, I’m going home tonight feeling like I’m one step closer to the opportunity to be Jason,” he reflected. “There were a bunch of people here tonight, but the world wasn’t here. The rest of the world is going to get to see his movie, but I’m part of the select few that was part of the promotion. It’s validating. I feel like I’m finally on the cool side.”