Little Joy Reopens, Freebies at Plan Check, More!

ECHO PARK— Under control of new owners Joaquin Reyna-Donaldson (The Echo) and Donald Andes, Echo Park dive bar Little Joy will reopen on April 1 after aesthetic and conceptual enhancements. Management stripped parts of the interior to reveal "original brick and broken plaster," plus there's a new DJ booth and oak bar which will serve local beers, wine, and cocktails. [LAist]

WEST LA—Give blood, get free food and drink. On April 5, Plan Check is hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those who donate blood receive a cruller donut and a beer on the house. [EaterWire]

MID-CITY—The Fat Dog, that super popular gastropubby beer place at 801 N. Fairfax, is hoping to serve its selection of craft beers later into the eve. Just by one hour though. Right now the place operates until 1 a.m. Tuesday to Saturday, and management wants to push closing time to 2 a.m. Maybe eventually even 4 a.m. [EaterWire]

HOLLYWOOD— At least 20 supposed MS-13 gang members have been indicted for "a violent extortion racket that targeted food-truck operators in the Hollywood area over at least five years," reports the LAT. Not fancypants food trucks, but vehicles that serve "blue-collar workers at construction sites." Apparently, the gang members changed the vendors weekly "rent," around $30 to $50, and wanted free food, too. [LAT]