Patio Panache: Circa’s Go-Tos for Alfresco Dining  

We all love LA’s storied rooftop restaurants and bars, but if you’re looking for something a little more down to earth, it’s time to discover the city’s bustling patio scene. Enjoy chef-driven menus and elegant craft cocktails at Redbird and Manuela. Or choose from an array of curated beers at Far Bar. If you’re feeling more adventurous, explore authentic Persian cuisine under the open sky. From lush garden oases to secret tucked away courtyards and lively casual spaces, you can soak up the outdoor vibe day or night. Here are some of our favorites, many not far from Circa.

Everson Royce Bar patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Everson Royce Bar 1936 E 7th St. Los Angeles CA 90021 

Voted “Best Patio in L.A.” by The Infatuation, Everson Royce Bar (E.R.B.) is a polished cocktail spot located in the DTLA Arts District. The extensive menu offers everything from their signature burgers to potato taquitos, nachos, and salads, along with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free selections. Quench your thirst with erb cocktails, beer, wine by the glass or bottle, and non-alcoholic beverages. The patio can be reserved for large and small parties.

Far Bar patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Far Bar 347 1st St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Situated in the historic Far East Building in the heart of Little Tokyo, Far Bar offers something for everyone looking for a good time, with the aim to bring you the best in craft beers, spirits and food. On top of the large selection of bottled craft beers from Japan (the largest in Southern California!), they offer 34 different craft beers on tap. The whiskey and bourbon selection is one of the best in Los Angeles, along with tequila, rum, and sake. A good drink isn’t complete without a great bite to go with it! From sushi to signature burgers and their famous wasabi fries, Far bar offers a delicious menu designed to pair perfectly with a good drink.

Redbird patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Redbird 114 E 2nd St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Set inside the former Vibiana cathedral, one of downtown LA’s most striking architectural landmarks, Redbird feels iconic and familiar, where exceptional food and great drinks arrive without pretense. Led by Chef Neal Fraser’s distinctive Angeleno point of view, the chef-driven restaurant and award-winning cocktail lounge were designed for real life in LA, where shared plates, great drinks, and conversations don’t need rushing. The Main Dining Room offers open-air dining beneath a retractable roof, with views of the bell tower. On cooler evenings, heaters and a wood-burning fireplace create a comfortable, inviting atmosphere, making the space ideal for both intimate dinners and lively group dining. 

Benny Boy Brewing patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Benny Boy Brewing 1821 Daly St. Los Angeles, CA 90031

Benny Boy Brewing is a community‑driven, independent craft brewery & cider house with a huge outdoor beer garden, great people, wacky events, and drinks poured straight from the tank. An Urban Backyard, Benny’s is where you come to unwind, connect, feel at home, party, and discover something special: a vibrant space for immersive events, cultural celebrations, live music, watch parties, and multi-day festivals. Getting hungry? There are rotating food trucks daily. 

Damian patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Damian 2132 E 7th Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Located in Los Angeles’ Arts District, Damian features contemporary cuisine rooted in Mexican culture. Inspired by Pacific Rim culinary traditions, they celebrate seasonal California produce. Damian’s beverage program focuses on artisanal spirits and reflects its cuisine, allowing the high-quality ingredients to shine. Their greenery-filled patio is the perfect setting for gracious outdoor dining, socializing, and making memories with family and friends.

Manuela DTLA patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Manuela 907 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA, 90013

Nestled in the Hauser & Wirth building in DTLA, Manuela unites chef, farmer and artist to create an authentic and original dining experience. Under the direction of Executive Chef Kris Tominaga, the menu celebrates seasonal ingredients sourced from the best farms and producers in Southern California. Serving a wide range of vegetables, grains, fish, and game, Manuela also features an exemplary bar program, which serves classic cocktails using house-made bitters and tonics. Manuela offers extensive outdoor seating surrounded by verdant plant life. Don’t forget to check out the garden area, where you’ll see some of the seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs they grow in-house, not to mention a brood of chickens that provide fresh eggs. 

Berenjak patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Berenjak 1010 S Santa Fe Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90021

A Persian garden in the downtown LA Arts District, Berenjak takes its inspiration from the gardens of Pasargadae, the ancient capital city of Cyrus the Great, celebrated as the origin of the Persian garden style. The menu at Berenjak is made up of favoriite Persian dishes, honing in on the must-haves from one of the oldest and richest cuisines in the world. Crafted around the culinary heritage of founder Kian Samyani’s family recipes, passed down from generation to generation, the menu aims to showcase the best of Persian cuisine through a modern lens. Michelin Guide has awarded Berenjak a Bib Gourmand for “excellent cooking at a reasonable price.”

