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A Little Romance: Celebrate Valentine’s Day in DTLA

There’s something about Valentine’s Day that brings out the romance in all of us! February 14 first became associated with romantic love in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th century England, Valentine’s Day evolved into an occasion where lovers expressed their affection by presenting flowers, confectionery, and greeting cards, known as Valentines.

This Valentine’s Day, it’s time to knock it out of the park! From dazzling celebrations soaring above the LA skyline, to elegant dinners, and cool retro entertainment, DTLA has a little romance for lovers everywhere.

71Above 633 W. 5th Street, 71st Floor Los Angeles, CA 90071

Take Valentine’s Day to new heights! Towering over downtown LA on the 71st floor of the U.S. Bank Tower, 71Above is the highest restaurant west of the Mississippi. Offering elevated modern American cuisine by Chef Vartan Abgaryan, 71Above boasts breathtaking ocean views from Malibu to Laguna Hills, along with spectacular views of the Los Angeles basin and the surrounding mountain ranges. Guests may choose to dine within the buzz of the bar or in the adjacent lively main dining room. The Chef’s tables offer views of the open kitchen and transition into a semi-private dining area, offering a quieter and more intimate dining environment. For diners seeking the ultimate in privacy, 71Above offers one large and two small private dining rooms overlooking Dodger Stadium. For Valentine’s Day, 71Above is offering a sumptuous Four Course Dinner with Optional Wine Pairing.

OUE Skyspace LA 633 W 5th St #840 Los Angeles, CA 90071

Skyspace Los Angeles is ready to make your Valentine’s Day memorable with their Toast From The Top package! Located at the very top of the U.S. Bank Tower, the Skyspace observation deck sits 1,000 feet about the city and provides breathtaking views. Your Toast From The Top package includes:Two General Admission tickets, Two Rides on the all-glass Skyslide (one per ticket), Two Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Your choice of 2 glasses or a bottle of champagne. Buy tickets here.

Cicada Restaurant and Club 617 S Olive St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Make history this Valentine’s Day! Cicada Restaurant and Club presents their Valentine’s Dinner Dance at the historic 1928 Art Deco Oviatt Building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Enjoy a special Valentine’s Day menu at this glamorous venue, and dance the night away with Jack’s Cats Swing Quartet. $95 per person, tax and gratuity not included.

Faith & Flower 705 W 9th St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Indulge your Valentine with a romantic Three Course Pre-Fixe Menu at Faith & Flower, a contemporary Los Angeles restaurant located in the WaterMarke Tower in DTLA’s South Park district. Inspired by a global influence of flavors and techniques, complemented by the use of a wood-fired oven and pristine raw bar, the menu redefines Californian rustic cuisine. The cocktail program celebrates the drinking culture spanning the Gilded Age and Roaring Twenties in Downtown Los Angeles, and features cocktails with long-forgotten ingredients as well as modern signature drinks.

Mrs. Fish 448 S. Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90013

There’s nothing fishy about Valentine’s Day! With every detail in place, Mrs. Fish welcomes diners and drinkers to experience modern Japanese cuisine and a robust whisky program in a stunningly designed, art-filled DTLA oasis. Located 15 floors below Perch (same ownership), Mrs. Fish combines food, art from the hottest galleries in Tokyo, and drink to create an unparalleled dining and drinking experience in an immersive environment that is at once Zen-like and provocative. $70/person. Additionally, they’ll offer four seats for a more attentive, seven-course kaiseki experience at the omakase bar. $238/couple.

La Boucherie 900 Wilshire Blvd Fl 71 Los Angeles, CA 90017

Elevate your evening this Valentine’s Day with an unforgettable dinner at La Boucherie at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, which occupies 37 floors of the Wilshire Grand Center. The Wine Spectator award-winning steakhouse offers breathtaking panoramic views of Los Angeles, live music, and delectable tasting menus curated by Executive Chef Igor Krichmar. Optional wine pairings are available, as well as private and group seating options. Dinner at La Boucherie includes complimentary access to Spire 73’s Cupid’s Club event, featuring a live DJ, complimentary glass of Moët & Chandon, and a variety of lounge experiences. Enhance your evening even more with the Romance Package, which includes overnight accommodations at InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown. Chocolate covered strawberries with sparkling wine upon check-in, breakfast for two, and more.

