Fun Things to Do in Los Angeles
This Weekend: Aug 25, 2023 – Aug 27, 2023
Friday
AKA Hotel Residences in LA Unleashes Pampered Pooch Experience
National Dog Day is approaching, and AKA, the award-winning brand of hotels and hotel residences, is debuting its Pampered Pooch experience at its LA properties AKA Beverly Hills and AKA West Hollywood. As part of the brand’s ongoing global commitment to empowering guests and their pets while traveling, this new personalized offering is aimed at helping guests remove the hassle of pet care, and instead paws and embrace the joy of travel. The Pampered Pooch experience features added amenities worth barking about:
- AKA’s dedicated Canine Concierge – available 24/7 – will curate stays based on each beloved companion’s personal preferences and needs, including trustworthy dog walkers, pet acupuncture, vet services, personal care and more. AKA’s Canine Concierge will even help source specific pet cuisine catering to specialized diets, and ensure foodie items are awaiting guests in-suite upon check-in.
- AKA has teamed with Pets So Good – the modern and minimalist K-Pet clothing and décor brand that has taken the industry by storm – to supply each fluffy friend with uber-stylish pet clothing (complete with their very own clothing styling rack), accessories and a sumptuous daybed, from its coveted collection.
- AKA has tapped Painted Paw Studio to create a custom pet portrait to ink guests’ trip memories with their beloved pooch. Custom pet portrait art will come to life in full-color, and guests have the option to select from acrylic or watercolor paint.
CELEBRATE NATIONAL DOG DAY AT SOFITEL LOS ANGELES
Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills is celebrating National Dog Day today with a special Yappy Hour dog adoption event in partnership with Wagmor. Taking place at Sofitel’s Aviary Patio, the National Dog Day Yappy Hour will feature delicious bites and refreshing drinks while guests will get the opportunity to pet and play with puppies from Wagmor that are up for adoption. Guests are also encouraged to bring their own dogs to join in on the fun. Friday, 5 – 7:00 pm; 8555 Beverly Blvd #90048, Los Angeles, CA 90048; 310.278.5444
Bone Appétit–Celebrate National Dog Day with Wag-worthy Pet Merchandise Collection at Yogurtland
Yogurtland, your favorite frozen yogurt destination, is excited to introduce an exclusive pet merchandise collection, just in time for National Dog Day. Designed with our furry friends in mind, the new collection perfectly blends Yogurtland’s fun brand identity with your pet’s comfort and style. From Yogurtland-branded doggie plush toys and treats, this pet merchandise collection will surely add a touch of sweetness to your dog’s day. Additionally, all proceeds from Yogurtland’s pet toy sales will be donated to the SPCA of Texas and OC Animal Care to celebrate the occasion. The collection is available for purchase online, and are priced at $15 for one and $25 for two. To make National Dog Day even more special, Yogurtland is offering a 15% discount on all pet merch. Just use the promo code ‘DOGDAY‘ when making your purchase. Various prices, hours, and locations
Cedars-Sinai to unveil Stylishly Revitalized “Bloodmobile Bus” During Blood Drive at The Original Farmers Market
Cedars-Sinai will be unveiling its stylishly updated “Bloodmobile Bus” when the medical center hosts a community blood drive today at The Original Farmers Market. This vital, end-of-summer blood drive coincides with the 15th Anniversary of the Cedars-Sinai Bloodmobile program, which, fittingly, was first unveiled at The Original Farmers Market in the spring of 2008. All who donate will get a free all day parking validation to stay & stroll after donation, and new Market merchant, Balam the Jaguar Coffee Roasters will be providing a free small iced or regular coffee to all who donate. Register here. Friday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm; The Original Farmers Market Plaza – 6333 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Celebrate 1 year of Hart House with DJs, Giveaways, Swag, and More
Celebrate 1 year of delicious plant-based food at Kevin Hart’s Hart House. Today, the popular chain invites you to come out and join the party with a free birthday cookie (with a purchase). And the party doesn’t stop there. Drop into the Hollywood or University Park locations from 6 – 8:00 pm, and enjoy giveaways, swag, a DJ, and more! Various prices, hours, and locations
Grand Central Night Market
Grand Central Market welcomes you to an exciting night filled with DJs, a bustling flea market, live tattoo showcases, artisanal food vendors, and refreshing cocktails. General admission to this dynamic makeover of Grand Central Market is free, but you can elevate your experience with a $30 VIP upgrade, which includes a swag bag, discount card, complimentary drink voucher, and parking validation. Free – $30; Friday, 8:00 pm; 317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Satisfy Those Late-Night Cravings at Little Dom’s
