Author: Rodeo Realty Media Team

Posted on

Weekend Events: August 3 – 5

Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome. Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).

This weekend, from Friday, August 3 to Sunday, August 5, features Sparrow Mart, The Emoji Art Show, Free Happy Hour at the Viceroy, Stronger | Weekend, The Mayan Warrior art car experience at Grand Park, CatCon, Beach Goth, TASTE OF ECUADOR and MUCH more.

Enjoy your weekend!

Friday August 3rd, 2018

1. British artist Lucy Sparrow has transformed the second floor of the Standard in DTLA into Sparrow Mart a supermarket art wonderland fill with over 31,000 adorable felt-covered food replicas all for sale. Part art installation, store and loads of photo worthy moments, Sparrow Mart is free to attend on a first come first serve basis. FREE 

2. Jackalope Arts is bringing a new night market to Pasadena on August 3-4 featuring a massive assortment of artisan vendors, free sunset yoga classes, acoustic music, DIY activities, and local food and drink, including a beer garden to sit back and enjoy the summer evenings. Happening at Old Pasadena’s Central Park. FREE

3. There’s a multi-sensory art party revolving around emojis coming to Los Angeles for one night. The Emoji Art Show, at DTLA’s Inner Space, will feature over 30 emerging local artists, live art, body painting, performances, DJ tunes, a full bar with food and emoji desserts.

4. Enjoy a vintage-style summer evening watching a drive-in movie during San Fernando Valley Summer Drive-In Movie Nights at the Lake Balboa Complex. Each evening will offer food trucks, a 26-player arcade game truck, laser tag, silent disco headphone party and family board games all included in your ticket price. Kicking off the weekend is a screening of Fast Times at Ridgemont High on Friday followed by Back to the Future Part II on Saturday. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

5. Viceroy Santa Monica is hosting a “Vice Hour” happy hour this Friday to celebrate their new chef, Sean Piccarreto and the Angelenos are invited to come in for complimentary drinks and eats poolside with summer music vibes provided by TSR Airlines’ Dan and Lindsay Mancini.

6. American Cinematheque and LACMA present 3-D Double Vision a 3-D movie screening seriesfeaturing Amityville, Friday The 13th, Spacehunter: Adventures In The Forbidden Zone, The Meg and more.

7. The Music Center’s annual Dance DTLA series is back for 2018 with a series of Friday-night events at Grand Park. This week features DJ Nights an evening dedicated to curated music, dancing, and more from 9 p.m. to midnight. FREE

8. Brew at the L.A. Zoo features beer sampling from 40+ local craft and microbreweries, live music, pop-up zookeeper talks, animal discovery stations and more. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

9. Back for the 15th year in a row, The Independent Shakespeare Co. presents Shakespeare in the Park at the Old Zoo in Griffith Park with free performances of Titus Andronicus on Friday and A Midsummer Night’s Dream Saturday through SUnday. FREE

10. The Hammer will host a Yappy Hour at 6 p.m. this Friday. Meet adorable adoptable dogs over a drink in the Hammer’s courtyard explore the museums current exhibition Made in L.A. The Hammer kindly ask you to leave your own dog at home for this event.

11. The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum will host Late Night Fridays where guests can enjoy free general admission from 5 to 8 p.m. and gain access to special activities, 3D movies, behind-the-scenes tours, live excavations, and more. FREE

12. WP24 by Wolfgang Puck’s Summer Supper + Show returns every Friday and Saturday, July through August, with a Asian-inspired dinner at WP24 by Wolfgang Puck followed by a movie screening on the private 26th floor hotel rooftop. This weekend they’ll screen Moonrise Kingdom.

13. The Griffith Observatory hosts a monthly forum where some of the most amazing phenomena in the known universe are explained and discussed. It’s called All Space Considered and it takes place on the first Friday of every month. FREE

14. Rodeo Drive’s BOLD Summer is set to bring an energizing spin to Beverly Hills’ Golden Triangle this August. Come enjoy a block party with live entertainment, special restaurant offers, and more. BOLD happens every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from August 2-25. FREE

15. The Roadium in Torrance presents Classic Drive-in Movies every Friday night in August and the first Friday of September. Each family-friendly event features classic films projected on the screen tower. Kicking off the series is a screening of The Goonies.

16. See Hershey Felder as Beethoven at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. The one-man shows will depict the iconic composer’s story through music and monologue. Hershey Felder: Beethoven will run from July 26 to August 19. Hershey Felder: Beethoven will run from July 26 to August 19. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

17. Are you a Chase bank customer? Got a freebie you might want to know about. Coolhaus is teaming with the Forum and Chase to hand out free ice cream sandwiches to Chase customers on Fridays all summer long. Locations will change every Friday, and the offer is ice cream sandwich per cardholder. Get more info here.

18. Barnsdall Fridays returns to Barnsdall Art Park for the tenth year in a row, with evening tastings of boutique wines and music from KCRW DJs perched atop a hill with incredible city views.

19. For over 30 years, Grand Performances has offered a variety of performance events at California Plaza, for free. Their 2018 summer series runs June 1 through August 18. This Friday “When Moons Become Stars” a panel discussion featuring five indigenous ballerinas—Maria and Marjorie Tallchief, Rosella Hightower, Yvonee Chouteau, Mocelyne Larkin—and moderated by Bonnie Oda Homsey. FREE

20. Shakespeare By The Sea will once again offer a ten-week program of admission-free performances. The series continues with performances of The Winter’s Tale on Friday and The Merry Wives of Windsor Saturday through Sunday all at three different locations. FREE

21. Rooftop Cinema Club returns to the rooftops of LEVEL in DTLA and NeueHouse in Hollywood with multiple screenings this week that include Black Panther, A Quiet Place, La La Land and more.

22. The Summer Playwrights Festival will show 30 plays in eight days from July 29 through Sunday August 5 at the Road on Lankershim in the Historic Lankershim Arts Center in North Hollywood.

23. Outdoor theater Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, located in Topanga Canyon summer 2018 season begins on June 2 with a performance of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

24. The City of Monterey Park presents Summer Movies in the Park a family friendly event with free popcorn taking place in different parks in the neighborhood. This month the series concludes with CoCo at Barnes Park Amphitheater . FREE

25. Beyond the Streets is a fully immersive exhibition of street and graffiti art comprised of over 30 artist in a massive 40,000+ square feet exhibits. Artist are an eclectic mix of street and beyond including Retna, Shepard Fairey, Kenny Scharf Dennis Hopper and Jenny Holzer. This Friday is “Free Kids Friday” with a purchase of an adult ticket. Also, check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

26. Since its the first Friday of the month check out all the cool events happening around town including block parties and art walks for First Fridays.

27. Free museum days: Norton Simon Museum (5 to 8 p.m.) and Pasadena Museum of California Art (noon to 5 p.m.)

Saturday August 4th, 2018

28. To celebrate LiveStrong.Com turning 10 years old, the entire team is holding a day of workouts and wellness this Saturday on the field of the Rose Bowl. Stronger | Weekend will feature celebrity trainers leading the day with workout classes, wellness insights, a marketplace, art installations, DJ tunes, and much more. You can even be a part of history, as Stronger | Weekend will include an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for Most People Holding an Abdominal Plank! Use the promo code LOSANGELES10 for $10 tickets to the event!

29. Celebrate Los Angeles’ unique celestial beauty when the National Park Service’s Night Sky Festivalreturns to Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills this Saturday. The free event will allow guests to observe the planets of our Milky Way Galaxy through telescopes, listen to Native American night sky stories, and enjoy kids’ activities, including the opportunity to become a Junior Ranger. FREE

30. KCRW’s Summer Nights for the first time will be held at the new KCRW headquarters this Saturday. The Backyard Party will have 18 piece band The Midnight Hour, Ali Shaheed Muhammed, Adrian Younge, KCRW DJs Garth Trinidad and Travis Holcombe performing. A selection of food trucks curated by KCRW’s Evan Kleiman will also be available, along with record collectors and dealers hand-selected by Beats Swap Meet. FREE

31. CatCon is back August 4-5! The ultimate feline convention where pop and cat culture converge will have two days of cat merchandise from 150 vendors, DIY workshops, cat-world celebrities, adoptions and more. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

32. Head over to Boyle Heights for the 1st Annual Beer Fest, celebrating the best of locally crafted beers. Food vendors and live entertainment will be available, while guests will sip on beers from the likes of Brewyard, Iron Triangle, Indie, Old Stump, and plenty more. According to Eventbrite this event has been delayed until October. Apologies for any confusion!

33. One of Burning Man’s most iconic art cars The Mayan Warrior will stop at Grand Park in DTLA August 4-5. The immersive light and sound experience is a ticketed event. All proceeds go towards funding the art car’s journey from Mexico City to Burning Man in August and Create Now, an organization fostering arts and education for youth’s.

