Tuesday Night Cafe

When it comes to open mics in Los Angeles, there's nothing quite like the Tuesday Night Project. Every first and third Tuesday of the month, enthusiastic crowds gather under the stars in a gorgeous downtown courtyard to celebrate the arts. Completely free and fantastically engaging, the quality entertainment ranges from live music and spoken word to standup comedy, short films, one-act plays and even fire spinning. Featured vendors, local artists, cheap beer and scrumptious snacks complete the experience. Pop into Tokyo Café right next door, for fantastic Japanese grub on the cheap. Take the metro into Little Tokyo or park in the lot next door for a flat fee of $7.