My dearest kitty cats and kitten caboodles, it’s time to talk about something that can be very real and frustrating as a writer that can dampen even your brightest of days: WRITER’S BLOCK. Well fear not my friends, this dementor-esque creature living in your mind and sucking away your imagination does not have to exist; especially not in your imagination – I feel like that would be self destructive, but anyway, that’s not the point. As a writer myself, I have been blessed with many ideas that continue on an endless list that is added to every day. Below I have listed a ton of different practices I use to constantly and consistently create new worlds, characters, and stories that I feel are worth telling! Check it out!: Travel to New Places as Often as You Can!
People Watch on the daily
Read Newspaper Articles and Letters from Then and Now
Listen to Music and Go for a Walk.
Look through Photographs and Paintings.
Keep a Sketch Booklet of all the Characters You come across and imagine.
Free Write Five Minutes at the Beginning of Each Day
Use the Word of the Day on www.Dictionary.com and Write a Story.
Sit Alone in Nature
Keep a Journal and Write in it every day.
Read.
I hope some of these practices will help you along the way to creating your next masterpiece! If anyone has questions regarding story, want to send your stuff over to me for an opinion, or want to know more about the business of screenwriting, please reach out via comment below or through e-mail! I want to help you succeed and get your stories out there to share with the world!!!
I hope you all are having the most fabulous day and creating constantly!! XOXO Mary Gabrielle Strause
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The time has come! You're moving to the City of Angels and you couldn't be more excited to make your dreams come true! Though the ride of making it in Hollywood is wild enough, so are the logistics of living in Los Angeles and the more prepared and aware you are, the better off you will be! Though there are a lot of incredible things about this city, there are also so many things you need to know in order to be safe and far from drowning in hot water emotionally and financially. Below are a few of my tips for those of you making the leap over to the West Coast! I have so many more and if you have any questions, please comment below and I'll be sure to answer them! For now though - here are my top 23 tips for artists moving to Los Angeles! 1. Wait Two Weeks or so Before you Move to Lock Down an Apartment.
2. Meet your possible roommates before moving
3. Pack lightly
4.Get canvas/reusable bags
5. If you have a dog, make sure to get an ESA letter for your landlord.
6. Lookup your neighborhood before moving – make sure it’s central and safe.
7. Live near a grocery store!
8. keep tabs on LA Weekly and Discover La
9. Street parking all the way!
10. Get a car or learn how to navigate the metro system right away.
11. There are a lot of Homeless - Even a Smile is enough.
12. Take time to explore on foot during the day – never at night and alone.
13. Get a Ralph’s Rewards card, Download the App and download your coupons!
14. Learn how to cook and do it at home!! Eating out is expensive!
15. Give yourself an hour no matter where you’re traveling.
16. Get your Universal Studios Annual pass right away
17. Get on Meetup, Surkus, and General Assembly to network and make new friends!
18. Thrift stores are your best friends – especially St. Vinnie’s.
19. Get Movie Pass
20. research before you invest
21. have a flexible job
22. come out with at least 3K and realistic expectations.
