Top 5 Ways to Have Fun for Free in Brentwood

While your grandmother is definitely enjoying playing virtual mah-jongg on that shiny new iPad you gave her for the holidays, your wallet is probably feeling a little less dense these days, prompting you to find fun for free (or almost free) in Brentwood. Luckily, the 90049 understands your financial situation and boasts an array of unique and exciting activities that are affordable for everyone.

(Yes, even for those of you who spent a few months' rent on getting Granny that iPad. You really can’t put a price on her happiness.)

1)  

Hollywood clubs might ring you up a pretty penny with exorbitant drink prices and cover fees, but you can certainly expect Q’s Billiard Club to be just as fun without forking over nearly as much dinero. Never charging a cover fee, Q’s is host to Tuesday night karaoke and Wednesday night trivia, which are both free to participate, with the latter offering a hefty bar tab as a reward for the winning team. Also, shuffleboard, pool, foosball and 30 television screens are available inside.

• Appropriate For: Groups of friends and dates.

•  What to Do 0n a Budget: Sing the classics and current hits on Tuesday at karaoke night or try your hand at trivia on Wednesday night. Trivia host and question slinger Ken Hastings insists this weekly event is ideal because, “Anything interactive is good for singles, and my trivia night is the ultimate cheap date: free to enter and play, with $10 pitchers and great appetizer specials. Save the $100 steak dinner for later.”

•  What You Should Know: Trivia night on Wednesday can become very crowded, so arrive between 7:30-8 p.m., and bring your most intelligent friends.

• Pricing: There is never a cover charge. Karaoke and trivia are free to participate. Happy hour is every day from 4-8 p.m., with half-price food and drink items. Pool and shuffleboard are free every day until 7 p.m. After 7 p.m., both games cost $12 per hour on weeknights and $14 per hour on weekends. Foosball is $1 per game. Beer-pong on Sunday night is $10 per pitcher of beer, with the winner taking back his or her $10.

•  Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m., Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m.

• Parking: Valet parking is available after 5 p.m., for $4.50. Street parking is available.

2)   

Fresh produce, plump raisins, an assortment of nuts, sugary treats, vibrant flowers, and made-to-order crepes are just a few of the delicacies offered at the local Sunday ritual of the Brentwood Farmer’s Market. Lining both sides of Gretna Green Way, merchants sell items including female apparel, Mediterranean eats, and aromatic soaps and lotions.

• Appropriate For: Groups of friends, dates or families.

• What to Do on a Budget: Stroll by the various booths and enjoy the sunshine while mingling with other Brentwood residents. Many items are inexpensive.

• What You Should Know: Take advantage of many vendors who offer free samples. As a “certified” farmer’s market, all food items are guaranteed as “California grown.” It’s never too crowded so you can enjoy yourself without the inconvenience of long lines and tight spaces.

•  Pricing: Free to browse the offerings. Most items are quite affordable and much cheaper than those found at supermarkets.

• Hours: Every Sunday, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

• Parking: Street parking is available.

3)  

The local library is a peaceful environment in which patrons from Brentwood and surrounding areas can congregate and bond over a mutual love of literature. Comfortable, plush chairs and large desks span the interior of the building, making it the perfect place to catch up on work or engage with a timeless novel. For those looking for more entertainment, the library offers events for adults (stamp collection club, book club, actors performing staged readings), teens (arts and crafts, cookie and cupcake decoration), and children (various holiday-themed events).

• Appropriate For: Groups of friends or families looking to participate in activities together, or go alone.

•  What to Do on a Budget: Take advantage of the free activities offered (check the schedule ) and the free wireless Internet access by bringing your laptop when you need a break from your usual surroundings.

•  What You Should Know: The library can locate any book within the system and have it transferred to the Brentwood branch for your convenience, free of charge. This is a wonderful and economic alternative to purchasing a book at a local retailer.

•  Pricing: Library membership and events are free, but you must remember to return your books on time to avoid late fees.

•  Hours: Closed on Sunday and Monday, Tuesday 12:30 p.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Thursday 12:30 p.m.-8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

•  Parking: Free in the private lot.

4)   

Inside the swanky Luxe Hotel lies the modern and chic Luxe Lounge, which is an intimate space perfect for interacting with friends, a potential new lover or a companion you’ve known for years. With happy hour food and drink specials that cannot be beat, this elegant establishment adds a special touch by featuring live jazz music on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. With two big screen televisions, a romantic heated patio and a vast selection of beer, wine, and cocktails at bargain prices, this hip hangout will leave your company pleased without burning a hole in your pocket.

• Appropriate For: Groups of friends and dates.

•  What to Do on a Budget: Visit during happy hour (Monday-Friday 4-7 p.m.) and order from a variety of drinks that cost $4-$7. If you’re hungry, order the “heirloom tomato crostini with shaved parmesan” for $4, or the “filet mignon satay sticks” for $7.

• What You Should Know: For those who enjoy fine wine, you can order three, 2-ounce pours from a rotating selection from around the world for $6. Live jazz music is played on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, from 7-10:30 p.m.

•  Pricing: Free to enjoy the ambience and live jazz music. All happy hour menu items are less than $7.
• Hours: Monday-Sunday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Happy hour is Monday- Friday 4-7 p.m.

•  Parking: Valet parking is free with validation for three hours.

5)   

The Los Angeles sunshine (yes, even during January, my apologies to out of area readers) is reason enough to spend time outdoors, and where better to do so than a park that offers baseball, football and soccer fields as well as volleyball, basketball and tennis courts? When visiting the Barrington Recreation Center, Brentwood locals can break a sweat with a loved one or join a new posse of people and impress them with your wicked backhand stroke. Those tennis lessons your mom gave you as a holiday gift will finally pay off and potentially score you more than just a few points on the court.

Jordan Michaels, a two-year Brentwood resident, particularly enjoys this picturesque park because “I can head over after work and play tennis with my friends, co-workers or best of all, meet some new people.” Simply put, “It’s exercise, it’s social, and it doesn’t cost me a dime,” Michaels explained.

• Appropriate For: Groups of friends, dates, families, or go alone.

• What to Do on a Budget: Pack plenty of water, snacks and the appropriate sporting equipment. You can organize a pickup game with your favorite people, or join in on someone else’s action.

• What You Should Know: The Barrington Recreation Center is also a romantic place to watch a fiery, Los Angeles sunset so having a love interest on hand is highly recommended. Also, a variety of sporting leagues and instructional courses are offered. See the schedule .

• Pricing: Free to visit the park and use the various sport courts.

•  Hours: The park is open daily from dawn until dusk.

• Parking: Free in the private lot.

With your newfound knowledge of the affordable activities Brentwood has to offer, I encourage you all to give those Visa cards a rest and come join me at Q's on Wednesday evenings for trivia night. You can't miss me. I'm the girl with the over-excited approach, browsing over vintage "Trivial Pursuit" flashcards before the first round.