Mark Peikert

Face it, Angeleno: It’s Chinatown. And the menus there are often worth the cross-city trek. If you’re still thinking of cash-only, lazy-Susan feasts, well, there are still plenty of those around. But these days, you’re just as likely to stumble on a great burger, a Filipino feast, a natural-wine bar or a cure-all cocktail lounge. That’s the fun of eating and drinking in this particular neighborhood: Despite its name, Chinatown refuses to stay in one culinary lane. The neighborhood’s three main plazas—Far East, Mandarin and Central—are packed with everything from decades-old institutions to newer spots that have made the area into a destination in its own right. Come hungry, bring cash and be willing to explore. We’ve rounded up the Chinatown restaurants and bars worth a visit, whether you want a bowl of beefy pho, a double-dipped French dip, Nashville hot chicken or a great glass of wine.  RECOMMENDED: See more in our full guide to things to do in Chinatown

Getting seats to the best Broadway shows usually requires quite a bit of advance planning. But what if you haven't planned, and you urgently need to see a show tomorrow or even tonight? Don't panic: There are plenty of options for last-minute tickets, especially if you’re willing to put in some legwork. It partly depends on what you're willing to pay and how much risk you're willing to take—and, of course, on plain old luck. If everything goes your way, you might even luck into cheap Broadway tickets, great seats or a chance to see hit shows that you would never have been able to get into earlier. Here is our insider guide to buying last-minute Broadway tickets. The day before the show: Enter the digital lottery Many Broadway shows—including Aladdin, The Book of Mormon and Hadestown—conduct digital lotteries for cheap tickets on the day before each performance. In most cases, you enter the lottery online, then wait until later the same day to find out by email if you've won; if you do, you'll need to reply to the ticket offer within an hour or you'll lose your chance. A few shows, such as Wicked, do their drawings on the morning of the show itself; others have drawings once a week, notably the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child $40 ticket lottery and the $10 Hamilton lottery, both of which happen on Fridays and cover the week ahead. For a full list of shows that offer lotteries, consult Broadway on a Budget or Playbill's Broadway and Off Broadway listings. The morning of the s

The Hollywood Bowl is getting a serious dose of South Central L.A. For emajendat, visual artist Lauren Halsey will turn the amphitheater into a technicolor fever dream, complete with a custom stage set and a lineup that’s basically a who’s who of adventurous music. Erykah Badu and the Alchemist headline, bringing their soulful R&B and dusty hip-hop production to the Bowl ahead of their forthcoming collaborative album, while Anderson .Paak spins as DJ Pee .Wee, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea joins in, and Charles Gaines Collective teams up with L.A. jazz outfit Black Nile and Devin Daniels. Catch the maximalist spectacle on September 29; talk about it for weeks afterward.

Attention proud nerds: Anime After Dark is about to tip nerd culture into a deliriously playful burlesque fantasia at The Slipper Room. Expect a high-gloss collision of cosplay and cabaret as performers bring JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Spy x Family, Pokémon, Cowboy Bebop, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Ghost in the Shell and Sailor Moon to life with wit, heat, and precision. Featuring Lychee Mynx, Happy Bun Bun, Storm Psycho 6, Mae B. Koi and more. 

Tap your toes and enjoy the music at the 15th Annual Blue Note Jazz Festival, with performances running from June 1 through July 1. The festival pops up at major venues across NYC, including Sony Hall, Blue Note Jazz Club and SummerStage in Central Park. This year's performances include Ledisi, Durand Bernarr, Big Freedia, UMI, Bestin Conrad, Shabaka Hutchins, Kokoroko, Cymande, Take 6, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Jose James, BLK ODYSSY Louie Vega: Elements of Life and more. Here's the full lineup with ticketing info. 

