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Summer is one of the best times to experience Downtown Los Angeles. Long days, warm evenings, and a packed calendar of concerts, cultural attractions, art exhibitions, dining, and nightlife make DTLA one of the city’s most exciting destinations.
One: L.A. LIVE: The Ultimate Social District Adventure
Forget about Hollywood—Downtown’s L.A. LIVE Social District has officially claimed the crown as the entertainment capital of the world, offering an unbeatable summer lineup packed with music, sports, and culture. Crypto.com Arena and the Peacock Theater are hosting heavy-hitters like Megan Moroney, Benson Boone, J. Cole, and the 90s Corridos Tour, while the nearby GRAMMY Museum offers intimate public programs with artists like Josh Groban, YG, and Ziggy Marley. Beyond the music, the district transforms into a vibrant cultural hub featuring WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks games, blockbuster screenings at Regal L.A. LIVE, and highly rated dining spots like Fixins Soul Kitchen and Sol Agave.
Catch a show, grab a bite on Chick Hearn Court, and soak in the red-carpet energy. L.A. LIVE’s dynamic atmosphere promises memories that will last long after the final encore.
Two: On Top of Contemporary Art at DTLA’s Most Prestigious Museums
Downtown’s cultural scene continues to scale new heights with world-renowned museums presenting groundbreaking exhibitions atop Bunker Hill. At The Broad, visitors can experience an acclaimed collection of contemporary art highlighted by Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind, marking the iconic artist’s first-ever solo museum exhibition in Southern California. Just down Grand Avenue, the celebration of art at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). This summer, MOCA presents Diary of Flowers: Artists and Their Worlds, MOCA Focus: Takako Yamaguchi, and MOCA’s Fictions of Display exhibition all examining how art, theater, and exhibition design actively shape the way audiences experience contemporary art.
Adding to the hill’s prestige is the highly anticipated summer arrival of DATALAND. Standing as the world’s most innovative immersive museum, this new landmark is where artificial intelligence, cutting-edge digital technology, and interactive art seamlessly merge to redefine the modern museum experience.
Three. Staycations While Chillin Poolside
Nothing says summer quite like a relaxing afternoon by the pool, and Downtown Los Angeles offers several stylish hotel pools perfect for soaking up the California sunshine.
Lounging poolside at the Freehand Hotel, means cocktails, bites and one of downtowns most iconic skyline views. The gods welcome visitors at Bar Clara atop Hotel Per La. High above the city it’s easy to spend a summer afternoon dipping toes or appetizers in the Finance District.
Waking up at Hotel Figueroa, just got more refreshing with Centennial Tea Time and Au fresco dining poolside at Florence by the Water now serving weekend brunch. Throughout the summer, Inanna rooftop lounge at Hotel Hoxton hosts special poolside events featuring food and beverage specials, making it one of DTLA’s hottest places to cool off. When it gets too hot to stay inside, plenty of more staycations from JW Marriott to the Bonaventure make a splash every summer in downtown.
Four. Dine In or Take Out
Taste buds know Downtown boasts some of the top chefs in the world. From Michelin-starred dining experiences to street vendors, there’s something delicious around every corner.
Michelin-starred destinations like Hayato, Camphor, Kato, and Baroo, Bestia, Redbird, Girl & the Goat, and Chef Amar Santana’s VACA DTLA set the mood for an incredible summer of fine dining.
Daytime eaters may explore the dozens of vendors inside the 100-year-old tourist attraction Grand Central Market, with a variety of flavors from around the globe. Lunch has never tasted so good than at the local restaurants found inside the open-air market spanning a full city block.
For more intimate lunch breaks, Bottega Louie still reigns supreme with a different macaron everyday of the week, while restaurant favorite Z Falafel still keeps its buzz for the tastiest Mediterranean meal in the Jewelry District. For an exotic taste of the flavors of Japan, Little Tokyo lunch menus full of sushi, Raman, and shabu shabu are perfect for any summer afternoon excursion. Ps.. congratulations Suehiro on your triumph return to J-Town.
For after-hours hunger pains on a budget, Downtown Los Angeles is packed with affordable local favorites. Forever topping the list, street-vendor bacon-wrapped hot dogs still hit the spot, while the legendary mobile kitchens of Danny’s Tacos and newbie Ghost Hibachi draw long lines nightly.
Five. Twilight Time on the Rooftop
Summer sunsets are made for cocktails (or maybe the other way around), regardless there’s never a dark cloud over the city when there’s handcrafted cocktails, great food, and planetary views and the sun disappearing behind the skyline. One of DTLA’s newest rooftop destinations is UCA Rooftop, located atop the historic former Standard Hotel, where Thursday Night Jazz brings together live music, cocktails, and an inviting atmosphere high above the streets below.
