Happening SoCal district ranked among the world’s coolest neighborhoods

Some neighborhoods never go out of style.

LA’s Chinatown district is the coolest neighborhood in the United States — and the fourth-coolest in the world, according to a new list from TimeOut.

The outlet praised the neighborhood’s ever-growing food and nightlife scene. Over the past year and change, several notable new spots have popped up in the neighborhood, including  Firstborn, Café Tondo and Archives of Us, which has the city’s best matcha, according to the site.

“With its pagoda-style roofs, hanging lanterns and pedestrian plazas, LA’s Chinatown strikes a balance between honoring its history and consistently reinventing itself with splashy new restaurants and nightlife spots.” TimeOut says.

A new music venue, Pacific Electric, opened in the neighborhood in March, and cocktail bar Mood Ring will soon open a second location in Chinatown.

The neighborhood was also noted for staple spots Phoenix Bakery and Philippe the Original, and the 32-acre LA State Historic Park, which hosts public events.

Los Angeles’ Chinatown dates back to the late 20th century when an influx of Chinese and other Asian immigrants settled in central Los Angeles. The “old” Chinatown was demolished to make way for Union Station, which opened in 1939.

The “new” Chinatown emerged in the 1938 and became a major tourist destination, remaining a hip neighborhood today.

TimeOut suggested visiting Chinatown during Lunar New Year in February, when the town hosts the Dragon Parade and Firecracker Run. They also suggested visiting during the Mid-Autumn Festival in late September, when bakeries are serving delicious mooncakes.

Chinatown was one of only four U.S. neighborhoods to make the list. West Town, Chicago, Illinois ranked 18th, noted for its vibrant culinary scene, while New York City’s Financial District, home to Michelin-star restaurants and a revitalized seaport, ranked 28th.

The Distillery District, in Lexington, Kentucky came in at 40th on the list. The town underwent a major revitalization in 2008, and is now a major destination for booze brands.

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