What to See in Art District Downtown Los Angeles
The Arts Commune is one of the most vibrant and hip areas of the city.
Located east of Downtown Los Angeles, the Arts District is one of my favorite daytime date destinations in the entire LA area! It's undergone an astonishing revitalization with cool galleries, breweries, restaurants, and hipster bars. It's a great place to spend an afternoon or evening with someone special.
Getting There & Parking
The Downtown LA Arts District is located east of Alameda between 1st and 7th Streets, with almost of the cool walkable areas at the north cease of this map.
For the purposes of this article, I'm going to include Smorgasburg and the Row (in the lower left corner of the map) as part of the Arts District.
In that location is street parking, but it tin be hard to find. I parked in a centrally-located lot at East. 3rd Street and Hewett St. The sign said "$3 parking" but that was misleading, because it was $3 per hr with a $fifteen max. Just, I paid anyway because I didn't have time to look for scarce street parking. Some of the restaurants have valet parking.
The last fourth dimension I went, I did find free street parking on Santa Fe Ave under the 1st Street overpass. We only had to walk a few blocks from in that location.
If yous're coming from the Pasadena area, you lot can take the Metro Red Line to the Little Tokyo / Arts District Station. It'due south only a ten minute walk to the Arts District from there.
And now, on to my listing of things to exercise and see in the DTLA Arts District!
1. Hauser & Wirth Art Complex / Manuela
For me, the centerpiece of the Arts District is the Hauser & Wirth art complex, located at 901 East third Street. Information technology's a massive former industrial space from the 1890'southward (the Globe Mills complex) which was restored into a cool art and restaurant circuitous in 2016. The industrial bare brick and massive iron doors accept been preserved, creating a really unique vintage factory experience.
The art gallery contains near v or then big rooms which tin can accommodate massive installations or exhibits. When I went, they were featuring really cool installations past Jason Rhoades (I won't spoil information technology by telling you what all of the neon words hateful, but maybe you tin effigy information technology out. Hint: information technology'due south X-rated).
This blazon of art may not exist anybody's cup of tea (definitely not for kids due to the language and imagery), simply at the very least it'southward interesting for adults! The installations alter every few months, so bank check their website to see what they have now. Here'south a newer installation from 2021:
There is an open-air courtyard in the centre, with a garden on one side where they grow herbs and vegetables for the restaurant. At that place are fifty-fifty live chickens!
The highly-rated restaurant, Manuela, features Texas-inspired American cuisine using farm-fresh ingredients. The ambiance of this restaurant is actually incredible, as it looks out into the courtyard of the complex.
two. Girl & the Goat
Chef Stephanie Izard'due south L.A. version of her classic Chicago restaurant is ane of the hottest spots in town, and one of my personal favorite restaurants, both in terms of food and ambiance. We had brunch at that place and information technology was easily one of the best brunches I've always had, and definitely the almost creative. When nosotros went for dinner, the food was flawless, as was the service.
The huge former warehouse space is adorned with plants and is bright and airy. The Girl & the Goat is probably my favorite eatery in the Arts District. Although the music was a tad loud for both brunch and dinner, it'due south an amazing place to bring a date!
The dishes are New American, but with some strong Asian influences (chili sauce, spices). There are some really innovative combinations going on, but more importantly, every dish we tried was delicious. The menu is designed for sharing.
Getting reservations is NOT piece of cake. I'd recommend checking Yelp! frequently and simply reserving a time that works, even if you lot don't have someone to bring withal. Whatever foodie will want to try it out with you!
3. Coffee!
There are lots of great non-chain coffee options within walking altitude including:
- Black Top Coffee
- Groundwork Coffee Co.
- Urth Caffe
- Blueish Bottle Coffee
Further to the south, there is Stumptown Coffee Roasters.
iv. Breweries
Keeping with the industrial theme that seems to pervade this area, Angel City Brewery is a huge two-level infinite located in a former cable factory. I really similar the vintage industrial ambiance hither and the huge space.
Catch drinks at the bar, and so find a table to share. Or, play a game of Jenga or beanbags. If y'all're hungry, there's oftentimes a food truck outside. What more could you lot want in a brewery?
Another dandy brewery in the expanse is the Arts Commune Brewing Company. Not only do they have a great selection of beer and awesome chicken wings, but they besides have Skee-Ball! Need I say more?
five. Casual Dining
Wurstkuche is an informal High german restaurant specializing in sausages, Belgian fries, and beer. And oh are they good together! Their most notorious menu item is their rattlesnake and rabbit sausage, but remainder assured there are plenty of other more traditional options. Of course, they offer an amazing choice of High german and Belgian beers on tap! They accept "picnic tabular array" seating, then you may be sharing a table, but it's all part of the fun. Wurstkuche is definitely not your typical hot dog joint!
Everson Royce is a bar but has amazing nutrient past former Mozza chef Matt Molina. Their burger is ane of my all-fourth dimension favorites. Their back patio space has communal dining but is swell if you know what y'all're getting into. Of form, they have a huge cocktail menu.
You'll find the all-time ramen in the area at Afuri Ramen + Dumplings. Afuri opened its first restaurant outside of Nihon in Portland in 2016, and now they are in the Arts District of Fifty.A.! Y'all order at touch screens and they bring the nutrient out pretty rapidly. I love the clean, modernistic, casual vibe.
Another bar with proficient nutrient is Trivial Comport. I'm a fan of their industrial Arts-Commune ambiance and Belgian beers!
