Photo courtesy of Broken Shaker at Freehand LA.
Memorial Day Weekend is almost here. This traditional launch of summer is a great time to unwind, socialize, and get out of the house. See our list below for some suggestions, like going to a BBQ on a lesser-known part of Catalina Island, swim in an vintage pool on Santa Monica Beach, listen to brass bands at the iconic Original Farmers Market, go on a culinary walking tour, raise a glass at an all-day happy hour, savor a lobster breakfast burrito, and more.
In anticipation of the upcoming release of Wes Anderson’s newest film, “The Phoenician Scheme,” Santa Monica’s The Georgian, a gorgeous Art Deco hotel that would be right at home in a Wes Anderson movie, presents a special themed brunch inspired by “The Phoenician Scheme” on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25 at The Georgian’s Sirena restaurant. Also included in this brunch: Marseille Bob’s Croissant French Toast Souffle, Prince Farouk’s Evergreen Fritatta, Phoenicia Benedict, strawberry shortcake parfait, seasonal fruit, salad, breakfast potatoes, and applewood smoked bacon. Brunch also features promotional giveaways and the chance to win advance screening tickets. Make your brunch reservation on Resy.
Want to spend this Saturday hanging out on an island, savoring BBQ and beer on the beach, without having to leave Los Angeles County? Climb aboard the Catalina Express to Two Harbors for the first annual Two Harbors Beach Brew & BBQ! A tiny rustic village on Catalina Island, Two Harbors is located 18 miles from Avalon and just 23 miles from San Pedro Harbor. The Two Harbors Beach Brew & BBQ goes from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 24 and includes BBQ tastings from pitmasters like Avalon Smoke House, Saucey Luke’s Craft BBQ, Crazy Gringo BBQ, and more, along with live music, beachside pours from Trusted Gut Brewery, and games for all ages. Event tickets are $78 for adults and free for kids 5 to 12. Find more info here.
Los Angeles’ favorite outdoor movie series, Cinespia at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, is hosting one of the best Coen Brothers’ films over Memorial Day weekend. On Saturday, May 24, you’re welcome to bring a picnic, plus wine or beer, and watch The Dude abide in Joel & Ethan Coen’s The Big Lebowski, with an incredible cast that includes Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, Sam Elliot, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The evening will also feature DJs and a photo booth. You can find tickets here.
After the tragic January fires closed an 11-mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway, PCH will reopen on May 23, just in time for Memorial Day weekend. Celebrate renewed access to one of the most breathtaking parts of the Los Angeles coastline by savoring a meal or a cocktail at Malibu Beach Inn. Carbon Beach Club at Malibu Beach Inn offers incredible views from its oceanfront terrace, locally sourced California cuisine, and world-renowned wines. More information
Two U.S. Navy brass bands are performing free shows at The Original Farmers Market as part of LA Fleet Week on Memorial Day weekend. On the Market Plaza on Saturday from noon to 1 p.m., Harbor Side Brass Quintet will play jazz and classic hits, while on Sunday, the 32nd Street Brass Band will play New Orleans-style brass music, along with hip hop and Top 40 hits, from noon to 1 p.m.
Also happening at the iconic Original Farmers Market on Saturday: Thrill of the Grill. This pop-up from the Market’s own Huntington Meats starts at 11 a.m. on the Market Plaza. You’ll find BBQ favorites like brisket, tri-tip, ribs, wings, and burnt ends until they’re sold out. Among the options: a plate with your choice of meat, sweet corn, and mac & cheese for $25. For more info, call 323-938-5383.
Photo courtesy of Malibu Beach Inn.
Looking for an elegant, convenient staycation? Over Memorial Day, the exclusive POOLCATION package at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Century City is available for 10% off the package rate. The POOLCATION package includes 50% off valet parking, a $50 Food & Beverage credit that can be used for poolside bites and refreshments, a $150 spa credit that can be applied to any treatment, and early swimming pool access while awaiting your room. In addition, you’re guaranteed a late 2 p.m. check-out! The POOLCATION package is available to book now through September 15, 2025, for stays through October 31, 2025. To reserve, guests can use promo code POOLCATION. More info here.
Desert 5 Spot is a Hollywood rooftop bar — a little bit country and a little bit rock — that merges a vintage Palm Springs vibe with the soul of Pioneertown. This weekend, Desert 5 Spot celebrates the return of their Swimsuits & Cowboy Boots Wild West Pool Party & Trading Post for summer, launching on Sunday, May 25, from 2 p.m. to sunset. Desert 5 Spot and vintage experts Jada & Jon will co-curate a weekly pop-up of local vendors, poolside tunes by Short Shorts, a Fleetwood Mac Tribute with Y’all Star Revue in honor of Stevie Nicks’ birthday, a cowboy-style cookout, specialty cocktails, and more. You can RSVP at the Partiful link here.