Cafe Pinot 700 W 5th St. Los Angeles, CA 90071

Named “Most Romantic Restaurant.” by L.A. Downtown News. Cafe Pinot is a California French-inspired restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles offering twinkle-lit outdoor dining on the garden patio. This Valentine’s Day, celebrate your love of food with a special menu by Executive Chef Phillip Martin. $70 Three-Course & $85 Four-Course Menus.

Le Petit Paris 418/420 S Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Nothing says romance quite like France! Le Petit Paris comes from Cannes-based restaurateurs David and Fanny Rolland, owners of Miramar Plage on La Croisette and the original Le Petit Paris, both located in Cannes. The restaurant is housed in Downtown Los Angeles’ historic El Dorado building, originally built in 1913 and features multiple skylights, a mezzanine level, a lounge, a room dedicated to date night goers, “La Boutique,” a gift shop with artisanal goods from France and a large outdoor patio. Le Petit paris offers dishes from the South of France and provides a true French brasserie dining experience to Downtown LA’s Historic Core.

Things to Do in DTLA: Fun Frolics & Hidden Gems!

Looking for something different to do in DTLA? Of course there’s the expected slew of restaurant openings, hot new shops, and cool brewpubs––and who’s complaining! But if you stray a bit off the beaten track, you’ll find that our city is teeming with unusual diversions, fun frolics, and hidden gems, just waiting to be discovered.

Two Bit Circus 634 Mateo St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Billing itself as he world’s first Micro-Amusement Park™, Two Bit Circus is an experiential entertainment playspace where fun-seekers of all ages can gather and play. The park promises an ever-changing landscape of immersive entertainment; including multi-person virtual reality, narrative-based escape/story rooms, indie arcades, molecular mixology and liberal use of lasers and robots. As a brand new type of social playspace (Two Bit Circus just opened in September 2018), the venues are also a launchpad for new technologies and aim to bring ideas from designers, inventors, makers, engineers, storytellers and more from concept to reality. Sounds like a blast? Make reservations here.

Escape Room L.A. 120 E 8th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Imagine yourself in a real-life adventure game filled with mysterious puzzles and brain-teasing clues! Escape Room LA. immerses you in a choice of five extraordinary environments, from a 1940’s detective office to a mystifying underground cavern, an ancient Mayan pyramid, an old haunted theatre, or a medieval alchemist’s secret laboratory. Gamers have to solve a series of challenging clues and puzzles and escape before their time runs out! Before the game, friendly Escape Room staffers will review the rules and answer any questions before your countdown to escape begins. Never fear, if you don’t make your way out before time’s up, the door will be unlocked. At the end of your game, the staff will recap your accomplishments and explain how to solve the remaining puzzles inside the room. Plan on spending a total of about 90 minutes from start to finish. Buy tickets here.

Smorgasburg LA ROW DTLA 777 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Launched in June of 2016, Smorgasburg LA has become the largest weekly open-air food market in Los Angeles, attracting 8,000 to 12,000 attendees every Sunday, year round. Located on the five-acre site of the weekday 7th Street Produce Market in ROW DTLA, Smorgasburg LA features over 90 food vendors, a beer garden offering local craft beer and micheladas, live DJs, cultural events, pop-ups, and sophisticated shopping including design, craft, style, vintage, wellness, and more. Sundays, 10 AM – 4 PM. Sorry, no pets allowed.

The Velaslavasay Panorama 1122 West 24th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Drawing on the illustrious history of the great panorama paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries, The Velaslavasay Panorama is an exhibition hall, theatre and garden dedicated to the production and presentation of unusual visual experiences, including those of the 360-degree variety. The Velaslavasay Panorama panoramic exhibition encircles the spectator within a fully enveloping atmosphere; a vast painting of a continuous surrounding landscape, accompanied by sound stimulation and three-dimensional elements, affords the viewer an opportunity to experience a complete sensory phenomenon.

Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens 3500 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018

Need to unwind your mind? Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens was established by the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness as a non-profit center dedicated to peace and spirituality. Called a “Spiritual Oasis in the City,” its purpose is to provide a place for people to take time out of their busy lives to visit, reflect, and be rejuvenated by the peace and solace of nature. The centerpiece of the property is an outdoor stone labyrinth, using the same design as the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth. The spectacular Asian-themed meditation garden presents sixteen water features, a koi pond, and intimate seating areas tucked away to reflect, repose, meditate, while a pergola and courtyard gardens offer additional areas to enjoy. Classes and workshops exploring topics focusing on personal growth and practical spirituality are offered weekly. Complimentary admission here.