23. trust no one
I woke up early this morning with an unusual peace surrounding me. I stood in the mirror and decided to put just a little bit of powder and mascara on compared to the typical fifteen minute makeup routine I lived by. To my surprise, it wasn't long until I was looking back at the eleven year old version of myself putting on brown mascara for the first time. Here, for the first time in a long time, time stood still. It felt like I was standing with my dearest friend from a distant memory. There was no one else but her and I, the world beneath us, and that moment to be lived - all things that I can't remember the last time I experienced them. So, when I saw this wide-eyed, smiling, and hopeful girl, I found myself saying these things to her:
This is only the beginning. And let me tell you, the more you look back on who were, the better the chances are of finding yourself again. Even if it's just in moments and memories, but in this moment, this memory, you are everything I want to be and what I can find myself becoming in this new chapter of my life. You are so incredibly bright and the amount of love you have in your heart will far surpass many of those you may ever meet - even if you ever feel this way, you keep on loving. You keep on smiling. You keep on exploring every avenue of your interests and don't you ever stop doing everything you do for you - You know what I mean. You're living each second as it passes and making the most it. You need to teach me how to do this. I can't remember the last time I laid down and looked at the stars without feeling there was some place I needed to be or something I needed to do. Right now you're going through life enjoying who you are and just being so incredibly happy to be alive - all the while you have some people making fun of how chubby you might be, the pink and green braces you wear, your ridiculous vocabulary and strange sense of humor, and they pay attention to the fact that you have no idea what's cool and you don't exactly care. It's because you are this way that you don't realize until you're twenty years old that you were bullied a little bit. Guess what though. You're so sensationally beautiful, and I would ever change these days for the world. You know why? Because you never sacrifice who you are and the light God put inside of you to appease the darkness and cruelty of others. You love and respect everyone you meet, and you soak up their perspective the best you always can - don't you ever change this aspect of yourself. A few years down the line you find yourself in a dark place. You are your own worst enemy and keep reliving the thought and nightmare that you are not enough. This couldn't ever be further from the truth. You're growing up in a small town with a big heart, mind and even bigger aspirations. You are exceeding so many expectations already, but you use this feeling and opportunity as motivation to find yourself. From this moment you try anything and everything, and you never let the idea of fear get in your way, because you're more afraid of being unhappy than of failure. Both things come into play throughout this life, and they make you into who you are - as you've discovered. You know though, as I said earlier, you did all of these things in pursuit of finding yourself with no intention of gaining anyone else's perspective on the matter. You did them because you enjoyed them, and quite frankly, you were pretty great at most everything, and it shaped you into who you are today - even if you may have hit a few unexpected road bumps along the way. As much as it's broken your heart, you realize that the friends that you've had won't stick forever and that they may have never had the best of intentions. You see that the love you're looking for may only come from your family, but you realize this all you really ever need, and if someone were to come along to give you that love, they'll become your family all in the same. Your first year in college, you pursued something that would be realistic and also satisfied what you thought of as your dreams, only to find yourself searching for yourself even further. You did find the next step in your journey by meeting your first true love, having him teach you who you were to become, and then breaking your heart into a million different pieces shortly after. This is how you know people come into your life for a reason, even if it's not to stay. He taught you what the future could be by looking back into your past. Back to when you wrote and illustrated your own books, took so many pictures, stole your mom's camera only to record over your brother's basketball game with you singing Phantom of the Opera to yourself in your bedroom, and then also editing together little music videos that consisted of Harry Potter fan drawings that you posted on YouTube. You discovered who you were to become by uncovering the obvious from the past - back to when you did what you did because you loved it and it's how you wanted to spend your time. Now, you've been living in Los Angeles for four years. You finished film school this last May and discovered that you wanted to spend your life writing as a screenwriter and author, just like you had when you were four years old. You quit the full-time job you thought you were supposed to have in order to achieve this dream, and Mary, you