Dark Nights LA Live

Dark Nights was so much fun! A great place to take the family or go with friends to walk around/​try the $ 5 (& up) menus.
The dj was playing some good music, everyone got down to the Cupid Shuffle. The local artwork was interesting, and the homemade crafts would be perfect for the holidays coming up! I bought some soap, can’t wait to try it.
I plan to go back with more people! My friends really enjoyed the pictures I took.
Oh, but beware! Read the website carefully, there is a $ 10 parking, they highlight a few lots, which made us think they were all $ 10 but apparently only one was… And it wasn’t the one we parked in –_–

If you love the vibrancy and excitement of living life in the big city, surrounded by all those bright lights and tall skyscrapers, then this event-that’s-not-an-event is for you.
Dubbed ‘Dark Nights’ due to the lack of shows going on at the convention centers, the city of LA decided that they would milk what they could out of people who didn’t want to battle the tumultuous traffic one would usually find during such events and have to deal with horrendous parking prices, but still want to enjoy the full experience of walking around the brightly lit, almost Times Square-​like hub of DTLA and have a good time.
It turns into a gathering of small, local vendors, artists, craftsmen/​women, performers, bands, and a multitude of others plying their trades in the midst of the LA Live Central Plaza. There’s live music blaring everywhere, graffiti artists creating gorgeous life-​sized murals at every turn, performance artists of all types vying for the attention of the crowds that gather to watch impressive feats of talent and skill, and so much more.
And if you love your LA eats and cocktails, but hate the small fortune you have to pay in order to enjoy them, you’re in luck! Most of the fancy restaurants in the area such as Katsuya, Wolfgang Puck, Tom’s Urban, Yard House, and a few others participate by dishing out specific menu items and specialty drinks at $ 5 a pop. Not a bad deal considering how much you’re getting out of what you would usually pay. If you want some really great libations and cheap, yet high quality eats, take my advice and go to Tom’s Urban. They have something called the Croatian Fig Jam Three Cheese Grilled Sandwich. It may be the best grilled cheese sandwich you’ve ever had. The waits can be long as they’re always packed, but it’s definitely worth it.
Not a bad way to spend a Friday night. Bring some friends, and I guarantee you’ll have a great time.

As a vendor (Goat & Kettle,
) at Dark Nights, I can say that this is one of the most fun events I do (I did 70 events last year). The atmosphere is rocking, everyone’s there to have a good time and to appreciate local artists and their work. There is a small selection of mostly handmade, local vendors selling unique products, performance artists, graffiti /​spray-​paint artists that you can watch and interact with, and live music or DJ and dancing. Dark Nights is a great thing for downtown Los Angeles!

May 15^th Dark Nights!
I love what they’re trying to do and had it been a bit bigger, it would be a great hangout area or date night! There’s lots of vendors but more interesting are the art showcases and music performances everywhere. The dj was bumpin good throwback hiphop songs and there was lively entertainment and fun in the air. However, the main chunk of it took 10 minutes to walk through and that was that.
The true fun was the $ 5 drink and food specials that participating restaurants had going, but many of the good ones were first come first serve seating so we ended up choosing a plan B from our original Flemings plan A so we wouldn’t have to wait.
Parking is $ 10 in Gate B so carpool if possible since the short amount of time you stay isn’t really worth it! Also, plan to arrive later than 7pm since the true fun is around 8−9m when it’s darker and there’s more chill vibes in the air! (Only lament would be that you would miss the live action of the artists creating their product in front of you if you come that late.)

Dark Nights is a great concept. These nights are historically «dark» for LA Live with no other major events happening. These are the best nights for locals to enjoy a different scene.
First, there is music, art, and entertainment happening, so it’s nice to stroll and take advantage. The crowds are large and lively.
Second, multiple restaurants participate in offering special $ 5 menus. It’s basically happy hour all night from 6−10PM. Certain drinks and food/​apps are $ 5 each. This is an even better deal than the regular happy hour at some places. But be warned that the restaurants fill up quickly, so go early to find a seat.
Third, parking is only $ 5 (cash only) all night. Be careful, though, as there is only one designated garage/​area at which you can park to take advantage of this special.

Great Diversity in the food for the night. Most all the restaurants offer a $ 5 menus, some are more generous than others. The music, art and entertainment is spread throughout LA Live and creates a lively scene. The $ 5 parking is great and it makes for an overall great night to see what LA Live is about when there is no game or concert.

Went out to Dark Nights on Oct. 3. As hip and trendy as I am, I had never before actually eaten at any of the restaurants in LA Live plaza, so I don’t have much frame for comparison, but I can say the $ 5 Dark Nights drinks and plates are tasty. Most plates are small portions, so you’re trying out many flavors. The crowds were moderate; some places had a wait. The ambiance seemed extra nice because there were 3 – 4 live singers, multiple live art painters, and a couple of street performers (a man in stilts and a woman twirling an umbrella). I heard that the last Dark Nights experience was so mobbed (and/​or well marketed) that some of the restaurants ran out of the food on the DN menu! Luckily not so this time, and we hung out on Katsuya’s outdoor couches people watching and drinking till around 11:30.
Transportation: though DN offers $ 5 parking (in DTLA… whaaaaat?.), we found it easier to take the Metro. (Exit 7^th Street station from the red line and walk south on Figureora for 5 minutes).