Underground L.A. Cartwheel Art Tours

Cartwheel Art Tours pulls back the curtain on LA’s “underground” past, from notorious Prohibition-era murders to infamous speakeasy haunts frequented by the Old Hollywood elite. Tours include a few stops under the busy streets of DTLA to discover a century-old tunnel and speakeasies, alongside more modern interpretations of the city’s hidden watering holes. Based in the DTLA Arts District, Cartwheel Art creates and produces immersive, neighborhood explorations and experiences designed by founder Cindy Schwarzstein, a hands-on active member of the Los Angeles arts community. The tours are offered as an opportunity to engage individuals and groups in art, food and historical adventure, with a focus on supporting local artists and artisan businesses. Buy tickets here.

Velveteria: The Museum of Velvet Art 711 New High St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Velveteria is a velvet painting museum located in Chinatown, curated by owners Caren Anderson and Carl Baldwin. The museum features over 420 paintings culled from the couple’s 3,000 piece collection, gathered from every corner of the world. An ancient technique, velvet painting is thought to have originated in Kashmir, the homeland of the fabric. Traditional paintings were generally religious and portrayed the icons of the Caucasus region. Marco Polo and others introduced black velvet paintings to Western Europe, and some of these early works still hang in the Vatican Museum. In 20th century America, black velvet paintings attained full-on cult status, depicting imagery from pop culture such as the classic “Velvet Elvis.”

Wet Your Whistle: DTLA’s Whiskey Bars

Once regarded as a “dad drink,” whiskey has exploded in popularity in the last decade. Cool retro shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Crown and Mad Men have fueled an interest in all things mid century–how they lived, what they wore, and what they drank. The rediscovery of whiskey has inspired a new generation of whiskey bars, many carrying exclusive inventories of rare and premium varieties.

And then there’s the Japanese whiskey phenomenon, which has taken LA by storm. Commercial whisky production first began in 1924 and today Japanese whiskey-single malt and blended whiskeys-are some of the most sought-after in the world.

Join fellow whiskey lovers at Whisky X on Friday Jan. 25 at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. There will be 60 whiskeys to taste, including Bulleit, Bushmills, Glen Moray, Loch Lomond, Calumet, the Irishman, the Sexton, Wild Turkey, Tin Cup and Westland, along with music and food trucks.

Getting thirsty? Here’s a guide to some of LA’s best whiskey bars.

Seven Grand 515 W 7th St #200 Los Angeles, CA 90014

When it opened In 2007, Seven Grand signaled the rebirth of great cocktails in Los Angeles. This comprehensive whiskey bar features one of the largest selections of premium whiskeys in the West, with bottles displayed in vintage cases from the custom-designed building’s original proprietors, Brock & Co. Jewelry Emporium. Alongside hand-crafted cocktails, state-of-the-art beverage delivery systems, live music, pool tables and private party areas, Seven Grand is home to the ever-popular Whiskey Society, a unique membership program providing guests the opportunity to further explore the spirit via education and experimentation with comprehensive tastings featuring Master Distillers, International Brand Ambassadors, and notable members of the liquor industry.

Bar Jackalope 515 W 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

Tucked behind Seven Grand DTLA, Bar Jackalope is Seven Grand’s sipping library, offering comparative whiskey flights and education. The intimate bar boasts over 120 varieties of whiskeys, including rare international and domestic varieties. With seating for 12 inside and 12 on its outdoor Cigar Patio, Bar Jackalope offers a relaxing respite for those looking for a place to unwind with friends, both old and new, while a Coltrane record spins on the turntable and oil lamps color the night. To preserve the soothing ambiance, Bar Jackalope only hosts groups of four or fewer. Reservations are available for its Whiskey Locker Members, and all other seating is done on a first-come basis.

