5 Exciting Things To Do & Eat In LA This Week

Fall is finally in the air, and by that we mean an Oktoberfest-themed party every weekend for the foreseeable future. So it's time to brush up on your beer terminology, whip out a light sweater, and get out to this week's exciting events. 

THE EVENTS

NIGHT MARKET AT PARAMOUNT PICTURES

photo credit: @lafoodbowl

From September 23rd to 25th, the historic Paramount Pictures lot is transforming into a massive food festival by the LA Times featuring 50 of the city's best restaurants, including some of our favorites like Kuya Lord and Bar Moruno. The three-day event will also have live DJ sets, celebrity chef cooking demos, and themed tastings, like Friday night's Smoked Soirée featuring various burger and BBQ spots like Moo's Craft Barbecue and Heavy Handed.

THE DANCING QUEEN EXPERIENCE

photo credit: Dancing Queen Experience

This weekend you can fulfill your dreams of being one of the dancing villagers in Mamma Mia because Sumac Mediterranean Cuisine is kicking off an ABBA-themed dinner series. For $85, you’ll get a three-course Mediterranean dinner, a live theatrical performance of ABBA's greatest hits (glittery costumes included), and a disco party that we can only imagine involves scream-singing to "SOS."

FIGTOBERFEST AT MOHAWK BEND

photo credit: Jakob Layman

From 12am-4pm on Saturday, September 24th, Mohawk Bend is teaming up with Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. to kick off Oktoberfest season with locally brewed German-style beers, lots of bratwurst, stein holding contests, and a tattoo artist giving away free flash tattoos. All of this is first-come, first-serve, so maybe show up at the Echo Park gastropub early.

LA TEQUILA FEST

photo credit: @latequilafest

This certainly isn't a music festival, but the stacked promotional poster for the event sure makes it look like one. The LA Tequila Fest is taking place at LA Center Studios on September 24th from 1:30- 6:30pm with over 60 premium tequila and mezcal brands participating. The festival estimates over 200 tastings to try, plus live DJs, lawn games, and food trucks for some necessary bites between margaritas. And according to the website: no lime needed (but you do you). 

JAPANESE FOOD EXPO

photo credit: Japanese Food Expo 2022

After a two-year hiatus, the Japanese Food Expo is back in-person on September 24th to showcase premium food and drinks from various Japanese prefectures. Expect interactive events like live bluefin tuna cuttings, sushi robot demos, and a beer and sake tasting for an additional $10 per person. The expo is taking place inside the Loews Hollywood Hotel, with general admission tickets starting at $50. Tickets for those ages 20 and younger are available at discounted prices.