34. Pop Saturdays, a free summer series taking place at Marina del Rey’s Burton Chace Park returns this week with a performance by Cat Power. FREE

35. Eat|See|Hear returns for 2018 with a screening of Groundhog Day at Centennial Square at Pasadena City Hall. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

36. The Actors’ Gang will once gain bring back Free Shakespeare in the Park for Families with a production of Much Ado About Avengers an original play inspired by William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” and the characters of Marvel’s Avengers. Taking place at Media Park in Culver City, the 45 minute, all‐ages production will run every Saturday and Sunday this month through August 26. FREE

37. If you’re a brunch enthusiast, you’ll want to head over to the Brunch Life Festival in Long Beach this Saturday. The inaugural event brings together restaurants in Orange County, Long Beach and Los Angeles for brunch tastings, mimosas, bloody marys, live entertainment, outdoor games, photo booths, and more. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

38. Flypoet is bringing its Summer Classic to the newly renovated Ford Theatre for another year of the most highly sought-after spoken word poets in the country. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

39. Heritage Square Museum in Montecito Heights is hosting a screening of L.A. Confidential this Saturday.

40. HARD Summer Music Festival is returning to the Fontana Speedway with a jam-packed EDM lineup on August 4-5 featuring Marshmellow, Travis Scott, Diplo, Virgil Abloh, Yellow Mustard, Flosstradamus, Rick Ross, Jaden Smith and much more.

41. Street Food Cinema returns this weekend with a screening of The Mask at Victory Park in Pasadena and Mama Mia at Poinsettia Rec Park in West Hollywood. Select screenings are discounted via Goldstar. DISCOUNTED

42. The Hollywood Beer and Music Festival is coming to the Hollywood Event Lot featuring 60+ local and regional craft beers, live entertainment and eight food trucks. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

43. Enjoy a summer movie night at Warner Ranch Park in Woodland Hills when Movies on the Greenwith a screening of Grease. FREE 

Sunday August 5th, 2018

44. Local L.A. band The Growlers presents the Beach Goth music festival at Los Angeles State Historic Park. Headliners include The Voidz, Doug E. Fresh, and The Growlers of course, with fan favorite experiences like Death of a Clown Cabaret a Beach Goth Island, which will feature a world of palm trees, dubbed out reggae music in quadraphonic sound, beer and plenty of sandy vibes.

45. Mount Wilson Observatory is offering classical music concerts within the dome of the 100-inch telescope above the observatory. Located in the San Gabriel Mountains above Pasadena, the shows happen once a month from May to October.

46. Bon Iver will take the stage of the Hollywood Bowl this Sunday as part of KCRW’s World Festival. 

47. The 20th Annual TASTE OF ECUADOR Food Festival & Parade comes to Placita Olvera for a full experience of Ecuadorian cuisine and culture featuring crafts, musical groups, folklore customs, a parade and more. FREE

48. Head over to the Regent in DTLA for The Rock and Roll Flea Market. Happening on the first Sunday of every month, this flea market features 50 vendors offering vintage and handmade crafts, memorabilia, instruments, vinyl and more. The space also offer two full bars, a brunch menu, DJ’s all day, and “boozy bingo.” Free to attend.

49. The third annual BrunchCon LA returns to The Reef in Downtown L.A.  with plenty of brunch items, plus an open Mimosa and Bloody Mary bar. In addition to brunching, there will also be photo booths, a Museum of Brunch, dancing, a marketplace, Mimosa Pong, Giant Jenga, corn hole, and more! Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

50. Escape the summer heat during Jazz on the Lawn, a series of free summer concerts at Santa Monica’s Gandara Park every Sunday in August. In addition to live music there will be free dance lessons, food trucks and picnic games. FREE

51. Movie Night at The Wiltern will host a Toy Story matinee screening with themed photo ops, face painting and coloring stations. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

52. The Beverly Hills Farmers Market is hosting a Picklefest, featuring a variety of pickled fruits and vegetables this Sunday. Event is free to attend!

53. Check out LACMA’s latest exhibition, 3D: Double Vision an interactive exhibit that explores the art and illusion of 3D.

54. E.P. & L.P. in West Hollywood continues their stylish cinema series Melrose Rooftop Theatre with a screening of How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days.

55. Sunday August 5 is National Oyster Day! Herringbone in Santa Monica will be offering $1 oysters all day long (limit two dozen per table) and Ivory on Sunset will be offering $1 oysters all day in honor of the day.

56. Celebrate summer in the SGV during Movies in the Park, a free outdoor film series screening at Alhambra Park. This weekend they’ll screen Lego Ninjago. FREE

Schedule provided by We Like LA.

Posted on

Cool Things to do This August in LA

Need stuff to do this month in Los Angeles? We looked ahead on our calendar to focus in on some of the best events happening in August around Los Angeles that you should probably have on your radar. After all, better to get your tickets now than wait till the last minute and find out your favorite event is sold out.

August 2018 event highlights include Jackalope Summer Nights, CatCon, the L.A. Taco Festival, Harry Potter Roller Skating Night, Echo Park Rising, KCON, the start of the L.A. County Fair, and much more.

Enjoy!

1. BOLD Summer Nights Kickoff Block Party on Rodeo Drive (August 2)

Head to the kickoff event of Beverly Hill’s BOLD Summer Nights, which will feature fireworks, art installations, food offers, shopping, and plenty more. If you miss opening night, you can still attend BOLD Summer Nights every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from August 2-25. -> More information

2. Jackalope Summer Nights in Pasadena (August 3-4)

Head over to Central Park in Old Pasadena for Jackalope Arts’ new night market, featuring food, drink, music, and over 200 artisan vendors. -> More information

3. Classic Drive-In Movies at the Roadium (starts August 3)

Enjoy classic films under the stars and with loved ones at The Roadium’s drive-in movie theatre every Friday this August and the first Friday of September. -> More information

4. The Emoji Art Show in DTLA (August 3)

The Emoji Art Show is coming to Los Angeles, featuring a night of performances, live art, body paintings, desserts, and more, all based around emojis! -> More information

5. Brew at the L.A. Zoo 2018 (August 3)

Brew at the L.A. Zoo celebrates its annual brewfest with music, pop-up zookeeper talks, and animal discovery stations, plus craft suds from 40+ breweries. T -> More information

6.  Stronger | Weekend: A LiveStrong.Com Event at The Rose Bowl (August 4)

Stronger | Weekend will feature celebrity trainers Jillian Michaels, Anna Victoria, Cassey Ho, and more leading the day with a yoga class, a mat pilates class, insights on eating healthy and exercise habits, and much more. Plus, join in on a group plan to break a Guinness World Record. Be sure use the promo code LOSANGELES10 for special $10 tickets to the event! -> More information

7. Brunch Life Festival in Long Beach (August 4)

Come to the first-ever Brunch Life Fest, where a variety of brunch tastings, mixed drinks, games, and music will take over Long Beach’s Rainbow Lagoon Park. -> More information – Discount tickets

8. 1st Annual Boyle Heights Beer Fest (August 4)

Sip on beer from dozens of locally crafted brews and help support charities like OLTE during the 1st Annual Boyle Heights Beer Fest. -> More information

9. Night Sky Festival Returns to Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills (August 4)

9. CatCon 2018 at the Pasadena Convention Center (August 4-5)

Pop and cat culture will converge at CatCon for two-days of cat-centric showcases including merchandising, cat world celebrities and cat adoptions -> More information – Discount tickets

10. Night Sky Festival Returns to Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills (August 4)

National Park Service’s Night Sky Festival returns to Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills on August 4 with kids activities, telescope viewings and more. -> More information

11. KCRW Presents Summer Nights’ Backyard Party (August 4, 11, & 18)

KCRW’s wildly popular Summer Nights series is back, and for the first time ever is being held at the station’s new headquarters, located at Santa Monica College’s Center for Media Design. The three-concert series will feature The Midnight Hour (the new project from Ali Shaheed Muhammad) and composer Adrian Younge performing with an 18-piece orchestra on August 4, a solo acoustic performance from Jim James on August 11, and a DJ set by Henry Rollins on August 18. -> More information

12. BrunchCon LA at The Reef in DTLA (August 5)

The third annual BrunchCon LA returns to The Reef in Downtown L.A. on August 5 for the highly acclaimed food and drink festival that’s all about your favorite morning ritual… brunch! -> More information – Discount tickets

13. Dog Days of Summer at Hammer Museum (starts August 7)

Celebrate canines during Dog Days of Summer at the Hammer Museum. Adopt a dog at Yappy Hour or enjoy a film screening like Old Yeller, Best in Show, or Isle of Dogs. -> More information

14. KCON LA 2018 in DTLA (August 10-12)

The world’s largest Korean culture convention stops in Los Angeles from August 10 to 12 for KCON, a celebration of music, workshops, meet-and-greets, and more. -> More information

15. ‘Frida Kahlo Under the Stars’ at LA Plaza de Culturas y Artes (August 11)

