Meet Oliver Alpuche | Oliver Alpuche – Dtla Proud Founder & Kiso Partner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Oliver Alpuche and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Oliver, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind closing redline and putting all my efforts toward Opening KISO was to not see another queer space close.

Redline was opened with the drive and passion to build community and when the lease came to renew , We thought bigger. The opening of Kiso could mark the beginning on a queer “gayborhood” in DTLA.

All the dedicated queer bar are now 1.5 blocks away from eachother. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we hope to carve out the dtla gayborhood and grown more safe spaces with dtla.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our goal was to reclaim a piece of queer history by re-open a bar once names SCORE – the oldest gay bar in dtla.

When we found out that it was avaible to lease we jumped on it without even knowing how we would pay for it. What we had was determination and drive. The fear of loosing another queer space (redline ) in LA was not an option so a replacement was birthed – Kiso.

Kiso struggled to come to fruition, with constant set-back and delays, We were afraid it would not come to be.

Brad and I put everything into Kiso. We did as much of the renovation and work ourselves. asking for friend and families assistance along the way, Pushing and jumping hurdle after hurdle but we finally did it.

Kiso is set apart from other establishments because there is no private investors or owners that have money – it was build and created by people within the community who live and work within the space they created.

Kiso was truly build and blood , sweat and tears.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have done this fruit loop soo many time. As Kiso joins the other queer dtla nightlife sense , it’s only fitting to have a dtla night on the town.

I would start off at Bar Franca – for a craft cocktail or two. Showing my friends that queer bars can be classy and sophisticated.
We would then head to Kiso , to show them the need space and grab Tequila Soda. Excited to heard the beats the DJ is dropping. The Head to Precinct to catch the drag show and catch a glimpse of the gogos.

By this time , the drinks are kicking in and we head to New Jalisco for some spanish dancing, Then pop back into Kiso to end the night in the backroom- we’re the DJ is dropping the beats and we would be dancing & spinning under the disco lights

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Building community takes a village, There are so many people that has supported my crazy ideas throughout my career. My family
has been nothing but supportive, from showing up on day one of construction , to constantly coming out and support all my different endeavors. They are not the only ones , Nic and Brad – two amazing people that joined to Redline team but then became family. Brad- taking the torch and elevating his passion in building community by partnering and opening Kiso. Nic – the man that i tell every little idea and water and plants those seeds to grow into reality.

But there’s also the little things , the people we share key life events within the spaces are my biggest driving force . To the first kisses, engagement parties or discovery of oneself or just a message of feeling seen. These people ( too many to name ) deserve the shoutout.

One can only hope that when building community, people can see the intention with all the efforts made. The People that take the time to express how these spaces ( Redline , Kiso or Dtla Proud) have changed there lives , made them be comfortable with themselves or felt seen ; They deserve the shoutout ! They are truly what drive me to continue.

Website: https://www.kisolosangeles.com

Instagram: @kisolosangeles

Twitter: @kisolosangeles

Image Credits
@chrvstinephoto