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

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

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.

Whiskey Lounge

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

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

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

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!

Ritz Carlton

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.

Woman in pool with sun hat

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.

Spa towels and rocks

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 interior

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.

Desaur brass tub

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 Spaw lobby

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 crowd photo

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.

NYE party at The Majestic

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

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.

Skyspace NYE

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

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.

LA Live

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 Wine & Spirits

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 Pub Interior

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 and Spirits interior

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

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

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

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

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 logo design

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.

Interior photo of The Main Museum

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

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 Interior Photo

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

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.

DTLA Holiday Shopping: Big Brands, Hot Shops & Pop-Ups

This holiday season, DTLA is truly a shopper’s paradise! Big name brands are rubbing elbows with experiential stores, artsy concept shops, and an ever-passing parade of retail pop-ups. With so many options to choose from, it’s a good thing December has just begun!

Here are some ideas for Holiday Shopping that will bring good cheer to everyone on your list!

Dover Street Market

Dover Street Market 606-608 Imperial Street Los Angeles, CA 90021

Dover Street Market, one of the most exclusive and highly regarded retail trendsetters in the global fashion scene, recently opened DSMLA, its Los Angeles flagship store located in the Arts District just two blocks from the LA River. Housed in a 15,000 square-foot warehouse, painted a graphic white, DSMLA is the latest art-meets-retail concept from the Commes des Garçons label. Once inside, you’ll be greeted by a life-size hippo sculpture and there the fun begins! The interior is laced with a warren of arresting visual displays, art installations, chain link fencing, and galvanized metal, creating distinct sections for coveted brands like Gucci, Palace, noir kei ninomiya, Chanel Fine Jewelry, Marc Jacobs, and Comme des Garçons Women’s and Men’s. Holiday hours, parking and public transportation info here.

Jumpman LA Storefront

Jumpman LA 620 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA

Situated on DTLA’s “Sneaker Row,” a collection of athletic shoe and streetwear stores on South Broadway between 4th and 9th streets, Jumpman LA is a three-story 25,000 square-foot experiential retail space from Nike’s Jordan Brand–Michael Jordan’s shoe and athletic wear label, in partnership with footwear retailer Footaction. Serving as a hub for athletes, creatives and passionate Jordan fans,  Jumpman LA encourages customers to test drive their products in a sports-science-equipped Flight Lab weight training room and full regulation-size rooftop basketball court. After all that exertion, patrons can relax in the recovery lounge.

UNIQLO Bloc Opening Flyer

UNIQLO THE BLOC 700 S Flower Street Los Angeles, CA 90017

OPENING December 13, 2018

A Tokyo fashion and clothing company with locations in 12 countries, UNIQLO is one of the five biggest specialty fashion retailers in the world. Owned by Fast Retailing, a Hiroshima based company, UNIGLO is known for making accessible, affordable T-shirts, jeans, outerwear, and casual wear for women and men. One of UNIQLO’s main products is HEATTECH–a thin, anti-static, stretch fabric that keeps in heat and dries quickly–perfect for wearing layers of clothing. UNIQLO parent company Fast Retailing is a signatory to the UN Global Compact, that fosters responsible action among companies and organizations and aims to materialize sustainable growth for the international community. As a signatory, the company will contribute to ongoing social progress in keeping with its sustainability statement, which is Unlocking the Power of Clothing to create a force of social good.

Gentle Monster

Gentle Monster 816 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA

Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster takes the concept of immersive, artful shopping to new heights–marrying their signature experimental visual style with unique, boundary-pushing sunglasses. The Los Angeles store brings a zen mood to the core of DTLA’s historic theatre district with Gentle Monster Harvest, inspired by the spirit, emotions and oriental traditions associated with harvesting. The space takes visitors on a journey through the stages of harvest from paddy fields through threshing with captivating kinetic installations and handmade visual objects to create a unique and never before experienced space.

Made by DWC presentation photo

Made by DWC  325 S Los Angeles Street Los Angeles, CA 90013

MADE by DWC is a social enterprise operated by the Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) to provide job training and transitional employment in product and retail environments for women transitioning out of homelessness. By purchasing from MADE by DWC’s signature line of products, you directly contribute to ending women’s homelessness in Los Angeles. Products include apparel, bags, candles, cards, gift sets, journals and soap. Want to give back this holiday season? Made by DWC’s volunteer program is run by Downtown Women’s Center. More details here.