The Whiskey Lounge 888 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90017

The Whiskey Lounge is an exclusive Whiskey Room situated downstairs at Miro Restaurant. Upon entering the cellar-like staircase and reaching a dimmer, you’ll step through a more intimate lounge set apart from the bright, modern lines of the main dining room. The Whiskey Lounge holds one of the most inclusive and eclectic whiskey collections in the city, with a menu specializing in classic cocktails. For a truly truly immersive and intimate private experience, gather at The Vault, an invite-only whiskey tasting room offering some of the rarest and most highly allocated spirits in the world. Guests have the full attention of a knowledgeable whiskey expert who will guide aficionados of Scotch, Japanese, American and other world whiskeys through customized flights that explore a desired region or style. Guests are given the opportunity to enjoy limited-edition whiskeys, with the option to purchase full bottles, which can later be stored in lockers.

Mrs. Fish 448 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Sushi. Art. Whiskey. With every detail in place, Mrs. Fish welcomes diners and drinkers, locals and tourists alike to experience modern Japanese cuisine and a robust whisky program in a stunningly designed, art-filled DTLA oasis. Located 15 floors below Perch (same ownership), Mrs. Fish combines food, art from the hottest galleries in Tokyo, and drink to create an unparalleled dining and drinking experience in an immersive environment that is at once Zen-like and provocative. Classic Japanese traditions evoking the chef’s memories of home cooked meals with items suitable for any time of the day and for every palate.

Wolf & Crane 366 E 2nd Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

Billing itself as Little Tokyo’s neighborhood bar, Wolf & Crane proudly pours Japanese whiskey daily, along with a tantalizing array of craft cocktails. Proprietors and longtime DTLA residents, Michael Francesconi and Matthew Glaser founded this evocative, late-night watering hole as a place for the community–a bar where you can relax, gather, party, politic, romance, seduce, dance and drink–and of course, to fall in love with Japanese whisky.

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

Located in the historic Far East Building in the heart of Little Tokyo, Far Bar offers something for everyone looking for a good time! Although their main claim to fame is a notable bourbon and Japanese whiskey selection, Far Bar also offers signature cocktails and craft beers to wash down with an Asian Fusion gastropub menu created by their James Beard Chef. If you’re looking to explore a range of whiskeys, try the Whiskey Flights–each flight consists of three .75 oz pours.

New Year, New You! Best Spas in DTLA

With 2019 in full swing, it’s time to rev up your energy, calm your senses, and revitalize your ch’i for the exciting New Year ahead! Pampering yourself at the spa is the perfect prescription for wellbeing, whether it’s unwinding after a long stressful day at work, relieving post-workout aches and pains, or looking your best for that special occasion.

From ultra-luxurious hotel sanctuaries to tucked-away retreats, and spa to-go services, DTLA offers every indulgence to refresh your mind, body and spirit!

The Ritz-Carlton Spa 900 W Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Evoking the glamour of old Hollywood, The Ritz-Carlton Spa welcomes guests with a glass of champagne and the sense that being red-carpet-ready is just a spa day away. This luxury day spa is the largest in downtown Los Angeles and spans 8,000 square feet to include treatment rooms, a couple’s suite, a co-ed sanctuary, separate lounges with eucalyptus steam rooms and cold-plunge showers, a hair salon and a boutique. Choose from a variety of inventive therapies, including the Garden to Glamorous Seasonal Scrub, which incorporates ingredients harvested from the hotel’s rooftop garden, and the Crystal Clarity Collection, which features crystal therapies in collaboration with the metaphysical boutique, House of Inspiration. The spa uses ESPA natural skincare and beauty products for results-oriented treatments. Book appointment online.

Omni Spa at the Omni Hotel 251 S. Olive St. Los Angeles CA 90012

Relax at the end of a long day with a massage or facial from the experienced professionals at the new Omni Spa by Be Well Incorporated (BWI) at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza. BWI is a full-service holistic wellness team that specializes in the creation of customized wellness experiences that empower clients to be well and to exist in a state of balance through awareness and integration of mind, body, and spirit. Couples massages, facials, corporate chair massage, spa packages and poolside spa parties are just a few of the offerings, all performed by the highest quality of hand-selected and extensively trained professionals. In addition to the Omni Hotel, BWI spas can be found at Luxe City Center Hotel, Hilton Checkers Hotel, Sheraton Downtown Los Angeles Hotel, The California Club, and Los Angeles Center Studios. Book appointment here.