Whether you’re leaving a concert at The Greek Theater, wrapping up your night at Akbar or star gazing at Griffith Observatory, a late night in Los Feliz could leave you craving a refreshing cocktail or warm slice of pizza. In case you weren’t aware, neighborhood staple Little Dom’s serves fresh pizzas and cocktails until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and it’s one of the only restaurants in the area that’s open late enough to do so! Located off Hillhurst Ave. in the heart of the area, Little Dom’s’ relaxed and laid-back atmosphere is the ideal space to unwind on a Friday or Saturday night. After ordering a drink, cheesy margherita pizza, and a tiramisu, sink into the iconic red leather booths, listen to their oldies but goodies playlist and soak in the old-school ambiance. You may even run into a celebrity or two while you’re there. Various prices; Fridays – Saturdays, 11:00 pm – 12:00 am; 2128 Hillhurst Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90027; 323.661.0055
National Coffee Month: Free Cupping at Laidrey Coffee Roasters
This morning, Laidrey Coffee Roasters in Tarzana will be hosting a complimentary cupping with owner and roaster, Gacia Tachejia. Quality guides every aspect of Gacia’s process, starting with partnering with passionate coffee farmers who sustainably harvest their crops and hand-pick each coffee cherry. Attendees will be able to try the best of Laidrey’s selections and learn about how they source, roast, and brew their beans. Limited seats are available for the complimentary cupping in honor of National Coffee Month (August) and Laidrey Encino’s recent opening, but don’t fret those who can’t make it and are interested in a cupping will have an opportunity to visit Laidrey’s Tarzana location on the last Friday of every month for a cupping hosted by Gacia for $15 per person. Cuppings start at 10:00 am and are an hour and half long! Free; Friday, 10:00 am; 18600 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA 91356
Brew at the Zoo
Experience the L.A. Zoo like never before as you sample beers and ciders from more than 40 local breweries, groove to the live beats spun by DJ Johnny Hawkes, and engage in captivating conversations with the dedicated animal keepers. $65 – $75; Friday, 7 – 11:00 pm; 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027; 323.644.4200
Cheers to 97 Years! Celebrate Hotel Figueroa’s Historic 97th Birthday with 1920’s Inspired Age-Old Cocktails
Exclusively available until the end of August, Hotel Figueroa is offering guests three 1920’s-inspired age-old cocktails, paying homage to the property’s historic presence in Downtown Los Angeles for close to a century. Recently awarded by Food & Wine in their 2023 Global Tastemakers Awards as having one of the best hotel bars in the U.S., Corporate Beverage Director Carla Lorenzo’s handcrafted cocktails including the Bouldin-Vardier ($18), Clover Club ($17), and Mary Pickford ($17) are available to order and enjoy at the hotel’s all-day eatery and main lobby bar, Café Fig and Bar Magnolia. Mondays – Sundays (through 8/31), various hours; 939 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California 90015213.627.8971
- Mary Pickford Cocktail: Originally created in the 1920’s (the same decade Hotel Figueroa was founded), this cocktail was named after the most renowned actresses in that era.
- Clover Club Cocktail: This started as the drink of choice for pre-prohibition men in business professions, usually imbibed at all men’s clubs. Carla Lorenzo placed it on this list as a reclaiming of that cocktail in a women founded hotel, re-imagined by a female beverage director.
- Bouldin-Vardier Cocktail: A riff of a Boulevardier, this cocktail was invented in the 1920’s and popularized by a writer who was also the nephew of Alfred Vanderbilt. Usually consumed by men, the re-imagining of the Boulevardier in the Bouldin-Vardier is a nod to Maude Bouldin (the first-ever female managing director of Hotel Figueroa), who held a title in a period where men had only run hotels.
Saturday
THE BEST BOTTOMLESS BRUNCHES IN LOS ANGELES
Here in LA, booze and brunch go together like peas and carrots. Whether you want Waffles, Eggs, or Avocado Toast, nothing complements your meal like an ice-cold cocktail, especially if that glass is endless. But where can you find these brunches with bottomless cocktails and tasty bites? Don’t stress; I got you. I’m here to give you a list of the best bottomless brunches in Los Angeles. So all you have to do is grab a cute brunch outfit and your date, and get ready to indulge in fun, good food, and drinks. Cheers!
