Obviously, Cinco de Mayo is meant for partying hard. That is why we say, start early! We give you a list of some really fucking good Mexican joints in L.A. If you want the dish on the best places to party after those empanadas and flaming margaritas, email us at rsvp@minxsociety.com (tells us what you’re in the mood for, and we’ll tell you where to find it).
Always a Minx Society favorite, the uber trendy Loteria is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a selection of special appetizers including empanadas made with corn masa and special drinks not on the regular menu: a cucumber margarita, a beet and orange margarita and an apple paloma. Don’t forget to try their famous shredded beef tacos and spicy jalapeño margaritas!
Loteria Grill Hollywood
6627 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles
(323) 465-2500
Serving their full menu and flaming margaritas until 2 a.m., the famous and authentic El Compadre is definitely going to be rowdy tonight! If you’re with a big group, go for the appetizer platter, which features the restaurants very best (grilled shrimp, chimichangas, quesadillas and carne asada).
El Compadre
7408 West Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles
(323) 874-7924
Over 300 kinds of tequila at the bar and a Mexican wrestling theme throughout, what more could you ask for? El Carmen is a fabulous place to mingle (closely) and get hammered.
El Carmen
8138 West Third Street
West Hollywood
(323) 852-1552
Silver Lake’s Malo is hip, hip, hip. Famous for their melt-in-your-mouth “chewy” chips and to-die-for ground beef pickle tacos (weird combo, right?) and stiff drinks; join sexy musician/artist/hipster types as they celebrate in style.
Malo
4326 W Sunset Blvd
Silver Lake
(323) 664-1011
If you love Los Angeles like we do, you won’t miss Space 15 Twenty’s living art market “Los Angeles, I’m Yours.” The innovative LA-inspired exhibit will run for 3 weeks featuring the work of more that 30 artists.
The kick-off party is from 7 PM – 10 PM tomorrow, featuring the amazing Jason Schwartzman and his band, Coconut Records, as they unveil a video installation made specifically for “Los Angeles, I’m Yours” and their limited edition white vinyl.
Other eclectic sights to be seen is a painted ceramic hand by Gary Baseman, hand painted lamps by Tim Biskup, a dartboard by Marco Zamora, paper cutouts with vintage paper by Saelee Oh, a golden wax candle and story by Neil LaBute (Courtesy of Rob Walker’s Significant Objects project), and a whole lot more. Oh, and did we mention Scoops Ice Cream will be in attendance with their special flavors especially prepared for “Los Angeles, I’m Yours.”
Space 15 Twenty
1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
When my date suggested pizza, I hung the little black dress back up and reluctantly slipped back into my skinnies. However, I was pleasantly surprised when we pulled up to Pizzeria Mozza, a noticeably stylish restaurant met with a bustling line out the door of a myriad of young Angelenos: suited up professionals and fashion-forward couples. Immediately, I knew that Pizzeria Mozza is not your average straight-up pizza kitchen.
First thing’s first: don’t miss the wine menu! Pizzeria Mozza is known for its extensive wine list and feel free to ask your server for a few samples of some of their more rare selections before getting a bottle for the table. For starters, go for the melt-in-your-mouth crispy goat cheese antipasti ($12) or the eggplant caponata ($8) to share before delving into the sensational pizza selections.
The pizza selection is overwhelming and anything but your usual pepperoni (think wild nettles and funghi misti) – but with prices between $10-$22 and selections fit for foodies, you can afford to take chances. A favorite is the Squash blossoms, tomato & burrata pizza – a thin-crusted pizza satisfyingly full of the freshest flavors. For an impressible (and might we add, hip) experience, try Pizzeria Mozza. Reservations are a must.
Pizzeria Mozza
641 N Highland Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 297-0101
Radiohead reunites for an impromptu show to aid in philanthropic efforts for Haiti.
The special one time event takes place this Sunday in Los Angeles at the Henry Fonda and, needless to say, tickets are in high demand. They are available exclusively by auction at Ticketmaster with all proceeds going to the Oxfam America Haiti Earthquake Response Fund.
Attention Los Angeles art enthusiasts! Tonight is the 2nd Thursday of the month and you know what that means: Downtown Art Walk.
Each month, the slew of art galleries and bars along Main Street in Downtown Los Angeles open their doors until 9pm, providing Angelinos with an overflow of art, live music and cocktails. And tonight the Hear Gallery keeps the art alive late with a special after party beginning at 8pm at the Five-Star Bar.
E-mail us: rsvp@minxsociety.com for invites 
Mandrake
Located alongside art galleries in the slew of the Culver City arts district, Mandrake is satisfyingly obscure upon entry. Often used as a visual art gallery or screening house, this sleek, modern space conveys innovation. The bar’s interior, made up of exposed concrete floors, a pine-slated ceiling and deep cobalt tones, is designed in a 1970’s minimalist fashion, subtly suggesting that the place is chic, without demanding it. Punctuated by peculiar video projections, often directly from YouTube, the gallery area houses a DJ and bare white walls with one sign that reads “no dancing”. Mandrake does, however, allow sitting on the unassuming backyard terrace where most of the socializing happens. 2692 S La Cienega Blvd, Culver City.