Be Well Spa to Go

Enjoy the luxury of a spa experience in the privacy of your own home! Be Well’s “Spa to Go” is your go-to when you need an ultimately relaxing experience. Choose from an array of modalities such as Thai, sports, reflexology, hands and feet, shiatsu, hot stone massage and much more. And if you have a pet in need of a massage, Be Well can give your furry friend the pampering it deserves.

Overmorrow Salon & Spa 315 W. Olympic Boulevard Los Angeles CA 90015

Overmorrow is energetic luxury level AVEDA Salon and Spa in the heart of Los Angeles, that combines an industrial city vibe with organic roots. Housed in a sleek, modern facility, Overmorrow’s philosophy is to enhance and refine your natural beauty, while helping you attain your aesthetic and wellness goals. The Salon offers Hair and Make Up services including Scalp and Remedy Hair Treatments, cuts, styling, color, hair extensions, and AVEDA’s natural beauty make up applications. Step into the immersive Spa and relax with a Full Body Massage or indulge in the Signature Facial Therapy, which incorporates Korean-style face lifting and decollate massage. Rejuvenate your Qi with Body Contour Therapy, the technique of stimulating all pressure points for a healthier flow of energy. All body contour therapy sessions begin with a complimentary consultation to better understand your physical condition and needs. Book your appointment here.

Desuar Spa 220 W. 5th St. Basement Los Angeles, CA 90013

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, there is an oasis of calm exclusivity to balance the body and mind. Desuar Spa’s expansive state-of-the-art facility has been designed to deliver a fully immersive holistic health experience and unique atmosphere of well-being and relaxation. Guests have full access to the relaxation room and locker facility, and the spa provides bathrobes and slippers for use in between services. Desuar serves their special blend of herbal teas, and other refreshments, including complimentary wine. Beyond the usual massage and skin care treatments, Desuar offers the only Himalayan Salt Bed in Downtown LA, and exotic treatments such as the Cleopatra Soak (milk bath soak), Cannabis Soak, and Wine Soak. All soaks are done in a copper tub–the copper metal is bacteria and mold resistant, making it easy to maintain a clean and sanitary environment. Book appointment here.

Frais Spa at The O Hotel 819 S. Flower St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

Calling itself the first “connected spa,” Frais Spa’s mission is to educate its clients and help them progress to improve their quality of life. Mixing an authentic spa-care experience with therapeutic expertise, Frais aims to redefine the relationship between spa, health professionals, clients and patients to provide a complete health benefit. Services include an array of massages, such as Tech Neck and Couples, along with Hot Stone Service, Organic Salt Foot Soak, and a variety of Scrubs, Wraps, and Facials. Frais also offers a Chiropractic and Acupuncture treatments, performed by licensed professionals. Book with the Frais app

Pop the Cork! Celebrate New Year’s Eve in DTLA

Got plans for New Year’s Eve? DTLA is bubbling with great ways to celebrate–from sophisticated enbtertainment and swanky soirèes, to epic dance parties and decadent dinners. You can even take a ride on the Skyslide atop LA’s tallest building, if you dare!

So get ready to ring in 2019, and make it the best year yet!

Prohibition NYE Union Station 800 N. Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

For its 7th year, Prohibition NYE will return to the majestic Ticket Concourse at Union Station, with all the excitement and glamour of the Roaring Twenties. Experience theatrical burlesque, live jazz ensembles, a headlining DJ set, and a premium open bar featuring champagne and specialty cocktails. Don’t miss Prohibition NYE’s signature 60 foot, midnight ball-drop celebration! Limited early bird tickets are available for $160. General Admission tickets will be offered at $185. Prohibition NYE also offers a limited number of VIP tables featuring a private entrance, hostess service, and an exclusive, elevated stage-side viewing experience. More information and tickets here.

crowd dancing at Pink Martini Dance Hall

Pink Martini at Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Pianist Thomas Lauderdale and Pink Martini, the celebrated “little orchestra,” are featuring a rare joint appearance by singers China Forbes and Storm Large, return for another quintessentially eclectic New Year’s program that mixes the heat of Brazilian samba, party sounds of 30s Cuban dance music, and a dash of Parisian café cool. Pink Martini will make sure you sashay into 2019 in the jazziest way possible. The group plays two sets, ticketed separately, at 7:00 and 10:30. Please note: Street Closure notice for New Year’s Eve LA at Grand Park. Buy tickets here.

