LACMA Makes Erewhon Pop-Up Permanent Cafe in David Geffen Galleries

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has announced that the Erewhon pop-up inside its new David Geffen Galleries will become the museum's permanent cafe. The news was reported by Hyperallergic associate editor Phillip Pyle, who framed the development as fitting for an art world that has increasingly embraced luxury lifestyle branding. The announcement arrives during a busy fall season that includes Frieze London and Art Basel Paris, making a quick detour to Los Angeles a logistical challenge for many art professionals. The Erewhon brand, known for its high-end grocery offerings and celebrity following, has no direct equivalent in New York, and its only tonic bar in Los Angeles is located inside the Kith Ivy padel club, which charges a $36,000 initiation fee. Pyle noted that this fee is prohibitive in the current art market, adding a layer of irony to the museum's decision. The permanent cafe will allow visitors to LACMA's new galleries to access Erewhon products without leaving the museum campus. The David Geffen Galleries, part of LACMA's ongoing expansion, have been a focal point of architectural and cultural discussion in Los Angeles. The move signals a continued blurring of lines between museums and commercial lifestyle brands. No opening date for the permanent cafe was provided in the announcement. The story was published in Hyperallergic's October 2026 newsletter, which also included coverage of a Halloween party, an exhibition by Ridikkuluz, and other art news.