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As Los Angeles finds its way out of the pandemic and restrictions gradually ease, we’re continuing our bi-weekly round-ups of fun to-dos, mixing in the occasional online/virtual event with an ever-growing listen of in-person experiences.
This weekend, from July 23 to July 25, features proof of vax bars, Night Dive at the Aquarium, a Nina Simone Tribute at The Bowl, Sunday Sessions in Grand Park, Picnic on the Plaza in Little Tokyo, and more!
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Friday / All Weekend
1. Night Dive -> The Aquarium of the Pacific’s adults-only, after-hours event, Night Dive, returns this Friday featuring an array of art, DJs, live music, cocktails and food trucks. Tickets are $24.95. Must be 18+ to attend. More info here.
2. Proof of Vax Bars -> With local COVID-19 case counts rising and concern over the Delta Variant mounting, a growing number of L.A. County bars are now requiring proof of vaccination in order to gain entry. L.A. Taco’s Lexis-Olivier Ray has tracked a list of 17 bars now requiring proof of vaccination, including The Short Stop, Footsie’s, Blind Barber, Akbar, The Lash, Melody Lounge, Bar Sinister, and others. If a vaccination-required bar is high on your list of social hangouts, you can peep the full list here.
3. DiscOasis -> Lights, disco, live performances, and food trucks, all presented in a lush, late-afternoon garden setting. That’s the premise behind DiscoOasis, a new timed experience kicking off at the South Coast Botanic Garden this Friday, and continuing through Sep. 6. Tickets start at $39 per person. Get more info and buy tickets here.
4. Fourth Fridays at The Broad -> Every fourth Friday at the Broad throughout the summer The Broad offers extended evenings hours (from 5 to 8 p.m.) plus live on-site entertainment. This Friday DJs Andrew Ableson and Javi En Rose will be spinning at the East West Bank Plaza (open to the public) while free, advanced reservations must be made in order to access the museum galleries. More info here.
5. Alesso: Together Again Concert -> Swedish DJ Alesso brings his sounds to Skylight at ROW DTLA for two nights of performances, this Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $45. More info here.
6. Shook! -> The pride horror experience by Murder House Productions returns for a limited run of its interactive haunt walkthrough where the universes of The Babadook, Sleepaway Camp and Carrie collide for a frighteningly good time. Tickets cost $25 per person. Happening Thursday through Sunday.
7. Summer Music Strolls -> This Friday Descanso Gardens invites guests to enjoy the sounds of live music as they stroll through different botanical areas of the gardens at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.. Tickets are $15 for non-members. Get more info here.
8. Chocolate & Art Show -> The Chocolate & Art Show Los Angeles returns to The Vortex Theatre this Friday and Saturday for back-to-back- evenings of live body painting, vendors, live music, face-painting, and yes, chocolate. Tickets are $20. More info here.
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9. The Groundings -> This Friday, for the first time in 16 months, The Groundlings Main Company returns to their Melrose venue with a brand new in-person improv show, Groundlings Lights Up! Tickets are $20. Mask and proof of vaccination required to attend. More info here.
10. Grand Performances: La Tigresa and Briseyda Zárate > This Friday’s edition of Grand Performances at California Plaza features Flamenco dancers La Tigresa and Briseyda Zárate performing an ensemble interpretation of traditional and modern flamenco. Catch DJ Ethos on the turntables. Free. Outdoors. 6 to 9 p.m. More info here.
11. NHM Extended Hours -> Every Friday now through Aug. 6, Natural History Museum will offer extended Friday hours (from 5 to 8 p.m.) that feature a live DJ in the Nature Gardens along with do-it-yourself family activities and food for purchase from the NHM grill. Admission is $15 for adults and $7 for children. More details here.
12. The Huntington -> Enjoy the gardens during twilight hours Fridays through Sundays when The Huntington hosts Summer Evening Strolls from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. June through August. Advance tickets ($20 per adult) are required.
13. Cinelounge Sunset -> Boutique art house theatre Cinelounge in Hollywood is open for indoor and outdoor movie screenings. Films weekend includes a Cat Video Festival, The Big Boss, Pig and Old.
14. The OC Fair -> After a 2020 cancellation due to the pandemic, this year’s OC Fair returns on July 16 and runs Wednesdays to Sundays through August 15. Tickets are $12 weekday general admission (Wednesday, Thursday) and $14 for weekend general admission. General parking is $10. Get more info and purchase tickets here.
15. Grand Park’s Portraits of Freedom: Building a Life in L.A. -> Now through the end of the month, Grand Park in DTLA hosts a month-long public art installation examining the themes of home and freedom, with publicly viewable photography, video exhibitions, and a special nighttime projection installation. Free to the public. More info here.