Massive NYE Party @The Reserve x The Majestic 650 S. Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Say goodbye to 2018 and ring in the New Year with the biggest party Downtown Los Angeles has ever seen! NYE festivities include 3 rooms of music (The Majestic + Reserve Main Room + Reserve Vault); LA’s finest DJ’s playing Hip Hop, RnB, Throwbacks and all your favorite party anthems; open bars; premium bottle service reservations available in each room; Interactive photo booth installations; Champagne toast & epic countdown at Midnight including a balloon drop for each room! Tickets here.

Edison New Year’s Eve Ball The Edison 108 West 2nd Street #101 Los Angeles, CA 90012

Usher in the New Year at DTLA’s legendary Cathedral of Industry and Imagination. Celebrate Living History as you eperience the past on your journey into the future. Dance to the electric sounds of an amazing band, while aerialists take to the air with their death-defying acts of wonder. Feel the excitement walking with giants while they stilt their way through the crowd. $100. Tickets here.

NYE Party at OUE Skyspace 633 W 5th St. #840 Los Angeles, CA 90071

Hit the heights this New Year’s Eve at LA’s highest venue–OUE Skyspace! Two of LA’s hottest DJs will be spinning your favorite hip-hop and house music all night long, including music by Dre Sinatra! Your first drink of 2019 is on the house with a complimentary Champagne toast when the clock strikes midnight. Your general admission ticket includes: Access to the entire attraction including two outdoor terraces, Tray Passed Hors d’oeuvres for the first hour, Unlimited Skyslide rides until 11:30pm, and Open Bar all-night. Tickets here.

Grand Park + Music Center Present N.Y.E.L.A. 200 N. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

DTLA’s favorite NYE party returns to Grand Park! Dance your heart out and into 2019 with best friends, sweeties, friendly neighbors, and those cousins from out-of-town at the West Coast’s flagship New Year’s Eve celebration. Live music includes Aloe Blacc, Maya Jupiter, and Georgia Ann Muldrow, and the DJ stage features an all-female lineup.This year, the final moments before midnight will be marked with a 3D digital projection countdown on the west side of City Hall. Attendees are allowed to bring food that fits in a backpack or tote bags, but the event is 100 percent alcohol free, so don’t try to smuggle that flask in your pocket. Free.

New Year’s Events at L.A. LIVE 800 Olympic Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90015

If you don’t want to stray too far from home base this New Year’s Eve, L.A. LIVE has tasty parties in different flavors to suit everyone’s style! Bring in the New Year with a laugh at the Katt Williams special NYE comedy show at Nokia Theatre. Join DJ Drew of KIIS FM for Happy Endings NYE Party at Club Nokia. Enjoy a decadent NYE pre fixe menu at LA Market, featuring items like Prime NY Striploin, Mt. Lassen Trout, and Champagne Granite with chocolate dipped grapes. Electrico Carnival New Year’s Eve at the Conga Room presents an amazing Latin event including a VIP 4 course dinner, as well as performers & rhythms in three rooms throughout the night! Celebrate good cheer and ring in the New Year at the Mixing Room, featuring food, drinks, party favors, and live entertainment with Leftover Cuties and DJ Dini.

Comfort & Joy: DTLA’s Best Wine & Spirits Shops

It’s time to celebrate! You’ve decked the halls, your shopping is nearly finished, and everything is coming together at last! Now it’s time to party! And no festivity would be complete without an effervescent bubbly, aromatic wine, or a well-chilled brew. Whether you’re stocking up for a holiday soirée, ready for a tasting adventure, or looking for the perfect gift, LA’s the place for keeping spirits bright!

Gourmet Wines & Spirits 300 S Grand Ave LP110, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Located in the heart of DTLA at the corner of Grand Avenue and 3rd Street, Gourmet Wines & Spirits offers a large selection of fine wines, beers, and liquors from around the world, including many rare and hard to find items. A “one-stop” shop for personal and business gift entertaining, they offer free delivery to anywhere downtown. Choose from custom made baskets such as Wine/Liquor Baskets, Cheese/Cracker, and Chocolate Baskets. The deli department is staffed with creative, knowledgeable people prepared to meet your needs, from made-to-order sandwiches and salads to spectacular Cheese, Meats and Fruit Platters delivered to your office. Many wines, champagnes, beer, and soft drinks are already chilled, and their “Emergency Platters” can be prepared on short notice.

