10 New Los Angeles Venues for 2019 Fall Meetings and Events

V DTLA, an all-day eatery located below the Seven Grand Whiskey Bar downtown, opened its 5,600-square-foot venue on September 13. The stylish, European-inspired space, which takes over the historic Brock Jewelry store, includes street art, original mahogany display cases, and restored ceilings. The former jewelry vault now serves as a small dining space, and the bar is a re-creation of the original jewelry counter. The entire restaurant seats 200.

Lowell Café, which owners tout as the country's first "cannabis cafe," is slated to open in West Hollywood on October 1. Due to state law, alcoholic beverages generally cannot be served alongside cannabis, so the 20,000-square-foot space is split into several areas, all of which serve food. A 1,600-square-foot café has wall-to-wall terra cotta pots, hand-painted Moroccan tile, and projector and DJ booth hookups; it holds 80 and serves beer and wine. Meanwhile, a 2,500-square-foot lounge, which does allow cannabis consumption, holds 200 guests and has a DJ booth and banquette seating. An 1,800-square-foot garden, which also allows cannabis, seats 89 or holds 100 for receptions. For larger events, there's a 14,000-square-foot outdoor lot that holds 100.

The AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay opened in El Segundo in July. The six-story, 180-room hotel, part of AC Hotels by Marriott, has more than 7,200 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, accommodating groups as large as 200 people. Rooftop dining venue Flora opened on September 20; it serves locally sourced and sustainable tapas-style dishes, plus local craft brews and creative cocktails. Flora seats 57 inside and an additional 90 outside, including at community-style dining along the central fire pit.

The 21,000-square-foot Cayton Children's Museum, located on the third floor of the Santa Monica Place mall, opened in June and has 35 kid-friendly, discovery-based exhibits. For birthday parties and other events, the museum offers two rooms that hold 35 and 40 guests, respectively, or the entire space can be rented for large gatherings of as many as 500 guests; the museum can also partner with nearby restaurants to provide catering. A unique option for baby and toddler birthdays is the “Art Crawl,” in which kids can crawl through vegan, edible paint to create their own masterpieces. (The museum can also do adult versions for an offbeat bachelorette party, birthday, or teambuilding option.)

Fia, a new restaurant from chef Brendan Collins, opened in Santa Monica in August. A collaboration with hospitality veteran Michael Greco, the eatery has a seafood-focused menu influenced by California and the Amalfi Coast. The 300-seat indoor-outdoor space, filled with vintage furnishings such as wrought-iron window treatments and restored French doors, was designed by M. Winter Design. A multi-level patio has lush greenery and a bocce ball court. In the coming weeks, Fia plans to host live music, wine tasting events, and artist residencies.

The Los Angeles Airport Marriott is set to complete a $50 million property-wide renovation on November 1. The hotel has refreshed its 47,000 square feet of meeting space, including the 12,320-square-foot Marquis Ballroom, which holds as many as 1,700 people. The 18th-floor M Club Lounge, featuring panoramic views, was also renovated, as was the resort-style pool, spa, and fitness center. New dining concepts include the Social Market & Eatery, JW’s Steakhouse, and Hangar 18 Bar & Kitchen.

Middle Eastern restaurant Jaffa, which was recognized in the new California Michelin Guide, opened a second location in Palms in June. The indoor-outdoor space, designed by M. Winter Design, has an 88-seat patio inspired by Tel Aviv; indoors are an additional 18 seats and a large bar. The eatery serves Israeli-inspired cuisine with Southern California influences.

The 10-story, 295-room, Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills debuted 10,000 square feet of renovated event space in August, featuring French-inspired interior design by Veserius Studio; available venues include a 3,800-square-foot ballroom that can be divided into three sections. A restaurant, bar, and patio on the first floor can also be rented for events, bringing the total available space to 22,000 square feet. Also included in the renovation was the outdoor pool deck, an event-friendly rooftop space with colorful sunbeds, a fire pit, and views of West Hollywood.

Bar Sopra, located above Blackship restaurant in West Hollywood, opened in June. The cocktail lounge pays homage to a European aperitivo bar, with sweet vermouth on tap plus a menu of vermouth, amaro, and gin-focused drinks. The intimate space has tufted yellow sofas, an indoor bar with eight seats, and a covered patio with a wraparound sofa. Fun fact: The venue's restroom is said to be haunted by Jim Morrison's ghost.

The Westin Long Beach completed a $23 million renovation in July. In addition to redesigned guest rooms and a new lobby, the 469-room hotel opened Navy Proof Food & Spirits (pictured), led by executive chef Chris Garasic. The New American restaurant has a three-story sculptural chandelier and a large living green wall, plus seasonal cuisine using locally sourced seafood and meat. Later this fall, the property plans to open a Bluestone Lane coffee shop. Overall the hotel has 57,839 square feet of event space spread over 25 rooms; the largest room seats 1,000 for banquets or holds 1,540 theater style or for receptions