Books on shelf at Marfa

Marfa Book Co Pop Up at ICA 1717 E 7th Street Los Angeles, CA 90021

Marfa Book Co. is an independent bookstore, publisher, and project space based in Marfa, Texas. After 20 years as a brick-and-mortar shop, Marfa Book Co. opened its first experimental pop-up at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles in 2018. The store offers an eclectic catalog from publishers such as Gato Negro, an art and poetry press based in Mexico City; Dorothy, a publishing project, a St. Louis-based publisher dedicated to prose works by women; Haymarket, a publisher of progressive political theory and social history; and Primary Information, a specialist in facsimile reproductions of artists books and writings from the 1960s and 1970s. Marfa Book Co. is committed to the belief that bookstores can provide their communities with spaces for generative cultural encounters. They will be co-presenting a number of public programs during their time at ICA LA, and will also continue ICA LA’s exceptional partnership with local bilingual children’s bookstore LA Librería.

DTLA IRL red logo

DTLA//IRL Pop Up LA Athletic Club 431 W 7th Street Los Angeles, CA 90014

The Downtown Central Business Improvement District recently launched DTLA//IRL, a Holiday Pop-Up on the ground floor of the Los Angeles Athletic Club in the heart of DTLA. Curated by Handcrafted LA, the DTLA//IRL store features products from Handcrafted, LA Original, Sub-Urban Riot, LA Athletic Club, Skidrow Denim + Apparel, Downtown Women’s Center, Piece by Piece, Back2Garden, Cake Denim, Pocket Square and more. Need a break from shopping? Step into the Recharge Lounge, with furnishings and decor provided by partner West Elm, and enjoy free goodies to relax and refresh. DTLA//IRL is a permanent pop-up retail shop and an extension of downtown’s Pop-Up Connect Retail program, which aims to promote the retail experience and culture in Downtown Los Angeles and forge partnerships with retail owners.

Freshen Up Your Home with Air-Purifying Plants

Now that the weather is getting colder, we’re battening down the hatches and spending more time inside, Hunker, a Santa Monica-based home design brand, has some fresh ideas on how to use houseplants to purify your indoor air and bring some nature into your home. Have a brown thumb? Never fear-many of these plants are surprisingly hardy and low maintenance.

Ready to go green? DTLA is blooming with nurseries and purveyors offering an array of plants, accessories, gardening products, and services.

Peace Lily

Peace Lily

The peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) is one of the few houseplants to bloom indoors. With pure white flowers that look like seashells and shiny, lush oval leaves, this lovely specimen brings a summer feeling into your home all year long. One of the best plants for air freshening, all your peace lily asks for is low light and a drink when its leaves droop.

Chinese Evergreen

Chinese Evergreen

The Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum) is a handsome houseplant with large, variegated leaves (up to two feet long) on short stems. It will clean your air and add a pop of color to a counter or corner. An easy-care houseguest, this plant will grow happily in low-light areas.

Rubber Plant

Rubber Plant

A rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is your go-to budget-friendly air-filtration system! The thick, leathery leaves are powerful air purifiers and the plant is almost foolproof, thriving in dry soil and dim lighting. It’s also a great option if you’re looking to cultivate a large plant, as it can grow quite tall, even touching the ceiling.

Golden pothos

Golden Pothos

If you’re looking for a good air cleaner, Golden pothos (Epipremnum spp) should be on your list. With its distinctive yellow-speckled, heart-shaped trailing leaves, this plant adds a decorative touch when displayed in a hanging container. Tough and robust, the foliage stays green even if the plant gets very little light.

Spider Plant

Spider Plant

Anyone allergic to common dust needs to get some spider plants pronto! Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are those “helicopter” plants with long, trailing skirts of leaves, growing baby plants at the tip of long, pale, drooping stems. Spider plants are easy to grow, requiring only indirect light and occasional watering. This attractive, fast-growing plant can purify your indoor air in just a few days, and also absorbs mold and allergens.

City Home Garden photo

City Home & Garden 737 San Pedro St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

City Home & Garden is the largest wholesale/retail indoor plants store in the DTLA Flower District. This full service nursery provides quality indoor plants, orchids, and pottery for wholesale, commercial and retail customers. They also make flower and plant arrangements for commercial and retail customers. You can select pottery from the shop or bring your own for planting or custom arrangement service. Local delivery and set up are available.

Rainbow

Rainbow 821 N. Spring St., 168A Los Angeles, CA 90012

Founder Ha Huu opened the doors of Rainbow 22 years ago with the mission to share her knowledge and experience of Asia’s heritage. The establishment specializes in a variety of indoor and outdoor plants, from succulents to fruit trees. They also carry a large selection of traditional to contemporary home decor.

