How to Get the Most Out of Summer Fridays in Los Angeles

Perched atop The Maybourne, Dante's Beverly Hills outpost brings all the prestige of its award-winning NYC original to the West Coast rooftop it was born to occupy: panoramic views, a live pianist, and wood-fired everything. The aperitivo-style cocktail program is unmatched, with a rotating martini menu that'll delight newcomers as well as surprise returning customers each visit. Show up early for golden hour on the terrace and stay for the pesto gemelli and king salmon.

A love letter to Old Hollywood hidden in plain sight on the Sunset Strip, Bar Next Door channels the sepia-toned glamour of a city that's always been better in memory. Diner-style booths, exposed brick, and classic rock on a tape deck set the tone, while a well-populated cocktail menu filled with LA-themed names keeps things from taking itself too seriously. It's the kind of place you tell your out-of-town friends about, then quietly hope stays under the radar.

Real Charmer leans fully into its vaguely nautical, candlelit mystique; think bubbling stone fountain, wax drip atmosphere, and a cocktail menu so elaborate each drink gets its own full-page origin story. Get here early for a booth if you’re planning to arrive with a few friends, as seating is limited.

Tucked inside the Hauser & Wirth complex in the Arts District, Manuela is that rare restaurant where the setting rivals the food. Inside, a lush, herb-scented courtyard is accompanied with roaming chickens, murals, and a 25-foot coastal live oak overhead. Chef Kris Tominaga's Southern-leaning, farm-to-table menu is anchored by the restaurant's own on-site garden, with cream biscuits, smoked albacore dip, and house-made cocktails doing most of the heavy lifting. Whether you're here for a Michelin-recognized dinner or a lazy afternoon spritz at the bar, the vibe is always exactly right.

This is where you want to go to seriously impress your out-of-town friends. The 100,000 sq-ft gallery houses some of the most significant artists and artworks of our modern era, with prominent exhibitions being updated consistently. As the sun sets, wander around the Piet Oudolf Field, or chill on the stunning outdoor patio if there’s some conversations that need to be had about the work week. It’s a rare spot in Los Angeles that feels effortless, yet impactful at the same time – a must visit.

Part warehouse, part showroom, Idyllic is where the Arts District's coffee culture and car culture collide – a sprawling industrial space populated with cars, vinyl records, and photo booths, all anchored by some genuinely excellent espresso and creamy matchas. The retro-meets-raw aesthetic makes it the kind of spot you linger in way longer than planned, whether you're working from your laptop or just soaking up the vibe between meetings. Inside the space is Collegium, the LA-born, Italian-made sneaker label with a devoted Hypebeast following – perfect for your summer Friday splurge.

One of the most respected names in American selvedge denim, 3sixteen's LA flagship at ROW DTLA is a clean, minimal space where the clothes are allowed to do exactly what they're designed to do: speak for themselves. Custom-developed denim sourced from Japan's finest mills, cut and sewn in the US, sits alongside tees, sweats, activewear, and a recently launched eyewear line that signals the brand's continued expansion beyond its denim roots. Neighbors like Bodega, Pizzeria Bianco, and Kato make ROW DTLA one of the most considered blocks in the city, and 3sixteen fits the company perfectly.

When summer heat starts doing what summer heat does in LA, Griffith Park is the kind of sprawling green sanctuary that reminds you why you moved here in the first place – shaded trails, open meadows, and enough breathing room to actually decompress. Pack a blanket and a picnic spread and find a quiet patch of lawn beneath the trees for that slow, unhurried Friday afternoon energy that the rest of the week rarely allows. It's one of the largest urban parks in the country, and on a Summer Friday, it feels like it was made entirely for you.