Tiki Ti’s
Prepare to remain standing amidst a drunken cluster of people, but not really mind at this one-of-a-kind Tiki themed hut on Sunset just east of Hollywood. There is usually a line, they only take cash, and you can rarely acquire one of the few tables against the knick knack cluttered walls. But what this whimsical bar lacks in convenience, it more than makes up for in charisma. Dating back to 1961, Tiki Ti’s was founded during the oh-so-retro tropical drink craze and is often referred to as the last standing neighborhood tiki bar in Los Angeles. The crowd, just as mixed as the cocktails they are consuming, range from hipsters to longtime patrons. Come with an open mind, order the Uga Booga and see what ensues. 4427 Sunset Blvd, East Hollywood.
Good Luck Bar
Just around the corner yet incomparable to Tiki Ti’s, Good Luck Bar is the ideal change of pace from the chaotic LA scene. The Chinese-themed bar’s eclectic décor gracefully balances the line between tacky and classy, exaggerated by Asian flare and brothel-esque burgundy lighting. You can choose tranquil lounge seating quiet enough for actual conversation or mingle at the bar in harmony with its limitlessly diverse crowd and soundtrack. While it isn’t uncommon to hear such bizarre combinations as The Clash followed by Etta James spewing from the jukebox, it does feel rather lucky. 1514 Hillhurst Avenue, East Hollywood.
The Woods
By far the most under the radar of the bunch, The Woods is likely to cause apprehension before you even enter. Yes, it resides in a shopping center next door to a liquor store. No, you are not in the valley. If you can brave the dodgy exterior and slightly threatening doorman, it is well worth it. Inside, the vintage, foe-cabin themed décor, arty stone-lined walls and mod antler light fixtures will put your chic self at ease. The crowd ranges from aspiring musicians to folks who wandered in from the liquor store next door. It’s a great place to bring a group and is possibly the only bar in LA where neither seating nor parking will be an issue. 1533 LaBrea, Hollywood.
El Carmen
It may be near the bring-your-dog brunch spots on 3rd Street, but El Carmen provides a less trendy reason to venture to WeHo. The funky, atypical tequila bar is adorned with unusual decorations, such as classic multi-colored Christmas lights strung alongside vintage Mexican posters and wrestler masks dangling from the ceiling. The surrealist décor and eclectic crowd will certainly put you in the mood for experimentation. Fortunately, the bartenders are schooled in exotic tequila blends, such as the infamous jalapeño-laced Spicy Margarita. 8138 W 3rd St, Mid-City West.
I hope I’m not the only one who finds reading a modern copy of Lolita, with a stale image of faintly erotic lips and a bold-faced “50th Anniversary” banner spewing across the cover, vastly depreciating. But who can help it? While many outmoded cultural delicacies have seen their fair share of revitalization, old books—and so-too their vendors— have continuously climbed higher and higher on the endangered species list.
Despite the poor environment, a few used bookstores are still finding clean air to breathe (but who knows for how long.) So if you’re a sucker for coffee stains and personal dedications, or your home-library misses it’s much needed dose of must, check out these LA based used bookstores that manage to keep their shelves well-stocked with old gems:
1. Arundel Books – West Hollywood — The classic used bookstore: dimly lit, stuffy, an owner with an English accent. To top it off, a revolving ladder spins around the room (don’t be afraid to give it a climb; some of the best stuff is hiding on the top shelf.) Well-stocked in a variety of genres, although the merchandise weighs slightly towards the hard-back literature mode.
2. Equator Books – Venice — Used books meet surf culture. Located on the north end of the trendy Abbot Kinney Blvd, this airy and light welcoming space feels more like an art gallery than a used bookstore. An array of surfing and vintage playboy mags comes together with a special niche for poetry and fiction. The goods don’t come cheap here, but if you’re looking for unique surf and skate photos or an early edition of “East Of Eden”, this is the place. Don’t forget to check out the cove of records in the back, where they house a variety of rare jazz and rock albums.
3. Book Alley — Pasadena — Not as dodgy as the name entails, but Book Alley rates low on organization. You’ll find piles of books scattered across the floor, but if you’re willing to put the time in and do some hurdling, this store has a good variety of all genres and prices moderately. The owners also keep a nice case of rarities and antiquated volumes; just ask for a peek.
4. Brand Bookstore — Glendale —When it comes to quantity and price, Brand is unmatched. Case after case come together in this prodigious house of books—any genre, any style, with an especially well established bibliography section. You’ll find dollar paperbacks, and hardbacks for not much more. Brand is also keen on trading, so instead of giving your box of throw-aways to Goodwill, be selfish and get yourself something that will end up in their hands in a few months anyway.
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