The Cat & Fiddle was first opened in Laurel Canyon by British rocker Kim Gardner, and his wife, Paula, from New Orleans. Kim was a bassist and integral part of the British Rock Invasion of the 1960s and 70s. He recorded over 27 albums and played in bands such as Quiet Melon (with Rod Stewart), Ashton, Gardner & Dyke, The Creation and The Birds (with Ron Wood). The music industry eventually brought
Kim to Hollywood and he decided to open a British pub in the neighborhood because there's wasn't one! Like his dad always said, "That boy would do anything for a pint!" Paula's roots are in fashion and she owned a successful shoe store named "Lily Bleu" on Santa Monica Boulevard. After the Cat & Fiddle launched with overwhelming success, Paula closed her store to work with Kim at the Pub full-time. The Cat & Fiddle quickly became the favorite watering hole for the entertainment community worldwide. By 1985, The Cat had outgrown the small nook in the Canyon and moved to a larger location on Sunset Boulevard. For a magical 32 years, The Pub poured many pints, served delicious homemade food and created lasting memories before local development forced the doors to shut. It took 2 years to find the perfect place to write the next chapter of The Cat & Fiddle, and in 2017 the new location on Highland and Melrose Avenue was announced. It is an intimate setting complete with a lovely garden patio, and was previously home to the popular music venue, Highland Grounds. Sadly, in 2001, Kim passed away but Paula and their three daughters, Ashlee, Camille and Eva have carried on the torch. They continue to work alongside their mum, keeping the Cat & Fiddle legacy alive. Ashlee, a graduate of USC's Marshall School of Business and author of Entrepreneur Magazine's Great Book of Business Lists, has helped to run the Cat & Fiddle since 2005. She also owns a music management company, Paulie Music, with her producer/writer husband Justin Raisen. Camille has a food and beverage consulting company and has spent several years working for successful hospitality groups such as Patina Restaurant Group and David Burke Group in New York. She also has a commercial real estate business servicing the LA market. Eva, a bassist that has followed her father's footsteps, has her own signature bass with Fender and has played for artists such as P!nk, Cher, Gwen Stefani, Tegan & Sara and Moby. Together, they run the Cat & Fiddle and keep the spirit very much alive. Cheers!
