Ok so this week I wanted to mix it up a little bit and since I’ve already given you suggestions on how to go from chatting to going on a real date on Tinder I figured I’d give you some suggestions on what to do on said date. These ideas aren’t just for first dates they work for any couple or they’re great activities to do with your friends too. They can also be generalized to other cities outside of LA. I have a lot of ideas for October/Halloween so these are pretty September-specific.
1. Go to a baseball game. Did you know that couples who attend baseball games are more likely to stay together over the long haul than those who don’t? Baseball games are nice because unlike the movie theater you can talk until your heart’s content and the game gives you a few hours to get to know each other. If you or your girl are not super into sports you can have fun trying all the fattening stadium food (see my Carne Asada Fries from the Anaheim Angels stadium below), have a beer, and enjoy each other’s company. You can also get close at the night games when it gets a little chilly. September is the last month of regular season baseball. Here’s the Dodger’s September 2014 schedule and Los Angeles (Anaheim) Angels September 2014 schedule.
2. The Hollywood Bowl – Ok so this one is pretty LA specific, but it can be generalized to “check out an outdoors concert”. The Hollywood Bowl is a summer thing so there’s only a few shows left this month. I love going and bringing a bottle of wine, a blanket, some cheeses, a baguette, Trader Joe’s Red Pepper spread, and some chocolates and just relaxing. If that’s too complicated pick up a picnic basket at The Oaks Gourmet. One show this month that both of you might enjoy is Fireworks Finale: The Simpsons Take the Bowl because who doesn’t like fireworks and The Simpsons?? Here’s the Hollywood Bowl September 2014 schedule. There’s also only two Santa Monica Pier Twilight Concerts left (Thursday 9/4 and 9/11 at 7pm) and two more weekends of Grand Performances in Downtown LA if you’re looking to hear a free concert with more of a range of genres.
3. See a comedy show – So while it’s awesome that we have the Laugh Factory and the Comedy Store featuring hugely popular nationally recognized comedians constantly here in LA, getting tickets and the 2 drink minimum can add up to a pretty expensive night. You really can’t go wrong with any shows at the Upright Citizens Brigade especially with ticket prices ranging from free to $10 (with the exception of a few charity shows), but I would highly recommend Fresh Out! LA: Stand-up Comedy which is stand up (as opposed to improv comedy) if you are night owls because that one is at 11pm on Mondays. If that’s past your bedtime I also really like the UCB Facebook show at 9:30pm on Wednesdays and Sentimental Lady: Guilty Pleasures at 7pm on Saturdays. These shows are only an hour long so before or after you can walk to one of my favorite restaurants in LA La Poubelle Bistro and get to know each other over my faves the Late Last Night cocktail, Crispy Brussels Leaves (see below), and the Chocolate Tarte. Another cheaper comedy hidden gem is NerdMelt which is located in the back room of Meltdown Comics off of Sunset Blvd. The have a lot of big names drop into this place on a regular basis. I loved the show Baby Talk with Dan Levy and DJ Jensen Karp which is every first Saturday of the month at 7pm. Here’s the rest of the NerdMelt schedule. There’s also the Oddball Festival in Irvine September 13th and 14th that has some of the best comedians in the country (Louis CK, Sarah Silverman, Amy Schumer, Aziz Ansari, Moshe Kasher, Whitney Cummings, etc.), I’m so sad I’ll be out of town for this!
4. The LA County Fair (Aug 29-Sept 28, 2014) – The fair is such a classic date idea for a few reasons- it’s fun to act like a kid again and play and be silly, it’s another one with lots of quality time to spend together, and it’s so pretty and romantic with all the lights at night and riding the ferris wheel. Want to make it super duper romantic? September 11th Boyz II Men are performing with Babyface, September 27th LL Cool J and Salt-N-Pepa perform, and September 28th you can jam to “September” with Earth, Wind & Fire (not a bad concert series for a fair, eh!?). Tickets are $12 for adults on weekdays and $19 on weekends, but you can get a free any-day ticket if you donate blood. You can also buy discount tickets to the fair on GoldStar. If you’re looking for an outdoors activity that’s a little more artsy you can check out the Abbot Kinney Festival Sunday September 28th from 10am-6pm that has art vendors, food trucks, 5 live music stages, and 3 beer gardens, plus it’s free!
Looking for a great place to meet guys (and girls) this month?
1. I can guarantee there will be MANY guys (and some girls) at LA Beer Week events September 20-28, 2014. Too crass for your taste? How about The Coaster Show 2014 Beer is Art Opening September 5th from 8-11pm at the La Luz De Jesus Gallery. Instead of just drunk people there will be drunk people who like art, just like your fancy self! Plus it’s free and all of your friends you left behind in your small home towns will think you’re really cool and cultured when you post pictures of it on Instagram. If you miss the opening the show runs through the end of Beer Week.
2. Another artsy event I’ve been meaning to try is Downtown LA Art Walk which is every second Thursday (so September 11th this month). Art Walk is a self-guided tour of the galleries around Spring and Main streets and most are open from noon-10pm. This event is free.
3. My dad also is constantly suggesting I go manhunting at a wine tasting and there’s one more this Friday night September 5th from 5:30-8:30pm at Barnsdall Art Park Foundation. This tasting is $25 and includes a limited edition wine glass. Since parents are always right, I’m sure I’ll find the man of my dreams as soon as I get around to attending something like this.
4. Another great event to meet people at would be the LA Podcast Festival September 26-28, 2014. Tickets are $30-60 per day and some of the participants include Marc Maron, Aisha Tyler, Jay Mohr, and Jimmy Pardo. If you don’t find someone there at least you’ll definitely have some good laughs.
5. Another festival that’s coming soon is PaleyFest Fall TV Previews featuring sneak peaks of fall’s most anticipated shows, their casts and creators, Q&A’s, and snacks all in Beverly Hills! Tickets are $10-15 and it runs from Sep 6-12. Not to stereotype, but I’m gonna guess there will be a decent amount of single guys at The Flash and Gotham previews if you’re looking for someone a little nerdy. The Paley Center for Media is a cool little museum type place that is fun to walk around too.
If these events sound out of your comfort zone remember that whatever activities you’re doing now haven’t gotten you a partner so doing something outside of your routine is a great way to shake things up and interact with a different group of people.
You can even go to a dating themed event!
1. The Hollywood Jane Revue Presents: OkStupid, A Burlesque Tribute to Dating is Tuesday September 2nd at 6:30 and 8pm at The Rockwell. Tickets are $10-15.
2. Aziz Ansari’s Modern Romance Tour 2014 is coming to the Wiltern in LA Tuesday September 30th at 7pm (I already have my tickets 🙂 they are about $55.
3. The OkCupid Show at UCB on Thursday September 25th at 8pm. Tickets are $5
4. Undateable: Second City Players Act Out Real Responses to Fake Dating Profiles at Second City Studio Theatre Friday nights at 9pm from Sep 5-Oct 24. Tickets are $5.