Another slap-up breezy just really practiced restaurants in the area include Consume Drink Americano, Zinc Cafe & Market, Bread Lounge, and Buffet Gratitude located at the I Santa Fe circuitous
Dessert
Pie Hole offers sweet and savory pies that are to dice for. We split a minor Shepard'southward Pie and it was amazing, every bit well as filling! Their other favorite is the macaroni and cheese pie. Of course, their sweet pies are incredible besides!
If you dearest ice foam, caput over to Table salt and Straw for their famous ice foam flavors. There might be a line though!
6. Fine Dining
The Arts Commune has a few of the best restaurants in L.A. including two on Jonathan Gold's peak 100 list. In true Arts District form, these restaurants are still coincidental (i.e., no dress codes) even though the nutrient is pinnacle-notch.
Bestia
Bestia is probably my favorite high-stop eatery in the Arts District. It's a Jonathan Gold favorite, ranking #17 on his list of top 100 restaurants in Los Angeles, offers amazing Italian-influenced cuisine.
The atmosphere is what I call Arts District industrial chic, informal but hip, and lively but not insanely loud. Bring a engagement here and they won't be disappointed!
Bavel
Bavel is a newer entry by the folks who brought you Bestia specializing in Middle Eastern cuisine. I love the ambiance with the open kitchen and plants hanging overhead.
Information technology's best to order family-manner. Everything we had here was amazing, from the duck to the roasted cauliflower to the octopus. But, my favorite was the baba ghanoush and seasoned breadstuff. I've never had bread like that earlier!
Brera
Brera (formerly Officine Brera) offers Northern Italian-inspired cuisine, just this isn't your typical Italian restaurant. Here, I shared a $100 plate of risotto with shaved truffles on tiptop with a friend of mine. Wow! Brera comes in at #41 on Jonathan Aureate's list of summit 100 restaurants in LA. Ambiance is great for a date!
Cha Cha Chá
Cha Cha Chá is a hip new rooftop restaurant, ideal for a date. With their second-story outdoor dining and overhead chophouse lights, the ambiance is unbeatable for a engagement. The Mexican dishes score highly on Yelp, as do their desserts. Just be certain to make reservations far in advance as this is a hot spot!
Some other adept food options include Zinc Buffet and The Manufacturing plant Kitchen.
vii. ROW DTLA
Just outside the official boundaries of the Arts Commune, at the former site of American Dress on Alameda St., is ROW DTLA, a cool marketplace of restaurants and shops in an industrial setting.
The vibe is like a lot of the Arts Commune: retro, still brand new.
If yous're in the mood for seafood, I'd recommend the Rappahannock Oyster Bar, the first West Coast location of this venerable East Coast seafood eating house. The environment is light and airy, and the ingredients are locally sourced.
You can too grab coffee at Go Go Em Tiger (look for the sign that says "gget") or browse various clothing and housewares shops elsewhere in the complex. Overall, it's a really absurd space to wander effectually in, and information technology's not as well crowded other than Sundays when Smorgasubrg (below) is happening.
If you want to dine at a Michelin star restaurant, Kato features a Taiwanese-inspired tasting menu. We went there for our ceremony dinner and really enjoyed it!
eight. Smorgasburg at ROW
Every Dominicus from 10 AM to 4 PM at ROW DTLA there's a huge outdoor food market place called Smorgasburg featuring tons of gourmet food stands. Some of our favorites include Petty Fish, Black Sugar Rib Co., Tacos 1986, and Jolly Oyster. Access is complimentary!
Obviously, this is a coincidental date idea, equally you'll probably exist eating at an outdoor bench. But, if you lot beloved having a broad diverseness of food to choose from, you lot'll honey Smorgasburg. Bring a hat on sunny days as there is not much encompass.
nine. Two Bit Circus
If yous're into more cutting-edge gaming, you lot're in luck. Filled with futuristic video games, VR rooms, an escape room, and various other loftier-tech amusements, Two Bit Circus is an unusual attraction, perfectly suited for the Arts District. Admission is gratuitous, but yous pay for private games. There's also a bar and food area.
I went with my brother and we tried the Battlezone VR game. This is a sit down-down immersive tank game, similar to the onetime school Battlezone arcade game, except way updated. Information technology was dandy, but we left feeling nauseous due to motion sickness. I would recommend the other VR games where you stand rather than the ones where you sit down.
If that's not enough, EightyTwo is a bar that features vintage arcade games from 1978 to 1994 (the golden historic period), and they still only cost 25 cents to play. At that place's even a pinball league on Tuesday nights.
In that location's no cover, only this identify can become crowded on weekends, sometimes with a line to make it. Come before 9 PM on weekends to guarantee entry.
x. Museum of Architecture and Pattern
The A+D Museum is located a scrap further south of the other attractions in the area, and you lot have to cantankerous some pretty decorated streets with no crosswalks, but when there'south a skillful exhibit it can be worth it.
When I went, they were featuring the Museum of Failure, showing failed products through history such as the Edsel, Titanic, Coke Classic, and the Segway. The other half of the museum had architectural photos and drawings. Admission was $15. Information technology's a minor museum, but if you lot're into the exhibit, it can exist fun. Check their site beforehand.
Then, Check It Out!
Equally you can see, there'southward tons to run across, potable, and swallow in and around the Arts District. The whole area has a absurd vintage industrial feel that is really unique. I'd recommend a trip out at that place when you lot accept a chance!
What are your favorite hangouts in the Downtown L.A. Arts District? Please leave a comment or question below! – Brian
Source: https://www.ladateideas.com/downtown-la-arts-district/
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