The Standard

A couple months ago we gave a shout out to the Los Angeles Natural History Museum’s first Fridays, where they offer unique after-hours programming complete with DJ’s and food.  Not to be left out of the loop, LA’s West Side also knows how to kick off the month with Venice’s First Fridays.  On the first Friday of every month (August 5th is the next one) Abbot Kinney, Venice’s hippest street, loads itself up with food trucks, art shows, live music, and merchants that stay up well past their normal closing times.  The end result is a street party like no other. 

(Shot of the action during on of Venice’s First Fridays)

During First Fridays, Abbot Kinney bars and restaurants offer many a libation special and the neighborhood stores do their best to entice the tipsy shoppers.  In the past months stores have offered free s’mores, henna tattoos, and live music.

No one goes hungry at Venice First Fridays - at last count included, to name a few, the classic Kogi truck (Korean BBQ Tacos), the crowd-pleasing Grilled Cheese truck, the architecturally inspired Coolhause ice cream sandwich truck, the Dim Sum truck (steam buns? Yes, please!), and the aptly named Dogtown Dogs truck (they have tator tots!).

(Close up of Dogtown Dog’s Trailer Trash Dog: All beef dog topped with beef chili, nacho cheese and Frito’s corn chips)

Need we say more?  The only caveat is that parking in Venice can be a bitch so get there early, the festivities get crackin’ around 6.

Venice First Fridays
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
(between S.Venice Blvd & Pacific Ave)
Venice, CA 90291
6–10 p.m.