sure will. Truth is, every time you're feeling unsure of what move to make next at any point in your life, revisit that young girl you used to be. Looking back to your past mostly holds a negative connotation, but to me, it's an affirmation. You're looking back to who you were when no one's opinion mattered and you were living life on your own terms. You did what made you happy without thinking twice about what others thought, and to me, that's what life is about. Why lead a life that creates an inner misery and indecisiveness, when the answers to who you truly are, are in your childhood. So to my future self, the person who will continually be my motivation and hero, every time you're looking for a sign or guidance, look back to that picture of you in bed when you were four years old with a book over your head and passed out sleeping. Think of all of the stories you wrote and how they resonate with who you've become. Look back to that little girl who was smiling to the camera because with what small amount of time she had been living, she had life figured out. Are you ready to take on the world solo and for the first time? I know, it can be a daunting thought, but let me tell you, nothing you ever experience will be more rewarding than walking through this world with you as your own best friend. You are able to see the world through your own eyes without anyone else's opinions pressing down on you. It's a fresh start to discover who you are, how you view the world, what freedom truly is, and how those things that stick with you along the way, those things and people that set your soul on fire, are connected to your purpose. I continue to feel this way each time I travel alone, and the first time was when I was fifteen years old. There's no reason to hold back - go out and venture the land you've always dreamt of, no matter the price or risk. It'll always be worth it. But first, take a peak at my top 23 tips for traveling alone and on a budget - chances are it'll make your first journey out into the world a little bit easier and step in the right direction towards changing your life forever. CHECK OUT MY TIPS BELOW! 1. research! budget! research!Know exactly what part of the city you're staying in - make sure it's relatively central. It's important to know what the city life is like and if there is any crime in the area, and if there is, don't stay in that area. Also, check the weather, be aware of the current events and politics surrounding where you're going - it could effect your stay and potential safety. For the fun part though, take note of everything that you might want to see (touristy or non-touristy) and how it can fit into your trip cost-wise, time-wise, or potentially even at all! It could be under construction (who knows? You will if you look it up). Frommer's Travel Guide books are always extremely helpful in finding things you may never knew existed and could be interested in. AND SET A BUDGET, you set that budget and you stick to that budget. This includes airfare, meals, lodging, entertainment, transportation, souvenirs, and contingency! Researching prices and CONVERSION RATES (these suckers get ya) is necessary. You best make an excel document now, print it out, and let it sink in so you don't let it impact you while you're on your actual journey. You'll know it like the back of your hand so you have more time to think about the fun things. 2. Make a checklist before you leaveDepending on where you're going, it's always helpful to have an interactive and tangible checklist to take with you no matter where you go and how many places you plan on traveling within the same span of time. Write what you need down, and actively check it off once it's in your suitcase. These items should be but are not limited to your passport and drivers license, an outlet adapter that provides you the proper input regardless of what country or region you're in, a phone charger, extra cash in a safe container, medication, specific toiletries, extra undies etc. If you forget something, you're going to have a bad time - and it could take money out of your travel budget - don't let that happen! 3. Pack light! bring only the necessitiesAfter you've researched the weather, which I know you've done, be sure to ONLY pack what you need to. If it's going to rain, bring a proper jacket and shoes. If it's snowing -do the same. If you're hiking - rent boots. Otherwise, stick to light materials and articles of clothing that you can wear multiple times without being gross while still being stylish. One pair of sexy and comfy jeans, jammies, a cute skirt, a few cute tops, a sweater or light jacket, a nice evening dress, one pair of walking shoes and cute shoes, a bra and undies - and that's all you need! You're good to go! If you bring more than necessary, lugging a fudge ton of unneeded junk around gets old fast, not to mention, it's easier to get lazy with your belongings and eventually lose things. Which reminds me, never bring anything of sentimental value on a trip with you. If you miss someone from back home along the way - talk to them or send them a letter. It's not worth losing. 