Don't tell me you're only planning your 4th of July weekend now?!
Okay, but same. Here's what's happening this weekend near you!
Hollywood
Friday, July 4
Hollywood Bowl Fireworks Spectacular w/ Earth, Wind & Fire
See the iconic Earth, Wind & Fire with epic fireworks at the Hollywood Bowl.
hollywoodbowl.com
Friday, July 4
ABBA Disco at Boardners
Channel your inner dancing queen with ABBA, and cocktails at this themed throwback party.
Eventbrite
Saturday, July 5
Day Hang Pool Party
A fun pool party in Hollywood with live music & drinks.
RSVP
Venice
Friday, July 4
Shifty & Friends at The Waterfront
Your beachside July 4th party. DJs, drinks, and good vibes.
RSVP
Friday, July 4
Sunset Sessions at The Penmar
Outdoor golden hour event with music, drinks, and a neighborhood crowd.
Tickets
Downtown
Friday, July 4
BBQ Bash
Chill July 4th BBQ hang — grilled food, drinks, music, and a cute local crowd.
More Info
Saturday, July 5
Midnight Lovers x Giegling Day-to-Night
Deep house, dreamy visuals, and a stacked Giegling lineup from day to after-dark.
Shotgun
Saturday, July 5
Dim Mak Afloat at Level 8
Pool party with multiple DJs.
More Info
Sunday, July 6
Day Party LA: Summer Kickoff
A huge day party with rooftop energy, drinks, and lots of photo ops.
Eventbrite
Santa Monica
Friday, July 4
Safar Rooftop Day Party
Pool party on the roof with city views, DJs, and strong cocktails.
DICE
Historic Filipinotown
Sunday, July 6
Sunday Funday Market
Local vendors, bites to eat & more for a wholesome Sunday afternoon.
More Info
Pasadena
Friday–Sunday | July 4–6
Three-Day Foodieland Pop-Up at the Rose Bowl Stadium.
A multi-day food market, with a drone show starting at 9 PM.
Tickets
My honest reviews of places in Los Angeles.
I’ve gotten a lot of questions about why I don’t post negative reviews of businesses in Los Angeles.
For a while, I wondered that myself… if I only post about how great everything is, is it even that great after all?
Sure, posting a negative review might perform well — and maybe even make you trust me more. It’s like a good food critic: if they recommend a spot, it’s going on your list. But even one negative review can really impact a small business. And that goes against everything I started this newsletter for. After a lot of back and forth, I’ve made the decision to never post negative reviews.
What I will continue to do is post places that I would only recommend to a Friend (aka, you).
Trust me, I’ve spent plenty of time and money visiting spots that will never make it to this newsletter. Just yesterday, I visited a spot for lunch I wanted to love, but simply couldn’t. Sometimes the place is beautiful, but the experience isn’t. Or the food’s just okay. Or the staff is rude. I’ll still record content — my camera roll is full of videos and photos you’ll never see — but I won’t post about a place unless I genuinely loved it there.
So, to answer the question: I only cover places in Los Angeles that I’ve had a positive experience with and genuinely recommend.
One of the reasons I started Like A Friend Said was to support local businesses in LA. Most of the places I cover are in the hospitality world — restaurants, hotels, bars — and those industries have been hit over and over again: by COVID, by actors’/writer’s strikes, by fires, by impossible rent + cost of labor, and more. I just don’t have it in me to pile on because I didn’t like a dish or had one bad interaction with an employee.
If I post about a place, it means I’d go back — and I’d bring a Friend with me. So you never have to worry about whether or not it’s good enough for you to visit. I’ve weeded out the ones I wouldn’t recommend and only save the best for you :)
xx
Your Friend, Sabrina