Fans of Michael Jackson will have the opportunity to celebrate one of his most iconic short films at a special event in downtown Los Angeles on October 16, 2026. The evening will take place at Suehiro DTLA, a restaurant whose basement was once home to the billiard hall featured in the legendary “Beat It” short film.
The event is being organised by Suehiro DTLA owner Kenji Suzuki, who discovered that his restaurant occupies a special place in Michael Jackson history. Rather than letting that connection go unnoticed, Suzuki has decided to celebrate it with an evening dedicated to the King of Pop, complete with music, food, a costume competition and the unveiling of a newly commissioned mural.
The event will run from 6 PM to 9:30 PM, with Los Angeles-based contemporary artist Robert Vargas expected to attend.
Vargas has been commissioned to create a mural for the restaurant, which will be unveiled during the celebration. Known for his large-scale, freehand murals and distinctive portrait work, Vargas has created artwork across downtown Los Angeles and internationally. His involvement brings a further artistic dimension to an evening celebrating the enduring cultural impact of Michael Jackson.
Released in 1983, “Beat It” remains one of Michael Jackson’s most recognisable short films. Directed by Bob Giraldi, the production helped bring a cinematic approach to music videos, with its dramatic gang confrontation and choreography becoming part of popular culture. The billiard hall scenes filmed at the location now associated with Suehiro DTLA form part of that memorable visual setting.
The basement was formerly home to the Brunswick Billiard Academy, located in the San Fernando Building at 400 South Main Street in downtown Los Angeles. The address is now associated with Suehiro DTLA, connecting the present-day restaurant with a piece of music history.
On October 16, fans and guests will be able to enjoy a buffet, music from a DJ and unlimited soft drinks as part of their ticket. Alcoholic beverages will also be available to purchase separately. A costume competition will add another element to the evening, inviting guests to celebrate Michael Jackson’s unmistakable style.
For fans who have visited famous Michael Jackson filming locations around the world, the event offers a chance to experience one of these historic settings in a different way: not simply as a place where a short film was made, but as a venue where its legacy continues to inspire new creative work.
Tickets cost $50 per person, plus tax, for those who RSVP in advance. Tickets purchased at the door will cost $60 per person, plus tax.
The event will take place at Suehiro DTLA, 400 South Main Street, Los Angeles, California 90013, on Friday, October 16, from 6 PM to 9:30 PM.
With the unveiling of Robert Vargas’s mural, the celebration will give the location a new visual tribute while bringing together music, art and the history of one of Michael Jackson’s most enduring short films.
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