A Summer With SSLA
Somewhere Social: August
If you like to eat and drink and dance, you’re best off living in the city of angels this month. It’s #leoseason and the nightlife and restaurant offerings are giving us some serious LA Pride. Read on for our fave must-try restaurants and summery dance parties around LA this month.
Dama (DTLA) @damafashiondistrict
Photos courtesy of @damafashiondistrict
This latin-inspired lounge is so infused with Hollywood Regency glamour meets breezy, tropical escapism you’d never know you were in a converted banana distribution warehouse. (Yes, seriously.) The open floor plan paired with the hardwood, smoking room walls allows the space to feel relaxed yet polished. Though they do serve meaty entreés like their glorious 24 ounce dry-aged ribeye with pickled peppers and salsa verde, their loaded soft serve banana sundae is what truly shines. Quick tip: take after @thegeneraltay and lean hard into that resortwear vibe. (Think Chanel’s Havana Resort from 2017). Your feed will thank you.
Viale dei Romani (WeHo) @vialedeiromani
Photos courtesy of @vialedeiromani
Viale dei Romani does Coastal Italian but takes it poolside. We’re seeing a huge influencer marketing push at this La Peer Hotel venue but we’re not hating it. The storytelling is authentic effective and we want to carbo-load on those luxe loungers stat. Given the LA ambiance and hotel location, the prices are reasonable. Their pasta menu, decked with rabbit tagliatelle and citrusy squid tagliarini will have you planning an Amalfi Coast jetset. Not feeling carbs? Their fish selections are succulent, fresh, and diverse. Don your headscarf and minidress cause this spot is a certified gram-pleaser.
Bar Calo (Echo Park) @barcalola
Photos courtesy of @carriekawamura, @boloratheexplorer, @daaanggirl, @jeremysimpsn, @infatuation_la
We know the images above truly speak for themselves. We know we don’t have to tell you twice to order drinks from this beautiful pop-arty east side hotspot. (But we will.) This space is seductive and sleak with a dash of light hearted Mexico City influence. Their mezcal offerings are top shelf and their small plates are sophisticated. Their cocktail program is classically-influenced but incorporates seasonal produce from the bar’s garden. Eco-vibes continue with their metal straws. Pop on a flirty top and some espadrilles to sip on a Market Margarita. Don’t forget a rez. This one’s a hotspot.
Felix Trattoria (Venice) @felixlosangeles
Photos courtesy of @felixlosangeles, @bonappetitmag, @thechalkboardmag
Executive chef Evan Funke opened this one last year but we’re bringing it back because look at that bread. We know it’s supposed to be the season of citrus and carpaccio but the truth is, we can’t say no to a flaky focaccia no matter the weather. The space features a wood-fired oven serving out delectable pizzas and a temperature controlled laboratory where Funke can be found hand-rolling noodles in what can only be described as peak pasta perfection. Make a reservation, get there early, and maybe still go on an “off night” cause this one gets crowded.
The NoMad Hotel (DTLA) @thenomadhotel
Photos courtesy of @caitlynmiyako and @thenomadhotel
Occupying the old Bank of Italy building, The NoMad fills this historic space with sumptuous colors and picture-perfect corners. The lobby is a luxurious, emerald tomb of velvet and tufted lounge-style furniture, calling bank to the bank’s history. Ascend the timeless stairs to the rooftop, the true gem of this hotspot. Up top, you’ll find splashes of Mediterranean influences and Angeleno influencers with Spritzes in hand. Above the palm fronds, you’ll think you’ve been whisked away to the Italian villa you’ve been wishing for. It’s not a tiki bar, but you’ll see a rotation of poolside classics for when you want a Mai Tai and a different kind of dive.
KCRW’s Chinatown Summer Nights (Chinatown)
Photos courtesy of @ginapricilia, @kseniaslavnikova, @butterydimple, and @KCRW
If you weren’t already aware of the sonic holy grail that is KCRW or Jason Bentley, you’re about to be cued in. Every Summer the Santa Monica-based NPR station hosts a Summer Nights music series. Music sets vary but always feature live DJ sets by their hip af lineup of DJs. Chinatown Summer Nights is a true party in the streets, with plentiful photo opportunities flush with a New Chinatown photo booth, confetti, hanging lanterns, and neon. Come for the music, stay for the craft and vintage flea market. This is the last month to check out the series until next summer, so get on it. Check out the upcoming schedule here.
Things You Say Swim Club at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Pool
Photos courtesy of @lisbona_1point_oh, @this.is.nala, @thingsyousayla
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what fence you have to climb to take advantage of the Hollywood Roosevelt’s stunning pool, look no farther than Things You Say Swim Club. The weekly party is takes place every Sunday at the Tropicana Pool Cafe and is free with RSVP which you can do here. Make sure your poolside attire is prepped because there is a photographer and you’re going to want your picture taken. (Obviously.) Check out the glossy images from past parties here and past Things You Say Rick Trainor DJ sets here.
Written by our Brand Communications Coordinator, Kaeleigh Morrison.
Try out any of these spots? Tweet us @somethingsocial or tag us on the ‘gram – @somethingsocial.
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Related Reads
#SomethingSignificant: Charity Miles
At Something Social, we believe what goes around comes around. We also believe in the golden rule (and something that’s arguably more important than the previous belief), treat others the way you want to be treated. So that’s why we started #SomethingSignificant. Every month, we’re going to share with you a new way to give back. Whether it’s volunteering at a local food drive, or spreading awareness about an issue close to your heart, your Something Social team is here to encourage you to do #SomethingSignificant.
The Foundation
Charity Miles is a free iPhone/Android app that enables you to earn corporate sponsorships for charity whenever you walk, run or bike. Keep working on your summer bod and donate money to a charity of your choice at the same time! Just download the app, pick a charity, hit go, and get walking! Each running mile is worth 25 cents, and each biked mile is worth 10 cents.
How You Fit In
For every mile you hit, sponsors of the app will donate a certain amount of money to your choosing. Hitting the gym? No worries, Charity Miles can track indoor workouts as well. You can also get your friends involved and have them sponsor your cause á la those elementary school Jogathons. Our favorite feature, Teams, is a great team building exercise that can get your whole office involved in the greater good and boosting stress-relieving endorphins at the same time! (For more tips on stress reduction, read our article on Fostering Mental Wellness here.) The Teams feature allows you to motivate your partners by seeing their progress. You can even turn the app into a little friendly competition!
The Impact
The charity partners include a large variety of causes, ranging from the World Wildlife Foundation, to fighting Alzheimer’s, to the Wounded Warrior Foundation. No matter what cause is important to you, there’s probably a charity partner for it on Charity Miles! The money comes from corporate sponsors reallocating their media budgets (think advertising, PR, and social media) towards something more impactful and substantial than a billboard.
How It Works
According to Charity Miles CEO, Gene Gerkoff, the app’s sponsors receive a higher ROI than traditional charitable giving campaigns because “in most cause-marketing arrangements, the company gives a bit to charity and spends 7 to 10 times [more effort] promoting it. The promotion is what drives the [sponsors’] return on investment, not the charity,” he says. “We are trying to reverse that ratio and generate the marketing R.O.I. that companies want from ordinary advertising. This enables them to repurpose their digital media budgets–money that never ever would have gone to charity–for social good.”
You can learn more via their website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Written by our Brand Communications Coordinator, Kaeleigh Morrison.
Done #SomethingSignificant you want us to highlight? Tweet us @somethingsocial or follow us on the ‘gram – @somethingsocial.