There are a number of great events tonight, including a Memes art show at Gallery1988 (Melrose); a Rogue Taxidermy Show at La Luz de Jesus; Slake readings at ATX; music and science mix at the Natural History Museum's First Fridays; La Cuevita opens just in time for Cinco de Mayo. Read on for all the details and more. more ›

You're on the road to Coachella for a weekend of sun-soaked musically-enhanced Bacchanalia. You're thirsty. You've got a designated driver who is abstaining from the sauce. If you pull off the road in a magical land called Rancho Cucamonga, Ra Pour is hoping to reel you in with cocktails inspired by the annual music fest. more ›

Where do you go if you're hankering for 1930s décor, jazz, '80s cover bands, karaoke, comedy, dueling pianos, comfort food and absinthe? The combination sounds impossible, doesn't it? It's not. The Charleston opened its doors to Santa Monica Thursday night, inviting L.A. to experience the newly renovated Wilshire Boulevard spot, formerly known as Angel's. more ›

One of the last places you might expect to find thoughtful, handcrafted specialty cocktails using fresh ingredients would be in a British-style Pub amidst the scene and sounds of Hollywood's Cahuenga Corridor. But the Blue Boar Pub is shaking up some stand-out drinks. more ›

It's time to raise your glass for a toast in appreciation to Governor Jerry Brown, who today signed into law SB 32, the bill that ends a decades-old ban on infused spirits in the state. more ›

Hundreds of Californians are getting into the spirit of the judicial process, and are working to get a bill signed into law that would overturn an almost-100-year-old ban on serving cocktails made with infused alcohol in the state. more ›

A cocktail is four things: a spirit, a sugar, a bitter and water. Sounds easy, right? So why are $15 cocktails suddenly the norm? Because a great drink is about more than putting some crappy flavored vodka in a shaker, pouring it in a glass and adding Sprite. A great cocktail is a work of art, a tip of the hat to another age, and the science of hand-crafting a drink is largely about taking those original four components and adding a personal spin to the mix. more ›

Barflies, boozehounds, and all-around cocktailing know-it-alls, Table 20's 2nd Annual L.A.'s Best Bartender Contest is open for nominations, and you can win, too, just for naming your favorite guy or gal behind the stick. more ›

The Hudson has one of the most perfect locations and set-ups for a fun and delicious weekend brunch. On a sunny day, with their windows wide open in the railcar-esque restaurant perched at a diagonal where Crescent Heights meets Santa Monica Boulevard, the boisterous ambiance is only bested by the delicious brunch entrees and cocktails. more ›

The release of the new book JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters by James W. Douglass has been timed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s election. The book presents a “compelling account of why JFK was assassinated—and why the unmasking of this truth remains crucial for the future of our country and the world.” Tonight Douglass joins filmmaker Oliver Stone, author Lisa Pease, and Orbis Books Publisher Robert Ellsberg for a discussion, Q&A and book signing on JFK’s assassination and legacy. At the Saban Theatre at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 without book and $32 with a copy of the book. more ›

Forget the slowly sagging carved wonder on your front steps--pumpkins are for eating, and we've got a few picks for some great pumpkin eats and drinks at Los Angeles restaurants and bakeries. Some are seasonal, some are year 'round, and some you might have to follow on Twitter to find. There's no trick here...just treats! more ›

This is a bittersweet installation of our Know Your Farmers' Market series, because not all our local weekly markets can operate year-round, and because of the weather, this one is about to close down for the chiller months. There are only two weeks left of this fabulously fun and unique market run by LA City Farm that launched earlier this year, but there are plenty of reasons to go check it out. more ›

Bad news came Monday when Elizabeth Chait suddenly announced that her Pico Boulevard location of Spark Woodfire Grill would be closing later this week. But as the letter, which was posted to the restaurant's front door, continued, things got a little more curious. "In a few days we will be announcing a new concept which will open in the space," she wrote. "There will be many exciting things happening at this location." more ›

Theatre West Writers’ Series presents rehearsed play readings of new and developing works by the company’s resident writers. On the program tonight are: “Favorable Company: A Trilogy” by Kent Hamilton. Tonight at 8 pm. Free and open to the public. more ›

Controversy spilled throughout the downtown community over the weekend after The Must, a popular wine bar in the Historic Core, was suddenly closed following an apparent surprise business deal over the space's lease. The end result left The Must stripped of furniture and its wine stock. more ›

Lina Lecaro, nightlife columnist for the LA Weekly, has explored many a watering hole throughout the LA environs. She’s written Los Angeles’ Best Dive Bars, and gives us a an “essential booze bible [that] has the lowdown on which bars serve free food, which have great—and not so great—karaoke, bars that appear in your favorite movies and much, much more.” Lecaro is doing a booksigning at La Luz de Jesus tonight from 6-9 pm. There’s a reception with free Sino Tequila along with other liquor and food. more ›