Buzz Wine Beer Bottle Shop 460 S.Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

The folks at Buzz Wine Beer Bottle Shop are self-proclaimed beer geeks, offering more than 800 curated beers that rotate every day. Inventory includes the latest market entries, hottest releases, and regional favorites. The Buzz team tastes 100-200 wines a week from more than 160 sources, including small producers, bottles made by non-traditional winemakers, geek wines, and natural, sustainable, organic, biodynamic, unfined & unfiltered products. The store professes a unique alternative experience without the typical “wine speak” intimidation and silly “nose-in-the-air” formalities, to give customers great options and empower them to make their own decisions. The Bar is open from 12 noon till 1:30am daily for those who buy a bottle in the store and choose to drink on-site, at no extra fee!

538 Wine & Spirits 538 South Flower St. Los Angeles, CA 90071

Ensconced in the ground floor of the California Club, 538 Wine & Spirits is open to both club members and non members. This swanky store is a premier source for world class wines and spirits, with an in-depth inventory of wines from the West Coast and Europe’s great winemaking traditions. 538 also sources rare and old vintages by legendary vintners, specializing in cult California, Bordeaux and Burgundy wines. They also feature a selection of Petrossian caviar and Padrón cigars. If you’re looking for something in particular or truly special, including hard to find bottles, the expert staff will source it for you.

Lost Spirits Distillery 1235 E 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Originating in Monterey Country and Silicon Valley, Lost Spirits Distillery is a creative design house and laboratory producing some of the world’s most extreme and unique spirits, including high-ester rums and peated single malts. Set in the DTLA Arts District, the new re-imagined Los Angeles distillery is open to the public by reservation only. Tours typically last 90 min-2 hours and include a journey through every step of the spirits-making process, from inception and raw ingredients to the finished product. You’ll also be guided through the lab to see current experiments and upcoming releases, and enjoy a 4-6 “course” tasting menu with the people who make it. Book reservations here.

flaskandfield

Jason’s Wine & Spirits California Market Center 110 E 9th St. Suite A2 Los Angeles 90079

Nestled in the Downtown Los Angeles Fashion District for over 40 years, Jason’s Wine & Spirits offers a wide range of beer, wine, champagne, whiskey, vodka, cognac and rum, including unique and hard to find bottles. Jason’s boasts LA’s fastest local alcohol delivery with under-an-hour free service from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m daily. They also offer event catering throughout the greater Los Angeles area, and can send a gift delivery for that special person in your life. Check their website to find out if you are in their delivery zone.

Wine Stop 1025 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Wine Stop is revolutionizing wine retailing with their ‘vineyard-to-shelf’ concept, which allows them to provide top-quality natural, low-intervention, organic, and biodynamic wines at incredible quality/price ratios. No other retailer in the city carries their inventory of domestic and imported selections, thus giving LA wine lovers a great new source for hand-selected wines. All imports are shipped in refrigerated containers (reefers) for maximum integrity. Wine Stop hosts Thursday Night Wine & Cheese Tastings and Bubble Flight (Fridays only).

Flask & Field Row DTLA 767 S Alameda St. Ste 180 Los Angeles, CA 90021

Flask & Field is a modern destination for the discovery of wine, spirits, art and design, offering a selection of quality goods for house, home and adventure. The eclectic establishment was founded by entertainment attorney Miriam Yoo, who was inspired by her husband’s lack of places to shop for spirits and supplies. Driven by her lifelong passion for wine, hospitality and design, she set out to create a new kind of shop that would address a range of lifestyle needs. Flask & Field hosts private events and tastings in their 1200 square-foot space, and pop-up classes on a range of useful skills. Join the F&F Wine Club or get on their mailing list for more information.

Holiday Art Exhibitions, Pop-Ups & Kunsthalles in DTLA

Art exhibitions don’t have to be traditional, and the eclectic DTLA scene proves that point in spades, with festive holiday pop-ups, unique immersive experiences, and the popular Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk, held on the second Thursday of every month. LA is also embracing the European kunsthalle concept. Roughly translated as “art hall,” kunsthalles activate their neighborhoods with provocative programming, are frequently quartered in renovated industrial or historic locations, and offer free admission. The Main Museum, ICA LA, and The Mistake Room are dynamic examples of this exciting new LA trend.