4. manage your information!You’ve got your passport, your currency, your driver’s license, the picture of your boo, your plane tickets, your hotel confirmation, concert, Harry Potter walking tour, and haunted house tickets, and who knows what else! That’s a whole bundle of hooblah that you sure don’t want to lose. Keep all of this in one place - whether it be a proper agenda keeper, a folder in your inbox, a physical folder, a fudging huge- wallet, a fanny pack, whatever suits your preferences, keeping it all together will make your life easier. You can just grab what you need that day and go and never have to look back. More time to focus on all of the good happening on your trip. 5. Get off of your darn phoneSeriously. You’re in a new place with a million different things to discover. You don’t need to be on your phone where absolutely nothing is happening to take away from your time in the real world. If you plan your day accordingly, you won’t need your phone for a single thing except to take pictures if you don’t have a proper camera, to grab an uber, or to show tickets you bought online (take screenshots because WIFI is hardly available). This brings me to my next point... 6. Be absolutely present and observantI never get an international phone plan while I’m abroad - firstly, because I think they’re expensive, secondly, I think the way our phones take us away from being present in daily life should not even be an option when you’re in a new place discovering yourself. It’s time to live life through your own eyes and not through what a screen is feeding to you. Pay attention to people. Pay attention to places. Look at the way people talk. Take in the intricacies of architecture, food, wine, someone’s eye color when they talk. Experience the daily life that someone may have where you’re at, and hold onto that perspective. Take the time to understand the beauty in the world with each passing moment - you’ll realize this life is such a blessing, and then take it back with you wherever you go. Also my dudes, if something seems sketchy - use your intuition. Don’t engage. Walk the other way - still be aware of your surroundings and get to a place that’s safe with people that are aware you’re there. 7. Use airbnbChances are, if you are traveling abroad or to somewhere you’ve never been before, you aren’t going to be in your hotel room very often - so why pay for more when only the necessities are key. It only matters if it’s safe, has water, a bed, wi-fi , and a door that can lock. It does not need to be fancy or expensive, nor should it be. When I went to London on my own in 2017, I stayed in a 4’X 7’ room that was built of canvas and plywood that stood where the flat’s living room used to be. It was split in two and there was a room exactly the same as mine next to me. This was an Airbnb in a flat that was shared with three other people, with these two guest rooms. It had a bathroom (that hardly worked), Wifi, a controlled security system for the building and lock for the apartment ( I also had a lock on my door), and a comfortable twin-ish sized bed. It was all I needed and it converted to $25 a night. It was also in a central location - perfect. Use Airbnb, It’s the cheapest, most efficient, and most homey way to feel like you’re a part of the city. 8. Go to the supermarket for mealsSo, of course you should go out to eat and delve into the local food and delicacies, but my dears, it does add up. If you’re spending all of your money on food, how much of your experience are you going to have to take back with you? My strategy is to have one meal out a day when I’m on my own and go to the local grocery store or stop - like Tesco in London - for the two other meals or whenever I’m actually hungry (they have a three pound meal deal - sandwich, drink, and a snack - that is perfect). You save oodles of money, feel like a local, and have more cash to spend on what really matters - experiences! 9. spend what Money you have on experiencesYes. Yes. Yes, a thousand times - yes! If you spend your money on things that truly immerse yourself in the culture and history that the place you’re in has to offer, the more incredible stories you’ll have to tell! Not only that, but it gives you even more opportunity to make lifelong friends. Whether it be a painting class that you find on Airbnb experiences, a walking ghost tour of the city you’re visiting, a site-seeing bus ride, or random museum you find along the way. If anything is worth investing in, it’s moments that could change your life. 10. carry a mapYou carry that sucker everywhere you go, and you like it. Circle where your lodging is and the nearest train station. Be aware of what area you’re traveling to for the day and mark it down. Having a map is the most reliable source of navigation, especially when you’re lost and your phone’s map isn’t working because wi-fi isn’t available. Use your resources. Right when you get off the plane, you can find a map of multiple cities available to you. Grab it. If you’re going to a smaller place, print a simple one off of google maps at home, just to be sure. It’s better to be safe than sorry. 11. don't drink too muchBy not drinking too much, I obviously mean alcohol. Of course, you can have one or two, but always be aware of how you’re feeling and gauge when you should stop. It’s necessary to be safe in situations like this when you’re alone and you don’t know who you can trust. Many people, and sometimes not the right people, can tell when they can take advantage of you, don’t ever let it get to that point. This matter especially comes in handy when it comes to getting home, protecting yourself, and staying out of trouble. 