If your conference is at the Millennium Biltmore, you are in the right place. The Biltmore hosts dozens of conferences every year. I hope this guide–The Millennium Biltmore for Conferencegoers–helps you to explore Los Angeles while you are learning, presenting, and networking.
If you are a Los Angeles first-timer or haven’t visited Los Angeles in a while, go to this page for travel, transportation, and other advice.
Table of Contents
Venue: The Millenium Biltmore (or the Biltmore as locals call it)
Venue address: 506 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071
About the hotel
This hotel, originally built in 1923, is steeped in history. It has hosted Oscar ceremonies and has ties to our most famous unsolved murder, the Black Dahlia. (There is a cocktail named after her at the Gallery Bar. Get it if you like black licorice. Skip it if you don’t.)
The architecture gives homage to Moorish Spain, the Italian Renaissance, and Gilded Age glamour. Built at a time when Los Angeles was obsessed with astrology, you can find signs hidden in ceiling of the original lobby–enter on Olive. The Biltmore was the place to be during Prohibition, with passageways built to evade the authorities. (One of them is in the Gold Room.)
While you are conferencing
Where to get a good cup of coffee
If you want something stronger and better than the conference coffee, I suggest Pitchoun! Located on Olive Street. Pitchoun! (the exclamation point is part of the name) is a French cafe with a beautiful pastry counter and espresso drinks.
This is on the same block as the hotel, so it is quick.
- Website: https://pitchounbakery.com/locations/olive-street/
- Location: 516 S. Olive Street
- Hours: 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., daily
My company gave me a tiny per diem
If you have a small per diem for meals, this is the best place to get a lot for not a lot of money. As a fellow conferencegoer, I know that the food provided is really heavy and pretty meh if they provide anything at all.
Grand Central Market
This food hall has been feeding Angelenos since 1917. There are a lot of options at the Since you may be short on time, here are my recommendations.
Recommendations
Click the link to see the vendor’s information and hours
- Eggslut–The best breakfast sandwich in the city
- For the Win–One of the best smash burgers in town.
- Shiku–A personal favorite. Tasty and healthy.
- Villa Moreliana–If you love all things pork, this is your place.
- Website: https://grandcentralmarket.com/
- Location: 317 S. Broadway
- Hours: 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., daily. G&B, eggslut, and Donut Man are open early, lunch places open at 11:30.
- Note: If you are short on time, you can order for online pick-up through the Grand Central Market Website.
Local hint
Walk to the Pershing Square metro line and walk the underground platform for quicker access to the market from the hotel.
I forgot something
It is inevitable that we forget to pack something. If you need deodorant, toothpaste, or any other things you forgot, the closest drugstore is Walgreens at 617 W. 7th Street. If you want to avoid paying five dollars for a tiny bottle of water or chips from the minibar this is a great place to get snacks.
There is a boring talk in the afternoon
Take my self-guided audio tour: Movie History in DTLA
Spend a couple of hours walking around with me, while I whisper fun facts about Los Angeles in your ear.
Learn about Los Angeles in the 1920s, see a restored movie palace, get some history of the conference hotel, and more.
This audio tour through Around.Tours is available any time!
Visit the Last Bookstore
Yes, the Last Bookstore sells books, but they also have events and a great selection of vinyl. It also houses a gallery, yarn shop, and more things to keep you occupied. It is one of the most Instagrammed places in Los Angeles. It is a great place to hang out when there isn’t a session you want to sit through.
- Website: https://www.lastbookstorela.com/
- Location: 453 S. Spring Street
- Hours: 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. daily
Happy hour
It is inevitable that you meet people at the conference you are taking. If you are in a city that you are unfamiliar with, it is easy just to grab a drink at the bar. Unfortunately, a lot of people have the same idea, and that hotel bar gets really crowded.
There are two places I recommend for after-conference happy hours that are within walking distance of the Biltmore.
Kippered
This wine bar is a few doors down from the Grand Central Market. It feels a bit like a conservas bar in Spain–with great wine, tinned fish, and salty snacks. They focus on natural wines and you are sure to find something you haven’t had before.
When is happy hour? There are two:
- Happy Hour: 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Kippered has wine, beer, and snacks available
- Halfy-hour: 9:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. When things are half off.
- Website: https://www.dtlacheese.com/about-4
- Location: 361 S. Broadway
- Hours: 5:00 p.m.-midnight, daily
Bar Amá
Perhaps my favorite happy hour in downtown Los Angeles is Super Nacho Happy Hour! Bar Amá is an homage to Tex-Mex food with puffy tacos and great queso. Because we are in California, there are great vegetable dishes on the menu using seasonal produce.
When is happy hour? From 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. in the dining room and 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. at the bar. You can get nachos and other Tex-Mex classics at a discount.
Note: This is a great place for non-drinkers as well. They have great house-made sodas.
- Website: http://www.bar-ama.com/
- Location: 118 W. 8th Street
- Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., Sunday, 4:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
I want to apply my per diem to a great meal
Downtown Los Angeles has a lot of great restaurants. If you are a foodie, my top recommendation is Shibumi. This restaurant takes the chef’s experience in Japan and brings the technique and seasonality of Kappo cooking.
The options for dining change often and can range from one to two tasting menus and some smaller dishes for walk-ins. They have an excellent whiskey and sake selection. The base tasting menu is $125.
A reservation is needed.
- Website: https://www.shibumidtla.com/
- Location: 815 S. Hill Street
- Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Something to check out
My favorite cocktail bar: The Wolves
The best thing to do in the summer: Grand Performances
If you want a gift to bring home: Macaron at Bottega Louie. Who am I kidding, you will eat them on the plane?
Conference venues close by
Westin Bonaventure
Yes, you can probably use this guide for the Bonaventure as well, but I have quicker coffee suggestions and different ways to skip that boring afternoon talk.
This Ugly Beautiful City is a 100% self-funded publication. If you have used any of the advice on these pages and would like to send a thank you, consider buying me a coffee.