So take a break from your busy holiday prep and explore DTLA’s burgeoning exhibitions, art halls, and pop up museums!

Fa La Land Holiday Pop-Up Museum Row DTLA 787 S. Alameda St. Los Angeles 90021

The most wonderful time of the year deserves a massive celebration! Experience the dazzling lights, jolly sounds and comforting scents of the holiday season like never before at Fa La Land, the world’s most festive pop-up museum! Everything sparkles brighter in this immersive and interactive environment that is crafted to delight both the young and young at heart. Step into an old-fashioned North Pole, help make toys at “Jingle Bell Toy Factory”, get lost in light in a fluorescent “Fa La Forest”, jump in on the action at “Fa La Fest” and get your Christmas list ready for your private audience with the Big Man himself. Choose your preferred dates and purchase tickets here.

The Main Museum 114 W 4th St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Housed within the historic Hellman Building, The Main Museum is a new art hall dedicated to engaging the public with some of the most important ideas of our time, through the lense of Los Angeles artists. The expansive space features high ceilings, original columns and tile-work, and windows looking out to 4th Street. With a residency program at its center rather than a collection, The Main forefronts artists in its work and supports wide-ranging practices from artists at all stages in their careers. Open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 12 to 7pm when exhibitions are on view. Free admission always.

Couple playing in ball pit at Cheat Day Land

Cheat Day Land 2018 E 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

The only pop-up musuem dedicated to your favorite cheat meals, Cheat Day Land is a celebration of the foods we all dream about and deserve after a hard week’s workout. This immersive museum lends its energy to the idea of treating yourself with a cheat day-because you deserve it. Cheat Day Land hosts 17 fully immersive, imaginative environments in themes of all your “forbidden” foods-a journey through space and time with the vehicle being your favorite cheat day meals. Your guided tour will be lead by a Cheat Day specialist, who will walk you through all of the exhibits and installations. The museum also offers ideas for balancing a healthy lifestyle which still allows for snacking and occasional guilt-free cheating. Cheat Day Land is partnering with St. Anne’s Org in giving to those in need this holiday season. Bring a new unwrapped toy and receive a 50% discount off regular ticket pricing through December 18th. Buy tickets here.

ICA LA 1717 E 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

The Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (ICA LA) is a new museum located in Downtown Los Angeles. ICA LA’s revelatory exhibitions of works by international artists, dynamic public programs, and inclusive community partnerships reflect the diversity of Los Angeles and the world, fostering critique of the familiar and empathy with the different. Founded in 1984 as the Santa Monica Museum of Art (SMMoA), ICA LA builds upon a distinguished history of fostering artistic experimentation with bold curatorial choices, and connecting with various communities via timely, meaningful, and engaging public programs. Admission is free.

The Mistake Room 1811 E 20th St. Los Angeles, CA 90058

Established in 2014, The Mistake Room (TMR) operates from a renovated industrial warehouse along the Alameda Corridor at the southernmost edge of Downtown LA’s Arts District. A platform for art, ideas, and practices fueled by radical imagination, TMR works with artists, thinkers and makers from around the world, TMR strives to instigate new ways of being and knowing while transforming how people access, experience, and engage with culture. TMR’s program is organized in rotating curatorial cycles that vary in structure, duration, and thematic focus. Each cycle is conceived as a world in its own right and as such is given shape by unique exhibitionary, experiential, and discursive forms and moments.

Invader Into the White Cube Over the Influence 833 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Over the Influence is thrilled to announce “Into the White Cube,” a survey exhibition celebrating the internationally-renowned French artist known as Invader. Offering an overview of the artist’s achievements from the past two decades, the exhibition features feature his iconic mosaics along side a completely new series and media. One of the most enigmatic and radical living artists of our time, since 1998 he has “invaded” cities and landmarks worldwide, adroitly placing his tiled pieces in the most ubiquitous locations. By highlighting the growing role of technology in our everyday life, Invader forces people to think about the implications of this digital invasion. Marking Invader’s first solo show in Los Angeles since 2005, the exhibition will remain on view through December 23, 2018.