Fun Things to Do in LA This Week: October 3-7
Blue Plate Taco
Save your appetite for National Taco Tuesday deals, an evening of champagne and cabaret, LGBTQIA speed dating, free pizza, and a swanky happy hour.
By Danielle Dorsey Updated on 10/3/2022 at 5:57 PM
Here in LA, where the seasons are merely fashion cues and less about actual weather trends, fall begins at the start of October, when it becomes socially acceptable to stream horror marathons, wear any number of costumes, adorn your house in sticky cobwebs and carved Jack O Lanterns, and so much more. This week though, we’ve got another holiday that holds special significance for LA: National Taco Day! Keep reading for the best Taco Tuesday deals on the best tacos in the city, plus a LGBTQIA speed dating event, a local film fest, a crafts night, a hotel anniversary with champagne and cabaret, and free pizza. For more fun ideas, check out our favorite barcades, new restaurant openings, and support Latinx-owned businesses for Latinx Heritage Month. And if you can, donate to support Puerto Rico as they recover from devastating damage and flooding as a result of Hurricane Fiona.
Swill wine at a LGBTQIA speed dating event Monday, October 3 Eszett (Silver Lake) Eszett is continuing its Industry Night series with LEszett, a LGBTQIA-focused night with wines from French natural wine distributor and importer Roni Selects and speed dating hosted by Kelly Jones, a therapist from Los Angeles Sex Therapy (L.A.S.T), and the Program Director of Pleasure Psych, plus an Indigo Girls sing-along and oysters on the menu. Walk-ins are accepted, but reservations are encouraged and can be made via Resy. Cost: Varies
Sip libations while watching local films at Stradafest Sunday, October 2–Wednesday, October 5 Strada (Downtown LA) Strada means “street” in Italian, which makes sense for this festival that's happening in the restaurant's sprawling courtyard, including a film series, live music, and art installations paired with executive chef Naziana Herascu’s stellar shared plates and beer and wine options. Buy tickets online. Cost: $10 for one film screening and $30 for a four-day pass.
Save your appetite for National Taco Tuesday Tuesday, October 4 Various locations This Tuesday marks National Taco Tuesday, a food holiday that LA is actually on board with, as evidenced by the plethora of dining deals across the city. Head to Santa Monica for a taco crawl hosted by Danny Trejo of Trejo Tacos, which starts at their Santa Monica location before continuing on to Tocaya, Lanea, Blue Plate Taco, Socalo, Cabo Cantina, and Jameson’s Pub. Head there at 4 pm to meet Trejo, grab a Taco Crawl punch card, and enjoy free tacos (with purchase) at seven Santa Monica spots. In Culver City, neighborhood favorite Tito’s Tacos is hosting the fifth annual Tito’s Fiesta Mexicana, a fundraiser in collaboration with Tito’s Vodka that benefits the Culver City Arts Foundation. Stop by between 2–9 pm to enjoy delicious tacos and specialty cocktails featuring Tito’s Handmade Vodka, plus seven hours of nonstop Mexican entertainment from traditional mariachi artists including Grammy Award-nominated Mariachi Sol De Mexico De Jose Hernandez, all-female favorites Mariachi Reyna De Los Angeles, and Trio Chapala; folklorico dancers DanzArts/Sabor a Mexico Dance Company; and a special appearance by standup comic Jesus Trejo. Master of Ceremonies comedian Eric Schwartz aka “Smooth-E” will act as emcee. It’s just $15 for three tacos with PepsiCo beverages or $30 for three tacos and three specialty cocktails. The event has raised $50,000 in previous years and plans to match or beat that amount with this year’s fundraiser. You can also play Loteria alongside Taco Tuesday deals at El Granjero in the Original Farmer’s Market; try one of Que Padré’s signature tacos (with fillings like carne asada, beef birria, mushrooms, shrimp, and more) for just $5 and spend your savings on a $5 beer between 3–5 pm; get $3 tacos and $3 margaritas all day at Chica’s Tacos in Culver City and W. 3rd Street; celebrate with $1 potato and cheese tacos all day at Sugar Taco, plus $4 beers, prizes, giveaways, live music, and more; and in Weho, the first 200 people to make any purchase will receive a plate of Pink Tacos’ signature, beet-juice-dyed pink tacos and everyone will receive deals on special, off-menu tacos. Cost: Varies
Have wine-fueled fun with crafts Tuesday, October 4 Tabula Rasa (East Hollywood) Head to the far back patio at Tabula Rasa for a fun craft night hosted by Another Nother, where they’ll be passing along some mending methods for fixing holey socks. They’ll have plenty of threads, needles, and DIY darning eggs/mushrooms, but you’re also welcome to bring your own tools or a different craft of your choice. Stop by between 5-8 pm. Cost: Free to attend
Celebrate a classy anniversary with champagne and cabaret Wednesday, October 5 Fairmont Century Plaza (Century City) Fairmont Century Plaza is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the completion of its $2.5 billion renovation project with an evening of champagne and cabaret hosted by burlesque icon Dita Von Teese. Stop by The Bar between 6–9 pm for a fun evening complete with dancers, live music, strolling entertainment, and surprises from partner Laurent-Perrier champagne. Cost: Free with RSVP.
Have a happy hour with Salt Bae Ongoing Monday through Friday Nusr-Et Steakhouse (Beverly Hills) Granted, you probably won’t get your meal seasoned by Salt Bae himself, but you can dig into some tasty small plates with Nusr-Et Steakhouse’s newly launched happy hour menu, which includes SaltBae Wagyu Beef, SaltBae Fajitas, Salmon Crostinis, and Guacamole Tortilla Chips for just $14.95 each. Wines are also available for just $8 by the glass, plus $6 beers and $8 house cocktails. The deal is available exclusively at the bar from 12–5 pm. Cost: Varies
Skip pizza to get free pizza Ongoing throughout October California Pizza Kitchen (Various locations) The self-professed inventors of California-style pizza are launching their first-ever burger, the West Coast Burger, with a beef blend of Wagyu, chuck and brisket, melted cheese, Nueske’s applewood smoked bacon, caramelized onions, tomato, pickles, lettuce, and house-made sauce on a brioche bun. To encourage guests to depart from their usual pizza orders, CPK is offering an incentive: for the entire month of October, anyone who orders a CPK salad, pasta, entree, or the new West Coast Burger will get a complimentary seven-inch pizza to redeem on their next visit. Cost: Varies