Hidden Gems of the Arts District
In some respects, the Arts District in Downtown L.A. is one big hidden gem. Save for the relatively recent addition of One Santa Fe, there's not much here that screams "Shop here!" or "Eat here!" Restaurants and stores are tucked away in old buildings. Parties happen inside former warehouse spaces. Signage is often easy to miss when you're busy staring at massive murals or stenciled sidewalks. In general, the Arts District takes more time to explore than other L.A. neighborhoods and it's big enough where you might want to split it up into multiple trips. While you're here, keep on the lookout for these local treasures.
Angel City Brewery
Angel City Brewery is a well-known craft beer producer and pub. Perhaps less well-known are the events that happen at this Arts District hub. Regularly scheduled events include "Run + Yoga + Beer," which includes a Downtown L.A. run, an hour-long yoga class and beer; as well as art-minded meetups like "Paint Nite" and "Drinky Draw." There's also "Angel City's Beer Bazaar," where you can purchase goods made by local vendors, and the live recordings of the podcast "Two Truths and a Lie."
Art Share L.A.
Art Share L.A. is a 28,000 square-foot live-work space that opens to the public on Wednesday through Sunday. During the afternoon, you can check out the gallery's current show or make a studio visit. They also host evening events, like Community Sing (yes, where people get together to sing) as well as poetry and theater events. On Wednesday evenings, they host a life drawing workshop open to people of all skill levels. Check the website for a calendar of events and information on upcoming exhibitions.
EightyTwo
Located right where Little Tokyo and the Arts District butt up against each other, EightyTwo is an arcade for adults. Here, the games are mostly vintage and the alcohol flows while DJs bust out the jams. The venue is 21+ and there is no cover, although plays will cost 25 cents for video games and 50 cents for pinball. The L.A. Pinball League meets up here on Tuesday nights and the arcade is also home to other competitions. EightyTwo rotates games and pinball machines, so you'll want to check out their website beforehand to see what's available when you visit.