Imagine sipping a cocktail under the dim, atmospheric lights of one of LA's hottest spots. You're surrounded by the hum of laughter, clinking glasses, and a pulsating beat that makes you want to leave your seat and move to the music.
And then she appears.
A silhouette of elegance and confidence—Marsha Molinari, a woman who has built her empire with style, grit, and a heart as large as her vision. Known for her work in LA's hospitality industry, Marsha's story is a journey through fame and friendship, self-discovery, and the pursuit of authenticity.
Though we didn't get to sit at one of her fabulous locales, I had the pleasure of sitting with Marsha virtually.
Marsha's path to stardom didn't begin with the warm spotlights of Hollywood but on the cold waters of Alaska. At sixteen, she was a commercial fisherwoman, handling thousands of pounds of fish and navigating a world far from LA nightlife. Still, her dreams were big. "I always wanted to be a filmmaker," she shared, eventually entering The Los Angeles Film School. She crafted a documentary and even wrote a blog about the social scene. Through her work, she met her longtime friend, Katy Perry. "We went on a Warped Tour together," Marsha recalled. Through this adventure, she fell more in love with blogging, eventually leading her to partner with John Terzian in establishing the h.wood Group, marking her first step into the hospitality industry.
But Marsha's story isn't just one of fate. It's a testament to her adaptability. She's a natural risk-taker, someone who's never been afraid to try something. This spirit has allowed her to pivot from one venture to another, unafraid of failure and unashamed of her dreams.
From Marsha in Paris to Reclaiming LA
If Marsha's journey has a motif, it's one of reinvention. At one point, she left LA behind for a branding job in Paris. "It was my own Emily in Paris moment," she joked. But when her business partner called her back to restart their venture, Marsha returned, and they launched Bootsy Bellows, which skyrocketed to success and propelled her career. Now, with nine global venues, Marsha has cemented her place in LA's hospitality industry. "Had that not been a success, I would be living in Paris now," she admits, chuckling at the twists and turns of fate.
Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for TUD Toy
Yet, Marsha's heart remains firmly anchored in authenticity amid the glittering lights and celebrity clientele. For her, the true joy comes from creating spaces where everyone can feel free to be themselves, no matter their background. "My community is everything to me," she confides, her voice full of sincerity. I want my spaces to be colorful and inclusive, places where people feel celebrated."
While she has built her life on transformation, one of her most profound shifts was personal. "I didn't start my transition until after the pandemic," she reveals, a decision fueled by introspection and the realization that she'd been hiding a part of herself. Growing up in a strict, religious household, Marsha knew from a young age that she was different. Still, fear kept her from embracing her truth.
Even as an adult, she hesitated, fearing how the world—and her business—might react.
"When I came out as my true self, it was pretty seamless," she said with relief. Her HR department at h.wood Group was supportive from day one, and her business partner assured her that if anyone had an issue, "we wouldn't work with them." This kind of unwavering support was essential for Marsha, who is keenly aware that most trans individuals don't share her experience.
Yet, despite her success and privilege, Marsha has faced discrimination. Renting an apartment as a trans woman, even in supposedly liberal LA, proved unexpectedly difficult. "I have great credit and solid references, but as soon as they met me, the place was suddenly unavailable," she said, her disappointment palpable. The challenges are real, but Marsha has chosen to meet them gracefully.
Nightlife might seem like a frivolous pursuit, but for Marsha, it's a powerful platform for connecting and advocating. "For me, nightlife is about joy, about bringing people together," she said. Her pride parties and queer-focused nights serve as statements as they are about events, celebrations of identity, and inclusion. Marsha is unwavering in today's polarizing climate: "If someone's voting against my rights, against me being myself, I don't want to be at the table with them." Her venues are safe spaces for everyone, but her message is clear.
She won't compromise her values for anyone.
Her venues provide a refuge from the noises of everyday life, a place where people can let loose, dance, and forget their worries, if only for a night. Marsha knows that life can be harsh, but there's always a song, a laugh, or a dance waiting to lift spirits in her world.
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for DraftKings and The h.wood Group
But Marsha's dreams continue beyond owning nightclubs and hosting legendary parties. She envisions an eponymous place, a magical, vibrant venue staffed entirely by trans people. "I want to give that space to people," she said with conviction. "I think we're so magical." She dreams of a restaurant run by her community, where queer bakers, trans hosts, and performers of every identity can feel at home.
Marsha isn't content to stop at hospitality: she's also a budding DJ, finding joy in how music can shift moods and transform an evening. She's learning that sometimes, a song can say what the spoken word cannot. For someone like Marsha, music becomes another language, a way to reach out and connect with the people in her orbit.
Her style, too, is a reflection of her spirit. On some days, she wears her boldest, most vibrant outfits; on others, she chooses androgynous looks to navigate a world that isn't always welcoming. "I have strategic bathrooms I know I feel safe in," she admits, a sad reminder many trans and non-binary individuals face in an ever-increasing hostile world. "I have strategic bathrooms I know I feel safe in," she admits. Still, Marsha herself is a reminder that living authentically isn't just brave—it's necessary.
If you're ever looking for a stiff cocktail or a place to let loose, check out some of Marsha's spots like Harriet's for game night, or enjoy her presence as she spins throwback hits that make you feel like a kid again. Or, perhaps, swing by one of her renowned venues—Bootsy Bellows, Delilah's, or The Nice Guy—where every corner, every beat, and every detail is crafted to celebrate joy.
Marsha Molinari may be the Queen of LA's nightlife, but she's more than that. She's a storyteller, an advocate, and a friend to anyone who believes in the power of living in one's truth. In a world that scapegoats and devalues the worth of trans individuals, she reminds us that being yourself is the greatest power of all.
