The new year kicks off in the Melrose Arts District with some must-do events that illuminate the world-class creators that make us such a great destination for art and entertainment. From gallery openings to art walks, you’ll find yourself amused, excited, and inspired. And what better way to welcome in 2020? GALLERY 1988 Gallery 1988 starts 2020 much like it closed 2019, with fresh shows from the best pop-cult artists in the world. Opening January 10 are “30 Years Later” featuring artwork inspired by films from 1990, and “Memes” which is exactly that, but make them art. GALLERY 1988 7308 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles 90046 nineteeneightyeight.com GREENWAY COURT THEATRE Did you see any of the weekly “Da Poetry Lounge” shows in Greenway last year? Yes? Well, you’ll be happy to know the 2020 edition starts on Tuesday, January 7. If not, make this the year to FINALLY experience LA’s most memorable open mic night. GREENWAY COURT THEATRE 544 No. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles 90036 greenwaycourttheatre.org MELROSE STREET ART TOUR If you think the art of Melrose is incredible to see, wait until you hear the stories behind the pieces. On January 25, spend ninety minutes with Mr. Felix, one of […]

(If you’re looking for easier-to-wrap gifts, check out Part 1.) This is the experiential Melrose Arts District gift guide. If you have family and friends who like to get out and try something new, check out the places on Melrose that will surprise and delight them. 60OUT ESCAPE ROOMS For the folks on your list that can’t wait for the new escape room to open or are ripe for their first escape experience, a 60Out Gift Box is the way to go. Included in the cool box is a pass for 2-6 players, keychain, and pen for keeping notes for the win. 60OUT ESCAPE ROOMS 7270 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles 90046 310.478.4444 shop.60out.com/collections/gift-cards DOMAINE LA Hard to beat the perfection of wine paired with chocolate. Thank you, Domaine LA, for the kindness of putting these two mood-altering elixirs in one classy gift box, complete with a banded corkscrew. Who’s the lucky recipient? DOMAINE LA 6801 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles 90038 323.932.0280 domainela.com/shop/gifts/wine-chocolate-and-accessory-gift-package THE GROUNDLINGS + RONAN A Best of Melrose combo platter: The Groundlings and Ronan are offering two new dinner and a show packages. Food from one of Melrose’s hottest restaurants and laughs from the legendary comedy club make […]

Halloween is right around the corner, and of course, you can count on the Melrose Arts District to have all the things you need for a proper holiday celebration. From scary entertainment to themed attire, we’ve plenty of tricks and a ton of treats to make your Halloween spooktacular. 60OUT ESCAPE ROOMS Can you break the curse of the Ghost Ship and release the haunted crew (and your crew) from its spell? Round up some friends and take your best shot at this long-running fan fave escape room at 60Out. 60OUT ESCAPE ROOMS 7270 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles 90046 213.995.6890 60out.com/los-angeles/locations/melrose COLD ROLLED ICE CREAM Leave it to Cold Rolled Ice Cream to come up with a Halloween treat that looks as sweet as it tastes. The clever holiday combos are only around for a limited time, so get in line and grab the goodness. COLD ROLLED ICE CREAM 7266 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles 90046 323.452.0881 coldrolledicecream.com GOLDEN APPLE COMICS There are two big Halloween events at Golden Apple on Saturday, October 26: Halloween ComicFest starts at 11am, with free comics for all. FRIGHT: Indie Comic Fiesta – a Halloween-theme mini-con with free comic, creator meets, treats, music, and more […]

As the temperatures start to drop, our bodies are like, “hey, either put on a sweater or get me a PSL, stat!” You can definitely get a sweater on Melrose. But why not amp up the seasonal beverage intake with something warm and rich, or icey and spicey? Here are some of the best beverages on Melrose Avenue to take advantage of fall flavors. AUBURN Auburn’s cocktail, Fig, beautifully enmeshes smoked fig, rhubarb, bonal, rye whiskey, fernet branca, lemon, and tonic with a garnish of fresh fig, honey drizzle, and black salt. AUBURN 6703 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles 90038 323.486.6703 auburnla.com/about BONTEA BonTea offers this delightfully accessorized cinnamon latte made from high quality, organic ingredients. Perfect for cozying up with a good book or your fave podcast. BONTEA 7275 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles 90046 323.207.8700 bonteacafe.com/menu DOMAINE LA Take your autumn-inspired wine home with you. This NV Vergano Moscato Chinato “Luli” at Domaine LA is infused with cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, and other aromatics. DOMAINE LA 6801 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles 90038 323.932.0280 domainela.com/about-us MELROSE UMBRELLA CO. Order up the Kiss Kiss Bang Bang at Melrose Umbrella Co. for a crisp fall treat: toki japanese whiskey, green apple and ginger sauvignon […]

Great Scott! It’s Back To The Future Day on October 21, and where we’re going, we don’t need roads…well only one—Melrose Avenue. We’re going down the history of what’s now known as the Melrose Arts District. What used to be the punk rock epicenter of the 80’s has morphed into a millennial shopping hub. Through it all Melrose has always been a road you walk, in a city full of driving. As we stroll down memory lane you’ll notice that although Melrose has been through changes, it’s maintained its charm and heart and if you look closely, you’ll recognize some famous spots from its illustrious past. Then: Aardvarks Now: American Vintage What used to be the hotspot for edgy vintage is now a hotspot for, well, edgy vintage, only with a different company. This can be seen in the pictures above with the storefront art remaining virtually the same. Aardvarks specialized in Levis and leather, organizing racks by decades, though it was clear they were focused on the 60s and 70s. It has since closed and moved to Redondo Beach. American Vintage has taken its place and it doesn’t disappoint. On their website, they describe themselves as “a boutique selling […]

So, you’re addicted to pasta– it’s ok. The first step is admitting you have a problem. The good news is, there’s help. I have personally struggled with a pasta addiction all my life. I remember a time when my father found me freebasing cold, sauce-less penne into my mouth out of a strainer in the kitchen (I was seven, and they were dark times). I’ve grown a lot since then, and I’m here to impart that wisdom upon you. The best pasta on Melrose is served at chef and culinary wizard Stephen Kalt’s Spartina. The original Spartina opened in New York and was named top 5 on Food & Wines neighborhood restaurants. They mix rustic decor and place settings with fine dining cuisine. The pasta is made in-house, so it has the consistency of an angel’s wing, and the menu is ever changing to support the use of local in-season ingredients. I suggest going on Mondays as they have happy hour all night with pasta at $15 dollars and wines for $8. Because pasta is meant to be eaten with wine, or beer, or soda—or maybe it’s just meant to be eaten, period. The short rib tortelloni with brown butter […]