Photo of Original LA Flower Market

The Original Los Angeles Flower Market 754 Wall St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

A DTLA icon since 1921, located in the heart of the Los Angeles Flower District, The Original Los Angeles Flower Market is an expansive indoor floral marketplace open to both the trade and the general public. Virtually every in-season, commercially sold variety of cut flower is available from growers all over the globe. The selection and quality are remarkable, and so are the prices.

Established nearly 100 years ago, the Los Angeles Flower District has grown to become the single largest and most successful wholesale floral district in the entire United States. While you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to check out The Southern California Flower Market, and the approximately 200 adjacent wholesale and retail floral businesses, shops, malls and marts within the surrounding six-block area.

Pamper Your Pet: Perks, Parties and Parks

We love pets! Circa’s breathtaking two-acre rooftop park and amenity collection includes large & small dog parks, and a pet lounge with grooming area. But sometimes you want to come down from your gleaming tower and mingle with the vibrant city at your feet. DTLA is alive with opportunities to exercise your options–and your furry friends.

Photo of Pussy & Pooch dog

Pussy & Pooch 564 S Main St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

You lead a stylish, progressive life and your pet companion should, too. That’s the thinking behind Pussy & Pooch, an adventurous destination where convenience meets community in a design-forward, social experience for pets and people. With a focus on nutrition and green living, the store is dedicated to providing a playful and edgy twist to the traditional pet store experience. Services include pet grooming, pet dental, and pet parties, along with an insane array of boutique pet toys, furniture and accessories. Pussy & Pooch offers convenient local delivery, and in-store and curbside pick-up for online orders.

Pet Project LA

Pet Project LA 548 S. Spring St. Ste. 107 Los Angeles, CA 90013

Pet Project LA wants to show your fur babies the love! And to keep your pet piqued, their vast inventory is constantly curated to support the DTLA community with creative products for dogs, cats and small animals. Offerings include seasonal pet apparel, pet party supplies, grooming products, bowls, carriers, e-collars, and food & treats from all your favorite brands. The store offers local same-day delivery throughout normal business hours. As part of their Donations of the Month program, Pet Project LA is giving in-kind donations to Downtown Dog Rescue and their Pet Resource Center.

LA Live Dog Park

L.A. Live Dog Park L.A. Live Way Los Angeles, CA 90015

Located On L.A. Live Way, just west of the parking garage behind Regal Cinemas, L.A. Live Off-Leash Dog Park is a fenced-in landscaped park fitted with benches and water fountains. There are designated areas for both small and large dogs to exercise with similar sized friends, and both sections are stocked with waste bags. The park is patrolled by L.A. Live security officers, with surveillance cameras and an emergency call box for extra safety.

Art District Park

Arts District Dog Park 1004 E 4th Street Los Angeles, CA 90013

In 2009, Los Angeles River Artists and Business Association (LARABA) launched the Arts District Dog Park Park project. True to its creative surroundings, the park is punctuated with colorful murals from LA artist Septerhed. The parks includes a dog water fountain, separate small dog area, shade trees, benches for humans, a community bulletin board, pooper-scoopers, and trash bins. Not run or supported by the City of Los Angeles, this volunteer-run park is a true example of community spirit. While the land is being generously loaned to the community, there are yearly operational costs to cover. You can help keep the Arts District Dog Park open to the public with a donation to cover operational costs.

Spring Street Park

Spring Street Park 428 S Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90013

Spring Street Park brings a substantial and much-needed green space to DTLA’s Historic Core. A former parking lot has been transformed to a lawn, playground, and seating area nestled in the shadow of luxury lofts. This small park allows dogs to fun free, and humans a chance to relax and linger in this fascinating neighborhood. The park also has a chilren’s play area and concentric wlkways circling the lawn. The park provides security and is cleaned every morning. Make sure you observe the poo poo rules-they can be quite strict!

LA Animal Services

LA Animal Services

Looking to adopt a furry friend? LA Animal Services offers a wealth of information for prospective and current pet parents, including adopting a pet, finding a lost pet, licensing, animal vaccinations, spay/neuter information, microchipping, and what to do if you find a stray animal. Search for your perfect animal companion on the website’s Adoptable Pet Search. All cats, dogs and rabbits adopted from L.A. Animal Services will have a microchip. The cost of microchipping is included in the adoption fee.