Frida Kahlo Under the Stars with Gregorio Luke comes to LA Plaza de Culturas y Artes on Saturday, August 11 for an evening dedicated to this iconic artist. -> More information

16. Angel City Brewery’s 6th Annual Avocado Fest (August 11-12)

Angel City Brewery’s 6th Annual Avocado Festival takes place August 11-12, celebrating the state fruit with music, food, and limited release Avocado Ale. -> More information

17. Echo Park Rising 2018 (August 16-19)

Echo Park Rising celebrates the creativity, diversity, music and businesses of Echo Park with a four-day celebration featuring food, drink, and live music. -> More information

18. STRETCH at OUE Skyspace LA (August 17)

STRETCH is a spandex-themed  dance party that doubles as a cheeky homage to an 80’s workout video. The event features two indoor floors plus two outdoor decks, all taking place 1,000 above the ground at OUE Skyspace LA.  -> More information

19. Long Beach BBQ Festival at Rainbow Lagoon Park (August 17-19)

Pitmasters at Rainbow Lagoon Park will cook a variety of meats, while guests enjoy live music and fun activities. -> More information

20. The 2018 L.A. Taco Festival in Grand Park (August 18)

The 2018 L.A. Taco Festival features an eclectic array of traditional and trending tacos, all from local L.A. spots. Admission is free (pay for tacos as you go). -> More information

21. Rum Tiki Social & Tiki Swapmeet (August 19)

Head down to Roxanne’s Cocktail Lounge in Long Beach for a Tiki Swapmeet and social featuring live tiki bands and DJs, games, and selected tiki vendors from across SoCal. -> More information

22. The Labyrinth Masquerade Ball XXI in Downtown L.A. (August 24-25)

Get ready for a unique experience at the Labyrinth Masquerade Ball at the Millennium Biltmore in DLTA. This a unique experience features extravagant costumes, artists and performances. -> More information

23. 2018 DTLA Proud Festival Pershing Square (August 25-26)

The DTLA Proud Festival begins at noon each day and will feature live music, food trucks, local artists, a pop-up water park and much more! -> More information

24. Brick Fest Live: Lego Fan Experience in Pasadena (August 25-26)

Brick Fest Live, the Lego Fan Experience, is coming to the Pasadena Convention Center for two days of insane builds, hands-on activities, and sets to buy. -> More information

25. ScareLA 2018: Halloween in Summer (August 25-26)

Celebrate Halloween in the summer with ScareLA, the city’s only convention with interactive experiences, industry professionals, roaming monsters and more. -> More information – Discount tickets

26. Leimert Park Village Book Fair at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw (August 25)

The Leimert Park Village Book Fair comes to Baldwin Hills Crenshaw on August 25 for an all-day literary extravaganza. -> More information

27. The 13th Annual Venice Beach Music & Arts Festival (August 25)

The free Venice Beach Music & Arts Festival features world-class music, and dance entertainment, as well as food trucks, murals, book signings and more. -> More information

28. Muse ’til Midnight — LACMA in 3D (August 25)

Muse ’til Midnight at LACMA is the ultimate late-night party. 2018’s edition is a celebration of 3D art, inspired by LACMA’s new exhibit, 3D: Double Vision. Enjoy music curated by DUBLAB, access to five galleries and more. -> More information

29. 7th Annual Harry Potter Roller Skating Night (August 25)

This August Harry Potter Roller Skating Night returns to Moonlight Rollerway for a 7th and final edition. -> More information

30. Cinecon Classic Film Festival at Hollywood’s Egyptian Theatre (August 30 to September 3)

Cinecon 54 returns to the Egyptian Theater with a 5-day festival full of classic film screenings, celebrity appearances, panels, a memoribilia show, and more. -> More information

31. L.A. Times The Taste at Paramount Studios (August 31 to September 2)

Hosted at the iconic Paramount Studios from August 31-September 2, Taste LA will feature tastings alongside demos, pop-ups and chef experiences. -> More information

32. L.A. County Fair (starts August 31)

The L.A. County Fair returns to Pomona for a enormous assortment of activities, musical performances, food and beverage offerings, and more. The fair runs through September 23. -> More information – Discount tickets

Article courtesy of We Like LA.

Posted on

Schedule Of Free Museum Days In Los Angeles For August

The intent of this “cheat-sheet” is to denote specific free days in any given month where Los Angeles museums that normally charge an admission waive their entry fees (not including parking). For this post we’re detailing August, 2018.

Remember if you can’t make it to one of the free days listed below there are over two dozen museums in and around Los Angeles that offer free admission ALL the time which are not listed here.

And as for the rest of the freebies listed below… enjoy!

[AUGUST 2] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 2] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 2] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[AUGUST 2] Huntington Library (note that you have to reserve passes for the free day in advance, and it books up fast. For this reason we’d suggest you take a look at the free day for September and start planning when you need to be online to grab the tix)

[AUGUST 2] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 3] Norton Simon Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 3] Pasadena Museum of California Art (noon to 5 p.m.)

[AUGUST 3] Free late-nights at La Brea Tar Pits Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 5] Museum of Latin American Art

[AUGUST 5 ] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[AUGUST 7] Kidspace Museum (4 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 9] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 9] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 9] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[AUGUST 9] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 9] Santa Monica History Museum

[AUGUST 10] Free late-nights at La Brea Tar Pits Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 12] Museum of Latin American Art

[AUGUST 12] ] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[AUGUST 14] Los Angeles County Museum of Art (also free for L.A. County residents with valid I.D. after 3:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays all month long)

[AUGUST 14] Autry Museum of the American West

[AUGUST 16 Pasadena Museum of California Art (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 16] Japanese American National Museum (all day)

[AUGUST 16] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 16] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[AUGUST 16] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 17] Free late-nights at La Brea Tar Pits Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 19] Museum of Latin American Art

[AUGUST 19] ] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[AUGUST 21] Los Angeles County Arboretum (note: the tram doesn’t run on this day)

[AUGUST 21] South Coast Botanic Garden

[AUGUST 21] Descanso Gardens

[AUGUST 23] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 23] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 23] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[AUGUST 23] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 23] Museum of Latin American Art (5 to 9 p.m.)

[AUGUST 24] Free late-nights at La Brea Tar Pits Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 26] Museum of Latin American Art

[AUGUST 26] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[AUGUST 30] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 30] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 30] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[AUGUST 30] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[AUGUST 31] Free late-nights at La Brea Tar Pits Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

As a reminder, it’s ALWAYS good to verify the status of free days before you visit, so be sure to check the official museum websites to verify visiting hours, parking costs, and any other pertinent details. Keep in mind free admission days may not include specially ticketed exhibitions. 

Schedule provided by We Like LA.

Posted on

How To Enjoy A Day In Santa Monica Without A Car

Sometimes it’s nice not having car. Sometimes what you really want is to be in a place where you don’t need a car. Santa Monica can be such a place, especially if you’re a visitor just trying to make a day of it.

This beachside city offers a world of opportunities, attractions, and landmarks all concentrated in a central downtown area, and/or easily accessible via public transit. Shopping, art, food, and entertainment are available virtually everywhere you look. But where to start?

Let’s imagine you’ve just arrived at the Downtown Santa Monica Metro station. Or maybe you’re staying at a nearby hotel for work or pleasure. It’s 11 a.m. and you’re now standing at the corner of 4th and Colorado with an open day you aim to fill with adventure.

Where might you go? What might you do? How will you get there? Let us offer you a few starting points below.

Photo by Christina Champlin / We Like L.A.

Getting Around Santa Monica

The great news is that public transit in Downtown Santa Monica is in no short supply. As a primer, we wanted to just go over a couple of local transit options so there’s no confusion if we make references later on.

Metro (L.A.’s light rail system) has an east-west route called the Expo Line that originates at the 7th Street station in Downtown Los Angeles and ends at the Downtown Santa Monica Station. If you’re coming into the city from an outside area and want to avoid the traffic, this is a terrific entry point. One-way rides on Metro are $1.75 and you can purchase a day-pass for $7. For more detail we suggest checking out their fare sheet and trip planner.

The Big Blue Bus is Santa Monica’s municipal bus line, which offers a dense grid of service routes criss-crossing the DTSM area. Individual rides are $1.25 if you pay cash. For more info check out the BBB fare sheet and Routes & Schedules page.

In addition to the city-run public transit options, you might use ridesharing services (like Uber and Lyft), or bike and scooter rentals (like the ubiquitous Bird scooters). Any or all of these can be handy in a pinch depending on where you need to go, and how fast you need to get there.

Things to Do and See in Santa Monica if You’re Car Free

Pacific Park and the Santa Monica Pier

Walk west on Colorado from the Expo station and in just a few short blocks you’ll arrive at the world famous Santa Monica Pier. Chief among the Pier’s many attractions is Pacific Park, L.A. County’s only admission-free amusement park (and the only amusement park located on a pier on the west coast!). A visit to Pacific Park includes everything you’d want in an authentic California experience: games, twelve different rides, cotton candy, ice cream, an ocean-air food court, and tons of family fun. Rides and attractions are priced individually and range in price from $5 to $10, or you could buy an unlimited ride wristband for $32.95 (or grab them online ahead of time for a discounted price) that gives you access to all 12 rides as many times as you’d like.

