Events
Day of the Dog
Sept. 7. Main Street in Santa Monica will host a free event featuring 100 pet-centric vendors and plenty of dog-friendly activities. Attractions include a ball pit, foam party, surf machine, pool party, photo ops, races, fashion shows and yoga with adoptable pups. Saturday, 12-5 p.m. 2327 Main Street, Santa Monica. petapaloozawest.com
Los Angeles Kids Book Festival
Sept. 8.
Santa Monica Pier’s 115th Birthday
Sept. 6. Celebrating its 115th birthday, the Santa Monica Pier is throwing a free party this Friday. Enjoy an outdoor screening of Barbie, live music by Pinktastic Plastixx and treats like birthday cake and frozen custard from Pier Burger. The event also features games, face painting and activities for kids, making it a fun-filled evening for all ages. Doors open at 5:30 p.m and movie is at 7:30 p.m. 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. santamonicapier.org
Frogtown First Fridays
Sept. 6. Elysian Valley Arts Collective returns with Frogtown First Fridays, themed “All About Animals.” Join for a car-free, fun-filled evening featuring over a dozen venues offering art exhibits, free or low-cost activities, giveaways, DJs and live music. Explore family-friendly arts and crafts, workshops and booths from animal welfare organizations and pet care businesses. Friday, 4-9 p.m. 2902 Knox Ave, Los Angeles. evartscollective.com
“Only Murders in the Building” Escape Game
Starts Sept. 7. The hit murder mystery parody “Only Murders in the Building” comes to life with an escape room at Westfield Century City. Set on a faux movie set, guests will track down a missing film reel while navigating hidden bookcase doorways, secret passageways and easter eggs from the Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez series. For specific hours, visit website. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. theescapegame.com
Food + Drinks
500 Free Cheeseburgers at For The Win Beverly Center
Sept. 8. The newest spot at Beverly Center is celebrating its grand opening by offering the first 500 guests a free cheeseburger, while supplies last. Attendees will gain exclusive access to the BEV Beer Garden with complimentary beer, wine, lawn games, music and photo moments. Simply show your receipt at check-in to join the fun. Plus, the first 30 guests will receive a $25 Beverly Center gift card. Saturday at 11 a.m. 8500 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. beverlycenter.com
Barr Seco in Silver Lake
Now Open. The team behind Santō has collaborated with creative director Olivia Lopez to launch Barr Seco, a café and wine bar with an elevated twist. By day, they offer elevated fare like fermented grain bowls, bocadillos and seasonal salads. In the evening, the menu shifts to bar snacks and aperitivos such as jamón plates, scallop crudo and dry-aged wagyu skirt steak. The wine list, curated by sommelier Kae Whalen, highlights natural wines from small producers. Hours vary. 3820 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. barrseco.com
Qué Bárbaro x Evil Cooks Collab
Sept. 5. Join Alex and Elvia of Evil Cooks as they partner with Chef Ray Garcia at Que Barbaro for a seven-course dining experience. The menu features signature dishes like wagyu empanadas, leche de tigre with yellowtail and plantain and ghost octopus a las brasas with habanero crema. Enjoy hongos adobados, black al pastor trompo with chile de árbol tzatziki and pan de elote a la parrilla. The evening culminates in a parrillada of asado, lengua, green chorizo and sweetbreads. Thursday at 5 p.m. 1254 S. Figueroa Street 8th Floor, Los Angeles. Reserve Now
Pop-Up Tiki Bar at Merois
Sept. 5-7. For a hassle-free island getaway, Wolfgang Puck’s Merois presents a poolside tiki pop-up, offering a full food and drink menu with no reservations needed. Sip on tiki favorites like zombies, Blue Hawaiians and mai tais, while enjoying Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander-inspired bites like lechon kawali, bluefin tuna poke and kreung beef skewers. This special menu is available Thursday-Saturday, from 1-6 p.m. 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. More Information
Garden Hour with Toto
Now Serving. Lillie’s at The Culver Hotel introduces a pet-friendly happy hour inspired by The Wizard of Oz, which has ties to the hotel as it celebrates its 85th anniversary. Unwind on the garden patio, surrounded by vintage bird cages, while enjoying light bites and drink specials like the Ruby Slipper Punch, cask wines and draft beer. Pets are treated to their own “barcuterie” board, featuring fruits, veggies, Gruyere cheese, peanut butter dip and crunchy treats. From Tuesday-Friday, 3-5 p.m. 9400 Culver Blvd., Culver City. culverhotel.com
Arts + Culture
The Skin of Our Teeth at A Noise Within
Sept. 1-29. This Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy follows George and Maggie Antrobus as they navigate a series of cataclysmic events. Over 5,000 years of marriage, the family endures ice ages, floods, wars and even a pet dinosaur, all with humor and ingenuity. The play offers a thought-provoking exploration of human resilience and the enduring spirit of survival. Hours vary, check website for showtimes. 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. anoisewithin.org
Vance Joy at The Hollywood Bowl
Sept. 8. Alternative indie artist Vance Joy marks the ten-year anniversary of his debut album Dream Your Life Away with a special performance at The Bowl. The Australian singer/songwriter will play tracks from the album alongside other career hits. Opening the show is indie-rock band GROUPLOVE, known for their melodies and high-energy performances. Sunday at 7 p.m. 2301 Highland Ave., Los Angeles. hollywoodbowl.com
Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak
Opens Sept. 7. The Autry features over 50 works by indigenous artists exploring alternative futures amidst ongoing colonial trauma. Highlights include Wendy Red Star’s surreal spacescapes, Andy Everson’s pop culture commentaries and a site-specific space odyssey by Virgil Ortiz. Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. theautry.org
Photo credit: Skin of Our Teeth courtesy of Daniel Reichert. Bar Secco courtesy of Drew Escriva. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
