Inside Mic’s Bar in West Hollywood, everyone is welcome. There’s no velvet rope, no exclusive line, and no need to know someone to get in. Guests who walk through the door are greeted by owner Jay Krymis and his team, who take pride in creating a friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere where the drinks won’t break the bank.
“We are dedicated to being a local neighborhood watering hole,” said Krymis.
The name Mic’s is a tribute to his wife and business partner, Michel Verdi, whose warmth and open personality inspired the inviting feel of the bar. With more than 40 years in the hospitality and entertainment industries, Krymis brings a lifetime of experience to this latest venture.
Over the course of his career, he has opened, managed, and consulted on restaurants and bars across Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware, and Los Angeles. His contributions to the local community have earned recognition from the City of West Hollywood, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and the California Senate.
Mic’s marks a full-circle moment for Krymis, who is returning to his roots by recreating the community spirit that first drew him to the industry.
A Humble Beginning
Krymis was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and got his start in the restaurant business as a teenager. His first job was as a dishwasher at a seafood restaurant in a suburb of Philadelphia, where he worked after school and on the weekends.
“I think I first fell in love with the sense of community…from the tight knit staff that accepted me with welcome arms to the happy, joyful customers,” he reflected.
He went on to earn his degree from Temple University and later attended graduate school in Budapest.
In Southern California alone, he’s helped launch more than a dozen venues, including 66 Restaurant and Bar on Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood landmark Fubar, Schmitty’s in WeHo, Padre in Long Beach, and several Mezcalero locations. Together with his wife, he also owns Booked Talent, an extras casting agency.
Reimagining the Local Gathering Place
The idea for Mic’s Bar began after Krymis read an article about how local bars were disappearing from many American communities. The piece struck a chord with him.
“It has been said that the local dive bar is dying,” he explained. “The newer generation bars are focused on the fancy cocktails and a cool aesthetic but often forget the whole point.”
Mic’s is his answer to that problem. The bar keeps prices low, sponsors local sports teams, and never charges a cover. It’s meant for regulars and newcomers alike, a place where people can unwind, celebrate, and come together through all of life’s moments.
“We are bringing the true neighborhood bar experience back,” he said.
For Krymis, being part of the community also means giving back to it. Mic’s has become both a gathering place and a vehicle for service, seeking to give just as it receives.
“Yes, we are a business but besides the bottom line it is important to me that we are a positive force in the community,” he shared. “From helping with fundraisers and local charities to our hiring.”
He has been involved with APLA, Food on Foot, and Chrysalis, three Los Angeles organizations that support causes like fighting homelessness, ending hunger, and creating employment opportunities for those in need.
One of the Crew
At Mic’s, Jay Krymis takes an active role alongside his team, stepping in wherever he’s needed to keep the business running smoothly. His hands-on style sets the tone for the rest of the staff, creating an environment where everyone works together toward a shared goal.
“My employees are very important to me,” he said. “They are the reason the bar has been so successful.”
Krymis credits his hardworking nature and strong values to the influence of his Mexican grandmother, who raised him and even encouraged his early interest in acting.
“She gave me a strong work ethic and a true north moral compass,” he said. “Do the right thing and treat everyone with respect… with love and compassion.”
Although he hasn’t formally mentored anyone yet, Krymis strives to foster that same sense of care and encouragement within his team. He treats every person on his staff like family, hoping they carry those same values of respect and love into their own lives.
After decades in hospitality, Krymis knows that success is never a solo effort. He hires people whose strengths make up for his weaknesses and trusts them to bring the same energy and commitment that he does. Still, he understands that leadership requires presence.
“The restaurant business is not the kind of endeavor that you can just step away from and let others run for you,” he said.
The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic only reinforced that belief. Like many in the industry, Krymis faced major financial setbacks during that time, but he continues to push forward. He’s been working tirelessly to rebuild the business, hoping one day soon to take a well-earned week or two off once things are more stable.
Two Passions, One Purpose
Besides his work in hospitality, Krymis has also built a long career as an actor, appearing in several TV shows and films including “Traffic,” “Prepare to Die,” “Jim Bridger,” “Tall Tales of the Wild West,” “Gladiators,” and “Christmas Eve.”
“Thankfully my schedule is flexible which allows me freedom to audition, study and work on acting jobs,” he said. “It is not just a creative outlet for me but a passion,” he said.
His performance in “Traffic” earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the ensemble cast, and he has received multiple Best Supporting Actor awards for his work in both film and television. He also created and produced an eight-episode television series titled “In the Big House,” which was sold to Viacom.
Most recently, he booked a nationwide commercial campaign, adding yet another milestone to his multifaceted career. He is also preparing for a three picture movie deal that will start filming in the coming weeks.
Krymis says his experience in acting continues to inform his approach to hospitality. Both fields, he believes, are about connection and creating memorable experiences. Just as an actor’s job is to engage their audience, he sees his role in the restaurant and bar industry as engaging guests, ensuring that everyone who walks through the door feels entertained.
“Folks won’t come back to our bar again just because we have a cool design or quirky art and cool lights…” he explained. “No, it is about people. All of us.”
Krymis hopes everyone who visits Mic’s leaves with a smile on their face, feeling safe, comfortable, and free to be themselves.
A Career Defined by Care
Now in his mid-fifties, Jay Krymis has learned to slow down and focus on what matters most. His goals today are as personal as they are professional. He hopes to keep building a business that serves the community for years to come and to be remembered as someone who always put others first, whether that means family, friends, customers, or employees.
The places and people who helped shape his life continue to play a part in his work. West Hollywood, where he opened his first bar, remains close to his heart. Even with the challenges of a competitive market and strict city regulations, he says the people around him make it worthwhile.
“The LGBTQ community, the neighborhood and the folks at city hall all seem to be rooting for us,” he said.
Those relationships remind him why hospitality is, at its core, about people.
When he isn’t managing the bar or working on new creative projects, Krymis enjoys going to the theater or spending time reading.
After years of juggling multiple ventures, he sees success as being able to do what he loves and still make a living from it. Looking ahead, he hopes Mic’s will continue to grow as both a neighborhood bar and a symbol of everything he’s always believed in: good people, great service, and a place where everyone belongs.
