Check It. Seventy 7 Lounge.

Thanks to Thrillist, I know about this awesome-sounding bar that opens tonight.

Seventy 7 Lounge is the latest "secret" watering hole in town, in the same vein as the very cool La Descarga rum bar on Western. Look out for the neon "cocktails" sign, and check their Twitter page day-of for the password needed for entry.

Once in, enjoy vintage-style decor and creative cocktails like the Moulin Rouge and Velvet Underground, and/or Hoegaarden on tap.

The password for tonight is "prohibition".

3843 Main Street in Culver City. Info: (310) 559-7077, twitter.com/seventy7la

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Thrillist

Do It. Scion "Installation 7" art show.

I've talked about my admiration for the work of artist David Choe here on the BEAT before, and if you so happened to have sadly missed that show, you've got another chance to see Choe's work in person.

He'll be part of Scion's "Installation 7" art show coming around to Culver City this month. It's the 7th time around for this national art tour, which features emerging artists from all over the country in effort to push for artistic expression and raise money for art-related charities. The line-up this time, even besides Choe, is pretty amazing: Cheryl Dunn, Franki Chan, Gluekit, Mackie Osborne, Matt Goldman, and The London Police. There's even a small twist -- all the work is in video format, something for which many of the participating artists are not known for.

Which such diverse artists combined with this video challenge, the show will definitely be eclectic and fun. And the opening reception this Saturday, too, will not disappoint. RSVP for the free party (the art show itself is free too) here, and get out and enjoy some awesome art!

"Installation 7" will be taking place Feb. 19-March 12 at Scion International LA, located at 3521 Helms Ave. in Culver City.

-- Chau Tu

Do It. Oktoberfest in Culver City.

The ever-festive downtown area of Culver City has been hosting fun block parties all summer long, but now that the weather's getting colder, it's time to say hello to fall. But that doesn't mean the festivities have to stop.

It is October, after all, or rather, the season for Oktoberfest (PDF), and so the city is signing off with a bang. Think cold autumn-themed brews matched with the appropriate grub -- Akasha and BottleRock are serving Hoptoberfest and Oktoberfest beers, Rush Street will feature a full-on beer garden with beer maids and authentic Schweinebraten roasted pork on pretzel rolls, Lunch and Le Saint Amour are offering sausages and bratwurst.

It might be a little chilly out, but it's autumn for goodness sakes, and hey, you might as well walk the shivers off with some more beer.

Culver City's Oktoberfest takes place from 5pm-9pm tonight in downtown Culver City. Click here for more details.

-- Chau Tu

Do It. The Warholian at Royal/T.

Part of the lasting allure of Andy Warhol were those infamous Factory parties -- who wouldn't want to be part of that scene, hang out with Twiggy and cool artists?

Our generation might finally get a chance, sort of. Royal/T Cafe, better known for being L.A.'s first Japanese-style cosplay cafe, is going mod. Starting tonight, the art space will feature Warholian, a full-on Warhol-obsessed extravaganza of an exhibit including works inspired by him and created by amazing contemporary artists like Takashi Murakami, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst and Richard Prince, as well as actual Warhol originals like "Dollar Sign" and "Marilyn." Whoa.

And to kick it all off? A Factory-inspired opening party, of course. There'll be DJ sets by Shepard Fairey and David J (of Bauhaus), and "dark sunglasses, photobooth, pop art, paparazzi, debauchery..." and so the list on the invite goes on. (And Barbie?) Get ready for your 15 minutes.

The Warholian opening party is tonight at 8pm, located at Royal/T at 8910 Washington Blvd. in Culver City. RSVP to rvsp@royal-t.org with the subject "glitter." The Warholian exhibit will be at Royal/T until Jan. 31, 2011.

-- Chau Tu

Eat Out. Alibi Room.