12. spark up a conversation with a localDon’t be shy! If you’re interested in learning about the culture and building relationships, who better to talk to than someone who lives there! Who knows - they could potentially change your life, and you could change theirs. And besides, I’m sure your smiling personality and genuine interest would be more than enough to make their day. Give it a try. You won’t regret it. 13. leave room in your day for wanderingJust like in life, not everything should be planned because some of the best things come when you least expect it. Don’t feel obligated to pack your days with different events that are back to back. Give yourself some time to explore and let your intuition and interest take the reigns. By doing this you’ll discover amazing things you never knew existed - and it even may bring you in contact with a new friend, passion, or story idea. 14. join in on group activitiesWhether it be these walking tours I keep going on and on about, bar hopping with a group at your hostel or Airbnb or meeting up on an Airbnb experience, or going to a random free course at a museum - jump into the opportunity to make new friends and bask in the fresh slate you’ve created for yourself. Take notice of who you are with new people, and understand what you’re really looking for out of life. Different people from all around the world will surprise you in many ways in kindness, intellect, creativity, perspective, lifestyle, and experience - just like you might surprise yourself when you respond to them. 15. take pictures - alwaysEven of the random things. Take pictures of the people you meet - with the people you meet. Of the tickets of the show you went to, or the receipt from the incredible meal you had, and the weird guy carting around a corgi with sunglasses on his bicycle. Anything that sticks out to you or makes you smile - of anything that makes your journey more of your own and that you’ll know you want to remember. Take videos of you by the eiffel tower, on The Great Wall, or chasing an adorable sheep down a hill in Ireland. Don’t hold back! And make sure you find a random someone you feel you can trust to take pictures of you! 16. carry a notepad/ Bring a journalThere is no question or compromise on this one. At the end of every day, you write about what happened, how you felt, who you met, what you saw, what inspired you, what thoughts cross your mind and how your reacted to those thoughts. Write it all down. Also - if an idea for a story sparks while you’re walking the streets and you see someone or something, or its something you hear, smell, taste, whatever it may be - bring a small notepad with you wherever you go so you can jot down your ideas and continue to flesh them out if the inspiration is there. Coming back to these entries and stories throughout your trip, when you’re back home and are telling your friends about all you’ve experienced, or it’s ten years later - your mind and your heart will go straight back to those moments you set out to discover the world and who you are - it just might ignite rediscovery. 17. know your means of transportationHow you’re getting to the airport. How you’re getting to your hotel from the airport. Where is your hotel? How are you going to get around the city or cities? These are all questions you should know before you even get on the plane to go wherever you’re going (for the first part of the series of questions anyway. ) Know what train stations you’re closest to, and which transfers you’ll need to take to get to where you need to go. Know where you can find Wi-Fi if it’s late and you need to call an Uber. It’s always important to understand distance, area, and details involved with getting from place to place in a foreign area. 18. LEARN THE LANGUAGE - OR TRY TO -This is the biggest thing. If you’re going somewhere where a different language is spoken, it’s extremely helpful, polite, and necessary in some situations to know at least basic words and phrases of that language. When you need help, or need to go to the bathroom, or when you’re confused about which direction to go, how to find a specific place or person, or when you’re needing to explain yourself for a possible misunderstanding - knowing parts of the language is key. Learn these before you leave. Also, being more fluent in a language or multiple is especially helpful and gratifying when trying to immerse yourself in the culture. Nothing feels more satisfying and enlightening than talking to a native in their language and learning about them, gaining their respect, and pushing yourself along the way. 19. check in with family/FRIENDS every nightJust so they know you’re safe and where you are. If anything were to ever happen, it gives them a good idea of what’s going on and where to go back to. You know, your parents are always worried - give them peace of mind and send a picture or two. Plus, it’s a fun way to talk about your daily adventures. 