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eugeneshoots

@eugeneshoots

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Look, I took a bunch of photos of our house before it burned down, I took a bunch after it burned down. They just kinda lived in my lightroom, I didn't really want to look at them again. But here I am looking at them... it's just a bunch of ash in the context of environmental memory.

But there was a lot of life within these walls... not just disposable dry wall and bricks and ash. Our little boy grew up here, played in the dirt, probably ate a bunch of it. We hunkered down and learned every nook of this house during COVID, we got sick of being home and even took it for granted at times... stupid.
There was so much happiness. Laurel made and curated a beautiful home, we all got to enjoy it.
I find myself spiraling ao I'll just stop at these. There are millions more - before burn, after burn. I miss our home. I'm sad that our son can't play in the backyard that his dad tried really hard to make "pretty ok", or swing on the rope swing, or dig in the gravel pit.

But we're still here.
We're still coming back.
I'll be damned if our boy doesn't get to remember this beautiful home.
He'll know it, and he'll make new memories in the new one that will stand upon the ashes of the old. taken in Altadena by @eugeneshoots

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9 months ago

It was about 8am today. We had spent the night at our friends house to keep away from the winds. We never thought our house and neighborhood would be destroyed.

Laurel and I drove down Lincoln - it was pitch black at 8:15am... we couldn't believe what we were seeing. At one point, she was crying and screaming so much I was worried she'd lose control of the car. We parked in the middle of the street and switched quickly, the smoke was heavy. I told her to keep filming in case any of it could be useful later. I think we oassed by the ONE and only fire truck that West Altadena had.

For those keeping score on Jan 7th/8th of 2025:
• 40 fire trucks in the Palisades
• 64 in East Altadena/Pasadena
• 1 West Altadena

19 people died in West Altadena.

We turned on Altadena Drive to see if we could somehow get to our beloved Olive Ave... the smoke was too thick... we couldn't see cars emerging from it. That's where the video stops.
We tried going by the community garden (it was on fire) and nearly struck a downed powerline as more vehicles emerged out of the thick grey smoke. We turned around... nothing was worth making our boy an orphan, certainly not a Honda Fit.

Jan 7th is the anniversary of the start of the fire, Jan 8th is the day when most of us found out our houses were gone. taken in Altadena by @eugeneshoots

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9 months ago

Yesterday, there was a fundraiser in San Francisco, The Bay Loves LA (and LA loves you right back, always) and myself along with some wonderful bar talent in Los Angeles got to contribute a cocktail to be featured for the night. I heard it was a big success and I’m so glad as the proceeds were going to @anotherroundanotherrally , an organization that has helped me and countless hospitality individuals during times of crisis/natural disasters.

To help the cause, they had ask me to share my story - I was happy to. I picked up my camera, and with the aid of my pal Neusha, we shot this. One take, one spin around the block, one day to edit (all Neusha). It was striking how beautiful of a morning it was… the skies were blue, the mountains majestic, the homes all ash and burn scarred chimneys. It was striking. I only had my mask off during the talking part - but I had a headache for a day. Maybe it’s from being there, I don’t know.
Anyways, THANK YOU to the good hospitality people of SF, for @nataliethecatalie and @carisunnie for organizing, I/we really appreciate you all. by @eugeneshoots

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2 years ago

Flashing back to a VERY FUN NIGHT!
Thanks to our wonderful guest bartender Ally for bringing this kooky night together.
#LegBack 🦵 taken in Big Bar by @eugeneshoots

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2 days ago

Ep. 33 “Hospitality can not be performative” - Eugene Lee @eugeneshoots

Submit your take on @hospitalityhottake to be featured. 🔥🍍

#Hospitality #HotTake #Chefs #Bartenders #Baristas taken in Catch One by @eugeneshoots

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5 days ago

It's hard to believe, but you all have about ONE MONTH LEFT to enjoy our current Fun & Games cocktail menu!!!😯
We have loved sharing our vision of board games, card games, school yard games ~ all analogue for this cocktail menu! If you haven't had a chance to try it yet, you've got about a month! 🏃‍♀️🏃🏻🫈

Which can only mean... a new one is loading... .. . 🤖 taken in Big Bar by @eugeneshoots

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17 days ago

STILL WARM FROM THE NEEDLE 🤎🔥

Sunday evening, Johnny’s. A line down the block before the first record dropped. The Ladies of R&B on vinyl, our ladies in the flesh — feathers raised, silk in motion, a room dressed like the era deserved it.