The Sierra Club has organized this inaugural Earth Day concert, dubbed Sierra Sessions. Hosted by KCRW DJ Novena Carmel, the night will feature performances by eco-conscious songwriters and storytellers, including Hurray for the Riff Raff, Irene Diaz, Dr. Lyla June, Rising Appalachia, Rozzi and more. Each artist will perform a few songs in the intimacy of Village Studios and share reflections on nature and life on Earth. If you can’t make it in person, the concert will be streamed on YouTube on Earth Day, when the various chapters of the Sierra Club will also host watch parties. If you can make it to the show, stick around afterward for an after-party.

Whether you’re excited about or terrified by artificial intelligence, it seems to be here to stay. Creatives can learn how to work with AI at RenderCon—which offers a deep dive into the future of media, art and technology as it relates to AI. Hosted by the Render Network, the conference hosts artists—including L.A.-based Refik Anadol, the mind behind soon-to-open Dataland—developers and industry leaders for two days of talks, panels and hands-on workshops focused on real-world AI production workflows. Expect practical insights, demos of cutting-edge new tools and networking opportunities.

Erstwhile podcast host and comic about town Marc Maron has been branching out into live music lately. He’ll bring both the laughs and the melodies with his Marc Maron Band for one night only this April 13 at Lodge Room. Joining him on the bill will be special guest comedians Blair Socci and Lara Beitz. 

A Current Affair returns to Brooklyn with 70 premier vintage retailers on April 11 and April 12, offering thrifters access to some of the best deals around, not to mention rare and collectible designer vintage. Come out to the Industry City location in Brooklyn at 51 34th St. on Saturday and Sunday, and browse clothes, bags, accessories, jewelry and more. General admission is $21.88, but early-bird and weekend passes are also available at higher price points.

Feast your eyes upon the best selection of contemporary and vintage jewelry designers at the NYC Spring Jewelry and Object Show. Held from Friday, April 24 through Sunday, April 26 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea (125 W. 18th St.), the showcase provides a platform for jewelry collectors and enthusiasts to buy and check out unique and historic jewelry pieces all in one place.

Experience art and music at Voices of Memory, an intimate evening at the Tenri Cultural Institute on April 25. At 7:30pm, the program begins with a gallery viewing of paintings by Lizi Budagashvili, followed by a live performance from musicians Sendi Vartanovi, Taisiya Losmakova and Aleksandr Bolotin performing Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Debussy and more. The evening ends with more time to linger amidst the art. Seating is limited to 70 guests, so reserve tickets in advance.

Discover new global perspectives at the inaugural CONDUCTOR Art Fair of the Global Majority, a boutique event spotlighting artists and galleries from historically underrepresented regions. Running April 30 to May 3 at Brooklyn's Powerhouse Arts (322 3rd Ave.), the fair brings together work from across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Oceania and Indigenous nations. Curated by Adriana Farietta in collaboration with Powerhouse Arts, expect a showcase that challenges traditional art market narratives while celebrating the richness and diversity of global contemporary art. 

The Met Gala? In this economy? The Debt Gala provides an inclusive alternative to the Met's annual satorial spectacle—all to raise money for Americans in medical debt.  The annual Debt Gala comes to Williamsburg's Music Hall on Sunday, May 3, with the theme "Body of Werrrk." The tongue-in-cheek event swaps formality for fun, reshaping the traditional gala experience into an open celebration for all. The theme is meant to encourage guests to design fashionable riffs on the human form.  In addition to throwing a great party, the event also centers economic justice and the struggle to afford rising costs of care. In its first two years, the Debt Gala has helped eliminate over $4 million in medical debt for struggling families. This year, proceeds from the Debt Gala will support Undue Medical Debt and Point of Pride. The red carpet begins at 4pm, followed by a 6pm show and an 8pm dance party. 

Timed to the United States’ 250th anniversary, the American Folk Art Museum's Folk Nation: Crafting Patriotism in the United States exhibition explores how vernacular art has shaped national identity. Using the museum’s collection, the show delves into the meanings of “folk,” “nation” and “patriotism” at the 2 Lincoln Square gallery. It offers a thought-provoking look at who is represented in American stories and how those stories change. The show runs April 10–September 13, then reopens October 8 and runs through February 28, 2027.

A week after Everson Royce announced it was closing after a decade in business, an even older local haunt has spoken out about its seemingly imminent closure. Los Feliz institution Ye Rustic Inn faces an uncertain future, with its lease up in the air and its outdoor patio reportedly set to be removed. The neighborhood dive bar is asking locals to rally around the business before another piece of old-school Los Angeles disappears. RECOMMENDED: The century-old Original Pantry Cafe will officially reopen in downtown L.A. next month after nearly two years The bar, located at 1831 Hillhurst Avenue, has been serving drinks and chicken wings since the 1970s. Owner Susan Wood, who has run the establishment since 1999, is now trying to keep the longtime neighborhood hangout alive as negotiations with the landlord appear to have stalled. According to a New York Post report, the lease expires within weeks, and Wood says she has struggled to get a response to her renewal requests. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ye Rustic Inn (@yerusticinn) The immediate concern is the patio, one of Ye Rustic Inn's defining features. The landlord's insurance company reportedly wants it removed on November 2. Losing the patio would be a significant blow to a bar whose appeal lies in its casual, no-frills atmosphere. In an October 27 Instagram post, the bar appealed directly to its customers and the broader Los Feliz community for support, warning that its future is uncerta

After more than two decades of frosting-filled celebrations, Misha’s Cupcakes is saying goodbye to its remaining storefronts. For Miamians who have spent the past 21 years reaching for a Misha’s cupcake at birthdays, baby showers, weddings and Tuesday-afternoon emergencies, the news is a particularly (and appropriately) bitter pill to swallow. The beloved local bakery announced its closure on October 21, bringing an end to a homegrown dessert business that became a South Florida staple. RECOMMENDED: NYC’s famous Thai spot Fish Cheeks to open in Miami, and it’s bringing that viral coconut crab curry with it Founder Misha Kuryla started baking in her home kitchen in 2005 while caring for her infant daughter. After donating cupcakes to a charity event, she landed her first wholesale customer, the initial building block of what became a local cupcake empire. A kiosk at Dadeland Mall followed in 2007, then the first brick-and-mortar shop in Coral Gables in 2008. That same year, Miami New Times named Misha’s the city’s Best Cupcakes winner. Photograph: Courtesy Misha's CupcakesKey Lime Pie Cupcake at Misha's Cupcakes The bakery became known for its miniature cupcakes topped with generous swirls of colorful frosting, with flavors ranging from guava and cream cheese to coconut and Oreo. Over the years, its sweets found their way into grocery stores, celebrations and even vending machines around South Florida. The news is not entirely out of the blue. The company had already been sc

If your idea of vacation still revolves around turquoise water and peaceful beaches, stop eyeing Hawaii getaways—your dream island may be a lot closer to home than you realize. That's according to Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards for the best islands in the United States, with South Carolina's Hilton Head Island taking first place and Kiawah Island coming in second. Yes, even Maui had to settle for bronze. Oahu came in at No. 4 and Nantucket at No. 5. Not exactly shabby company for a couple of Southern barrier islands. RECOMMENDED: I combined a river cruise with 3 national parks. Here’s why it’s the ultimate way to travel. So what makes Hilton Head the reigning champion? The island offers 12 miles of sandy beaches, sprawling golf courses, bike trails and enough waterfront restaurants to make a weeklong vacation feel woefully insufficient. It's the sort of slow-paced place where your biggest daily decision might be whether to spend the afternoon paddleboarding or lying horizontal on the beach. Photograph: ShutterstockKiawah Island Kiawah Island, meanwhile, is the slightly more secluded sibling. Located about an hour's drive from Charleston, the island is known for its pristine shoreline, wildlife and high-end resorts, including the Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. One of Kiawah's best perks is Beachwalker Park, a rare public beach on the island's southwest tip. Seasonal admission typically costs $5 to $10, making it one of the most accessible wa