Saturday
16. Picnic on the Plaza -> As part of Delicious Little Tokyo (July 10-25), diners are invited to order takeout from their favorite local eatery then head over to the plaza at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center for live food demos and DJ-spun music. Activities run from noon to 4 p.m. More info here.
17. Ledisi at the Bowl -> Grammy®-winning R&B artist Ledisi pays tribute to Nina Simone this Saturday with a special performance of Simone’s songs at the Hollywood Bowl. Tickets available starting at $19. Get more info here.
18. Secret Movie Club -> SCM is back at the Million Dollar Theatre this Saturday presenting a pair of films: A matinee screening of Once Upon a Time in the West followed up by an evening showing of the 1962 François Truffaut film, Jules and Jim. Tickets start at $16. More info here.
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19. San Gabriel Flea Market-> Vintage vendors and local makers will be part of an outdoor market hosted at the parking lot of the San Gabriel Mission. Free admission. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. More info here.
Sunday
20. Grand Park’s Sunday Sessions -> This Sunday Grand Park The four-hour free dance party honors House music with LA’s best DJs. Industry influencers Astronomar and Bot headline in a back-to-back set along with Ocean Roulette, Etari and Chloé Soleta. Free and open to the public. 3 to 7 p.m. More info here.
21. All-American Cruise In -> This Sunday The Petersen Automotive Museum hosts its annual Bruce Meyer’s All-American Cruise-In, featuring a special discussion panel with hot rodding legends plus rows of stunning classic rides on display. Vehicle submission packages start at $35, and spectator entry is $25, which includes museum admission.
22. Cars and Coffee -> Automotive and photography enthusiasts with gather at the Merry Go Round in Griffith Park this Sunday morning at 7 a.m. for a special meet-and-greet organized by Cars and Coffee LA. Free to attend. Family friendly. More info here.
23. Playa Vista Street Fair -> This Sunday, Runway Playa Vista is hosting an all-day outdoor marketing featuring over 80 vendors, photo ops, free drinks, crafts and DIY stations, and a kids play area. Entry is free. More info here.
24. Sunday Concert in The Valley -> The Valley Cultural Foundation is hosting free, family-friendly concerts every Sunday through Sep 5. This Sunday the series welcomes the Surf City All-Stars to Warner Park. No ticket required, but advanced paid parking and VIP packages available. More info here.
25. Japanese Shaved Ice at Smorgasburg LA -> This Sunday stop by the Wanderlust Creamery booth in Ice Cream Alley for a taste of Kakigori, a Japanese shaved ice specialty in collaboration with local culinary pop-up Create Japan. Kakigori is made up of several flavors and textures layered on top of one another. Flavors for the one day pop-up include melon and Hojicha (roasted green tea.)
Dining
26. Lasita Reopens -> Filipino rotisserie and natural wine spot Lasita in Chinatown re-opens today (July 22) with a colorful remodel inspired by the Philippine sunset. With the new look comes a few new bar bites to start the meal of right. For now the restaurant operates on a walk-in basis only from Thursday through Saturday from 5-10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
27. Blitzen’s “Christmas in July” -> The annual not-really-a-holiday themed pop-up bar has returned to Here and Now in Downtown Los Angeles with epic holiday cocktails, appearances from Santa, live carolers and tons of winter wonderland aesthetics. Happening now through August 1.
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28. The Waterfront -> Venice Beach’s 23-year-old restaurant On the Waterfront got an update back in 2018 as The Waterfront. The popular oversized Bavarian pretzels from the original menu still remains on the menu today and throughout the month of August The Waterfront will be donating all profits from pretzel sales to A Safe Place for Youth, a Venice Beach-based charity serving homeless youth.
29. In Good Company Meal Drop -> Chef-prepared meal delivery service In Good Company returns to L.A. with a third drop and reservations are online now until Sunday. CEO and Founder Ashleigh Ferran has tapped 10 of the city’s finest to create exclusive frozen meal kits. Highlights include A’s BBQ’s East Los Soul BBQ Box, Petite Peso’s Braised Beef Mechado and Knead & Co. Green Goddess Mac & Cheese. Prices range from $25-$35 for a meal that feeds two. As a sustainable and zero waste-focused company, all In Good Company kits are delivered in reusable containers that will be picked up by the company in the future.
30. Brunch at E.P. -> Brunch is back at E.P. in West Hollywood this Sunday. On the menu are classic brunch items with a unique twist like Oysters with Bloody Mary Mignonette, Smoked Salmon Tartine, and Breakfast Burrito stuffed with tater tots.
31. Brunch at Bar Bohémien -> Enjoy summer brunch parties at Bar Bohémien every Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. Located on the top floor of Citizen Public Market in Culver City guests of Bar Bohémien will enjoy live DJ sets, craft cocktails, and food from market vendors all on the bars rooftop with sweeping views of the city.
Any notes or corrections? Want to suggest an event we should add to an upcoming list? Hit us up at [email protected].
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