Sequins at the bar. Velvet against the brick. Cocktails built with intention while the bar team kept every pour as smooth as the playlist.

Jessabelle Thunder • @jessthndr
Candace Cane • @sweetmscandacecane
PRI • @thriftcitytexas
Kyra Jete • @kyrajete
Queen Sheba • @thatqueensheba

@chromequeen on the turntables
Hosted by @mariah.kunkel
Powered by @SirDavis
Housed by @johnnysbarla

To those who filled the room — and those who waited in line: you turned a first pressing into a collector’s item. Thank you so much for joining us again.

The needle lifts, but the record keeps its warmth. Stay tuned.

📸: @eugeneshoots

#WaxAppeal #BrownSugarBurlesque #Burlesque #VinylNight taken in Johnny's Bar by @eugeneshoots

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23 days ago

The wait is over. Welcome to the dark side of UnderTow. ⚓

@blacklagoonpopup has officially arrived at both UnderTow Arcadia and Gilbert, transforming our tropical hideaways into something decidedly darker.

Expect eerie surroundings, spooky sips, and an experience unlike anything we've brought aboard before.

The shadows are here. Come find them.

📸: @eugeneshoots by @eugeneshoots

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a month ago

From Paris with love... and Murder! 💋

Just last week, Jesse came by and gave us a little murder mystery + @damnimissparis taste at Big Bar! Thanks for coming and THANK YOU to @jessejean85 ❤️🖤.

📸 @eugeneshoots taken in Big Bar by @eugeneshoots

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a month ago

NEW FEATURED COCKTAIL - 10mg HIGHBALL🔹️

This month, we've asked venerable bartender Ally DeVellis (formerly of Mirate/Daisy, now at Animal) to make us something fun! She has delivered a cocktail that is both simple and complex in the same breath. Behold: a blueberry vodka soda that is equal parts light and intense to cool you down in these last gasps of summer heat!

10mg Highball - grey goose BLUEberry rouge, salted oloroso, bubbles 🫧

📍SAVE THE DATE - Ally will be popping up at Big Bat for a special "Ally of the Dolls" themed guest night MONDAY SEPT 21st, 6pm - 9pm! taken in Big Bar by @eugeneshoots

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a month ago

🍸❤️🍸❤️🍸❤️🍸❤️🍸❤️🍸
BIG BAR LOVES MARTINIS

The Lineup:
🍸SUNDAY SCARIES: GIRL DINNER ~ $20 caesar salad, fries, martini (4pm - 8pm)
🍸MARTINI MONDAYS ~ $9 martinis (after 5pm)
🍸TINY TINI TUESDAYS ~ $6 tinis happy hour (2pm - 7pm)
🍸WED BAM: BURGERS & MARTINIS ~ $20 burgers + martini (all day)

BIG BAR LOVES MARTINIS
🍸❤️🍸❤️🍸❤️🍸❤️🍸❤️🍸 taken in Alcove Cafe & Bakery by @eugeneshoots

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2 months ago

FUN & GAMES AT BIG BAR ~ SOMETHING WICKED inspired by Ouija

Another fantastic non-alcoholic cocktail created by bar lead Abigail! Sour fuji apple swirl around nutty green almonds and the mysterious NA spirit Pathfinder. One of 4 incredible NA cocktails on our Fun & Games menu, enjoy...:

🧿Something Wicked (NA) - pathfinder, sour fuji apple, green almond orgeat, lemon

🎥 @86.thebartender
🥃 @abigaillsmith taken in Big Bar by @eugeneshoots

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2 months ago