A Los Angeles vibe in downtown Wollongong is the hallmark of the city's latest restaurant/bar.
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The vibe and feel of The Icon comes from owner Dimitri Skarvelis' love of everything LA.
The Wollongong venue, which once housed Three Chimneys cafe, even has its own The Viper Room.
The private room is also ideal for sports lovers, with three massive screens showing sports day and night.
"We'll obviously be showing all the major Australian sports but during the day people can come in and watch American sports like the NBA and NFL.
"It is just going to be a place where when you are in the city you can escape and you can come in here and have a beer on tap and watch sports," he said.
Skarvelis love of everything LA is also reflected in the decor, with large murals, including one of Sophia Loren, featured throughout The Icon's sprawling open-plan layout.
"I always wanted to open my own bar and I always loved this place," he said.
"When it was the Three Chimneys I absolutely loved the space and I absolutely loved the vibe and I absolutely loved what it offered.
"I always thought if I was to open my own bar one day, it would be to own a venue like this and sure enough I've now got that opportunity.
"The name The Icon came from the iconic figures and images around LA. That sort of became the inspiration for the vibe of place, the feel of the place but not so much the menu or food."
Skarveli said The Icon, located in the laneway behind the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, was a unique space which was more than just a restaurant and bar.
I don't think there is any place in Wollongong like ours where you can eat, drink and dance the night away listening to great music.
- Dimitri Skarvelis
"Because we've got such large premises, we can cater for all types of functions from weddings, engagements and Christenings to birthdays, work functions and Christmas parties," he said.
"We also are a live music venue on Friday and Saturday nights.
"I don't think there is any place in Wollongong like ours where you can eat, drink and dance the night away listening to great music."
At the moment The Icon is open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.
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