Additional to-dos along the Pier include Trapeze School New York, Playland Arcade, and the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium (just to name a few). More than anything, you’ll want to take a leisurely walk and enjoy the sights and sounds!

Pacific Park rides

Photo by Christina Champlin / We Like L.A.

Santa Monica State Beach

Santa Monica State Beach stretches over 3.5 miles of Southern California coast line, with the sand space divided in two by the Santa Monica Pier. Just south of the Pier is the Original Muscle Beach (not to be confused with Muscle Beach Venice), and at the far north end you’ll find one of our favorite spots in all of Santa Monica: The Annenberg Community Beach House.

The Annenberg Community Beach House offers all you’d ever want from a private beach club experience, just without the fancy price. In fact, it’s free. So what does free get you? Among the features and amenities are a pool, playground, splash pad, beach courts and fields, beach access, free wi-fi, tables, chairs, and umbrellas. Some free reservations are available online, but mostly it’s first-come, first-serve. A couple things to keep in mind: It’ll draw big crowds on hot days (you could be put on a wait list) and the pool is closed from October to May.

There isn’t a bus stop directly in front of the Beach House on Pacific Coast Highway so if you’re coming from near the pier your options become walk (about 30 minutes), rent a bike to go along the beach path (about 10 minutes), or perhaps, most advisedly, take a rideshare (7 minutes during low traffic times… longer if there’s gridlock on PCH)

Santa Monica State Beach

Photo by Christina Champlin / We Like L.A.

Third Street Promenade

Santa Monica’s most walkable street features four lively blocks of retail shops, restaurants and performers of all sorts. On the southern end you’ll find Santa Monica Place, a traditional outdoor mall sprinkled with luxury boutiques. Dining options around the Promenade are endless, but we have a few suggestions you might look into. Try SUGARFISH for a five star sushi fix or True Food Kitchen for innovative and delicious health conscious eats. Top the evening off with a posh cocktail at Copa d’Oro, a dimly lit bar with speakeasy vibes.

Third Street Promenade is also near a few unique spots worth going off the path for. We Like L.A. recommendations includes live music at Harvelle’s Blues Club located on 4th street (jazz, hip-hop, blues and more every evening since 1931) and M.I.’s Westside Comedy Theater which offers affordable ticketed improv shows and occasional drop-ins by some of the most famous names in comedy (Dave Chappelle, Dana Carvey, Judd Apatow, Zach Galifianakis, Tig Notaro, to name a few).

Bergamot Station

Bergamot is a massive art gallery complex spread over 5 acres of city-owned land multiple buildings that offer more than 60,000 square feet of space. The site is open daily, with most galleries open for view from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays. Two great things about Bergamot: entry is free, and there is an Expo line stop literarily at the doorstep of the facility.

Bergamot Station

Photo by Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

McCabe’s Guitar Shop

McCabe’s Guitar Shop claims to have the “largest collection of stringed things to make music in California,” which would be impressive enough on its own. What’s even cooler is their stripped-down backroom / concert space, which regularly showcases some amazing players and musicians. Any guitar player or hardcore music fan owes themselves a visit if they’re in the area.

The shop is about 2.5 miles from Downtown Santa Monica. You could take the Expo line, depart at Bergamot Station and then walk an extra 15 minutes (0.8 miles). If that’s not in the cards, a rideshare works just as well, and the Big Blue Bus #7 has a stop on Pico Blvd not too far away.

Camera Obscura at the Santa Monica Art Lab

The Camera Obscura Art Lab on Ocean Ave plays host to a number of community classes and workshops throughout the year, but perhaps the most unique feature is a dark room on the second floor that contains a four-foot disk in the middle of the space. Light from outside is projected onto the disk via a mirror from the ceiling and casts an image of what’s happening directly outside the building. It’s kind of like being on the inside of a giant, working camera as you watch what looks like a surveillance footage being beamed in from above. You won’t spend a ton of time here, but the cost (free!) makes it worth a visit. The Camera Obscura mechanism is free to visit on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Camera Obscrura Art Lab

Photo by Christina Champlin / We Like L.A.

Tongva Park

Tongva Park is a beautiful six-acre public space divided into four sections (or hills). The park features gardens, a natural amphitheater, a children’s splash pad, shaded picnic areas, a restroom, and free-wifi. It makes for a perfect morning walk destination, or a lovely spot for an afternoon family outing. You can get there with a short walk southwest from the Downtown Santa Monica Expo Line station.

Downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market

The best Los Angeles chefs know you won’t find fresher produce anywhere in the city than at The Downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market, which you’ll find twice weekly on Arizona Ave near 2nd St. Two version of this market happen weekly: The Wednesday edition (that’s the larger one) runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m, and routinely hosts over 75 different farmers. A smaller affair focused on organic produce runs at the same location (but a couple blocks shorter) on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market makes for a perfect morning stroll filled with plenty of tasty samples to enjoy.

Santa Monica Farmers Market

Santa Monica Farmers Market. Credit: Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

Santa Monica History Museum

If you want to learn about the Santa Monica of yesteryear, the Santa Monica History Museum is the place. The museum features six galleries and a research library. The collections include over six hundred rare photographs, and a permanent exhibit on the city’s history that features authentic artifacts and fabricated environments. Admission is normally $10 per adult, $15 for couples (two adults), and the museum offers a free day every second Thursday of each month. To get there is about a 10-minute walk from the Third Street Promenade at Santa Monica Blvd.

Article by We Like LA.

Posted on

Economic update for the week ending July 28, 2018

Strong second-quarter earnings lifts Dow and S&P, while NASDAQ drops on tech fears –  As second-quarter earnings season has begun, most companies are reporting better-than-expected earnings. Social media companies were an exception. The NASDAQ hit an all-time high on Wednesday, only to fall sharply after Facebook reported earnings below expectations. Facebook stocks dropped 20% on Thursday. Friday, Twitter reported a loss in users with disappointing earnings and a more cautious outlook on growth. Twitter stocks dropped over 20%. These dragged the tech-heavy NASDAQ down and it closed lower for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 25,451.06, up from 25,058.12 last week. It is up 3% year-to-date.  The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,818.82, up from 2,801.31 last week.  It’s up 5.4% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 7,737.42, down from 7,820.20 last week. It’s up 12.1% year-to-date.

Treasury Bond Yields higher this week – The 10-year Treasury bond closed the week yielding 2.96%, up  from 2.89% last week. The 30-year Treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.09%, up  from 3.03% last week. We watch bond rates because mortgage rates follow bond rates.

Mortgage rates unchanged for the week – The July 26, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.54%, almost unchanged from 4.52% last week. The 15-year fixed was 4.02%, almost unchanged from 4.00% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.87%, unchanged from 3.87%  last week. Rates rose at the end of the week. Expect next week’s rates to be slightly higher.

U.S. Gross Domestic grew 4.1% in the second quarter – Highest quarterly reading in four years –  The Commerce Department reported that the Gross Domestic Product rose 4.1% in the second quarter of 2018. That reading was in line with what analysts expected. It was the highest quarterly growth since the third quarter of 2014 when GDP grew 4.9%, and marked a nice rebound from the first three months of this year when the economy grew at a slight 2.2%. Consumer spending grew at an annual rate of 4% in the second quarter, up from a sharp pullback in the first quarter. Business investment grew 5.4%, down from 8% in the first quarter. Exports surged 9.3% in the quarter, as the trade gap narrowed. Experts point to a surge in soybeans and other items that were purchased prior to tariffs going into effect. They warn that there is no way demand for these items increased so sharply, and they were purchased to be held in inventory for later consumption. They feel this will adversely effect next quarter’s results, as advance purchases were made this quarter instead of next quarter. They still feel it was a positive quarter and the economy is very strong. Inflation also moderated as The Commerce Department’s Personal Expenditure  Consumption Price Index grew at an annual rate of just 1.8% in the second quarter, down from 2.2% in the first quarter.

Fewer California existing homes sold in June – Prices continue to increase – The California Association of Realtors reported that existing home sales totaled 410,800 in June on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate. While that was .4% higher than the number of existing home sales in May, it was down 7.3%, year-over-year from June 2017, when the annualized rate was 443.120. That was the largest year over decline in sales in almost four years. The statewide median price was $602,750 in June, up 8.5% from last June’s median price. The median price paid for a condominium or townhome was 7% higher than last June. Statewide Inventory levels rose for the third consecutive month, up 8.1% in June. That was the largest monthly increase since January 2015, when listings increased 11%. The unsold inventory index had a 3 month supply of homes for sale, up from 2.7 months in June 2017. A normal market has a 6 month supply.