Broadway shows are making room for more theatergoers in 2027, with TDF announcing its biggest-ever season of autism-friendly performances, including The Book of Mormon, Wicked and Hamilton. The TDF Autism Friendly Performances program, run by the nonprofit Theatre Development Fund (TDF), is entering its 15th season with 10 productions on the schedule, giving families with autistic and neurodivergent members more opportunities to experience Broadway without the usual sensory overload. The lineup includes returning favorites, a new musical and one particularly irreverent comedy making its debut in the program. RECOMMENDED: George Clooney, Adam Scott, Betty Gilpin and more to perform one-night-only Broadway play this Sunday The biggest news for 2027? The Book of Mormon will host its first-ever autism-friendly performance on Sunday, February 28, at 1pm at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre. The Tony-winning musical, known for its decidedly adult humor and gleefully sacrilegious songs, joins Wanted, which will offer a performance on March 14 at 1pm at the James Earl Jones Theatre. Meanwhile, Hamilton returns on May 16 at 1pm at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, followed by Wicked on June 13 at 1pm at the Gershwin. Both productions have previously participated in TDF's program, which launched in 2011 with The Lion King. Those four shows join a season that has already included Ragtime, Hadestown, The Great Gatsby and Maybe Happy Ending. The upcoming lineup also features The Lion King on January

There are few things the internet enjoys more than turning a local dispute into a national referendum on morality, and Last Ditch, a queer bar in Greenfield, Massachusetts, has had the misfortune of becoming its latest favorite punching bag. Now, after months of controversy over COVID masking, the bar is preparing to close this winter unless someone steps in to save it. RECOMMENDED: The 17 best bars in Boston, including cocktail lounges, wine bars, pubs and dives According to The New York Times, Last Ditch announced on October 26 that it is “soft closing” immediately, with only previously booked events continuing. The bar is also urgently seeking new owners or co-owners, or someone willing to buy the business outright. Its furniture, equipment, inventory and other assets are estimated to be worth around $70,000. “We have put our lives on hold to foster networks of care, resources, and a home base for organizing,” the bar wrote in its announcement. “It’s time we pass it on.” The venue opened in 2025 with an ambitious mission: to create a gathering place for queer people, particularly those left out of traditional nightlife spaces. That included immunocompromised patrons, whom the bar accommodated by requiring customers to wear KN95 masks or better. It also welcomed people who couldn't afford to spend much, operating on the radical idea that a lack of disposable income shouldn't disqualify anyone from community. Unfortunately, community doesn't pay the electric bill. Business s

California (and Californians) have plenty of reasons to brag, and now it has three more. A national ranking of America’s greenest cities put a trio of Golden State cities at the top of the list, according to WalletHub’s 2026 report. Oakland took first place, San Jose came in second and San Francisco rounded out the top three.  Released last month, the report compared the 100 most populous U.S. cities across 28 metrics spanning environmental quality, transportation, energy sources and lifestyle and public policy. Among the factors considered were greenhouse gas emissions, air and water quality, access to green space, renewable energy use and how often residents rely on cars to get around. RECOMMENDED: The 26 best parks in Los Angeles, from the Griffith Park wilderness to the urban Gloria Molina Grand Park Oakland, CA, earned an overall score of 70.83 out of 100, edging out San Jose's 70.20 and San Francisco's 69.94. The East Bay city scored particularly well on air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, ranking among the country's best in both categories. Oakland also benefits from its network of parks, community gardens, farmers' markets and bike infrastructure, giving residents more opportunities to get outside without firing up a car. San Jose, meanwhile, has embraced renewable energy. More than half of the city's electricity comes from renewable sources, according to WalletHub, and the city ranks among the nation's leaders in per-capita solar panel installations. San Franci