De La Nonna patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

De La Nonna 710 E 4th Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90013

De La Nonna, meaning from the grandmother, represents the idea of Italian soul food that your Nonna would approve of. After a year of successfully popping up at various locations throughout Los Angeles, the Nonna team brought their dream to life with a brick and mortar space in the Arts District, complete with a hidden garden that hosts the best pizza party in the city. The menu at De La Nonna consists of Italian classics and coastal favorites with unforgettable flavors. Executive Chef and Owner, Patrick Costa, draws inspiration from his grandmother, who’d only cook using fresh, home grown herbs and local market produce.

Bestia patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Bestia 2121 E 7th Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90021

In 2012, Chef Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis found themselves in a vacant warehouse, down a dimly lit alleyway at the edge of downtown Los Angeles. The exposed brick, steel beams, and well-worked concrete spoke to who they were as people and the food they wanted to cook. The converted warehouse soon opened its garage door and with it, a menu that reflected Menashe’s interpretations of Italian classics with an emphasis on powerful, yet balanced flavors and wood-fired cooking, while Gergis’ desserts brought a final course of equally reimagined heavy hitters. In the lush courtyard, music dims to a hum and trees ripe with figs frame your view. The intensity of the open kitchen and the passion of the Bestia team remains timelessly palpable. 

Bavel patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Bavel 500 Mateo St #102, Los Angeles, CA 90013

The follow-up to DTLA’s always-packed Bestia, Bavel is a Middle Eastern restaurant from Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. With family roots in Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt, the couple have always wanted to open a restaurant that showcases the cuisines of their family lineages, bringing together the flavors and dishes they grew up with. Middle Eastern restaurants are often imagined to have design aesthetics that tend to be very dark, heavily patterned, and somewhat cliché. The design for Bavel set out to challenge those conventions with a light and leafy ambiance and a lovely outdoor patio.

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: Benny Boy Brewing

Photo #2  Everson Royce Bar

Photo #3: Far Bar

Photo #4: Redbird

Photo #5: Benny Boy Brewing

Photo #6: Damian

Photo #7: Manuela

Photo #8: Berenjak

Photo #9: De La Nonna

Photo #10: Bestia

Photo #11: Bavel


Oom Pah Pah: Oktoberfest is Here

We’re all hopped up for Oktoberfest, and catching the “gemütlich” vibe. “Gemütlich” is a German word meaning a pleasant and cheerful atmosphere, which perfectly describes Oktoberfest. This month, you’ll find plenty of oom pah pah action, with Oktoberfest celebrations all around LA and nearby communities, some just s short distance from Circa. So don your dirndls and lace your lederhosen – Oktoberfest is here!

Benny Boy Brewing near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Oktoberfest Weekend at Benny Boy Brewing 1821 Daly St. Los Angeles, CA 90031

Oct 7 – 9 Popular DTLA beer destination Benny Boy Brewing is presenting a wundebar Oktoberfest Weekend, featuring three German-style beers, live German polka band, stein holding competition, Weiner dog race, brats, schnitzel, sauerkraut, pretzels, women-owned food vendors, women in craft beverages panel and more. Wear your dirndls and lederhosen for $1 off steins. Founded by a husband and wife team, Benny Boy Brewing was created with the mission to create an outdoor drinking experience with a strong sense of community, uniting craft beer, cider and wine lovers in one urban Backyard. 

Oktoberfest at Fig at 7th near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Oktoberfest at Fig at 7th 735 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

Oct 14 & 15 Oktoberfest at FIGat7th promises all the beers, brats, and beats to transport you to a SoCal version of this traditional festival, featuring a stellar DJ lineup curated by The Regent! This 21-plus event will have unlimited pours of craft beer, cider, and other libations from multiple SoCal breweries. Grab your friends and kick back on the outdoor plaza as you transition from day into night while soaking up fresh sounds, knocking back some suds, and sinking your teeth into authentic schnitzel and bratwurst, with a few vegan options for good measure.

Berlin Currywurst at Grand Central Market near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Berlin Currywurst Grand Central Market 317 Broadway Stall C-1/12 Los Angeles, CA 90013

Ich bin ein Berliner! The founders of Berlin Currywurst grew up in the home country of currywurst, and want to share this German cultural treasure with the people of LA. Created over 60 years ago in Berlin, currywurst has become the number one street food in Germany. Berlin Currywurst does authentic currywurst, the way you’ll find it on Berlin’s urban sidewalks. Their recipe is steeped in German tradition, where you’ll discover an unlimited variety of combinations by experiencing different sausages, heat levels, and flavors. The meat is all-natural, served with 100% organic sauce, fries hand cut from organic potatoes, and fresh and crispy German farmer’s bread.

