Things to Do in Burbank (2025)
A locally grown incubator for comics with nightly shows, surprise drop‑ins, and classes. Home base for the Burbank Comedy Festival, it’s praised by Visit Burbank and local media for keeping stand‑up culture thriving downtown.
Since 1946, this red‑booth classic across from Warner Bros has wooed studio folks with prime rib, martinis, and the famous garlic cheese bread. Celebrated by Time Out Los Angeles and spotlighted by NBC Los Angeles.
I stepped into a five-month-old tiki bar on Burbank Boulevard that hides itself behind a backlit nylon sign and an antechamber airlock; inside it’s a wonderland of rum and falernum, ropes, thatched roofs, pupu platters, and kitschy pirate ephemera. Co‑owned and run by chef Erica Abell with partners Walker Roach and Frank Howell, the trio transformed the former Buchanan Arms (dating to 1977) into a lush, shipwrecked escape — construction began in June 2022 and they opened just before Halloween — after surviving pandemic takeout stints and ghost‑kitchen experiments. The vibe is deliberately faux‑island: Navy grog, painkillers, zombies and other rum‑forward cocktails are the focus, while Abell’s menu features poke nachos, jalapeño poppers, burgers, a club sandwich, seashells holding booze, and towering piles of onion rings, all delivered by staff in floral shirts to purposefully kitschy music beneath wicker lanterns, pirate hats, parrot imagery and a hand‑painted ceiling map. They’re conscious of tiki’s problematic history and favor a “capital‑P pirate, lowercase‑T tiki” backstory about a shipwrecked group of soldiers, emphasizing island architecture and nautical decor rather than idols or faux‑native trappings, and, as Roach puts it, believe a good tiki bar should always be about 90 percent done.
Family‑run since 1959, known for roasting turkey daily and serving classic breakfasts. Covered by the Los Angeles Times’ Burbank Leader for its multi‑generation following and hometown feel.
Downtown’s urban winery pours California wines alongside wood‑fired plates and frequent live jazz. Its calendar stays packed with tastings and pairings, noted by local event listings and Visit Burbank guides.
A family‑owned pub that doubles as a Burbank history hangout—photos curated with the Burbank Historical Society, a robust cider program, and a game room. Covered by Los Angeles Magazine and local press.
Cash‑only, jukebox‑driven lounge dating to the 1940s. Newly added to Eater LA’s best dive bars guide, it remains a reliable locals’ den for strong pours and late‑night camaraderie.
Magnolia Park’s horror/art playground hosts rotating exhibits and the cult‑favorite Slashback Video. Recently covered by myBurbank for new immersive shows and up‑to‑date hours.
A year‑round destination for costumes, decor, and spooky curios that anchors Magnolia Park’s quirky retail scene. Highlighted by LAist’s shopping guide as a must‑visit on the boulevard.
Family‑run counter turning out Argentine‑inspired empanadas with vegan options and community ties. The official site lists current hours and specials, including a breakfast burrito side project.
A tea‑and‑tabletop sanctuary with themed rooms, a vast game library, and an in‑house cat rescue. NBC Los Angeles and Visit Burbank have spotlighted it as a community hub.