Shop DTLA’s Historic Core

Bounded by Hill Street on the West, Los Angeles Street on the East, Third Street on the North, and Olympic Boulevard on the South, the Historic Core is one of LA’s oldest and and most intriguing neighborhoods. A century ago, the intersection of Spring and Main was essentialy the Wall Street of the West, but as banking and finance migrated to Financial District skyscrapers and elsewhere, the historic streets and fell into neglect.

In 1999, the Los Angeles City Council passed an Adaptive Re-Use Ordinance, allowing for the conversion of old, unused office buildings to apartments or lofts. Developer Tom Gilmore purchased a series of century-old buildings and converted them into lofts near Main and Spring streets, a development now known as the “Old Bank District.”

Walk these storied streets and you’ll discover some of the city’s most notable architecture, such as the Eastern Columbia Building, Bradbury Building, The Edison, and the Broadway Theatre District, featuring the largest number of old movie palaces in the United States. The Historic Core is also dotted with eclectic shops, art galleries, bars, and restaurants, and destinations like the Grand Central Market.

Ready to start exploring? Historic Core BID Walking Guide here. “Walk the Historic Core” printed map guides are available at Grand Central Market, The Last Bookstore, Ace Hotel, IndieDesk, Ilcaffe, Gelateria Uli, and other retailers around the neighborhood.

Pocket Square Founders

Pocket Square Clothing Flagship Store 205 W 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Established in 2011 as an LA-inspired men’s accessory brand, Pocket Square Clothing has become an incubator for the burgeoning LA menswear movement. With no formal fashion training, founders Rodolfo and Andrew have created a lifestyle brand beyond clothing, geared toward the modern urban gentleman. Starting with the bow tie, their collection features menswear staples, a plethora of accessories, and Made to Measure suiting and shirting. Pocket Square Clothing takes pride in its domestic manufacturing and attention to detail. Using traditional techniques, everything is carefully handcrafted by some of the oldest remaining craftsmen in the heart of Los Angeles. Each piece comes with a narrative and fully handcrafted vintage inspired packaging.

BNKR

BNKR 901 S Broadway & W 9th St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

From its humble beginnings as a small online retailer in Australia, BNKR has quickly expanded to become a global company specializing in premium Australian fashion. Located on the ground level of the historic Blackstone Apartments, the 6,000 square foot BNKR flagship store takes up the entire corner of the building, with a minimalistic storefront and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows facing the street. The only retailer to stock the full ranges of C/MEO COLLECTIVE, Finders Keepers, Keepsake and The Fifth, BNKR presents a fresh selection of clothing, accessories and footwear from street style to classic, and everything in between. BNKR’s labels are a favorite of international celebrities, bloggers and street style stars, including Cara Delevingne, Jessica Alba, the Kardashian and Jenner sisters, Solange Knowles, Song Of Style, and Margaret Zhang of Shine By Three.

Aesop

Aesop Downtown LA 862 S. Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90014

LA is clearly getting Aussie-fied! Headquartered in Melbourne, with offices and stores around the world, Aesop is your go-to for deliciously aromatic skin, hair, and body care formulations, along with fragrances, sprays for the home, and gift and travel kits. Since its inception in 1987, Aesop has sourced the finest quality plant-based and laboratory-made ingredients from across the globe, with a proven record of safety and efficacy. Ready for a facial detox? Try the Parsley Seed collection, featuring Cleansing Masque, Anti-Oxidant Serum, Anti-Oxidant Facial Treatment, and Anti-Oxidant Facial Toner. Nourish and purify your skin with Geranium Leaf Body Scrub, an invigorating blend of Pumice, Bamboo Stem, and purifying botanical oils that sloughs away tired cells and leaves skin cleansed and smooth, perfectly prepared for hydration. For a relaxing respite, cleanse, calm and warm your skin with Coriander Seed Body Cleanser, a richly aromatic formulation enhanced with Coriander Seeds and Black Peppercorns.

Photo of Raw Materials Inventory

Raw Materials Art Supplies 436 S Main St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Raw Materials Art Supplies is a rare commodity these days—an independent art supply store in the heart Downtown Los Angeles. Hunkered down in a bright, minimalist space, Raw Materials stocks thousands of art supplies, tools, and materials at every-day low prices, including many top brands of paints, stretched canvas, and brushes. The store has partnered with Castelli Art Framing, to offer professional custom fine art framing services to the downtown community. Raw Materials handles the design work in their store on Main Street, where you can drop off and pick up your artwork, certificates, or other pieces to be framed, or you can arrange for pick-up and delivery at your office or residence. Celebrity customers include painter Salomon Huerta,whose work is exhibited and collected all over the world, including the Whitney Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Hammer Museum, LACMA, and MCA San Diego.

