Show summary Hide summary
Los Angeles’s dining and nightlife scenes saw a string of developments this month that matter if you eat out, plan a night on the town, or follow restaurant trends. From a small Melrose Hill kitchen finally being able to pour spirits to a high-profile review and a social‑media flap that briefly silenced queer venues, these stories reshape where Angelenos will drink, dine, and gather in the weeks ahead.
Ètra’s long-awaited liquor license and a new cocktail lineup
After winning one of California’s coveted Alcoholic Beverage Control lottery licenses, the team behind Ètra will formally roll out a drinks menu in late September. For a restaurant that previously offered only wine and beer, a full liquor license opens the door to classic cocktails and fresh pairings that can change how dishes are experienced.
L.A. cocktail scene welcomes Ètra: sleek new bar opens with inventive drinks
Korean chicken turns irresistibly crunchy and fiery: 8 recipes to try now
Owners Andrew Lawson and chef Evan Algorri collaborated with Thomas Eslinger of Republique to design the initial slate of five cocktails, with more planned over the coming months. Early tasters described an elderflower spritz that leaned herbaceous and effervescent and a gin-based negroni that cut through a bluefin tuna crudo wrapped in Calabrian salsa.
Service will remain gradual while staff find their rhythm; the drinks menu officially debuts the week of September 28. If you visit, the owners encourage conversation at the bar — Lawson’s deep background in wine and pairings often surfaces in recommendations.
Lielle earns high marks from the LA Times
The Los Angeles Times critic Bill Addison recently praised chef Marcus Jernmark’s Pico‑Robertson restaurant Lielle, calling it a standout in the city’s dining landscape. The review singles out the kitchen’s technical precision and a dessert course built around sea buckthorn as evidence the restaurant has become a major local contender.
Lawry’s teams with Gary Baseman and See’s Candies
Lawry’s the Prime Rib is offering a limited “Baseman Meal” collaboration that blends comfort‑food nostalgia with collectible swag. Starting September 30 and running through November 6, the $79 package features a Prime Rib Burger ground on site, a vanilla milkshake topped with hot fudge and See’s Candies sprinkles, and a Baseman print sent home with diners.
Reservations are available through Lawry’s website for those who want the full experience.
Temporary social‑media removals put queer nightlife in the spotlight
A recent report in the Los Angeles Times documented that several Southern California queer clubs and promoters — including Downtown venues such as Precinct and Club Cobra — saw their Facebook and Instagram pages removed. The accounts were restored after the story published on September 22, but the incident underscored how dependent nightlife communities remain on a handful of platforms to advertise events and sustain audiences.
The episode serves as a reminder to support neighborhood venues in person and through direct channels such as mailing lists, booking platforms, and venue websites.
More to note
- Rumi’s Kitchen — Reporter Rebecca Roland dug into the history and recent changes at the Persian restaurant; her findings are worth a read for anyone following local restaurateur stories.
- The Hart and the Hunter — The mid‑2000s daytime spot has been revived, part of a broader trend of resurrected neighborhood restaurants across Los Angeles.
- Dolly Parton Day — California Governor Gavin Newsom designated September 25 as Dolly Parton Day, honoring the entertainer’s long‑standing cultural influence and ties to the state. Parton is remembered for her songwriting and film work, including the movie 9 to 5 and its title song.
Small moves — a new cocktail program, a lauded review, a pop‑up meal, or the sudden disappearance of venue pages — can ripple through how people book tables, choose a night out, or discover a neighborhood. Check reservations and event pages before you go, and consider signing up for venue newsletters to avoid surprises if social feeds go dark.
Starbucks secret: employee reveals way to buy a drink for just 60¢
Canadian whisky and American whiskey compared: how rules and grains shape their flavor