20. Don't go to the same place twiceLife is too short to do the same thing twice, especially if you’re only in a place for a week or two. If you grab a cup of coffee every morning, and you go to the same place twice, you’re denying one of the hundreds of coffee shops around you the opportunity to give you a new experience - and why would you do that to yourself? Smile at a new face, try something new. Take a different path to the main road that’ll take you to where you’re planning on going. Give yourself the opportunity to live a new life every day - a new blank canvas waiting for the masterpiece of the day to be painted on it. 21. take note of the time differencesWhether you’re calling back home, trying to take the train, book tickets for a concert or show, or are catching a plane for goodness sakes - it’s so important to know before you leave on your trip how many hours ahead or behind you are, and switch your watch, phone clock, computer, whatever it may be to the correct time zone, right away! We don’t want you missing out on everything you’ve planned for, for such a silly, but easily mistakable reason! 22. Create something awesomeLet your mind wander - create stories in your head, paint a bomb picture of something that inspires you while on your journeys, make a video - whatever! Make something that will always take you back to the moments where you lived life to the fullest and will be something that you never forget. Even if you just start something while you’re traveling - it’ll give you room to keep on living the dream when you finish it back home. 23.live. Have fun. Don't let anything stop you.Just do the dang thing. Nothing can hold you back. Live your life without reservations - you never know when you’ll get an opportunity like this again. Life can change in a minute. Take advantage of getting to know yourself the best you can possibly can, and enjoy every single moment of it. The discoveries that come from traveling alone are beyond what you could ever imagine. In fact, just a moment could change your life forever - don’t let it pass you by. NOW go! Travel the world!So guys, anyone who knows me knows that I love a good beer and a killer atmosphere. Lucky enough, living in LA gives me an infinite amount of options that surely never disappoint. However, there are a few that rise above the rest, and because it's so difficult to choose, I'm sticking to my top suggestions in Downtown Los Angeles for now! Next time you're looking to go out in the concrete jungle, make sure to check these places out! You won't be disappointed! ;) 1. clifton's republic (cABINET OF CURIOSITIES)648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014 With it being within the shining lights of historic Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles, there's no question that Clifton's is always my go-to. With a cafeteria on the main floor during the day to meet your friend's for breakfast at, a mid-day jazz band to swing dance into the night to, to four different themed bars amongst the three floors of this cabinet of curiosities - it's hard to not have a good time - no matter what your nightlife preferences are. Whether you're taking part in the California themed bar, The Monarch, the parlor that takes you back to Old Hollywood glamour and speak-easy style dancing, The Brookdale, getting down with the DJ in the purple and black, cathedral themed Gothic Bar, or do the art deco, map-themed tiki room in the Pacific Seas - you're in for a night to remember. Plus, it's in the heart of Downtown, so it's the best place to start and end. Don't miss out! 2. The Edison108 W 2nd St #101, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Wow. This place blew my mind the first time I walked down a few flights of stairs into it's industrial and velvet swaddled glory. With it's award winning design, The Edison is the lavish embodiment of art, culture, science and commerce neatly placed within the walls of what used to be the first private power plant in Downtown Los Angeles. Themed after Thomas Edison (the place is decorated head-to-toe Edison bulbs) and the Industrial Revolution there are numerous rooms such as the Ember Parlour (for you to smoke your cigars or have a private party), The Lab and stage where all of the best discoveries happen (whether it be a new or flirty friend), the Game Room and the Tesla Lounge where private parties are also held and The Generator Room where there a few seats amongst the historical remains of the power plant, there is no shortage of space in this massive time traveling experience to make the memories of your wildest dreams. 3. The little easy 216 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 This Cajun-style speak easy takes you from Downtown LA to the heart of New Orleans. With its vintage elegance and southern charm, this place is full of spunk and endless character. On the street it looks like you're walking into a small yet sophisticated joint, only to turn the corner into a luminescent and charming veranda that opens up into a banjo-blaring party. The beer is unique and effective (if you know what I mean), the people are great, the service is always welcoming and lively - if you want a hidden treasure, this is the place to go. 4. Cole's French dip118 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014 Talk about historic Downtown LA. Cole's is the oldest restaurant and bar in the City of Los Angeles that has remained open and continuously operating from it's original building since being established in 1908! How insane! Not only was the French Dip sandwich invented here, but several members of the mafia dined here on a