While we may never know what our forefathers were thinking when the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, we’d like to think they had a great celebration afterwords. This year, the 4th of July is the hump day of the summer season and it’s traditionally filled with BBQs, fun with friends and fireworks. In Los Angeles, we do it a little differently. Sure, you’ll find backyard grilling and spectacular fireworks here, but in LA’s back yard, you’ll also find gourmet picnics, yacht parties, martinis and manicures, and Barry Manilow serenading the city.

July 4 Pub Crawl Hollywood – Beauty Bar
1638 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 464-7676
www.pubcrawls.com

Hours: Wednesday, July 4th from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Pub Crawl Hollywood is at it again with a spectacular line up of bars to crawl to on July 4^th. An indulgent pause on this night will be at Beauty Bar. Unlike your traditional bar or nail salon, this ingenious nightlife hybrid offers manis and martinis.  Beauty Bar will lacquer your nails in any of the summer’s hottest color trends or celebrate the day of independence with a red, white and blue-themed manicure. As you kick up your stilettos while sipping a Beauty Bar signature martini, you and your fellow pub crawlers will be pampered by the bar’s expert manicurists. Buy tickets for the July 4^th Pub Crawl Hollywood early – they are selling fast and you don’t want to miss this luxurious stop along the way.

Majestic Yacht “IndepenDance Yacht Party”
13800 Bora Bora Way
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
(323) 604-6030
poolparties.com

Hours: Wednesday, July 4th Board at Del Rey Landing: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Cruise: 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Dock and Disembark at Del Rey Landing: 10:30 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.
Price: Open Bar: $100, Group of five: $375

Witnessing the sky light up and seeing the fireworks reflecting on the water is what makes the Marina Del Rey Fireworks a July 4^th event to remember. Board the Majestic Yacht IndepenDance Yacht Party and you will encounter live DJs performing on the yacht’s three-levels and a VIP Premium Hosted Bar (don’t forget to purchase your Open Bar Tickets for access to all three levels). Bring four friends for some serious savings. The four-hour cruise sails through the harbor and offers breathtaking views of the sunset into twilight and, of course, a front seat to the Marina Del Rey Fireworks.

Patina Picnics-To-Go at the Hollywood Bowl
July 4th Fireworks Spectacular with Barry Manilow
2301 North Highland Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90068
(323) 850-2000
www.hollywoodbowl.com

Hours: Wednesday, July 4th at 7:30 p.m.
Price: Concert tickets: $18 – $135.50

The iconic July 4^th Fireworks Spectacular at the Hollywood Bowl is an awe-inspiring experience for even the most jaded Angeleno. This year, Barry Manilow will croon his classic tunes and set the stage for an evening of good food and good wine with nearly 18,000 of your “good” friends. Make it dinner and a show with the Patina Picnics-To-Go. It features mouth-watering gourmet food and a selection of fine wine for you and your guests to enjoy. The picnic baskets come in five varieties and each has the perfect amount for two. Your basket will include eco-friendly disposable plates, napkins and flatware. The newest meal offered by Patina is the Vegan Picnic Basket, filled with 100% local delicacies such as rosemary and balsamic marinated Portobello mushroom steaks with summer vegetables and tomatoes, citrus quinoa salad and ripe strawberries with raw dipping sugar. If you have box seats, Patina will deliver your baskets directly to you prior to show time. You can either order online or call (323) 850-1885 by 4 p.m. on July 3rd. Thinking of more than one glass of wine? Take the Bowl Shuttle at Hollywood & Highland Center. Shuttle tickets are available on the evening of your concert in Orange Court (Level 2 off of Orange Drive) and the round-trip cost is only $5 per person (exact change available on site). Buses are wheelchair accessible.

Related: Summer Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl

Lola’s Restaurant
945 North Fairfax
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 654-5652
www.lolasla.com

Hours: Wednesday, July 4th from 10:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.

If July 4^th fireworks are winding down, but you and your friends are still in celebration mode, stop in for Lola’s Restaurant’s Reverse Happy Hour. This happy hour will keep you parting ‘til the wee hours of the morning. July 4^th lands on a Wednesday this year, and as fate would have it, Wednesdays at Lola’s features live bands all summer long. It’s like you were meant to be here. Known for its unique selection of martinis, don’t miss out on trying The Cantaloupe Martini, a lime, orange and watermelon fusion, Strawberry Fields Martini, which gives a full berry taste, Josh’s Eat A Peach Martini (we think this one is peachy-keen!) and the Wicked Wahini, a tasty twist to this Hawaiian tropical drink.

Related: Best Rooftop Bars

Salt Creek Grille at Plaza El Segundo
2015 E. Park Place
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 335 9288
www.saltcreekgrille.com

Hours: Wednesday, July 4 the from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Happy hour with an ocean breeze is a fabulous way to kick off your July 4^th evening. Salt Creek Grille at Plaza El Segundo offers happy hour drinks and treats in its comfy lounge, at the bar or in the outdoor garden. Enjoy some celebratory Street Tacos, Local Calamari, Creek Sliders, wine, $4 beers and $6 well drinks. The Salt Creek Grille’s signature summer cocktails include the Sunset Martini, Sailor’s Hurricane, South Bay Breeze and Refresh. Although Salt Creek Grille’s happy hour won’t take you through the sunset, the restaurant invites you to stay for dinner and dessert before heading out to El Segundo’s 4th of July Community Celebration & Fireworks Spectacular, which begins at 9 p.m..

Related: 10 Red, White and Blue Food Ideas

Jennifer Geisman is a freelance writer and faithful beauty junkie living in Los Angeles. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.