Last Bookstore

The Last Bookstore 453 S Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

A true DTLA treasure, The Last Bookstore is California’s largest used and new book and record store. Named one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world by Flavorwire, The Last Book Store is housed in a stunning 22,000 square-foot space in the Spring Arts Tower at 5th & Spring. Currently in its third incarnation, the store began in 2005 in a downtown LA loft, when owner Josh Spencer took his decade of experience selling everything from cars to clothes online and focused instead on his first love: books. According to Spencer, the name was chosen with irony, but seems more appropriate with each passing day, as physical bookstores die out like dinosaurs from the meteoric impact of Amazon and e-books. In addition to over 250,000 new and used books on two floors, including the Arts & Rare Book Annex, the shared space includes tens of thousands of vinyl records and graphic novels, and a huge mezzanine level featuring the Labyrinth Above the Last Bookstore, Gather Yarn Shop, and the Spring Arts Collective gallery shops.

Best Architecture & Design Tours in LA and Beyond

Welcome to the Circa Blog! Every week we’ll be sharing stories about everything you love about DTLA–from Arts & Culture to Culinary Hot Spots, Shopping, Architecture & Design, Hidden Gems, and so much more. With its stellar location, Circa is clearly at the epicenter of it all.

But did you know that Circa is also moments away from some of LA’s most iconic historic neighborhoods? If you’re curious to find out more, consider joining the Los Angeles Conservancywhich, in addition to its preservation mission, offers amazing historic tours and special programs such as Last Remaining Seats  classic movies screened in LA’s gorgeous historic theatres.

Beyond LA: Palm Springs Modernism Week and Pasadena Heritage Craftsman Weekend are coming up soon. These popular events attract thousands of visitors annually, so get your tickets before they sell out!

LA Conservancy Walking Tour

LA Conservancy Historic Downtown Walking Tours

Saturdays at 10 a.m. & Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Meeting location: Pershing Square

Discover downtown LA’s fascinating history and architecture, and explore some of the city’s most beloved landmarks, such as the Central Library, the U.S. Bank Tower, and the Bradbury Building! The LA Conservancy Historic Downtown walking tour offers a great overview of architecture, from the eighteenth century to the present. Starting at Pershing Square, docents will acquaint you with the area’s unique character, told through its magnificent buildings. The tour itinerary includes a ride aboard the historic funicular Angels Flight (ticket is included in the cost of your tour). Tour-goers who choose not to ride Angels Flight may use a staircase that parallels the funicular’s route (but there is no fare refund). Ready for more? The Conservancy offers tours of other historic neighborhoods and focal points including Angelino Heights, Art Deco, Broadway Historic Theatre and Commercial District, Union Station and more. Complete list of Walking Tours here.

Modernism Week Shag

Palm Springs Modernism Week February 14-24, 2019

Modernism Week’s signature February Event is an annual celebration of midcentury modern design, architecture, art, fashion and culture, attracting visitors from around the world. Taking place in Palm Springs and surrounding areas, Modernism Week features a kaleidoscope of more than 350 events including the Modernism Show & Sale, Signature Home Tours, films, lectures, Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tours, nightly parties, walking and bike tours, classic cars, a vintage travel trailer exhibition, and more. Modernism Week is also a charitable organization, providing scholarships to local students pursuing college educations in the fields of architecture and design; as well as supporting local and state preservation organizations and neighborhood groups in their efforts to preserve modernist architecture throughout the state of California.

EARLY BIRD ALERT: Tickets go on sale November 1, 2018 and many events sell out quickly!

Craftsman Weekend

Craftsman Weekend November 9-11, 2018

A tribute to Pasadena’s unique contributions to the American Arts & Crafts Movement, Pasadena Heritage Craftsman Weekend is the largest, most comprehensive celebration of the Craftsman Movement in the Western United States. The Weekend’s offerings will include a Drive Yourself Craftsman Home Tour, Gamble House Lecture and Tour, and a variety of interesting bus and walking tours. Other festive options include the Opening Reception at the historic Blinn House, Traditional Tea Ceremony at the Storrier Sterns Japanese Garden, and Evening Reception, also at the Storrier Sterns. You can customize your weekend by purchasing tickets to the events of your choice.