One thing's for certain: If George Clooney is standing in a Broadway theatre, you will pay a month's wages to see him. A year after setting box-office records as the star of Good Night, and Good Luck, the Oscar winner returns on November 1 for a one-night-only reading of a play (not even fully staged!) that starts at $500 a ticket and meanders up the stratosphere to $5,000. (But that figure goes a ticket to the after-party, so you'll earn the money back in tuna tartare and mediocre white wine alone.) RECOMMENDED: Exclusive: This new website guides you to the cheapest Broadway tickets At least this is all for democracy instead of the usual capitalism that reigns on the Great White Way: The reading will benefit state-level political organizations ahead of the midterm elections. The play in question is Smear!, a political comedy by actor Clark Gregg (who also wrote the screenplay for What Lies Beneath), and the supporting cast is no less impressive than the ticket price. Alongside Clooney, the evening will see Betty Gilpin, Laverne Cox, Adam Scott, Glenn Fleshler and Shane Paul McGhie sharing the stage. What stage remains to be seen; the theatre is being kept secret for security reasons. Smear! follows two jaded political campaign operatives—and former lovers—as they wage a vicious battle over a North Carolina congressional seat that could determine the balance of power in a hotly contested midterm election. The fundraiser will support The States Project and The States Forum, or

Halloween isn't even here yet, but Mariah Carey can't wait to return to her holiday spotlight, announcing a huge, nationwide expansion of her holiday bar, including its first-ever Boston location. Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar opens November 19 at Tuscan Kitchen in the Seaport, bringing festive cocktails, over-the-top holiday décor and plenty of opportunities to channel your inner diva. The limited-time experience is part of a larger seasonal tour that will hit eight cities this year, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, San Diego and London. RECOMMENDED: The 17 best bars in Boston including cocktail lounges, pubs, dives and more Expect a winter wonderland with Mariah-inspired decorations, interactive photo opportunities and holiday cocktails featuring Black Irish, the singer’s own Irish cream liqueur. (Did you know Mariah Carey has her own brand of Irish cream liqueur?!)  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar (@mariahsholidaybar) Naturally, the soundtrack will lean into the singer’s holiday hits, including the inescapable 1994 classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Because if Boston is going to surrender to the Christmas season before Thanksgiving, it might as well do so with a communal singalong. Plus, this will be a chance to hear Carey's other holiday songs, because apparently there are some? "The holidays are my favorite time of year, and I love finding new ways to share the magic with m

Los Angeles holidays just hit a new peak L.A. vibe: Bryan Cranston, Jean Smart, Noah Wyle and more will star in a one-night-only staged reading of A Christmas Carol—hosted and narrated by Tom Bergeron—at Burbank’s Garry Marshall Theatre on December 17, and it’s all for a good cause. RECOMMENDED: A Swiss holiday village is coming to Santa Monica Pier next month, with raclette chalets, ice skating and more Cranston will play Ebenezer Scrooge, the miser whose Christmas Eve encounters with three spirits inspire a change of heart. Smart, the Emmy-winning Hacks star, will appear as the Ghost of Christmas Past, while The Pitt lead Wyle plays Fred, Scrooge’s nephew. Connor Tomlinson rounds out the central quartet as Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s beleaguered employee. The ensemble also includes Clancy Brown, Dorian Harewood, Samantha Sloyan, Tal Anderson, Chelsea Darnell and Spencer Harte. Victor Nelli directs the performance, which will take the form of a radio play complete with live music and a Foley artist creating theatrical sound effects in real time. View this post on Instagram The event is presented by The Ed Asner Family Center, the nonprofit founded by Matthew Asner and Navah Paskowitz-Asner in honor of the late Mary Tyler Moore Show and Lou Grant star. The organization supports neurodivergent individuals and their families through mental health services, arts and enrichment programs, social opportunities and employment pathways. The evening will also honor Vicki D