Perch is a longtime favorite, offering jazz trios, panoramic views and signature cocktails for French inspired brunches and dinners.
While 71 Above may not technically be a rooftop restaurant, it rivals any rooftop view in Downtown Los Angeles. Separated from the open air by nothing more than floor-to-ceiling blue-tinted glass, diners feel as though they’re suspended above the city. At 71 stories high, nearly every rooftop mentioned above can be seen from your table, making the panoramic skyline the restaurant’s most unforgettable feature besides the decadent creations of Chef Javi Lopez.
Six. Chinatown After Dark
Chinatown comes alive on summer evenings with two popular community events that showcase the neighborhood’s vibrant arts and cultural scene. Every summer begins with KCRW’s Chinatown Summer Nights filling the district with live music, DJs, cultural performances, local artists, food vendors, and late-night shopping.
The celebration continues mid-summer with the return of Chinatown First Friday on historic Chung King Road, where galleries stay open late alongside artist and artisan vendors, live entertainment, and pop-up experiences that transform the pedestrian-friendly street into a lively community gathering. Together, these events offer some of Downtown Los Angeles’ most memorable summer nights, blending art, culture, food, and entertainment in one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods.
Seven. Tour Historic Broadway
Summer on the Broadway Corridor began with the Los Angeles Conservancy’s beloved Last Remaining Seats classic film series and continues with the Curtains Up on Broadway walking tour every Saturday, taking visitors through one of the largest collections of historic stages in the United States. Here they learn about Broadway’s golden age while stepping inside Downtown’s Historic Broadway Corridor, lined on both sides with architectural masterpieces such as the Los Angeles Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Million Dollar Theatre.
Visitors can also experience the district through Esotouric’s guided walking tours, which celebrate the grandeur of Broadway’s magnificent architecture, lavish interiors, ornate lobbies, grand staircases, and beautifully preserved design details while sharing the stories behind one of the most spectacular theater districts in America.
Together, these tours and local events offer some of the best ways to experience the elegance, craftsmanship, and timeless glamour that Downtown has to offer.
Eight. Enjoy Free Concerts Under the Stars at Grand Performances
Photo courtesy Grand Performances
Few summer traditions capture the spirit of Downtown Los Angeles quite like Grand Performances. Celebrating 40 years, the free outdoor concert series is held at California Plaza in Bunker Hill as soon as the summer solstice begins.
This year, the annual concert series continues with an eclectic lineup of world-class musicians, featuring everything from jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop, Latin, reggae, and global music to contemporary dance and cultural performances. Enjoy Grand Perfs options of bring your own picnic style, find a seat, or presenting, snacks and back stage access with VIP Membership, it’s always a cultural experience connecting like minded souls to the rhythm either way.
Highlights include the Bastille Day Celebration with the Consulate General of France in Los Angeles, featuring a free open-air concert and French market celebrating French culture, music, and cuisine; WONDER-FULL: Tribute to the Music of Stevie Wonder; and the Grand Performances Season Finale featuring Son Rompe Pera, Bloco Obini, and QVLN.
Nine. Bar Hopping in the Historic Core
Happy hour beats traffic like scissors beat paper in DTLA. The Spring Street Strip, from 5th to 9th is always prepare to stir up some excitement. Along the hop some very potent notable mentions include the Wolves, Todos Cantina, and Spring Street Bar host guests from far and wide serving everything from classic handcrafted cocktails to spicy tequila shots.
While Downtown celebrates the reopening of Clifton’s, which now includes its marvelously curated basement bar, discovering hidden speakeasies tucked behind unmarked doors in the Arts District is always a gas.
Ten. Catch a Comedy Show
If you’re looking to end the evening with a laugh, Downtown has you covered. The Upstairs Comedy Club has quickly become one of DTLA’s favorite spots for stand-up, hosting nationally touring comedians, local favorites, open mic nights, and surprise guest appearances throughout the summer.
Making its return to Los Angeles; comedians, actors, writers, producers and entertainment executives from across the country will reunite for Hope Flood’s 11th Annual Comics Rock Convention.
Comics Rock Convention has grown into one of the few events dedicated to connecting established entertainers with the next generation of comics and creators. It is a place where aspiring performers can learn directly from industry veterans, where business relationships are formed, and where the accomplishments of comedy’s most influential voices are recognized before their peers.
Registration is now open, along with vendor opportunities, sponsorship packages, media credentials and partnership opportunities. More information is available at ComicsRockConvention.com.