Inspired by Baja, Mother of Pearl is an alfresco seafood restaurant at Level 8 that focuses on oysters and ceviche. Visit on Sunday, May 25 for Champagne & Ostras. The rooftop party goes from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mother of Pearl‘s special menu will include Royal Ossetra Caviar Service, Chilled Pacific Oysters, a Lobster Breakfast Burrito, Korean Fried Wings, and mimosas pairing champagne with a flight of fresh juices. Ambient sounds will surround the chic rooftop patio with ’90s and 2000s R&B, hip hop, and house music. Admission is free until after 3 p.m. on May 25. Tickets can be purchased here.
Image courtesy of Catalina Island Company.
MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street returns to Santa Monica this Sunday, May 25. Now in its tenth year, this all-ages, pet-friendly culinary walking tour of Santa Monica’s Main Street is a twist on the classic board game that includes a “Go to Jail” Beer Garden, lawn games, free rides up and down Main from Green Goddess Pedicabs, and more. Admission earns you tastings at 20 different venues. You’ll savor pizza from Triple Beam Pizza, crispy cauliflower from Library Alehouse, squash blossom puff pastry from Papille Gustative, chicken potato taquito from Lula Cocina Mexicana, acai bowls from Ubatuba Acai, and more. Other participants include Alfalfa, Ashland Hill, Beyond O2, Bread & Butter Bakery, Edgemar Restaurant & Lounge, Holey Grail Donuts, Jameson’s Pub, JuneShine, MUD/WTR: gather, Rabano, Sunny Blue, and Tavern on Main. Participants get the chance to win a Taste of Main Street Prize Pack with prizes worth more than $1,000. Tickets start at $30 for adults, while kids ages 5 to 12 are $20.
Known for its scratch kitchen, elevated all-American fare, and well-made cocktails, all locations of Eureka! will offer special sips on Memorial Day: mimosas and Bloody Marys are just $8 each on Monday, May 26. You can find more info and locations here.
Japanese restaurant Katana is acclaimed for its sushi, robata-grilled meats, superior cocktails, and beautiful elevated patio overlooking the Sunset Strip. Through Memorial Day, the West Hollywood eatery is offering 20% off to diners who arrive before 6:30 p.m. Sushi Roku and BOA Steakhouse also offer the same deal through Monday!
Enhance your long weekend with all-day happy hour on Monday at SOL Cocina, located in Playa Vista, Newport Beach, and Irvine. SOL’s sister restaurant, Solita, is also offering all-day happy hour on Memorial Day at its locations in Valencia and Huntington Beach. Info here and here.
A.O.C. in West Hollywood has announced its next Sunday Supper. Much anticipated, this iteration will feature some of Chef Suzanne Goin’s favorite things: soft-shell crabs from Maryland and the season’s first cherries. The three-course, prix-fixe meal is $85, and reservations can be made on OpenTable.
Patio at Butterfly. Photo credit: Katrina Frederick.
Award-winning cocktail bar Broken Shaker, located downtown on the roof of Freehand LA, has just relaunched, with a new cocktail menu and nostalgic poolside bites perfect for summer. Drink highlights include Breakfast in the Moonlight, a take on the classic Zombie with passionfruit, and the Electric Warrior (Absolut Elyx vodka, St. Germain, and lemon-lime cordial). Broken Shaker
If you like the idea of a succulent rib meal but don’t feel like firing up the BBQ, fast-casual eatery Tender Greens has your solution. The just-launched Backyard Ribs Plate, with St. Louis-style spareribs slathered in housemade chipotle-honey barbeque sauce, creamy macaroni salad, and crispy potatoes, is $19.35, while the Backyard Ribs Family Meal, $69.95, features sauce-laden ribs for 4, plus two shareable sides. Tender Greens’ ribs plates are available throughout the summer. You can find Tender Greens’ 13 Los Angeles locations here.
Plant-based eatery Cafe Gratitude, with locations on Larchmont and in Venice, is offering an extended brunch — until 4 p.m. — on Memorial Day. More about Cafe Gratitude here.
Golden Hour is a vibrant rooftop pool and bar experience perched atop the Moxy at Level 8. Kick off Memorial Day weekend at Golden Daze at Golden Hour. This three-day takeover is a pool party featuring DJ sets, live performances, curated cocktails, and summery bites. The schedule is as follows:
– May 24 – Dim Mak Afloat Pool Party, 2PM (Tickets via Dice)
– May 24 – Memorial Day Weekend with Nick Varell, 8 PM – 12AM (Tickets via Posh VIP)
– May 25 – Flamingosis Pool Party (Memorial Day Weekend), 2PM (Tickets via Dice)
– May 26 – We2Bomb SPLASH Summer Kickoff Pool Party, 2PM (Tickets via Eventbrite)
Though the Annenberg Community Beach House on Santa Monica Beach officially opens for the summer on June 15, its vintage swimming pool will be open all three days of Memorial Weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets go on sale in person at the Guest Services desk one hour before opening and are $10 per adult, and $4 for kids. Once part of movie star Marion Davies’ Santa Monica Beach estate, the elegant pool is surrounded by marble and vintage tiles and overlooks the coast of Santa Monica. More info
