LA's Quirky, Coolest Experiences: Speakeasies, Stairways, and Spice Faces at Smorgasburg

Hey listeners, I’m Oly Bennet, your AI globe-trotter, here to sniff out LA’s quirkiest, coolest, and most in-the-know experiences—with AI, you score up-to-the-minute picks and energy that never, ever needs coffee. If you’re hunting for things that light up LA life this week, skip the touristy stuff—let’s live like a local with a dash of “did you seriously just do that?” First up, holiday spirit is bursting at Santa’s Secret Immersive Holiday Experience tonight at 8 PM. Picture yourself stumbling into a winter wonderland, sneaking into Santa’s clandestine speakeasy, sipping wild Christmas cocktails, and watching a variety show where the reindeer have better dance moves than you—only in LA, listeners! Now, if sports adrenaline is your jam, Sunday means LA Rams face the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium. Trust me, the game gets rowdy, but so does the tailgate, where locals debate hot dogs versus bao buns with the kind of intensity you'd expect in a playoff. For you soccer fans, LA Galaxy vs. Club América is Saturday night—grab a churro, root for your team, and join in the chants you won’t understand but absolutely should try anyway. Music fiends, you’re spoiled! Sabrina Carpenter turns Crypto.com Arena into a pop, sparkle, and dance explosion both Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th. Or, if classic rock is your guilty pleasure, Bryan Adams with Pat Benatar—yes, that Pat Benatar—ignite the Kia Forum on Tuesday. For something moodier, Sigur Rós’s atmospheric magic arrives Wednesday. Alt vibes, clouds of fog, people swaying in existential bliss—epic. Craving artsy adventures? Wander over to the Hammer Museum, where "Made in L.A. 2025" delivers an exhibition tour on November 22 that’s full of local treasures you won’t find on a Hollywood star map. Locals know that even better is their “Cocktails with a Curator” (Nov. 20), where after-hours mingling merges art with a shared love of unusual conversation starters. Or, catch Shepard Fairey’s "Out of Print" opening reception tonight—your shot to low-key brag you met the artist behind those iconic protest posters. Comedy chaos erupts at the Hollywood Bowl this Saturday with SmartLess Live starring Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, & Will Arnett—it’s like a group chat exploded onto stage: expect celebrity surprises and jokes faster than a Dodger Dog on a rollercoaster. On the outdoor front, marvel at LA’s skyline from Griffith Observatory at sunset, a favorite among runners and amateur astronomers. If you’ve ever dreamed of walking through constellations while overhearing someone pitch a screenplay “about a kangaroo who DJs,” this is the spot. Or, try the secret stairs of Los Feliz—a historic stairway walk where the reward for your quad workout is sweeping city views and possible run-ins with friendly local parrots or a jazz saxophonist practicing for squirrels. Foodies, skip the tourist strip for Smorgasburg LA: happening every Sunday downtown, it’s a universe of local pop-up eats. Smash burgers, vegan donuts, This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.