New home sales soften in June – The Commerce Department reported that sales of new single-family homes dropped 5.3% in June on a month-over-month basis. New home sales in June totaled 631,000 on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate. That was the lowest rate of new home sales since October 2017.

Have a great weekend!
Posted on

Bar-hopping in West Hollywood: Nine bars to hit in one night

People complain that Los Angeles isn’t conducive to barhopping: Everything is spread out, we don’t have a decent transportation system, the 2 a.m. curfew. With the growing number of awesome bars, it’s getting easier to connect the dots and hop between watering holes — and not just in downtown L.A.

If you want to try something brand new and visit a local icon, the 1.3-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard between Sweetzer and Formosa avenue has plenty of options. They’re all within stumbling distance of each other so no need to Uber between them although we recommend you leave the stilettos at home.

La Fête in West Hollywood. (Photo by Umbrella Los Angeles)

La Fête: Ease into the evening with a light pastis aperitif or a spritz at this new French-inspired cocktail bar, which opened up in the elegant space adjacent to Norah and features a bar program by David Kupchinsky (Eveleigh, Freehand Hotel). If you want to come in hot, there’s a martini service with a sidecar of excess cocktail and olives.
8277 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. www.lafetelosangeles.com

The mezcal bar at Laurel Hardware in West Hollywood. (Photo by EDLT PHOTO)

Laurel Hardware’s Mezcal Bar: Cut through the crowd and duck into the elegant mezcal-dedicated bar in the back, past the kitchen. It’s quieter and more sophisticated with plush seating, wood panels and vintage mirrors. Choose from about a hundred mezcals. If sipping them neat is too hardcore for an extended barhop, try one of the seasonal cocktails made with the spirit.
7984 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. www.laurelhardware.com

Snag a seat at Employees Only in West Hollywood. (Photo by Josh Telles)

Employees Only: The award-winning New York bar from bartender Dushan Zaric now has an L.A. outpost with its own pizza oven, so this would be a good place to grab some sustenance. Snag a seat at the room-length bar and settle in with one of the tall drinks, maybe the Rain Dance Cobbler made with gin, madeira, blackberry syrup, ruby port and fresh berries and herbs.
7953 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. www.employeesonlyla.com

Surly Goat: By now, you’re probably ready for a beer break. Fortunately this craft beer bar by L.A.’s first cicerone, Ryan Sweeney, is in the middle of our route. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the choices that 26 beers on tap presents, ask the “beertender” for guidance. If you want to continue your barhop, stick to low-ABV options such as a 4 percent lager or Berliner Weisse.
7929 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. surlygoat.com

Chill out and sip a frozen margarita at No More Heroes in West Hollywood. (Photo courtesy of No More Heroes)

No More Heroes: The folks behind Ysabel and Laurel Hardware transformed the Now Boarding space into a rock ‘n roll den with artsy murals of everyone from David Bowie to Biggie Smalls. It’s meant to be the chill neighborhood alternative to the velvet rope scene, offering $14 signature drinks as well as a dedicated roster of frozen cocktails. The slushy house margarita is a good bet.
7746 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. nmh.la

Regroup and recover from barhopping palate fatigue with a clean vodka soda at Bar Lubitsch. (Photo courtesy of Bar Lubitsch)

Bar Lubitsch: This Russian-themed vodka bar has staying power, surviving the craft cocktail trend that killed martini bars like Lola’s. (RIP Appletini.) It’s a good spot to regroup and recover from palate fatigue with a clean vodka soda. They offer vodkas from all over the world, everything from A to V (that’d be Armenia to Vietnam). Want to dance? Duck into the Red Room in back to see which band or DJ is playing.
7702 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. barlubitsch.com

Barbette: Time for a steak frites and champagne break! Fortify yourself with protein and carbs in the form of a brasserie favorite. Opened in May, this French bar and bistro features a cocktail menu by bartender Brittney Olsen, who mixes classic and signature sparkling cocktails. Plus, they have a great selection of wines by the glass. If you don’t feel like cutting into a steak, order those addictive fries.
7511 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. www.barbettebarandbistro.com

Harlowe: The night is drawing to an end and so are you. Escape the crowded dance floor at the most beautiful of the 1933 Group’s bar by retreating to Harlowe’s patio lounge. Skip the free-flowing Old Fashioned on tap, a potent way to cut any barhop short, for a refreshing Mule made with lime, stomach-soothing ginger beer and a spirit of your choice.
7321 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. harlowebar.com

Jones in West Hollywood. (Photo courtesy of Jones)

Jones: End the night at the Beggars’ Banquet, a late-night happy hour from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. featuring $4.50 beers and $8.50 cocktails, including their Dirty Sue Martini made with vodka or gin and Dirty Sue olive juice. You can also order a pasta, pizza or salad to help stave off a hangover. Save room for their sizzling apple pie.
7205 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. www.joneshollywood.com

Article courtesy of LAist.

Posted on

Everything You Need To Grill Like A Pro This Summer

No matter how you define a great cookout, the perfect barbecue always has the same three things: meat, fire, and a delicious drink. Even campfire-style cooking can produce an excellent piece of meat, but there’s no reason your barbecuing equipment needs to date back to the Stone Age. So level up your backyard experience with these 12 premium grilling gear must-haves.

SMOKE THERMOMETER

Every home cook who hasn’t died from salmonella has a basic meat thermometer, but step it up with a professional-grade, two-channel temperature reader that lets you gauge not just the heat in your meat, but also the temp of the fire. The fat cap on your brisket will thank you.

A QUALITY SMOKER

While any old charcoal grill might suffice for a few burgers, if you want to start barbecuing for real, go with a durable multi-level smoker like the Smokey Mountain Cooker. A water pan helps keep the meat moist and allows for flavor experimentation, a built-in thermometer is a nice touch (but you’ll also want backup like the one listed above), and the two stacked cooking grates allow for more control over multiple types of meat.

WYATT MCSPADDEN

GRILL GUIDE

If you’ve stood in line for hours outside legendary pitmaster Aaron Franklin’s always-packed Austin restaurant, you know his brisket is as good as it gets. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to recreate his magic, but you might as well aim for glory by taking to heart his elaborate but still easy-to-follow recipes for smoky success in Franklin Barbecue: A Meat Cooking Manifesto. In addition to serving as the official Meat Bible, the manifesto also holds a super-secret recipe for his espresso barbecue sauce (which less-motivated cooks can buy here).

LUXURY TONGS

Barbecueing is about simple pleasures, and while whatever flimsy forks you have lying around the kitchen will do the trick, treat yourself to these wood-handled tongs. They look great, insulate from the heat, and in a pinch they can double as fuel for the fire (Editor’s Note: Don’t do this).

COURTESY OF FEDERALIST WINES

Whether you’re a gas fanatic or a charcoal devotee, nothing takes barbecue from casual to craft like top-notch grilling gear, and nothing says summer like a cookout. That’s why American craft wine The Federalist pairs well with two things: good company and barbecue. Whether it’s their cabernet sauvignon that pairs great with steaks or a zinfandel that tastes perfect with barbecued chicken, The Federalist knows that what’s in your glass is as important as what’s on your plate.

GRILLAHOLICS

GRILL BRUSH

Cleaning up may be the worst part of barbecue, but at least do it right with this stainless steel wire bristle brush.

THE RIGHT RUBS AND SAUCES

If you cooked it correctly, your meat should stand up without the dousing of outside products. But if you still want a little something extra to amplify that marbling, go for a rub. A pitmaster’s rub is a sacred mixture of salt, pepper, and secrets, but barbecue maven Jess Pryles generously shares hers in her online store. To really turn up the taste, try the Amplify, which somehow boosts umami flavors without the addition of MSG. If you’re looking for sauce instead, take cues from the barbecue grand champions from The Shed in Ocean Springs, MS. They offer seven different sauces and marinades, from Mississippi Gold to the Beef Blaster.

YUKON GLORY

GRILLING BASKET

Your grilled meat deserves some grilled veggies to go with it. But without a proper cradle for anything smaller than a t-bone, you can expect a few side dish sacrifices to the flames. So get those greens on the grill in one of these stainless steel baskets.

HEAVY-DUTY COOLER

A successful barbecue depends on a lot of things staying cold during transport. The pros agree nothing performs like a Yeti Tundra cooler, and the Austin-born cooler is known cookout wide as the best in the biz.

LOOFT INDUSTRIES

CHARCOAL LIGHTER

For the lighter-fluid averse and the gadget obsessed, this electric charcoal lighter takes the flame out of starting a fire. Just in case flare-ups are your main concern with charcoal grilling.

CHIMNEY STARTER

Okay, if you’d rather spend money on steaks than a fancy way to light your fires, keep it simple with a chimney starter that will take the headache out of starting your cookout. It won’t rust, it’ll save time, and you can even make a few solid Santa Claus jokes.

BUTCHER PAPER

Part of barbecuing is the spectacle of it all, and if you’re trying to create an atmosphere, follow the footsteps of the country’s best pitmasters and keep it old school by using butcher paper as a plate. It takes the headache out of cleanup, keeps raw meats from making cutting boards unsanitary, and most important, makes you look like you actually know what you’re doing.

Story by Thrillist.

Posted on

Every New Show And Movie Coming To Netflix In August

A new month means a new slew of movies and shows are added to Netflix, though we say farewell to many others. The full list of titles arriving is below, but first, let’s look at the most intriguing programming hitting the streaming service this month. And if you don’t see what you like, you can always check out the best movies on Netflix and the best TV shows on Netflix.

Highlights

Like Father (available 8/3)
Kelsey Grammer and Kristen Bell! Either you’re in, or you’re out. Bell plays a driven executive whose fiancé leaves her at the altar, and she winds up on her honeymoon cruise with her estranged father (Grammer). The film is the directorial debut of actress Lauren Miller, who happens to be married to Seth Rogen, who happens to be in the movie.

Disenchantment (available 8/17)
The Simpsons creator Matt Groening takes his talents to Netflix, where he’ll tell a twisted fairytale about an alcoholic princess named Bean, and her exploits in the kingdom of Dreamland. With comedy heavyweights Abbi Jacobson and Eric Andre lending their voices to the project, it’s sure to be a show worth watching.

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (available 8/17)
What if your private letters to your crushes weren’t private, but wound up in the hands of aforementioned crushes? It’s a teen’s nightmare! But maybe this story, which is based on Jenny Han’s best-selling YA novel of the same name, will turn out to have a happy ending. There’s only one way to find out… or two ways, if you want to read the book.

Ghoul (available 8/24)
Co-produced by Blumhouse (Insidious, Get Out), Ghoul follows “a prisoner who arrives at a remote military interrogation center and turns the tables on his interrogators, exposing their most shameful secrets.” It’s Netflix’s first horror series out of India, and it looks creepy as hell.

Ozark Season 2 (available 8/31)
Do not adjust the color on your television set (or computer): Ozark is all blues, grays, and blacks. The dour monochrome sets the mood of the series, which follows Jason Bateman’s corrupt, cartel-affiliated financial advisor as he leads his family into the depths of the Ozark Mountains and an organized crime operation just as likely to get them all killed as it is to make them all rich. Season 2 should be a wild ride.

‘SECRETARIAT’ | WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES

Everything else

Available 8/1
Batman Begins
Chernobyl Diaries
Clerks
Constantine
Dreamcatcher
Edge of Fear
Eraser
Gran Torino
House of Deadly Secrets
Los tiempos de Pablo Escobar: Season 1
Million Dollar Baby
No Reservations
Once in a Lifetime Sessions with Moby
Once in a Lifetime Sessions with Nile Rodgers
Once in a Lifetime Sessions with Noel Gallagher
Once in a Lifetime Sessions with TLC
P.S. I Love You
Secretariat
Silverado
Steel Magnolias
Stripes
Switched (Netflix original)
The Aviator
The Golden Compass
The Informant!
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

Available 8/2
Emelie

Available 8/3
Brij Mohan Amar Rahe (Netflix film)
Cocaine Coast (Netflix original)
Dinotrux Supercharged: Season 3 (Netflix original)
I AM A KILLER (Netflix original)
Like Father (Netflix film)
Marching Orders (Netflix original)

Available 8/4
Flavors of Youth: International Version (Netflix original)
Mr. Sunshine (Streaming Every Saturday) (Netflix original)
On Children (Netflix original)

Available 8/5
Paid in Full

Available 8/9
Perdida (Netflix film)
The Originals: Season 5

Available 8/10
72 Dangerous Animals: Asia
Afflicted (Netflix original)
All About the Washingtons (Netflix original)
Demetri Martin: The Overthinker (Netflix original)
Insatiable (Netflix original)
La casa de las flores (Netflix original)
Million Pound Menu (Netflix original)
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Netflix film)
The Package (Netflix film)
The Ponysitters Club (Netflix original)
Voltron: Legendary Defender: Season 7 (Netflix original)
Zion (Netflix original)

Available 8/11
No Country for Old Men

Available 8/13
Alexander: The Ultimate Cut
Splash and Bubbles: Season 2
The Nut Job

Available 8/15
Adventures in Public School
Hostiles
The 100: Season 5

Available 8/16
Evan Almighty
Wish I Was Here

Available 8/17
Disenchantment (Netflix original)
Magic for Humans (Netflix original)
Pinky Malinky (Netflix original)
Spirit Riding Free: Season 6 (Netflix original)
Stay Here (Netflix original)
The Motive (Netflix film)
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (Netflix film)
Ultraviolet (Netflix original)

Available 8/19
The Investigator: A British Crime Story: Season 2 (Netflix original)

Available 8/21
Year One

Available 8/23
Deadwind (Netflix original)
Follow This (Netflix original)
Great News: Season 1

Available 8/24
Ask the StoryBots: Season 2 (Netflix original)
Bert Kreischer: Secret Time (Netflix original)
Ghoul (Netflix original)
The After Party (Netflix film)
The Innocents (Netflix original)
Trolls: The Beat Goes On!: Season 3 (Netflix original)
Young & Hungry: Season 5

Available 8/28
The Good Place: Season 2

Available 8/29
Inequality for All

Available 8/31
Inside the Criminal Mind (Netflix original)
Ozark: Season 2 (Netflix original)
Paradise PD (Netflix original)
The Comedy Lineup: Part 2 (Netflix original)
The Laws of Thermodynamics (Netflix film)
Ultimate Beastmaster: Survival of the Fittest (Netflix original)
Undercover Law (Netflix original)

‘HAPPY GILMORE’ | UNIVERSAL PICTURES

Everything that arrived in July

Available 7/1
Blue Bloods: Season 8
Bo Burnham: what.
The Boondock Saints
Chocolat
Deceived
Finding Neverland
Get Smart
Happy Gilmore
Hawaii Five-O: Season 8
Interview with the Vampire
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park III
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Madam Secretary: Season 4
Menace II Society
NCIS: Season 15
Pandorum
Penelope
The Princess Diaries
Queens of Comedy: Season 2
Rica, Famosa, Latina: Seasons 1-4
Scooby-Doo
Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
Spanglish
Stealth
Swordfish
The Voices
Traitor
Troy
Van Helsing
We Own the Night
We the Marines
What We Started

Available 7/2
Dance Academy: The Comeback
Good Witch: Season 4
King of Peking
Romina
The Sinner: Season 1

Available 7/3
The Comedy Lineup (Netflix original)

Available 7/5
Blue Valentine

Available 7/6
Anne with an E: Season 2 (Netflix original)
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee: New 2018: Freshly Brewed (Netflix original)
First Team: Juventus: Part B (Netflix original)
Free Rein: Season 2 (Netflix original)
Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons: Season 2 (Netflix original)
Sacred Games (Netflix original)
Samantha! (Netflix original)
Somebody Feed Phil: The Second Course (Netflix original)
The Fosters: Season 5
The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter (Netflix original film)
The Skin of The Wolf (Netflix original film)
White Fang (Netflix original film)

Available 7/7
Scream 4

Available 7/9
Lockup: Extended Stay: Collection 1

Available 7/10
Drug Lords: Season 2 (Netflix original)

Available 7/12
Gone Baby Gone

Available 7/13
How It Ends (Netflix original film)
Jim Jefferies: This Is Me Now (Netflix original)
Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain
Sugar Rush (Netflix original)
The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants (Netflix original)

Available 7/15
Bonusfamiljen: Season 2 (Netflix original)
Going for Gold
The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale: Part 2 (Netflix original)

Available 7/20
Amazing Interiors (Netflix original)
Dark Tourist (Netflix original)
Deep Undercover: Collection 3
Duck Duck Goose (Netflix original film)
Father of the Year (Netflix original film)
Fix It and Finish It: Collection 3
Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh: Season 4 (Netflix original)
Jimmy: The True Story of a True Idiot (Netflix original)
Last Chance U: EMCC & Life After (Netflix original)
Last Chance U: INDY: Part 1 (Netflix original)
Luna Petunia: Return to Amazia: Season 2 (Netflix original)

Available 7/22
An Education
Disney’s Bolt

Available 7/24
The Warning (Netflix original film)
Iliza Shlesinger: Elder Millennial (Netflix original)

Available 7/27
Cupcake & Dino – General Services (Netflix original)
Extinction (Netflix original film)
Orange Is the New Black: Season 6 (Netflix original)
Roman Empire: Reign of Blood: Master of Rome (Netflix original)
The Bleeding Edge (Netflix original)
The Worst Witch: Season 2 (Netflix original)
Welcome to the Family (Netflix original)

Available 7/28
Shameless: Season 8
The Company Men

Available 7/29
Her
Sofia the First: Season 4

Available 7/30
A Very Secret Service: Season 2 (Netflix original)

Available 7/31
Terrace House: Opening New Doors: Part 3 (Netflix original)

Coming soon
El Chapo: Season 3

Schedule provided by Thrillist. 

Posted on

Weekend Events: July 27 – 29

Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome. Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).

This weekend, from Friday, July 27 to Sunday, July 29, features KCRW’s Summer Nights, Sleepless: The Music Center After Hours, Ain’t I a Womxn? A Genders Promenade, The California Pizza Festival, Summer Happenings at The Broad, The Summer Playwrights Festival and MUCH more.

Enjoy!

Friday July 27th, 2018

1. KCRW’s Summer Nights offers free all-ages outdoor music shows over the course of the summer throughout Los Angeles and this Friday they’ll takes over Union Station with KCRW DJs Travis Holcombe and Jason Bentley. FREE

2. Uncorked: LA 90+ Wine Festival comes to Barker Hangar in Santa Monica featuring a curated selection of over 100 wines rated 90 points and higher from all over the world. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

3. Movie Night at The Wiltern will screen Up in Smoke and celebrate the 40th anniversary with a Summer Smokeout of 420-friendly vendors and  photo ops. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

4. Head to the Long Beach Crawfish Festival July 27-29 to enjoy world class crawfish, New Orleans-style food, music, dance lessons, and more by the shore. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

5. Sleepless: The Music Center After Hours is back with a special edition highlighting the connection between science and art with a program that includes pop-up dance performances, sci-fi performance art, a gastronomy lab, and much more.

6. WP24 by Wolfgang Puck’s Summer Supper + Show returns every Friday and Saturday, July through August, with a Asian-inspired dinner at WP24 by Wolfgang Puck followed by a movie screening on the private 26th floor hotel rooftop. This weekend they’ll screen 50 First Dates .

7. The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum will host Late Night Fridays where guests can enjoy free general admission from 5 to 8 p.m. and gain access to special activities, 3D movies, behind-the-scenes tours, live excavations, and more. FREE

8. See an all-star cast in a special production of Annie at the Hollywood Bowl July 27-29. On the bill is Ana Gasteyer, David Alan Grier, Megan Hilty, Lea Salonga, Steven Weber and more. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

9. Rooftop Cinema Club returns to the rooftops of LEVEL in DTLA and NeueHouse in Hollywood with multiple screenings this week that include Isle of Dogs, La La Land, Purple Rain and more.

10. Shakespeare By The Sea will once again offer a ten-week program of admission-free performances. The series continues with performances of The Winter’s Tale on Friday and The Merry Wives of Windsor on Saturday and Sunday all at three different locations. FREE

11. East LA Meets Napa celebrates Latin cuisine and California’s Latino-owned vineyards while raising funds for community health center AltaMed. This years event features 80 participating restaurants and wineries serving guests outdoors at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

12. Artist Ben Allanoff’s Perch art installation made up of woven reeds is taking up residence at Peter Strauss Ranch in Agoura Hills from July 27 until September 8. To celebrate there will be a special moonlit evening of reading and writing renku a form of Japanese poetry dating back to the 1300s. FREE

13. Old Pasadena Summer Cinema concludes this week with screenings of How Much Further at Distant Lands and 500 Days of Summer at One Colorado on Friday, then Princess Bride at One Colorado on Saturday. The series brings free movie screenings to the Old Pasadena area at select venues from July 5 to 28. FREE

14. Beyond the Streets is a fully immersive exhibition of street and graffiti art comprised of over 30 artist in a massive 40,000+ square feet exhibits. Artist are an eclectic mix of street and beyond including Retna, Shepard Fairey, Kenny Scharf Dennis Hopper and Jenny Holzer. Open Tuesday through Sunday this week. Open Tuesday through Sunday this week. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

15. Non profit fair trade focused shop Ten Thousand Villages is hosting their annual tent sale July 26 -29 at their Riviera Village, Redondo Beach location with fair trade handcrafted products at 25 to 75 percent off retail price.

16. Shakespeare on the Bluff  brings Shakespeare’s greatest plays to Loyola Marymount University for free shows in June and July. The series concludes with Othello performances Friday through Sunday. FREE

17. dineL.A. will have food-lovers and connoisseurs taste, explore and enjoy various prix-fixe menus from restaurants across various L.A. neighborhoods from July 13 through 27 .

18. Are you a Chase bank customer? Got a freebie you might want to know about. Coolhaus is teaming with the Forum and Chase to hand out free ice cream sandwiches to Chase customers on Fridays all summer long. Locations will change every Friday, and the offer is ice cream sandwich per cardholder. Get more info here.

19. Barnsdall Fridays returns to Barnsdall Art Park for the tenth year in a row, with evening tastings of boutique wines and music from KCRW DJs perched atop a hill with incredible city views.

20. For over 30 years, Grand Performances has offered a variety of performance events at California Plaza, for free. Their 2018 summer series runs June 1 through August 18. Performing this Friday is Roger Guenveur Smith’s “Frederick Douglass Now,” featuring percussionist Marcus Miller. Via a release, “Douglass’ classic 19th-century texts inspire a radically remixed vision of the present American moment.” FREE

21. The Department of Beaches and Harbors presents Beach Movie Nights at Dockweiler Youth Center this week screening Cars 3. FREE

22. Jazz at LACMA welcomes The Billy Mitchell Group with vocalist Billy Redd at the BP grand entrance at 6 p.m. FREE

23. Free museum days: Long Beach Museum of Art (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Museum of Latin American Art (5 to 9 p.m.)and Free late-nights at La Brea Tar Pits Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

Saturday July 28th, 2018

24. See gender expression challenged and reexamined during  Ain’t I a Womxn? A Genders Promenade at Los Angeles State Historic Park. An evening event taking place under a full moon, Ain’t I a Womxn? unites 35 artists, art collectives, and activist groups to share spoken word, performance art, sonic art, media projections and zines.

25. The California Pizza Festival is sure to please all types of pizza-lovers. Hosted at L.A. Center Studios in Downtown Los Angeles on July 28-29, the festival will feature unlimited pizza samples from some of the world’s best pizzaiolos.

26. Back for the 15th year in a row, The Independent Shakespeare Co. presents Shakespeare in the Parkat the Old Zoo in Griffith Park with a free performance of Titus Andronicus on Saturday and Sunday. FREE

27. The 56th Annual California Watermelon Festival July 28-29 at the Hansen Dam Soccer Fields in Lake View Terrace will host delicious watermelon-themed activities, all-you-can-eat watermelon, carnival rides, games, contests, and live entertainment.

28. Eat|See|Hear returns for 2018 with a screening of Blazing Saddles at The Autry Museum. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

29. Summer Happenings at The Broad is a series of late-night events featuring music, performance and art. Now in its third year, the evening series is inspired by The Broad’s new exhibition, A Journey That Wasn’t  which explores artists’ representations of time, memory and repetition. This months focus will be on German artist Joseph Beuys with performances by faUSt and Baltimore duo Matmos.

30. Heritage Square Movie Night will screen Who Framed Roger Rabbit? a comedic film, set in 1940’s Hollywood, that merges animation with live action.

31. L.A. Rare and Wild Beer Fest in Santa Monica is billed as a beer connoisseur’s one-stop celebration. Coming to Barker Hangar, the evening will inclide unlimited beer tastings and more. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

32. The Midsummer Scream Convention from July 28-29 is a horror convention featuring dozens of presentations from creative professionals, Halloween industry vets, entertainment, onsite haunt experiences and more. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

33. LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes will host a free Latino-themed film screening series starting June 30th and occurring once a month till October. Continuing the series is a screening of 2006 film Walkout.FREE

34. KCRW’s Summer Nights offers free all-ages outdoor music shows over the course of the summer throughout Los Angeles and this Saturday they’ll takes over Chinatown with KCRW DJs Mathieu Schreyer and Anthony Valadez. FREE

35. Street Food Cinema returns this weekend with a screening of Grease at Eagle Rock Rec Park in Eagle Rock and Space Jam at Park Center in Griffith Park. Select screenings are discounted via Goldstar. DISCOUNTED

36. Off the 405, free concerts at the Getty will host a performance by Lola Kirke and a DJ set by King Tuff in the museum courtyard. FREE

37. Cinespia is back for its 17th summer season, at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery for screenings of films modern, cult, and classic. This Saturday they’ll screen The Graduate.

38. Tom Gun Live brings back their Top Gun spoof party to Union Night Club in Hollywood this Saturday Night. The performance includes karaoke sing-a-longs
dance-offs, paper airplane battles, missiles ziplining through the crowd, and more. Check fordiscounted ticketed before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

39. Marina Movie Nights returns to Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey for free Saturday-night screenings of beloved musicals. This weekend it’s Dirty Dancing, with tango lessons. FREE

40. Esotouric Bus presents Raymond Chandler’s Los Angeles Bus Tour. Spend a Saturday afternoon exploring the tough streets of L.A. through the famous crime writers eyes. There’s also a stop for Chandler-themed gelato. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

41. Join Craft in America and Heal The Bay for Craft in Action a special one hour discussion on marine pollution and view Arline Fisch’s Aquatic Bloom solo exhibition of surreal knitted jellyfish creatures. FREE 

42. Enjoy a summer movie night at Warner Ranch Park in Woodland Hills when Movies on the Greenwith a screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. FREE 

43. The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck makes its way to Westfield Culver City for a day of Hello Kitty Cafe goodies, edibles and collectibles.

