Mariachi Plaza


Mariachi Plaza is located in the Boyle Heights district of the city of Los Angeles, east of downtown. Since the 1930s, mariachi musicians have gathered in hopes of being hired by visitors who are looking for a full band, trio or solo singer. The plaza resembles Mexico's famed Plaza Garibaldi in both form and function. This plaza is also an historic gateway to the neighborhood.
Day or night, musicians wait around the plaza and hotel - now an affordable living complex - across the street to be hired. Local leaders hope to promote the plaza and for it to remain a sanctuary for musicians. There is a small kiosk located in the plaza, similar to those found in Mexico, donated in 1998 by the Mexican State of Jalisco, the birthplace of mariachi music. A bandstand was added in 2009.
The plaza is bounded by E. 1st Street to the south, N. Boyle Avenue to the west, and a small residential street named Pleasant Avenue to its north. The Kiosk is ornamental and has been criticised for its poor acoustics. Lucha Reyes has a statue in the plaza as she visited the city many times during her career.

Transportation

Metro Rail station

The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority has a light rail subway station open in 2009 under the plaza on the Eastside extension of the Gold Line. The plaza has a direct route into Downtown Los Angeles and a connection to other lines of the Metro. The square will be revamped and retail is planned.

In popular culture

music video for the song "Calaverita" was partially filmed at the Mariachi Plaza and the film How to Be a Latin Lover.
Loona music video for the song "Butterfly" was partially filmed at the Mariachi Plaza. The 2018 the music video for Beatriz Gonzalez Los Laureles was film at the plaza.
Michael Connelly's crime thriller novel The Burning Room focuses on a murder which takes place at the Plaza.