Whiskey N Donuts Comedy Show
The LA comedy show, bringing you some of the best comics in town, with no drink minimum or maximum, is back! Hosted by two of my favorite comedians, @MarinaQuin & @jackiegold, Whiskey N Donuts is one of the funniest (and cheapest) comedy experiences around. Free; Saturday, 7:00 pm; followed by karaoke; The Good Nite – 10721 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
Sunday
Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Too $Hort, Warren G, DJ bonics, And Berner live at the “High School Reunion TouR”
The gang’s getting back together. Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Too $hort, Warren G, DJ Bonics, and Berner are heading to Irvine for the “High School Reunion Tour”. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to see these titans of hip-hip together at one venue. $39+; Sunday, 6:00 pm; FivePoint Amphitheatre – 14800 Chinon, Irvine, CA 92618; 949.988.6800
Prosperity Market’s Black Business Month Celebration in Inglewood
Prosperity Market – a mobile farmers market that spotlights and supports Black-owned businesses – is hosting a pop-up event to celebrate Black Business Month, and to conclude its third annual Black Business Scavenger Hunt. For the first time, this event is hosted in collaboration with Come Up LA, a marketplace that amplifies Black creatives, brands and entrepreneurs, and will take place at a new venue: Hollywood Park, the new sports and entertainment complex in Inglewood adjacent to SoFi Stadium. In addition to 80+ Black-owned businesses and vendors representing food, farm-fresh produce, fashion, arts, entertainment, and wellness spaces, additional highlights include cooking demos, music, activities for kids, a special appearance by KJLH radio’s Tammi Mac (1:00 pm) and more. Highlights of the Black-owned businesses that will be featured at the market include The Farmer Ken, Sienna Naturals, Ghost Town Oats, Gloria’s Shito, Runway Boutique, The Plant Chica, California Coffee Company, Happi Jam, Tranquilitea, The Lazy Rose Café, The Heart Dept, Sherman Produce, Compton Vegan, Chef Brandi Biggles, and many more. Free – $60 (VIP, for purchase on site); Sunday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm; Hollywood Park (SoFi Stadium) – 1213 S. District Drive., Inglewood, CA 90303
Coming Soon
(9/2 – 9/3): K-PLAY! FEST OC 2023
K-PLAY! FEST OC 2023 is bringing a two-day K-Pop fan festival to the Anaheim Convention Center on 9/2 – 9/3! Escape the summer heat and welcome in chill vibes and smooth grooves with K-PLAY! FEST as they welcome the one and only Junny to its OC event! With exclusive ticketed opportunities for hi-touch, soundcheck, group photo, fan signings, a live performance, and JUNNIVERSE, you definitely do NOT want to miss out on this event! $15 – $40; 9/2 – 9/3; 3940 Rosemead Blvd., Rosemead, California 91770
(9/6): LAUNCH PARTY FOR THE 2023 LOS ANGELES TIMES FOOD BOWL
It’s that time again: the Seventh Annual Los Angeles Times Food Bowl, presented by City National Bank has made its way and announced its line-up for 2023! The Times has curated a full month of can’t-miss events, celebrating the best of L.A.’s diverse and dynamic culinary scene with the legendary Gold Award, Times food critic Bill Addison’s Restaurant of the Year and L.A.’s favorite backlot food festival, Night Market. To kick-off the culinary event, Singapore Airlines invites you to a launch party to savor the finest offerings from the Food Bowl ahead of everyone else! Indulge in a comprehensive selection of delectable cuisine and beverages, while relishing the breathtaking vistas of the Hollywood Hills. Don’t miss the opportunity to mingle with culinary luminaries, including James Beard Award recipients and Michelin Star chefs from both Los Angeles and across the world. $150; 9/6, 7:00 pm; Lemon Grove on The Aster Rooftop – 1717 Vine St., Los Angeles, CA 90028
(9/10): VISIONARY WOMEN TO HOST ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OUTSTANDING IN THE FIELD DINNER ON MALIBU PIER
Los Angeles’ premier social impact non-profit organization for women, Visionary Women, will host a once-in-a-lifetime sunset dinner experience on the Malibu Pier with Outstanding in the Field on 9/10. Set on the iconic Malibu Pier, the extraordinary culinary experience will pair a multi-course meal with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and offer an incredible night celebrating the origins of food and the land, among a group of powerhouse women across various professional fields. The spectacular culinary experience is open to Visionary Women members and the public, with a portion of ticket proceeds benefiting Women’s Earth Alliance; a nonprofit that supports women leaders working to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect their communities. Additional proceeds will benefit Visionary Women’s mission in support of initiatives elevating women and girls. The elevated dinner will be prepared by female executive chef Bricia Lopez, behind the James Beard American Classic award-winning Guelaguetza Restaurant in LA and the experience is sponsored by Geary’s Beverly Hills and The Wall Street Journal. $495; 9/10, 5 – 8:00 pm; Malibu Pier – Malibu Pier Malibu, CA 90265