Old World German Village in Huntington Beach, California

Old World Oktoberfest The Biergarten 7561 Center Ave. Huntington Beach, CA 92647

The Biergarten at Old World is proud to announce that Oktoberfest is here! Huntington Beach has been home to Southern California’s best Oktoberfest since 1978. Through November 6th, Old World Village will be buzzing with chicken dancing, amazing German food (voted “Best Bratwurst” in California), over 60 beers on tap, oom pah pah bands, DJs, The Biergarten Shotzie Girls, competitions, and craft cocktails. Guests can prosit in the 10,000 square foot open air Biergarten and ginormous indoor Fest Hall. 

CA Dirndl Haus in Old World Village, Huntington Beach, California

CA Dirndl Haus 7561 Center Ave #51a, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Get ready to level up your Oktoberfest game at CA Dirndl Haus. Founded in 2018 by two best friends, Cyndie and Arpeni, Dirndl Haus sells trendy and traditional dirndl dresses and blouses, lederhosen, mens shirts and vests, and accessories including hats, hat pins, wreaths and jewelry. Dirndl Haus is an extension of the greater Old World Market and Oktoberfest Facility. Co-founder Cyndie’s parents Josef and Dolores Bischof, originally from Germany, founded Orange County’s famous Old World Village in 1975, along with Huntington Beach Oktoberfest, enjoyed by thousands of attendees each year. 

Long Beach Oktoberfest in Long Beach, California

Long Beach Oktoberfest 855 Elm Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813

Long Beach is bringing back the oom pah pah with the 2nd annual Oktoberfest celebration. Enjoy authentic German beer and eats, live performances, music, and games. Festmeister Hans und Die Sauerkraut will command the stage. Get ready for non-stop fun with a mix of traditional and modern tunes, sing-alongs, dance-alongs, wacky games, contests, and so much more! And don’t forget to don your Lederhosen or Dirndl. Dressing up for the event is highly encouraged.

Oktoberfest at Fairplex in Pomona, California

Oktoberfest at Fairplex 1101 W McKinley Ave. Pomona, CA 91768

Oktoberfest brings a taste of Germany to Los Angeles at Fairplex, home of the L.A. County Fair. In celebration of Bavarian culture and a nod to the world’s largest beer festival, Oktoberfest at Fairplex provides all the excitement and German tradition that Los Angeles can offer. Guests will be  “transported” to Bavaria as they walk through the gates and into an Oktoberfest full of oom pah pah music, games, prizes. authentic German food, and gallons upon gallons of beer.

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest in Big Bear, California

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest 42900 Big Bear Blvd. Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

For 52 years in the mountains of Southern California, an extended family has come together to celebrate Oktoberfest. At 6,750 ft., the crisp Fall air creates an atmosphere of “Getmütlichkeit” and well-being. Surrounded by pine trees, the aroma of Brats grilling, and German Polkas, the hassles of everyday life melt away. The 2022 Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest runs for nine consecutive weekends through Nov. 5, every Saturday and Sunday, plus Fridays in October.

Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest at Lake Arrowhead Village, California

Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest Lake Arrowhead Village 28200 State Hwy.189 Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352

Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest has moved to an all-new venue, Waterfront Park, situated on the waterfront at the Lake Arrowhead Village, a replica waterfront Alpine Village with over 100 shops and restaurants. Since 1981, Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest has offered authentic German beer, food, music and fun. Admission to the event is free and parking is free at Lake Arrowhead Village.

Alpine Village Market German grocery story in Torrance, California

Alpine Village Market 833 W Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90502 

Ready to stock up on Oktoberfest goodies to enjoy at home? Just scoot down the 110 Freeway and faster than you can say wunderbar, you’ll arrive at Alpine Village Market in Torrance. The market offers a huge selection of German food imports, and also houses an authentic European bakery, a butcher shop that produces award-winning sausages, and a great selection of beers, wines and liquors such as Goldschläger, a Swiss cinnamon schnapps with real gold flakes floating inside. While you’re there, take a stroll around Alpine Village, a little slice of Bavaria in sunny Southern California. This iconic shopping destination was recently designated a County Historic Landmark by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. 

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest

Photo #2: Benny Boy Brewing

Photo #3: Fig at 7th

Photo #4: Berlin Currywurst

Photo #5: Old World German Village

Photo #6: CA Dirndl Haus

Photo #7: Long Beach Oktoberfest

Photo #8: Oktoberfest at Fairplex

Photo #9: Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest

Photo #10: Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest

Photo #11: Alpine Village Market