regular basis AND their original speakeasy is still alive and kickin'- with a jazz band and dancing most nights after 7PM! If you are wanting a taste of history and a good time - Cole's is where you should be. 5. seven grand515 W 7th St #200, Los Angeles, CA 90014 Are you a fan of whiskey and bourbon? What about playing pool and live music? Well my dear friends, Seven Grand is for you. This bar makes you feel like you're the richest son of a gun with a mustache and plaid hat wearing a monocle and riding boots getting ready to go stag hunting at the crack of dawn! Seven Grand is a home to the popular and unique membership program, the Whiskey Society. This program allows those involved to further educate themselves and experiment with the ever so wonderful spirit. This place is sophisticated yet extremely relaxed - think of your grandpa. He would love it here. Also, if you love whiskey, which you should, come to Seven Grand to immerse yourself in a plethora of options that will satisfy your whiskey needs beyond your heart's content. 6. wurstküche 800 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 First of all..YUM...second of all...FUDGE YUM. Guys. This is one of my favorite places! Two words: Beer.Brats. That's all you need to achieve happiness my friends, and that is exactly what Wurstküche provides. Being from Wisconsin, these two items are a necessity, and when provided with over 19 options of sausages, and 50 different beer options both bottled and draft from Belgium, Germany, and a few from North America, I couldn't be a happier. I promise you will walk into this place beyond satisfied and walk out with your expectations exceeded. PLUS - it's in the Arts District, which is an amazing area with some pretty cool shops, sites, museums, and markets. Try to get over here for lunch on the weekends so you can catch all of the excitement! 7. perch448 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 So the first thing I have to say about Perch, is WOWEE! This rooftop bar serving delectable French Cuisine and hand crafted cocktails gives you the MOST sensational view of the Downtown LA Skyline. You are immersed within the skyscrapers, sipping on My Fair Ladies, listening to chill and groovy live music, while soaking up the moonlight on this elegant rooftop secret garden-esque hideaway with the ones you love and hold dear. Whenever someone special is in town or it's time to celebrate a milestone - I bring them to Perch. It's simply irreplaceable and the views from all around are sublime. Not to mention, the food is absolutely to die for! But I swear to goodness, if you get the Bunny Frou Frou...we are no longer friends. 8. Love Song446 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 Connected to the newly remodeled and infamous concert house, the Regent Theater, is the eclectic and nostalgic - The Love Song Bar. Inspired by various and classic tunes involving a little bit of the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol (cue Jamie Foxx and T-Pain), this place gives you the perfect blend of historic DTLA's aesthetic and the love of music that it's neighbor has shared throughout time. Also, this place is a pretty bomb pizzeria, so make sure before you hit your favorite show next door that you stop in here for dinner and a few drinks with your friends. It's cozy, quaint, and unforgettable. 9. Preux and proper840 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014 This corner stone masterpiece filled to the brim with southern hospitality and all of the delicacies of New Orleans, also has some of the best blended drinks mixed within it's Cajun Elegance. Preux and Proper used to be right down the street from where I lived, and it's the best little hidden gem in downtown and is housed in what used to be the point of time-square of DTLA back in the 1920s. Their food is amazing. The atmosphere is perfect for small and quiet get togethers and is within historic DTLA, so you know it's going to be absolutely beautiful. For it being the last stop on South Spring Street, it should be one of the first places you check off your places to go when wanting to go out for a nice and relaxing night out with friends. 10. Beelman's pub600 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014 Catch a game at this high-end yet completely relaxed Irish pub ever so known as Beelman's. In the heart of DTLA, this place brings people together for any occasion, to sit back and enjoy each other's company. With it's welcoming presence brought to us in form of it's outdoor patio and all of it's string-lit glory, the service is fantastic, the energy is always up, and you will never be disappointed with the plate in front of you or the beer in your hand. If you're looking for a casual and relaxing night, but don't feel like parading in to a dive - Beelman's is always the place to go. Now that you have my top ten bars to go to in DTLA, keep an eye out for some of my other suggestions coming your way within the next few blog posts! Let me know if you stop by any of these crazy fun joints and send me a picture! Subscribe and send me all of your stories below! I want to hear about all of your DTLA bar hopping adventures! by: Mary gabrielle strauseA Traveling Artist living to inspire others to live their best lives by traveling the world and creating the art they've always dreamed of! |