Guide to Long Beach First Fridays

On the first Friday of every month, the community of Bixby Knolls, a suburb of Long Beach, convenes along a small stretch of Atlantic Ave. between Bixby Road and San Antonio Drive for Long Beach First Fridays. Organized by the forward thinking folks of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, the event was initially developed as community enrichment initiative and has since turned into a celebration of local-centric small businesses, artists, restauranteurs, and supporting residents. Extending their reach to patrons well outside the city limits, contagious community pride manifests itself in some 50-plus participating storefronts along Atlantic Ave. The artwalk, street fair hybrid is a shining example of businesses working together to ultimately cultivate a community destination and think outside the box when it comes to traditional marketing. As for the visitors flocking to the curbside party, more and more flood in every month. Time to see why.

Long Beach First Fridays
Atlantic Ave from Bixby Rd to San Antonio Dr
Bixby Knolls, Long Beach, CA 90807
When: The First Friday every month from 6:30pm to 9:30pm
www.firstfridayslongbeach.com

ART

Celebrating the 8th anniversary of the monthly event this November, Executive Director of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA) Blair Cohn explains that the genesis of First Fridays actually developed from showcasing local artists.

The event first started inside of one business that was trying to find a way to bring more foot traffic into the store. There was a restaurant a few doors down that showcased artists all month and it made sense for a combined effort of business locations to host an artist and host a "show" on the First Friday of the month. The event quickly caught on and a few businesses over the course of a few months stayed open late and had a band and/or artist in their businesses.

As the anchor of the First Fridays concept, art remains the cohesive component throughout. Just how serious is it? Cohn explains that there are two curators from the Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA.) that select featured artists for each month. Ranging in medium, photographers, sculptors, painters, even street performers go through a submission and subsequent critiquing process to ensure quality local artists are put front and center. Cohn continues, "We don't stitch the art work to the theme as much as we do the businesses to the theme. We let the artists do what they do best and we show them off."

FOOD

In addition to the dozens of artists spotted throughout the First Friday footprint, there are a host of dining options along the drag that ensure no one goes home hungry. Just featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Long Beach's The Factory offers pub faire like beer-braised pulled pork and grits, or pan roasted Spanish fish tacos all prepared using the locally sourced ingredients.

If you are looking for something a bit more traditional, one of the Long Beach's most historic eateries is Nino's Italian Restaurant. Family owned and operated since 1958, Nino's even offers a specially designated First Friday menu that boasts Italian staples like Ricotta Cavatelli (braised in a tomato, shirt rib ragu) and one of the heartiest portions of lasagna you will find in Southern California. They didn't leave pizza off the menu either, offering their Garden Bianca pizza topped with zucchini, squash, confit garlic and potatoes, and ricotta.

As Long Beach's neighborhood pub, EJ Malloy's has two locations, one of which is located along the artwalk route. Offering consistent, comfort food classics throughout breakfast, lunch, and dinner, everything is great here. Waffle cut fries with gorgonzola cheese sauce, EJ's signature fish and ships, or the locally famous buffalo wings are constantly hitting tabletops. Paired with a pint of beer and the comfort of casual dining makes EJ's a nice pit stop along the Atlantic Ave. stroll.

RETAIL

With some 50-plus businesses all joining in on the festivities, there is a wealth shopping options to take something home from First Friday as well. Among the more unique retailers, Long Beach Clothing Company embraces city pride through fashion. Everything from socks to headgear here are emblazoned with Long Beach. Outfitting Long Beach celebrities like Snoop Dogg, the home of locally iconic logo regularly hosts live music performances during First Fridays ranging from hip hop to reggae – all consistent with streetwear style.

For the tikes, Oh Very Young is a children's resale boutique offering the best of the best for kids. Affectionately referring to their inventory as "pre-loved", everything from clothing to toys and books are all meticulously organized and reasonably priced. From the décor to the staff, you might have a tough time getting the kids out of here.

Appealing to the kid in everyone, Pixie Toys does a great job of stocking the stuff that Toys R US probably forgot. Melissa Zambrano's Urban Cottage offers everything from home decor to jewelry all while showcasing more than a dozen local artists at any given time, not just First Friday. The Workshop has become the city's destination for skateboards, scooters, and bikes as well. Offering repair and realistically priced options across the board, the environmentally friendly transportation option is particularly big in Long Beach. Fashion forward CLOVER of Long Beach manages to stay ahead of the curve with trends for ladies that would that an artsy community like Long Beach would appreciate.