McDonald’s is giving fast food the fine-dining treatment, and yes, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese is getting its moment at the chef’s table. On October 29, guests can enjoy Inside the Golden Arches, a free, reservation-only tasting experience in New York City led by Tristen Epps-Long, winner of Top Chef Season 22 and a former McDonald’s crew member. RECOMMENDED: All of the best McDonald’s menu items, ranked The one-day event promises an up-close look at the ingredients and techniques behind some of the chain’s most recognizable menu items. Guests will get to see how the Quarter Pounder with Cheese is prepared, from the beef hitting the grill to the finishing touches that make the burger a fast-food staple. The tasting will also feature the Egg McMuffin, Chicken McNuggets and World Famous Fries. Finally, you can investigate that perfectly round Egg McMuffin egg without holding up the drive-thru line. Epps-Long brings a fitting perspective to the event: Before building his culinary career and winning Bravo's Top Chef, he worked behind a McDonald’s counter himself. He’ll guide guests through the experience alongside the people responsible for the chain’s day-to-day food preparation. View this post on Instagram “McDonald’s was where I got my start, and the experience helped shape the way I think about food and hospitality,” Epps-Long said in a statement. “Even now, I have a deep appreciation for the consistency that allows millions of people to enjoy the same g

Forget Europe or Manhattan or even Alaska—Priceline says try Birmingham, Alabama. Yes, the unassuming Southern city has officially claimed the top spot on the booking platform’s list of trending domestic destinations for 2027, according to its new Where to Next? Travel Trends Report.  The ranking draws on year-over-year growth in Priceline searches between May 2025 and May 2026. So why Birmingham? A combination of affordability, a rich cultural history and a food scene that gives travelers plenty of reasons to arrive hungry. Visitors can explore the Birmingham Civil Rights District, including the 16th Street Baptist Church Education and Visitor Center and Kelly Ingram Park, before turning their attention to the city’s celebrated restaurants. A history lesson followed by an excellent meal? That's a vacation itinerary we can get behind. RECOMMENDED: Expedia’s top travel destination for 2027 is this stunning California mountain escape The report’s other domestic destinations offer a mix of small-town charm, outdoor adventure and art-world credentials. Block Island, Rhode Island, promises windswept beaches, historic lighthouses and Victorian-era inns, while Beacon, New York, pairs galleries and antique shops with the sprawling contemporary art collection at Dia. Snoqualmie, Washington, and Bayfield, Wisconsin, round out the domestic top five for travelers looking beyond the obvious. Photograph: ShutterstockBlock Island, Rhode Island Internationally, Priceline’s trending destina

Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the tall tales. AT&T Stadium, the gargantuan Arlington home of the Dallas Cowboys, has just been named America’s most haunted sports venue in a new ranking from The Sports Geek. The 80,000-seat stadium scored 62 out of 100, beating out legendary baseball parks and historic arenas despite only opening in 2009. Who says you need a century of history to collect a few restless spirits? RECOMMENDED: These are the 25 most haunted hotels in America, including a Gothic landmark near Bourbon StreetThe ranking examined 47 stadiums and arenas across the United States and Canada, scoring venues on factors including documented ghost stories, historical tragedies, nearby burial grounds and reported paranormal investigations. Not that anybody has proven that these places are haunted (or even proven the existence of ghosts), but with Halloween around the corner, we're not about to let a little thing like evidence ruin a perfectly good ghost story.So what makes the Cowboys’ home stadium such a spooky contender? According to the report, former stadium employee Selena Sixtos described hearing movement inside a restroom stall late at night, only to discover that nobody was there. Creepy, right? Other stories include unexplained voices, shadowy figures and footsteps that mysteriously stop when someone approaches. Not to mention a cold spot outside of the room named in honor of former coach Tom Landry. Since he's dead, the cold spot must be his spirit! Pho