- Tesla’s new West Hollywood diner offers EV charging, retro food, and outdoor movies.
- Protesters targeted the opening, accusing Musk and Tesla of harmful political influence.
- Locals say the 24-hour diner brings heavy traffic and urge Tesla to fix the gridlock.
A new Tesla diner in West Hollywood is drawing attention, but not always for the reasons Tesla might hope. What was meant to be a nostalgic, high-tech destination is unfolding in the middle of a complicated moment for the company. With sales and revenue both down, the Model Y off to a rocky start, and the Cybertruck still struggling to gain traction, this diner was supposed to offer a bit of good news. Instead, it’s become another flashpoint.
More: Tesla Might Shrink Its Cybertruck Vision Into Something The World Can Use
After initially floating the idea back in 2018, Tesla finally opened the diner last week. It sits on the corner of 7001 W. Santa Monica Boulevard and has a distinct retro-futuristic vibe. Customers can charge their car, grab Tesla-themed food items, and even watch a movie on either of the giant outdoor screens. Lately, they can also gawk at protesters on the sidewalk.
Protests Disrupt the Atmosphere
On July 26, several people lined up outside the diner to protest Elon Musk and Donald Trump, while they encouraged others to boycott Tesla itself. They held signs proclaiming that Doge (The Department of Governmental Efficiency) Kills and that Musk Steals. Others brought giant blow-up dolls crafted to symbolize Musk performing a Sieg Heil over and over. According to those in the area, the scene was less than serene.
“Chaos at the new Tesla diner in Hollywood. There was a 3-hour wait to get in, loud music blaring across the street from protesters, and things escalated when a protester threw himself onto a Cybertruck,” said one person on X. It would seem that the protesters did little to dissuade such a long line. That said, one organizer is confident in his efforts to boycott Tesla.
Speaking to CNN, Joel Lava said that “This is the world’s most renowned anti-trans advocate who just opened a diner in West Hollywood. The community is not very supportive of Elon. Our main message is Tesla funds fascism. Elon Musk, via DOGE, has destroyed our government agencies and people’s jobs, and people are dying around the world because of him.” Lava’s note that the community isn’t very supportive isn’t itself totally unfounded.
Locals Weigh In on Neighborhood Impact
“If you can send people to Mars, you should be able to figure out how to make this doable for residents,” Laura Kody, a local, said to ABC7.
Another resident told the publication that “We were really excited for the supercharger station; we thought it would bring good business to the area, but it has caused insane gridlock from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. The gridlock is insane. I can imagine that if there’s an emergency or something, an ambulance would literally not be able to get to us, and that’s extremely concerning for me because my parents are elderly.”
Kody thinks Tesla should obtain or rent another lot nearby to allow those waiting to charge to sit peacefully without clogging up the roads.
At the moment, Tesla hasn’t announced any changes in response to the pushback. But if this location continues to attract high foot traffic and headlines, it may need to rethink how it handles both the business and its neighbors.
