Thursday Night: Venice Beach
(Photo: Calvin Fleming/Flickr)
Ah, Thursday night—the only truly social night of the week. It’s the night when babysitters are booked, friends convene and drinks are imbibed. There are no family obligations to fulfill, no amateurish weekend crowds to elbow through—and the possibilities are endless. The night starts after work and ends whenever you want. In any city. All over the world.
This week, we present the perfect Thursday night in Venice Beach.
Venice is a jumble of excitement. The lively Los Angeles waterfront neighborhood, adjacent to the also-beachy but sleepier Marina Del Rey and Santa Monica areas, is where the party is, day or night.
You’ve got a pier where non-stop selfies are taken and a beach boardwalk where ultra-talented skateboarders do 360s and street performers still carry boomboxes. That’s just a quick walk from the multimillion-dollar homes of the Venice Canal Historic District, where children play in Linnie Canal Park and ducks sunbathe in their own oasis. And not far from that is Abbot Kinney Boulevard, where some of the city’s hippest restaurants and bars keep things going late. In a city where 9 p.m. can often feel like last call, Abbot Kinney is often still buzzing at midnight. It’s worth taking a Thursday night to explore Venice’s multiple personalities.
5 p.m.
Take the scenic and peaceful route to the boardwalk by walking through the completely residential Venice Canals. Enter on Washington Street, head north, and loop around as you please, up and down the lovely mini-bridges. Stop to peek into as many homes as you want—you’re just a few feet away from living rooms and kitchens—but mainly marvel at the diversity of architecture. No two homes are the same: There are glassy modern masterpieces that use solar energy next to ramshackle beach bungalows where there seem to be three surfboards for every bedroom. Don’t miss the duck pond at Linnie Canal Park before you head west to the beach.
6 p.m.
Make your way to the boardwalk. Yes, it’s touristy, with guidebook-clutching throngs gawking at the Muscle Beach bodybuilders, the wickedly talented skateboarders, and the storefronts where one can get examined for a medical marijuana card. But the beach itself is beautiful, the water views are endless and the Poke-Poke stand’s Hawaiian-style ahi rice bowls are an excellent way to fortify yourself for a long night ahead.
If you’re in the mood for sunset cocktails, head a couple blocks off the beach to Chaya, the lively Asian fusion spot that former Wolf of Wall Street Jordan Belfort is known to frequent. You don’t need to defraud investors to afford a fun evening here: There are $1 oysters on weekdays from 5 to 7 at the bar, and the $6 happy-hour specials include saketinis, margaritas, and crispy Scottish salmon sliders.
If you have the urge to shop, though, get to Abbot Kinney Boulevard before 7 p.m. GQ called this street “the coolest block in America” in 2012. It’s no doubt one of L.A.’s best places to shop, eat, and drink. But much of the retail action here happens on weekends and during the day. Many stores close early; it’s an understatement to say that a lot of locals have a loose work schedule. Still, you can arrive on Thursday evening and have time to browse the often heavily discounted and always ultra-comfortable hipster-chic attire at Topo Ranch (closes at 7) and the vintage T-shirt reproductions at Aviator Nation (closes at 8).
8 p.m.
Be ready to put your name on the list at Abbot Kinney’s constantly jammed Gjelina at least a half hour before you plan to dine. It’s worth the wait, with the best pizzas in town and a huge menu offering cured meats, crudo, pastas, and more than a dozen creative vegetable options including grilled summer squash with za’atar, cherry tomato confit, and mint. You can grab a beer or play pool at the no-fuss Brig bar down the street while you wait for your table.
Pizza at Gjelina. (Photo: Larry/Flickr)
11 p.m.
L.A. is an early town, with many residents happily in bed before 11. But you’re on vacation, so head back to the Brig, which has the live blues and soul Westside Boogaloo party on Thursday nights from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
And/or close out your night with some carefully made cocktails at Scopa Italian Roots. Widely recognized as one of L.A.’s best drink dens, this spot that opened late last year serves old-style cocktails like the Bullocks Wilshire (bonded bourbon, Demerara rum, Cynar and maraschino liqueur) and the West Side (vodka, orgeat, cucumber, mint, lime and Angostura bitters).
Scopa is a gorgeous space with a stunning centerpiece of liquor shelves full of bottles you might have never seen before. If you’re feeling frisky, trust your bartenders. Point to a random bottle, ask them to make something and watch them smile knowingly as they grab your choice, a couple other bottles, some herbs, and maybe even some shaved ice. It’ll be a nightcap to remember, and it’s also your own private show. You might want to order another and then another until 2 a,m. closing time. Friday can sort itself out later.
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