Gov. Newsom recently signed a bill (AB 3206) allowing Intuit Dome’s members-only club to serve alcohol until 4 a.m., reports the Los Angeles Times; the 100-person venue is the only one across the state allowed to do so. LA Clippers and Intuit Dome owner Stever Ballmer, who is the former CEO of Microsoft, said through his company, Murphy’s Bowl, that the last call extension was “needed as a boost to a unique Los Angeles community that draws hundreds of thousands of sports fans each year.”

According to state records, Ballmer’s wife Connie donated $1 million to Newsom’s Stop the Republican Recall campaign. Murphy’s Bowl donated over $700,000 to lobby state lawmakers and Newsom for proposals that would make it easier for alcohol companies to advertise and install face-scanning technology to verify legal drinkers, reports the Times. Critics on social media were quick to call the new bill an example of corruption.

Tina McKinnor, the Hawthorne-based assemblymember who wrote the bill, said AB 3206 includes “numerous safeguards” and provides “another entertainment option to [complement] the over $2 billion private investment.” At the signing, Newsroom said he would direct the California Highway Patrol to work with local officials to monitor DUI incidents in the area. For years lobbyists have been trying to push forward a 4 a.m. last call in certain nightlife districts across the state without success.

Sushi by Scratch in the SLS

Phillip Frankland Lee is returning to LA for a three-month residency of Sushi by Scratch at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. Lees’ patent version of LA-inspired sushi with ample butane-flame and thoughtfully sourced fish costs $185 and is available at 5 p.m., 7:15 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. beginning October 2. The enduring sushi omakase concept has nearly a dozen locations around the country and recently made a big splash last month with a residency in New York City. Lee and his wife Margarita Kallas-Lee, who live in Austin, Texas, opened their first restaurant Scratch Bar down the street in the space that’s now Kazan Beverly Hills.

Suzi Pratt

Aaron Franklin in the Santa Ynez Valley

Pitmaster Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue in Austin is serving a Sideways-inspired barbecue feast at the Hitching Post II in Buellton on May 25, 2025. Tickets, which cost $5,000 per couple with proceeds benefiting childhood cancer research, will be auctioned live on October 5 at the LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade fundraiser at UCLA. The epic dinner combines elements of Texas and Santa Maria barbecue and includes a raw bar by David Lentz and Sea Stephanie, bread from Bob’s Well Bread, pizzas by Full of Life Flatbread, sides by Nick Priedite of Priedite Barbecue — and, of course, wine from across the region. Those unable to attend LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade this weekend can inquire about tickets by email.

Asterid’s new lead chef

Downtown LA restaurant Asterid has a new executive chef in Mazen Mustafa, who plans to add touches of his mother’s Middle Eastern background onto Ray Garcia’s menu. Located on the ground floor of Walt Disney Concert Hall, the modern Los Angeles restaurant will retain some of Garcia’s opening dishes, like maitake mushrooms and chicken liver mousse, while adding dishes like dry-aged New York strip steak and kanpachi with mara grape and spicy tomato broth. Garcia will remain as a chef partner.

Wonho Frank Lee

Amour’s new happy hour in WeHo

Starting today, Amour has a new happy hour at the bar and lounge from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and again from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. serving bites like steak tartare, oysters, duck mousse with apricot jam, and chicken croquettes along with discounted wines by the glass. There’s even a $145 caviar service for those looking at ball out at 10 p.m. The happy hour is available Tuesday to Sunday.