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Business is Blooming During Metro Construction

DTLA’s Financial District is open for business as Metro builds underground rail connections that will transform how we get around the city center and LA County.
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Driving cars to and around Downtown Los Angeles isn’t always easy, especially if you’re in a hurry. Starting next year, local trips will be much more manageable because LA Metro is building three new rail stations to boost convenience.

In the meantime, visitors have many opportunities to explore the area’s vital businesses.

Flower Street Is Flourishing

Historic Central Library is the Financial District’s unofficial nexus, a destination for learning, community, and culture. Just outside, Maguire Gardens is an oasis that debuted in 1988 and feels timeless, featuring bucolic walking paths and places to sit amidst nature and art. A three-part sculpture depicts animals on rocks in fountains, including a hawk taking flight and a spry lizard. A bell dedicated to world peace resides under a shimmering arch. Another fountain delivers a memorable message: “Power concedes nothing without a demand • It never did • It never will.”

Across Flower Street, Nice Coffee is an open-air cafe in City National Plaza from Elliott Lau with umbrella shaded seating next to a fountain featuring “Double Ascension,” Herbert Bayer’s twisted red staircase sculpture. Nice Coffee serves standout espresso drinks and utilizes a Brew Bomb machine to make some of DTLA’s best cold brew.

Due north, the FourFortyFour South Flower building’s Atrium Shops host large silver geometric sculptures, a colorful 3D mural that looks like a toy car race track, and comfortable lounge seating. The atrium also houses interesting businesses like Trims & Trends, a versatile barber shop from stylist Vivian Crooks with dark wood stations, black cushioned chairs, and a door message that reads, “Hey Beautiful, come on in.”

Family-owned Om Nom Cafe offers fresh (nothing frozen) smoothies, acai bowls, breakfast wraps, paninis, hamburgers and salads.

Om Nom Café is a resident superfood cafe and market that serves salads, sandwiches, smoothies and antioxidant rich acai bowls, which all qualify as “handcrafted fuel for the mind, body & soul.” Their chopped salad, tossed in green goddess dressing, is particularly satisfying. Om Nom’s eye-catching logo depicts a rabbit with a carrot.

Summer school is seemingly always in session at Public School 213 Restaurant and Bar. Each gastropub in this chainlet touts a different area code. Their DTLA location combines comfort food with adult beverages and plenty of chances to play. Board games like Clue, shuffleboard and darts are just three options. They take the school theme seriously. Menus resemble composition notebooks and the sign out front is a 12-foot ruler. PS213 is also a great place to watch sports during recess (aka happy hour).

The Standard has been dark during the pandemic, but this mod building was the first boutique hotel in DTLA and has become known for everything from their rooftop pool scene and biergarten to ping pong and diner fare. They’re undergoing renovations and will reemerge soon with some exciting new options.

Limericks Tavern DTLA is an Irish Gastropub serving burgers, drinks, live music, UFC and sports.

If you are in the mood for classic Irish food, look no further. Limerick’s Tavern is a modern gastrobpub that delivers classic Irish and American comfort food and 60 kinds of beer on draught. With Happy Hours, special weekly entertainment, and plenty of HD screens for watching all your favorites sporting events, this cozy tavern offers something for everyone.

More Exciting Financial District Options

LA Prime, located on the 35th floor of The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, pairs panoramic views with prized steaks and pristine seafood. Chefs treat bone-in Delmonico ribeyes and Maine lobsters with reverence, both pairable with modern sides like “super jumbo” Santa Barbara asparagus with shaved Parmesan and Hollandaise.

Located in the lobby of the Westin Bonaventure, Lakeview Bistro serves breakfast and lunch favorites next to a tranquil bamboo garden and indoor lake.

Lakeview Bistro, located within the Westin Bonaventure Hotel (where movies such as Mission Impossible III, Heat, In the Line of Fire and Lethal Weapon 2 have been filmed), offers breakfast and lunch favorites along with an impressive list of fine wines. Enjoy your meal alongside the indoor bamboo garden and lake for a truly distinctive experience.

For multiple options in one location, the City National restaurants offers a diverse directory of dining options. Drago Centro, provides an upscale setting with an extraordinary menu of Italian dishes, hand-made pastas and impeccable wine selections. City Club offers sky high dining with a world-renowned chef at the helm with locally-sourced artisanal options on the menu. For an informal yet delicious alternative, check out Lemonade, with a wide selection of salads, sandwiches, bowls and warm protein plates, the options are endless. Slices USA is your spot for some colorful, flavorful pizza squares cooked in a black steel pan imported from Italy.

Big Sugar Bake Shop offers an irresistible array of beautiful, handcrafted desserts and charming gifts in a warm and inviting neighborhood environment.

Up on Wilshire Boulevard, just east of Flower Street, Big Sugar Bake Shop, is a scrumptious bakery that has all your sweet tooth cravings. Morning selections include scones, croissants, muffins, coffee cakes and more. There are cookies, brownies, cakes and cupcakes for an after-meal treat, celebration, or these days, who needs a reason for a sweet indulgence? There are also vegan and gluten free options that are truly divine. Plus, they also have gifts and cards for a one-stop shop for birthday or celebration needs!

LA Metro encourages you to support local businesses during the Regional Connector Transit Project and beyond. Come 2022, it will be even more convenient to ride Metro.

This ad was purchased for LA Metro’s Regional Connector Project.

Here are some alternative destinations to consider near new stations coming to DTLA.

Little Tokyo/Arts District Station – 1st St/Central Av

Attractions:

Historic Broadway Station – 2nd St/Broadway

Historic Core DTLA Attractions:

Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill Station – 2nd Pl/Hope St

Attractions: