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    Greater LA

    Risky Business: LA’s private club for fully vaccinated people

    Risky Business is a private club in North Hollywood for fully vaccinated people, where people can drink and mingle without wearing masks or social distancing.

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    Person smiling broadly wearing glasses and plaid shirt against ivy-covered wall background.By Steve Chiotakis • May 12, 2021 • 24m Listen

    Risky Business is a private club in North Hollywood for fully vaccinated people, where people can drink and mingle without wearing masks or social distancing. At least 1,000 people have signed up to become members of this bar, which aims to achieve a sense of normalcy and safety.

    “There are no rules related to masks. There are no rules related to distancing. There is none of that,” says co-owner Ari Schindler. “This is a normal place. And it's made normal by the fact that there is 100% vaccination. It's really that simple.”

    The bar has received mixed reactions since its unveiling. Some were happy, while others deemed the businesses owners irresponsible or discriminatory.

    But newly minted members are ecstatic. Crisanta Melendez says, “It feels good. It feels free. Unrestricted. It feels pre-COVID, almost like a different time. Here we have this very relaxed [space]. It almost feels wrong, but in a good way.”

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:00

      A private bar where you can drink, hug, and ditch masks? Welcome to Risky Business in North Hollywood

      Risky Business is a private club in North Hollywood for fully vaccinated people, where people can drink and mingle without wearing masks or social distancing.

      Read the story
      8 min
    2. 7:52

      Vaccine mandate for employees? Some companies already have one

      Silverado, a long-term care facility chain with the majority of its locations in Southern California, started requiring COVID vaccines for employees starting March 1.

      Read the story
      10 min
    3. 17:27

      Scammers are selling fake vaccine cards. How authorities are responding

      Anti-vaccine groups are spreading information online about where to buy forged cards and instructions on how to print your own, says reporter Sheera Frenkel.

      Read the story
      7 min
    • Person smiling broadly wearing glasses and plaid shirt against ivy-covered wall background.

      Steve Chiotakis

      Afternoon News Anchor

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jenna Kagel

      Radio producer

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Kathryn Barnes

      Producer, Reporter

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Rebecca Mooney

      Producer, The Treatment

      NewsSmall Business & EntrepreneursBusiness & EconomyCoronavirusHealth & Wellness

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:008 min

      A private bar where you can drink, hug, and ditch masks? Welcome to Risky Business in North Hollywood

    2. 7:5210 min

      Vaccine mandate for employees? Some companies already have one

    3. 17:277 min

      Scammers are selling fake vaccine cards. How authorities are responding

    Back to Greater LA