It's not always easy trying to chase all those food trucks trolling around L.A. Upon a recent craving for some Kogi BBQ, my friend and I discovered that none of the four graffiti-ed trucks were actually in L.A. proper, and we weren't interested in driving down to South Gate or Encino. Thankfully, the dudes behind the food truck craze got smart and covered their bases with a brick-and-mortar Kogi installation at the Alibi Room.

The Alibi Room, under normal circumstances, is your normal fancy neighborhood bar. Located on Washington Blvd. on the other side of the 405 from downtown Culver City, it's kind of in a random spot, but still attracts a nightlife-stylish crowd by 6pm on a Friday. It looked to be the place where you can get your night started, before heading off to more lively locales. Why anyone would want to get drinks there, though, puzzled me: the custom cocktails were tasty and creative enough, but definitely still way over-priced at $10. Draft beers are $7, and there are no happy hour options.

So in theory, it must be only the Kogi that's keeping the Alibi busy. But with unique specials like calamari tacos and the burger, the trip for the Kogi alone is worth it, mostly for those who have already waited out in the various truck lines and know all the specials by heart. The prices, at $5-$9, make sense, and the flavors and Kogi fun are all still there. Become a regular and you can keep up with Chef Roy Choi's weekly specials. Maybe not as fun as following the trucks, but you don't have to worry about the lines. Just remember to drink somewhere else.

The Alibi Room is located at 12236 Washington Blvd. in Culver City. Take note that Kogi BBQ is only available Mon.-Sat. from 6pm to midnight.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Alibi Room

Do It. Culver City Block Party.

It's just another hump day in the dog days of summer, but Culver City thinks it's time for a party. A block party to be exact, and on every third Wednesday of the month (aka today!) through to October, the city is holding a full-on event in its downtown area.

Downtown Culver City boasts some of the area's best dining, and many of those places are participating with some great deals. Akasha is offering 1/2 off all wines by the bottle, Ford's Filling Station is giving out sliders and a draft beer for just $10 (and a live performance of country cover musicians Christopher Hawley and the Rollers on the patio), and Rush Street has a $21 prix fixe menu all night, along with free pole dancing lessons upstairs until 9:30pm--now that's a party! Even Cold Stone is giving out free samples and offering two "Like It" creations for $6. I suggest heading over to BottleRock for their $4 food, wine and beer specials, or try and grab one of their specially-priced $20 bottles for the night.

But it's not all about eating: you can also hit up the Haro or WWA galleries, open during the block party, check out live music at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, or relax at the Wellness Spa with a $1/minute massage (10 minutes minimum).

It's a perfect excuse to check out the area, be outside and enjoy some great deals. Nothing like getting the neighborhood together for a good ole fashioned block party, right?

The Culver City Downtown Summer Block Party is every third Wednesday until October, from 5pm-9pm. Click here for a PDF of all the participating restaurants and shops.

-- Chau Tu

Eat Out. M Cafe's Big Five special.

M Cafe is one of those eateries that I consider to be quintessentially "L.A.": the food is painstakingly fresh and healthy (specifically, it's macrobiotic, so add an extra point there), the setting is open with natural light and outdoor seating for optimal be-seen opportunities, and there's usually a celebrity or two (and subsequently, paparazzi). Oh, and the food is really good.

It's a true L.A. staple, which makes it a little surprising to think that it's only been around for five years. And tomorrow just happens to be its 5th anniversary, and you're invited to celebrate with the Big Five deal, when you can enjoy everything on their menu for just $5! The deal lasts from 5pm to closing, and you're limited to five items each (see a pattern here?), but that should be enough time for you to grab a delicious Big Macro burger (usually $9.75) or a varied sushi combo (up to $9.50). Just try to stay clear of the paparazzi.

The M Cafe Big Five deal is being offered at all three M Cafe locations, including: 7119 Melrose Ave. in Hollywood, 9343 Culver Blvd. in Culver City and 9433 Brighton Way in Beverly Hills.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: M Cafe