Where Tahoe's Beauty Finds Expression in Exquisite Craftsmanship
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If you are looking for fun, Paul Reder is your man. A longtime local who has helped make Tahoe all that it is, Paul is a monumental force for good times. It is a true statement for many people in the Lake Tahoe area that Paul is a local celebrity who has a habit of helping dreams come true.
Co-owner of The Loft, a dinner and entertainment establishment in South Lake Tahoe, Paul inspires joy, excitement and a reason to smile for locals and visitors alike. Interested in learning more about this man who helps Tahoe sparkle? Keep reading to learn where he comes from, what excites him and that bucket list item that keeps him inspired.
How long have you lived on Lake Tahoe? I’ve been in Lake Tahoe for 34 years.
Where did you grow up and live before you came here? I'm originally from Los Angeles, California, and went to college at the University of Arkansas before moving to Lake Tahoe in 1988.
What’s your favorite Lake Tahoe town or village? I love the South/East Shore where I live in Zephyr Cove.
Nothing is as important for Paul as the beauty and friendships that surrounds him.
What is your favorite thing about living in Lake Tahoe? First and foremost, the incredible beauty surrounding us. Even after 34 years I still punch myself looking at the landscape. I love the sense of community here at the lake. I feel connected to the people who live and work here.
What’s your favorite season in Tahoe? Summer for sure! I love boating, hiking, dining outdoors and all the recreation that we can do in the summer.
What’s your favorite Lake Tahoe beach access? I’m fortunate enough to live on the beach in Zephyr Cove, so I’d have to say “my house."
Do you have a favorite trail or area to access the mountains? My favorite trail is the hike to Secret Cove from the parking area on Highway 28. The views from that trail are amazing, and the cove itself is breathtaking.
What do you do for fun? I bought a new boat this past summer, so I’ve had a lot of fun with that. I love to Jet Ski, paddleboard, hike and go out with friends.
Describe your perfect day off. My perfect day starts with brunch (I love the Edgewood Bistro on Sunday mornings), followed by a hike to work off those pancakes. In the late morning, I’d jump on the boat or take the Jet Skis to Emerald Bay, followed by dinner/show at The Loft in the Heavenly Village (I'm a little biased).
Do you see more sunsets or sunrises? Sunsets
What’s one thing you wish more Lake Tahoe visitors knew? I wish visitors would know how special the off-season is in Tahoe. Fall and spring are amazing at the lake with a lot of great special events taking place like the Kokanee Salmon Festival, Oktoberfest and, of course, the Magic Fusion show that performs year-round at The Loft. Also, it’s more affordable for lodging.
Paul's nickname is "The Concert Promoter Who Launches Careers" like Arthur Hervey's. He's also known as the man whose vision put the “cool” back in the Lake Tahoe night vibe.
Where do you go on vacation? I love going to Europe every year for my birthday in August. I have friends who live in the Balearic Islands in Spain and visit them, plus new countries and cities each time I go.
For a celebratory dinner, would you rather order take-out, go out to eat or cook something at home? I love going out to eat in Lake Tahoe. There are so many amazing restaurants and talented chefs.
Paul enjoying Santorini, Greece.
What’s your favorite meal of the day, and where in Lake Tahoe would you get it? My favorite meal of the day is lunch. One of my favorite lakefront lunch spots is Sunnyside Lodge in Homewood.
What’s your favorite thing about your job? I love working with the artists and meeting the teams that work with them. Because we produce shows across all genres of music and theatre, the diversity of my work never gets boring.
Do you have any side hustles? We started a side hustle during COVID by creating a record label, Bass Camp Music, that has signed several up-and-coming and already established music producers. It's been a lot of fun working with artists on their tracks and releasing them.
What’s the first thing you did when COVID was over? The first thing we did after lockdown was over was start producing live concerts again. This past summer, that included The Bluegrass & Beyond Festival with Phil Lesh & Friends, the 5th Annual Lake Tahoe Reggae Festival and the 5th Annual Bass Camp Festival, all at the Hard Rock Lake Tahoe.
What’s one item on your bucket list? I want to hike and spend time in Machu Picchu.
After visiting Paul at The Loft and enjoying dinner and entertainment, be sure to check out other events happening around the lake. Learn more at our Daytime and Nightlife pages.
Photos courtesy of Paul Reder
About the Author Shanie Matthews
A longtime Lake Tahoe local, Shanie is a freelance writer, Vinyasa Flow yoga teacher and positivity warrior. A true lover of the the gorgeous Tahoe region, she connects with the serenity of the mountains via skiing, biking and backpacking. She also believes in the gift of yoga and its way of allowing one to become his or her true best self, a passion she shares with the world with her online yoga studio.
