Sunset Strip Café Plans Reopening After Water Main Catastrophe
WHO:
Los Angeles Times - Tadeh Ghazalian, owner of Dialog Cafe
Los Angeles Times - Rafik and Kenar Ghazalian, husband-and-wife team and owners of Dialog Cafe
NY Post - Owners of Dialog Cafe
Los Angeles Times - Colton Weiss, co-owner of Mel’s Drive-In
WHAT:
Los Angeles Times - Dialog Cafe is closed indefinitely due to a water main rupture.
Los Angeles Times - A 110-year-old underground pipe burst, releasing 17 million gallons of water.
Los Angeles Times - The water main break caused a sinkhole at Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive.
Los Angeles Times - Dialog Cafe has been a neighborhood staple since 2007.
Los Angeles Times - Dialog Cafe is considering a temporary relocation during repairs.
Los Angeles Times - A GoFundMe was launched to raise money for the cafe's staff and repairs.
Los Angeles Times - Mel’s Drive-In experienced a 30-40% drop in sales due to road closures.
WHERE:
Los Angeles Times - Dialog Cafe is located at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive in West Hollywood.
Los Angeles Times - Mel’s Drive-In is located a half-mile east and up a hill from the water main break.
WHEN:
Los Angeles Times - The water main rupture occurred on a Thursday morning.
Los Angeles Times - Officials hope to fully reopen the streets by Monday.
WHY:
Los Angeles Times - The water main break was caused by the rupture of a 110-year-old underground pipe.
HOW:
Los Angeles Times - Los Angeles Department of Water and Power repair crews are installing a new pipe.
(UPDATED July 18, 2026 07:27 UTC)
Dialog Cafe, a beloved neighborhood spot in West Hollywood since 2007, is closed indefinitely following a significant water main rupture that released 17 million gallons of water and caused a sinkhole at Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive. The break, attributed to a 110-year-old underground pipe, has prompted the owners to consider a temporary relocation during repairs, while a GoFundMe has been launched to support the cafe's staff. Nearby, Mel’s Drive-In has seen a 30 to 40 percent drop in sales due to road closures, and officials are working to fully reopen the streets by Monday.