Last week a measure to generate $1.4 billion in revenue for the state was temporarily tabled. Not because legislators didn't want the money, but because the money wouldn't help solve California's budget problems. SB 1210 "would impose an excise tax of 1 cent per teaspoon of sugar or other caloric sweetener in beverages," with revenues going to a special fund to health programs in communities, according to the LA Times. more ›

Cocktails can be a beautiful thing. Drink a couple, and you're feeling might groovy. Make note of the artisanal ingredients included, from the liquor to the fresh fruits to the other accents used in a given concoction. Sip slowly, to savor the mixologist's blend of flavors. This is an art. more ›

As usual, the LAPD is out to get drunk drivers this weekend. Tonight, the department's West Traffic Bureau will conduct a checkpoint on Lincoln Avenue between Washington and Maxella, which straddles the border between Los Angeles city limits and the unincororated Marina Del Rey (and if you really want to get nerdy, we'd call this the Del Rey neighborhood). The checkpoint, which will run from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., is in response to 29 driving under the influence-related and 265 hit and run traffic collisions in the Pacific Division, says the LAPD. As always, you should never drive drunk in the first place. Police say if you see a drunk driver, it warrants a 911 call. more ›

There’s an opening reception tonight from 8 pm-midnight for the group art show Its 2AM at Ghettogloss. The works of 14 artists are up, including JJ Villard, Tim Lamb, Tony Ortiz, Pablo Rvalcaba and Morgan Kelly. more ›

The monthly Cause on the Rocks mixer returns to the Viceroy Santa Monica tonight from 7-10 pm. The cocktails with a cause will benefit St. Vincent Meals On Wheels, a program that prepares and delivers more than 2,600 nutritious meals daily to homebound elderly and other vulnerable clients around Los Angeles. This April's drink is the Cuba Libre and 100% of the proceeds will be donated directly to St. Vincent’s. RSVP online! more ›

The streets of Thai Town will once again be filled with celebration, food, activities, and fun on Sunday as the community gathers to celebrate Songkran--Thai New Year. Considered the biggest Thai cultural event outside of Thailand, Los Angeles' Thai Town will welcome locals as well as distinguished guests from all over the world to this annual event, now in its 7th year. more ›

Finally...a reason to drink on a Monday! (Like you needed one, right?) more ›

Silver Lake's hip coffee boutique Lamill has a liquor license, and they're ready to use it. They've debuted a new menu of beer, wine, and sake drinks, some of which are offered in combination with their specialty coffee brews and drinks. Included on the menu are two signature cocktails of which the Alhambra-based coffee emporium is particularly proud... more ›

It’s a little quiet on the event front, so here’s your short and sweet list of options to do tonight tonight: DRINKS Silver Lake says goodbye to Stinkers the trucker bar tonight at 9 pm. To say farewell in style, Stinkers is offering $2 Colt 45 tall boys... more ›

In case you haven't heard, this weekend is Super Bowl Sunday. If you are looking for big crowds, big drink specials and even bigger TVs, check out our picks for a few parties around town. Call Rush Street in Culver City to make reservations for Sunday and you are guaranteed a comfortable seat to watch the game and order up their gigantic burgers. The restaurant/bar is comprised of two stories with two bars and two patio decks... more ›

The much-awaited new Little Tokyo bar and restaurant, Lazy Ox Canteen, is scheduled to open on December 17th, reports Eater LA. With both owner Michael Cardenas (Matsuhisa, Sushi Roku) and Chef Josef Centeno (Meson G, Opus, Charles Nob Hill) at the helm, the restaurant is expected to be accessible and casual yet keeping that chic and upscale vibe. Think neighborhood joint for drinks and food, happy hours and late nights. more ›

Sean MacPherson, the man behind some of L.A.'s most popular bars, announced today that his Hollywood-Los Feliz-Silver Lake neighborhood hang, the Good Luck Bar, will celebrate its 15th birthday later this month. On Thursday, November 19, DJ Travis Keller and Chinese burlesque dancers will entertain patrons as they guzzle down $5.00 Stolichnaya, Sailor Jerry, Cazadores, or Jack Daniel's cocktails and selected beers for $2.00 beers (plus: Kogi BBQ will be outside). In 1994, MacPherson took over the space, formerly a Mexican transvestite bar, and based it on his favorite Chinatown bar, Yee Mee Loo, which closed its doors after 40 years. Nearby: 'Ironic Hipster Bar' Stinkers to Celebrate 1 Year on Sunday. more ›

There was no such luck for San Francisco this year, but the Abbey Food & Bar in West Hollywood beat out popular gay spots in Rio, London, Amsterdam, Chicago and Montreal this week in a contest put on by MTV's Logo Channel. Other winners in the TripOutGayTravel awards include New York City (best U.S. destination), the Wynn Las Vegas (best ultimate luxury/hotel resort) and the W Hotels (best hotel chain). Party on, WeHo. more ›