The Marina del Rey opening places dining, events and entertainment aboard a restored 1930s vessel with a long maritime history and a contemporary hospitality programme.
The Northwind Experience has opened to the public in Marina del Rey, California, converting a restored 1930s yacht into a permanent destination for dining, cocktails, events and entertainment. The venue is operated aboard The Northwind, a 135-foot vessel permanently docked at the California Yacht Club’s F-100 Dock. Its opening extends the yacht’s history into a hospitality setting while giving Marina del Rey a new waterfront venue centred on food, culture and live experiences.
The vessel’s appeal rests partly on the contrast between its maritime past and its present use. Commissioned in 1930, The Northwind is described by the company as having hosted figures including Sir Winston Churchill and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, alongside other travellers, dignitaries and cultural figures. The restored yacht retains maritime details while adding custom lighting, fire features and panoramic harbour views, creating a setting designed around the vessel rather than a conventional land-based restaurant.
The Northwind Experience’s programme includes dining, cocktails, weekend brunch, live entertainment, private events and full-vessel buyouts. Seasonal chef collaborations, tasting events and cultural programming are also planned as part of the offering, while the yacht can host weddings, celebrations, brand activations, film productions and private gatherings. Reservations and event enquiries are available through the venue’s website, with table bookings handled through OpenTable, according to the announcement.
The culinary operation is led by Chef Charles Voudouris, whose career includes roles at the Versace Mansion, Viceroy Anguilla and Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak, as well as training at Noma and Blue Hill at Stone Barns. His seasonal sea-to-table menu focuses on coastal ingredients, local sourcing and artisanal preparation. Dishes are served in the yacht’s dining rooms and open-air decks, alongside handcrafted cocktails and curated wines, positioning the venue as an experience built around sharing and extended stays rather than a single dining occasion.
For The Northwind Experience, the opening links a historic vessel with a broader format that combines hospitality, private functions and cultural programming in one location. The company says its aim is to strengthen Marina del Rey’s identity and connect visitors with the water, while California Yacht Club co-owner and president Jeff Weiss describes the concept as a cinematic journey through food, drinks, history and yacht culture. The result is a venue whose proposition depends on the interaction between setting and service, with the yacht itself forming the foundation of the guest experience.