44. See Hershey Felder as Beethoven at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. The one-man shows will depict the iconic composer’s story through music and monologue. Hershey Felder: Beethoven will run from July 26 to August 19. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

45. Celebrate summer in the SGV during Movies in the Park, a free outdoor film series screening at Alhambra Park. This weekend they’ll screen Willy Wonka. FREE

Sunday July 29th, 2018

46. The Hammer’s Family Flicks Film Series will screen Kirikou and the Sorceress at 11 a.m. Tickets are free on a first come first serve basis. FREE

47. ICA LA presents “I Drank the Kool-Aid But I Didn’t Inhale” a staging of Jafri’s Product Recall: An Index of Innovation, which combines framed texts and “still life” photography of failed food products. Opening day will offer tours in English and Spanish, a conversation with Jafri and ICA LA curator Jamillah James and Kool-Aid cocktails. FREE

48. Outdoor theater Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, located in Topanga Canyon summer 2018 season begins on June 2 with a performance of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

49. Check out LACMA’s latest exhibition, 3D: Double Vision an interactive exhibit that explores the art and illusion of 3D.

50. The Setup presents Stand Up Trivia Night at Bar Lubitsch. The trivia portion will be movie and comedy related and in between breaks there will be stand up. FREE

51. The Summer Playwrights Festival will show 30 plays in eight days from July 29 through Sunday August 5 at the Road on Lankershim in the Historic Lankershim Arts Center in North Hollywood.

52. Free museum days: Museum of Latin American Art (5 to 9 p.m.) and pay what you can at Craft and Folk Art Museum.

Schedule courtesy of We Like LA.

Posted on

The Best Places To Get BBQ In Los Angeles

LA’s barbeque game is… interesting. On the one hand, there are a slew of long-standing shacks and restaurants serving up what can only be defined as LA-style BBQ, which consists of all kinds of meat swimming in sauce — a nightmare for smoked-meat traditionalists, but a cuisine of comfort for Angelenos bred on it.

On the other hand are a smattering of newer joints, many of which have opened up in the last decade, and focus on classic American ‘Q styles, from Kansas City, North Carolina, and — most notably — Texas. And on the other, other hand are the backyard smoke enthusiasts. They’re another story entirely, due to potential legal issues and inconsistency in terms of opening hours and days, but it’d be discounting a huge part of the scene to not at least mention them (especially Trudy’s Underground BBQ).

Point is, we’ve got a lot going on in town when it comes to barbecue. Here are LA’s best places to grab ribs, brisket, hot links, and whatever other BBQ dishes you’ve been craving lately.

MAPLE BLOCK MEAT CO

CULVER CITY

When it opened, Maple Block was crowned the king not just of LA BBQ, but BBQ in all of California by a guy who should know: Daniel Vaughn writes about BBQ, and only about BBQ, for Texas Monthly. And he’s still right: the brisket here could not be more perfectly moist, the chicken bursts with flavor, and the creamy mac and cheese, while not exactly traditional, is crave-worthy.

MAX CITY BBQ

MAX CITY BBQ

EAGLE ROCK

Eagle Rock’s Max City has gained a cult following by crushing Southern-style BBQ for the Eastside, wood-smoking ribs and pork into juicy meat-monsters while sourcing local ingredients for collard greens and coleslaw. Also, they catered one of the best weddings I’ve ever been to, and goddamn if it didn’t help make it one of the best weddings I’ve ever been to.

BABY BLUES BBQ

VENICE AND WEST HOLLYWOOD

Alright, we’ll admit it’s divisive: BBQ purists sometimes hate on this beloved-by-everyone-else mini-chain, but we’re going on taste alone. They offer a wider range of sauces and sides that’re all great, and the meat is also delicious. Haters gonna hate, but uh, the rest of us gonna eat (and drink — the WeHo location has a full bar!).

BLUDSO’S BBQ

BLUDSO’S

HOLLYWOOD

Sadly, the OG Bludso’s in Compton is gone, but the fancier LA Brea offshoot lives on, taking Kevin Bludso’s original recipes — juicy brisket, great pork ribs, amazing pulled pork — and giving them the love they deserve. The draught cocktails are just an added bonus!

JR’S BBQ

CULVER CITY

This shack-space — right where La Cienega and Fairfax meet — is one of those spots you’ve probably driven by 1,000 times and never looked at twice. Next time, stop: the family-run business busts out great Memphis-style pulled pork, great ribs, and sweet, succulent baked beans.

JEFF MILLER/THRILLIST

BARREL & ASHES

STUDIO CITY

Years into its run, this hot-out-of-the-gate East Valley joint’s still always jammed, with Valley denizens diving into Santa Maria tri-tip, Louisana hot wings, and, of course, perfectly fatty brisket with a loud, salty smoke. Also, you’ve gotta get the hoecake; it’s on our list of  50 things to eat in LA before you die, and while it may very well kill you, it’s totally worth it. We promise.

HOLY COW

HOLY COW

SANTA MONICA

Holy Cow is sort of smothering the Westside, with locations in Santa Monica and Culver City; their menu is more far-reaching than most, with not just the standard brisket, rib, and chicken line-up, but also beef ribs on weekends, fried chicken sandwiches, and an extensive sides menu that includes an insanely great smoky corn chowder as well as kale & quinoa salads, if someone at your table wants to be super-sad.

JNJ BURGER & BARBEQUE

MID-WILSHIRE

Don’t hit JNJ if you’re not into LA’s distinctive brand of drenched BBQ; this West Adams stand (which also has one of our favorite off-the-radar burgers) douses its ribs in a sweet, spicy sauce, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. 

SPRING STREET SMOKE HOUSE

SPRING STREET SMOKEHOUSE

DOWNTOWN

Though this DTLA standby has long been a favorite for the hickory-smoked BBQ they offer, they’re known for more offbeat dishes, too: this is probably the only place in town where you can get a chicken breast stuffed with onions, jalapeños, and cheese, then wrapped in bacon, then pit-smoked. Read that again, then go. Again.

DR. HOGLY WOGLY’S TYLER TEXAS BBQ

VAN NUYS

Since the ’60s, this Valley staple has been marinating delicious brisket and spareribs in its distinctive special sauce, served in monstrous — truly, MONSTROUS — portions. In other words, you’re gonna be feasting off the leftovers for the rest of the week.

HORSE THIEF BBQ

HORSE THIEF

DOWNTOWN

When this now-staple Texas-style window opened at Grand Central Market a few years ago, it was sort of an Emperor-Wears-No-Smoke situation. Thankfully that’s been remedied, with moist brisket and tender ribs regularly served to lines of their faithful customers, along with craveworthy sides like cornbread and banana pudding. Don’t sleep on the fried chicken sandwich, as well.

PEARL’S

DOWNTOWN

The vibe at Pearl’s is just as big of a draw as the food: the owner’s an Austin obsessee, and Pearl’s clearly mirrors that city’s charm, with an airstream serving the smoked meats to an outdoor flat-top covered with picnic tables, and a stage that sometimes sees Americana bands providing a weekend soundtrack. On the menu you’ll find massive smoked short ribs, coleslaw, and, for an otherwise Texas-skewed operation, a very Cali side: half an avocado covered with Pico De Gallo.

ROBERT EARL’S

LONG BEACH

Now that Bigmista’s is closed (RIP!), Robert Earl’s can take its place as the BBQ king of Long Beach. Spicy links, monster beef ribs, and killer brisket reign over the meat menu, but the sides — a very cheesy mac, vinegary greens, and, most notably, his Auntie’s Banana Pudding — are what keep people coming back.

BONEYARD BISTRO

BONEYARD BISTRO

STUDIO CITY

This classic valley spot’s a little classier than your average BBQ joint, but the meat is totally legit; hits include hand-rubbed, hickory-smoked pork ribs and Santa Maria tri-tip, as well as fried mac and cheese (!!). The non-BBQ menu is full of bangers as well, like kobe beef chili-filled donuts, smoked chipotle buffalo wings, a quesarito with Wagyu beef, nacho cheese, and rice, and much more.

PARK’S FINEST

ECHO PARK

This Filipino-style BBQ joint was a surprise hit right when it debuted six years ago and has been killing it ever since, with interesting flavors — a bit of coconut here, some front-of-palate spice there — setting their pulled pork, ribs, and tri-tip apart. Don’t sleep on the fish sauce-spiked coconut beef stew, or the sweet rice-flour bibingka (honestly, the pro-tip is to take some friends, get a six-top, and just order the whole menu.)

Story courtesy of Thrillist.

Proudly powered by WordPress