You ’ve get down college friends / parent / unknown - you - met - on - the - sidewalk coming to bring down LA , huh ? Well , it ’s your duty to show them a neat time ; but even more than that , show them what LA isreallyabout . You ’re their tour guide , so why take them to the predictable places they ’d go without you ? or else , we flog up this handy guide to help you really dig into the heart of our fair city ( and help you convince your dumb friend to move here ) , while skipping out on the touristed , obvious choices .
Instead of In-N-Out, hit up an under-the-radar burger joint
If they ’re not from the West Coast , the obvious response is to take them to In - N - Out ( there ’s one by the airport for maximum convenience ) . But chance are they ’re already intimate with the ravisher of the dual - three-fold , so abstract ‘em up with someunder - the - microwave radar burgersthat are sincerely LA –Bill ’s HamburgersandJack ’s Classicin the Valley are groovy alternative , as well asCarney’sin West Hollywood .
Instead of the Hollywood Bowl or the Greek, find a more intimate venue
LA is undeniably a medicine town , and the city is filled with incredible spots to take in hot routine . But rather of rely on one of the huge venues , turn over some of the smaller local spots full of LA history , likethe Kibitz Room(where Guns N ’ Roses and the Chili Peppers get their first ) or evenRainbow Bar & Grill(where legends like Elvis and Lemmy would hang ) . You should also consider one of the many amazing venues withfree music nightswhere you may catch up - and - coming maven and sometimes surprise appearance from big names . you may even split the difference between huge & tiny venues with excellent , sexual shows atthe Troubadouror the Teragram Ballroom .
Instead of fast food for a late-night fourth meal, eat tacos from a truck
Tacos are essentially LA on a home , and there might be nothing more perfect for out - of - towners to get the full experience than put up up outside of a taco truck ( fillip points if it ’s after you ’ve taken them to one ofLA ’s infamous dive bar ) . Do n’t fall for the first truck you find ( though chances are it ’ll get you through ) – Richard Morris Hunt downLeo’sor El Flamin ' Taco for that legendaryal subgenus Pastor , or any numeral of theexemplary tacosthat can be found across LA . If it ’s mid - afternoon and you ’re looking to get a footling more artisanal with your tacos , get over toGuerrilla Tacosor Kogi BBQ in a hurry . And explicate to your guests who Roy Choi is while you ’re at it .
Instead of eating fancy, Americanized sushi in a trendy area, go old-school in a strip mall
If there ’s one thing that makes LA what it is , it ’s our measureless amount ofincredible food in strip malls . Sushiespecially . The long effort to Canoga Park is beyond deserving it forGo ’s Mart(Go ’s fish is import straight from Tsukiji Fish securities industry in Tokyo ) though the integral SF Valley is take with stone like Katsuya , Sushi Spot , Chiba , and more . For a non - Valley choice , Hamasakucertainly wo n’t let you down .
Instead of a dumb, predictable club, go to a Houston Hospitality speakeasy-style bar
It might vocalize odd to endorse an entire hospitality company , but fraternal counterpart Mark and Jonnie Houston have done something kind of incredible for LA ’s night life scene : They ’ve created an enduring sword of genuinely fun destinations . When fan hear they ’re unfold a novel pip , they tend to geek out like a newStar Warsmovie is on the way of life . Almost every HH bar is defined by asecret entryway , excellent live euphony , some form of live show , and an insanely attractive patronage . Take a gander atNo Vacancyto part off , as it probably best defines what Houston Hospitality stand for ( and do n’t spoil the entree ! ) .
Instead of drinking beer at Dave & Buster’s or 33 Taps, drink beer in LA’s booming craft beer scene
Though LA does n’t have diachronic roots as a major beer capital , that is quickly changing . Breweries have beenpopping up like sore , finally helping to give LA some realisation in the beer world . Guests staying in the Valley ? MacLeod Ale Brewing Company has you covered . More Eastside ? FrogTown Brewery is one of our best newcomers , as well as Boomtown Brewery in the Arts District . you could even plan your own Arts District beer crawl – check that you hit Boomtown , Mumford , Iron Triangle , Angel City , andArts District Brewingfor the grand finale .
Instead of the Dodgers/Lakers/Clippers/Kings, go to a Rams game
The Rams are back , ladies and gentlemen . We had them from 1946 - 1994 , and begin this yr they ’re ours again . Though they will be play at the Coliseum ( where you’re able to also find somegreat food alternative ) until the new Inglewood - based bowl is finished , it ’s still mad exciting to watch a pro football game team in LA . * Insert read/write memory bleat here *
Instead of the boring 3rd Street Promenade, eat some Korean BBQ in Koreatown
LA has the largest Korean - American universe in the country , and our Koreatown is a mecca of measureless wonders that many visitor lose . LA simply would n’t be what it is without Koreatown , and one of the good ways to truly experience it is to go all - out on ahuge KBBQ meal(whichsomehowtastes even better later at night ) . We have a heap of knockout marrow havens , but you ’d be derelict if you did n’t believe Hae Jang Chon , Soowon Galbi , Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong , or J - Gold favorite Park ’s ( by now you should have explained to your guests exactly who Jonathan Gold is ) . gravel with a bunch of vegetarian ? No trouble , K - Town can still be explored . attempt out Beverly Soon Tofu or BCD Tofu House , for somesoondubu , or tofu stew . And last time I checked , vegetarian can do karaoke , which is another essential part of the K - Town ( and LA ) experience .
Instead of seeing comedy at The Comedy Store or the Improv, check out an indie show
Though ourtraditional clubsare filled with drollery legend that you know and have intercourse , ourunderground sceneis unstoppable . You ’ll get superstars and up - and - comers alike in citizenry ’s backyard , taco shops , and even undercover locations that you could only receive by getting on an email leaning . These shows make for much dependable memory board for both visitor and locals .
Instead of taking a studio tour, take a tour of Clifton’s Cafeteria
Clifton ’s was around for 80 year before its recent stunning,$10 million renovation– helm by the guy behind The Edison – so the place is deep with LA history ( and the more you explore , the more pernicious nods to LA account you ’ll find ) . Four story of mysteries and curiosities await you inside the legendary so - much - more - than - a - cafeteria . And with thenewly open up Tiki measure ? Forgetaboutit .
Instead of waiting in line at Pink’s, eat dumplings in the San Gabriel Valley
Pink ’s is great , but your guests plausibly have hot dogs where they come from and you do n’t have time for that billet . An SGV visit will be a mass more memorable – what Koreatown is for Korean BBQ , theSan Gabriel Valleyis for Chinese & Sichuan food . No trip is complete without hittingDin Tai Fungfor soup dumplings orChengdu Tastefor … well , literally anything . That place really ca n’t miss .
Instead of hiking in Griffith Park… actually, just go hiking in Griffith Park. It’s great.
For substantial , Griffith Park is so gigantic that you do n’t demand to see the Hollywood house to have a great time . Check out the Wisdom Tree , or if all else fails , any ofthese secret raise .
signalize up herefor our daily LA email and be the first to get all the food / drunkenness / playfulness Los Angeles has to provide .
Andrey Bayda/Shutterstock
Howard’s Famous Bacon & Avocado Burgers|Danny Jenses/Thrillist
Guerrilla Tacos
Wilder Shaw/Thrillist
Arts District Brewing Co.|Timothy Norris/Thrillist
Kang Ho-Dong Baekjeong|Flickr/T.Tseng
Clifton’s
Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐
