Diehard Partiers Cut Loose The Day After NYE With A More Casual Attitude I love New Year's Day almost as much as I do New Year's Eve. In fact, in some places, I like it even more than NYE. Why? Because the pressure is off, lifted like the monkey off Steve Young's back. The pressure for what, you ask? The pressure to have a great time for New Year's Eve, to … [Read more...]
Archives for 2012
New Orleans Named Top New Year’s Eve Party Destination NYE Reviews
Other Top Spots Are Prague, Sydney, Las Vegas, Rio And The Virgin Islands When it comes time to choosing a place to spend New Year’s Eve this year, don’t drop the ball. Leave that to the people in charge of putting on the celebrations. But being where those balls are dropped – and having a ball – is the real thrill of a fulfilling New Year’s night. That is why … [Read more...]
Transforming From A Mild Christmas To A Wild New Year’s Eve in Vegas
The Strip And Sin City Bars Await The Blogger's NYE Arrival It's almost party time again. After nearly two weeks of being with the family for Christmas Las Vegas awaits. Las Vegas on New Year's Eve. The past couple of weeks, my lifestyle has been as mild as the weather here in Siesta Key, FL. Going shopping, bike riding, driving around with backseat drivers all … [Read more...]
Holiday Time With The Family Tames This Party Animal
Even With New Year's Eve In Las Vegas On The Horizon, There's No Place Like Home The party awaits. It's just that now, it will have to wait. My New Year's Eve destination is Las Vegas. The Strip. The bars, the clubs, the casinos. It's all there waiting on me, like a freshly-made drink sitting on the bar. But I'm letting the ice in it melt for now. Allowing the drink to … [Read more...]
Holiday Pub Crawls Set The Party Spirit(s) For the Christmas Season
Special Events Make December A Festive Time For Bar Owners Perhaps they should change – or at least adapt – the lyrics of "Let It Snow" for single adults to this: "Oh the weather outside is frightful, "But the bars are so delightful." Because the bars are where a lot of single adults spend the Holiday season. Whether its having a few while shopping, at office parties … [Read more...]
12-12-12 Hurricane Sandy Concert A Rock Music Moment Frozen In Time
Rolling Stones, The Who, Bruce Springsteen and Eric Clapton Only Part Of Historic Show Wow! That's the best way to describe the 12-12-12 concert at Madison Square Garden to benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy. Bruce Springsteen. Eric Clapton. Bon Jovi. Billy Joel. That alone is enough to fire up a rock ' roll fan. But to add Paul McCartney. The Who. And The Rolling … [Read more...]
Switzerland Matterhorn Lake Geneva Region Travel Promotion
Swiss Host A Fun Boat Party For Los Angeles Journalists I like hearing about great places to travel almost as much as I love being at great travel places. When someone does it right – through words, pictures or video, or a combination of all three – it's like hearing Clapton play guitar, seeing Daniel Day-Lewis acting as Lincoln, witnessing Tom Brady throw a touchdown … [Read more...]
Lufthansa Introduces New 747-8 Service From LAX to Frankfurt
Enjoying Coach, Business And First Class Without Leaving The Airport Coach is nice – the seats recline, the overhead bins are the size of some closets at apartments in Manhattan Beach and you get free drinks for the entire flight – Business is really nice with lay-down seats and some spots in an elevated section, and First Class is like taking your bedroom over the … [Read more...]
Manhattan Beach Holiday Fireworks One Of Top Beach Cities Events
Annual Celebration A Perfect Mix Of Party Revelers And Families Getting in the holiday spirit can be difficult at Southern California's beaches. The weather is warm and instead of going to malls and shopping people do what they do at all times of the year, and that is go surfing, running, rollerblading and then partying at night. But there's one event that brings in the … [Read more...]
Manhattan Beach’s Centennial Happy Birthday Singing A Disappointment
There Were More People In The Downtown Bars Than On The Pier For City's 100th Celebration It had the promise of a party. Certainly a celebration. Manhattan Beach was singing "Happy Birthday" to itself on the evening of the city's official 100th birthday. Dec. 7, 2012. Local bar owner and crooner Lou Giovannetti was leading the singing, which took place on the … [Read more...]
New Bärenjäger Honey Cocktail Puts The Sting In Holiday Celebrations
San Diego Wine & Food Chef Winner's New Drink May Get You Buzzed Just in time for the holidays, there's a new cocktail to sample. It's called the Bee Sting, and it was created by a chef (hey, the Bar Blogger knows from personal experience that chefs like cocktails as much as they do food!), Aron Schwartz of Marina Kitchen for a contest during this past November's San … [Read more...]
Bananas Are An Effective Hangover Cure Remedy
Pills, Bottles And Even Patches Can Help But Always Have a Banana In the House Sometimes, I feel like a hangover guinea pig. Because of PubClub.com, I am sent all kinds of anti-hangover cures and remedies to sample. I have pills (two types, actually), a little disc you drop in water that fizzes like Alka Seltzer and, most recently, a bolt-of-lightening drink in a small … [Read more...]
Eric Clapton Joins Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen for 12-12-12 Sandy Relief
Rock Stars Join Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, The Who And Paul McCartney For Show At Madison Square Garden The all-star show just got two more stars. Eric Clapton and Chris Martin will be joining the Hall of Fame lineup of rock stars for a mega concert on December 12, 2012 at Madison Square Garden for "12-12-12" presented by Chase. The show is a benefit with all proceeds going … [Read more...]
BCS National Championship Game Is Not In South Beach Or Miami
Alabama-Notre Dame Game Is Played At Sun Life Stadium Far From The Glitter Of South Florida For the next month, media are going to be writing and broadcasting stories about the BCS National Championship game between Alabama and Notre Dame. Many of them will include headlines or TV teasers using the words "South Beach." All glitter and glamor. As if the game is being … [Read more...]
Tips For Not Drinking And Driving For Holiday Parties And Events
Take A Cab, Public Transportation Or Have A Designated Driver I am, for the moment, standing on the soap box, going to Speaker's Corner, standing up and shouting in Hyde Park. It's the time of the year for me to stand up and take a stand, to put out the plea, to pull the plug on the party to get your attention. With all the holiday parties, holiday events, holiday … [Read more...]
Zazou in Redondo Beach’s Riviera Village Earns This Customer’s Loyalty
Sangria Brings About A Happy Hour Attitude From The Friendly Riviera Village Bar Manager Here's a way to win over customers. And to build customer loyalty. And that is to treat customers like guests in your house and to make them leave wanting to return. That's exactly what happened at Zazou in Redondo Beach. I had assembled a group of friends there to meet before the … [Read more...]
Barney’s Beanery Coming To Redondo Beach King Harbor Bars
Legendary Sunset Strip Hangout Taking Over Former Locations of Kilkenny's and Breakwall Not even Jon Taffner could rescue Kilkenny's. But perhaps Barney's Beanery can do it. Taffner featured the struggling "Irish" bar (it wasn't really an Irish bar, just had the name of one) on his Spike TV show "Bar Rescue." He trained the staff, made them friendly, upped the quality … [Read more...]
I Drink And Am Partying More Because Of Daylight’s Savings Time
Winter's Early Darkness Leads To Earlier Drinks, Which Leads to More Drinks Getting dark before 5 o'clock – as is the case with Daylight's Savings Time – is too early. At least for me. I would rather be out doing things in the daylight rather than tucking myself in for a winter's night. Okay, I'm not exactly tucking it in a five in the evenings, but it getting dark so … [Read more...]
Girls In Los Angeles Don’t Go Out To Bars When It’s Cold Or Raining
Only In L.A. Does The Weather Give The Nightlife A Buzzkill It's chilly and misty tonight – a Friday night – and I won't be going out tonight. This is not because I do not want to go out, but I know it's pointless. That's because I live in Los Angeles, and in L.A., people don't go out to the bars when the weather is not nice. They stay home when the weather dips … [Read more...]
Imagine If We Had Indisputable Video Evidence In Our Party & Sex Lives
Singles Lifestyle Would Be Dramatically Different With Instant Replay You know how in sports – particularly in the NFL and college football – there's thing known as "indisputable video evidence." It's a product of instant replay and requires that the replay officials have clear evidence to overturn the call on the field. And while it's fine for football (although the time … [Read more...]
USC-Notre Dame Game Will Still Be A Good Tailgate Party
Despite Trojans Disappointing Record Southern California Irish Fans Will Help Rock The Coliseum If you think for one moment that the USC-Notre Dame game at the LA Coliseum on Thanksgiving Day weekend won't be a party because the Trojans are 7-4 and are coming off a loss to cross-town rival UCLA, then think again. It WILL be a party! It will be a party because USC games … [Read more...]
Surviving The San Diego Wine & Food Festival’s Many Fun Events
Five Parties In Three Days Makes For A Happy Blogger The 9th annual San Diego Wine & Food Festival is now over the shoulder, and I not only survived it, I thrived at it. And I added two new events this year to my usual trio, making it a five course meal, so to speak. That meant five parties in three days and nights. For me, Party of Five was not a TV show, but a … [Read more...]
Looks Like The Las Vegas Strip Again For New Year’s Eve Party
Fireworks And Fun Once Again In Sin City For NYE 2012 While I was considering going to Las Vegas for New Year's Eve 2012, I didn't exactly expect it to be decided until a few days before Jan. 31. I would what I've done many times in the past – including last year – decide a few days beforehand with a few friends and drive out from Los Angeles on NYE. Then my plans changed … [Read more...]
Having A Blast At The San Diego Wine & Food Festival
Celebrity Chefs Love The Party Scene, Too One night and one event, and I'm already having a blast. I'm in San Diego's Gaslamp for the annual Wine & Food Festival and this is an event I highly recommend. And I've not even gone to any of the wine tasting events yet! And that's the thing about the San Diego Wine & Food Festival (first of all, note the name of the … [Read more...]
Hermosa Beach Game Changers Scores With Weekend Champagne Brunch
Sports Bar's Great Breakfast And Hour Of Free Mimosas Is A Winner It's the move of a champion, and is to be celebrated. Game Changers joins Sharkeez and Cafe Boogaloo as Hermosa Beach sports bars (well, Boogaloo is a music bar but shows sports before it turns to the tunes) that have weekend champagne brunches. This is a great deal for anyone who wants to start their weekend … [Read more...]
Reasons Steamy General Petraeus Love Affair Was Doomed to Fail
Guys Will Be Guys And Widening Sex Scandal Takes On Drama Of Old Melrose Place TV Show It was a nice try. Your military background served you well and your secret plan of operations was working to perfection. You were having a love affair but were intelligent and savvy enough not to leave a trail of e-mails or pull a Tiger Woods and have her number in your cell phone and … [Read more...]
Get Your Tickets For Electric Daisy Carnival in January
Presale Tickets Gone In 1 Hour But Public Sale Remains For Jan. 9 If you want to go to the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas next year, then set Jan. 9, 2013 in your smart phone calendar. With the alert. Repeat alerts. That's when the public sale for tickets become available, at noon Pacific Time. And considering early bird tickets for the 17th annual event sold out … [Read more...]
Anheuser-Busch Introducing Goose Island Beer Nationally in November
Chicago Craft Brewery Expands Honker's Ale, India Pale Ale, 360 and Matilda Chicago's popular craft beers arc coming to the rest of the USA. Thanks to a purchase by Anheuser-Busch nearly two years ago, Goose Island will now be available across the nation. Utilizing the vast distribution network and increased brewing capacity of A-B, it is being introduced to bars and … [Read more...]
Anheuser-Busch Wants Budweiser Pulled From Denzel Washington’s Flight
This Is Not The Movie Product Placement The Beer Company Covets Normally, product placement is a great thing for a company. Junior Mints on "Seinfield," Charlie Harper drinking Coronas on "Two And A Half Men." There's a huge business of product placement, in fact, in which companies pay big money to have their products featured in movies and TV shows. It does go … [Read more...]
Ready to Party At The San Diego Wine & Food Festival
One Needs To Be In Shape For Whirlwind Of Fun Events Bring it on. I'm ready. Up to the challenge. I've been working out, doing deep breathing exercises, practicing curls with wine glasses. The reason for all this preparation is the San Diego Wine & Food Festival, a multi-day event of saturation and satisfaction. Of indulgence and inspiration. This is one of the … [Read more...]
At Certain Dive Bars, You Just Feel Like Having A Budweiser
Classic Dives A True Taste Of American Drinking Establishments I often look at drinking establishments as I do people. Certain ones have particular characteristics and distinctive personalities. Yes, bars can have personalities. In my world, there are position bars, closer bars, poser bars and hoser bars. And there are Budweiser bars. The latter is actually a … [Read more...]
New Orleans The Perfect Choice For SEC-Big 12 Sugar Bowl Game
On The Heels of NYE Fans Get French Quarter And Bourbon Street To me, this seemed as simple a call as a quarterback sneak on fourth an inches. Defensive backs standing in the end zone to stop a Hail Mary. New Orleans was chosen as the location of the new SEC-Big 12 sort-of championship game. It will be the Allstate Sugar Bowl and will line up the conference champions in … [Read more...]
NJ Revel Nightclub Donating Cover Charge To Jersey Shore Sandy Victims
Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fun To Benefit From Donations; Electronic Dance Music DJs It's great when local businesses step up to help the community. Especially bars and nightclubs, which always take more than their share of hits from some residents and city council members. And Revel nightclub in Atlantic City, N.J. – which just opened back in the spring – has … [Read more...]
Portland’s Holiday Ale Festival 2017 Pours Winter Beers Downtown
Pioneer Square Beer Festival Features Specialty Craft Beers Cheers for the holidays means something different in Portland, Oregon, home of the craft brews. It means beers, at least from Nov. 28-Dec. 3. That's when the Holiday Ale Festival takes place. The 2017 event is the 22nd annual one. Held in Pioneer Square in the heart of downtown, it's the perfect location … [Read more...]
Catalina Express’ New San Pedro Terminal Has Party Hosting Potential
Vegas-Like Outdoor Waterfront Lounge Ideal For Holding Wine Tastings And Beer Festivals Catalina Express, the company that runs the ferries from Southern California ports to Catalina Island, held an event to celebrate the opening of its sleek new terminal in San Pedro the first Thursday in November. It had food prepared by the new bistro's executive chef (Laurel Lyman), … [Read more...]
Monterey Craft Brewery Peter B’s Wins Awards For Two Of Its Beers
Well-Named Alvarado Street Raspberry Wheat And Legend of Laguna IPA Take Beverage Tasting Institute Silver Medals You don't normally think craft beers – and certainly award winners –when thinking of Monterey, CA. It's primarily wine country. But Peter B's Brewpub is changing that perception. The craft brewery, tucked in behind the Portola Hotel & Spa between … [Read more...]
Savannah, Ga Fall Beer Festival, The Tybee Beach Brew Fest, Is Nov 2-3
Kona and Red Hook Among Craft Brews At This Two-Night Event on Tybee Island I've had lots of beers in Savannah, Ga. But never have I been to an official beer festival there, and now apparently there are a couple, led by the Savannah Craft Brew Fest on Labor Day Weekend. Heck, there's even a wine festival in my old stomping grounds. And now, there's the Tybee Beach Brew … [Read more...]
Halloween Parties Allow Girls To Live Ultimate Sexual Fantasies
Hiding Behind Their Costumes, Sexy Gals Let Out Their Inner Desires Just the other day, I was a fly on the wall, a sponge soaking up vital information, a privileged part of a private conversation. I was in the inner sanctum, sitting with four girls –friends, but closer to acquaintances – when they were having the kinds of conversations guys rarely get to … [Read more...]
Zingers Has One of Las Vegas Strongest Bloody Marys
Outdoor Restaurant/Bar in Hawaiian Marketplace Packs A Breakfast Punch I have found what may not necessarily be the best Bloody Mary in Las Vegas, but certainly the strongest. It's at a rather obscure little restaurant/bar in the Hawaiian Marketplace, that courtyard on the Strip that you probably never stop at between the MGM and Planet Hollywood. The place is called … [Read more...]
Single in San Francisco: A Visitor’s Best Pick-Up Lines Tips
What You Need To Know When Talking To Girls In the City By The Bay It was a late sunny Sunday morning, and my friend was telling me about the political difficulties of being single in San Francisco. No matter where he goes, he said, he keeps running into ex-girlfriends and when interest peaks in a potentially new romantic interest, it turns out she is friends with, or is … [Read more...]
Rocktoberfest Rocks LA Live With Gene Simmons And Rock & Brews
Week-Long Festival in Downtown Los Angeles Features Beers And Rock 'n Roll Bands People do get out of "The Bubble." Including the band at Pancho's. Before Wolfgang Puck walked on the red carpet, before Gene Simmons walked on the red carpet – and took the stage – there was a group of musicians who went through completely unnoticed by the press photographers. Except this … [Read more...]
Chez Jay Santa Monica Bar Deserves Local Landmark Status
Casual Celebrity Hangout And Dive With Peanuts On The Floor To Be Preserved If ever a bar, watering hole, locals' dive hangout or whatever you want to call it, deserves to be named a local landmark and preserved, it's Chez Jay in Santa Monica. It's a dive without really being a dive. There's a barrel of peanuts, and peanut shells on the floor. There's an old, large wooden … [Read more...]
Beer Garden Again Highlight of Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair
Photos And a Review Of This Top South Bay Beach Cities Annual Event Here's to the beers and cheers. I would like to host my 16-ounce cup of Longboard Lager to the beer garden, the signature event of the annual Old Hometown Fair in Manhattan Beach, CA. It's what makes Hometown Fair one of the most fun times of the entire year in a town that's pretty fun most of the … [Read more...]
Another Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair 10K Finished With Shellback
Reviewing the 2012 Run Under The Sun I'm not sure how many years I've done the Old Hometown Fair 10K in Manhattan Beach, CA, but another one was completed in 2012. The weather was great; a bit warm for running, perhaps, but no one was complaining about the near cloudless sunny skies. There have been 35 of them and I've done at least a dozen. They are great events, a fun … [Read more...]
Donna Summer to Deep Purple on Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2013 Nominees
Classic Rockers, Disco and Hip Hop Artists Part Of 15 Nominees for Class Of 2013 Rock and Roll is all about the variety of the artists and music, and that's certainly what the list of the nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame provides for the class of 2013. From the disco of Donna Summer to the early 70's hard rock of Deep Purple, the hip-hop of Public Enemy and … [Read more...]
Fall in San Francisco Has Sports, Sailing And A Bluegrass Festival
America's Cup Races, Fleet Week, Music and Italian Heritage Day Kick Off A Rocking October Story by Cathy Seeligson. Photos by Dean Borton. It's not October in San Francisco, but more like Rocktober. That's because the City by the Bay is rocking with a number of events to start the month. So let's get rocking! It starts with sports. The 49ers are playing at home (and … [Read more...]
James Bond Martini Served To Guests of London’s Draycott Hotel
'Shaken, Not Stirred' Drink Celebrates Release Of New Bond Movie 'Skyfall' Do you have to be wearing a tuxedo and have a Bond girl – Barbara Bach in "The Spy Who Loved Me" or most certainly Ursula Andress in "Dr. No" would do quite nicely – to enjoy the new James Bond martini offered at London's Draycott Hotel? Well, no but it would certainly be a nice bonus. To … [Read more...]
GlowRun Race Lights Up Downtown Las Vegas on Oct. 7
Fremont Street Hosts Block Party Run Run And Pub Crawl Glow with the flow. That's the idea of the inaugural GlowRun, a 7K race in downtown Las Vegas taking place Sunday, Oct. 7. In a preview of Halloween that hits Vegas the end of the month, GloRun involves people in costumes, but instead of being on the Strip and running through the casinos and clubs, they are running … [Read more...]
Top Hermosa Beach Nightlife Singles Advice For Men
When A Wild Girl Says She 'Wants To Go To the Pier,' Do Not Follow Her To The Pier A funny thing happened to a visiting friend recently. And it's a lesson to be learned about being single in the South Bay Los Angeles Beach Cities of Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. He's been in the area plenty of times previously – and will eagerly come again and again – but got caught … [Read more...]
Bar Coaster Drink Ordering App Can’t Replace The Bartender
Using Smart Phones And I-Pads At Bars Not Practical, Though It Does Possess Dating Potential A friend went out in San Francisco recently and came back to Los Angeles telling of a new phone application he used in a bar. He was at the launch party of a friend's friend's – don't worry, that's as complicated as this gets – new product. It's Coaster, in which you order and pay … [Read more...]
A Tribute To A Fallen South Bay Beach Cities Party Friend
Here's Cheers To A Bar Buddy Who Kept An Entire Area Entertained I don't remember the first time I ever met Joe Anderson – that's a pretty common thing among the single people in the Los Angeles Beach Cities of Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach – but I most definitely remember the first time I partied with him. It was during the Manhattan Open, a local event that is … [Read more...]
Los Angeles A Fun Place to Party For Oktoberfest Beer Halls
Old World, Alpine Village and Big Bear Bring German Beer Halls To Southern California Hoisting big beers, doing big cheers arm and arm and flapping arms like wings doing the chicken dance, all to the live music of an oompha band. It's Oktoberfest and you don't have to go to Munich to experience it.' While there are great Oktoberfest celebrations throughout the world – and … [Read more...]
Rum For Reef Relief And A Key West Pub Crawl
Plenty of Boat Drinks For This Conch Republic Party Rum for reef relief. A pub crawl for ocean preservation. I'll drink to that, of course! And on Saturday, Sept. 23, you can, too. If you are in the Conch Republic, join the second annual Conched in Key West Bar Crawl benefiting Reef Relief for the preservation of the world's coral reefs. It starts at 2 and goes to … [Read more...]
After Drinking the Lane Kiffin Kool-Aid USC Fans Need Tequila Shots
Win Or Lose We Booze Really To Test Trojans' Top Party School Ranking With Cal Tailgate Party They set themselves up like an open bar at a wedding. Cast aside any doubt like a sailor on shore leave. And now they are as deflated as a beach ball after Labor Day. Well, that's what happens when you believe the hype, ignore your coach's past– let alone his character flaws – … [Read more...]
On The Rocks Redondo Beach Has Big South Bay Sports Bar Potential
Here's A Few Tips For Making The Former Chiller's A Beach Cities Hotspot Again As much fun as it is to go to the bars on the Hermosa Beach Pier to watch sports, sometimes it's good to go someplace different. Break up the routine. Keep things fresh. So on a sunny Saturday afternoon, wanting to maximize my time on the Strand and being in the great outdoors, I rode my beach … [Read more...]
Oregon Brewers Festival Pours $30 Million Into Portland Economy
Waterfront Event Brings In Beer Drinkers Of All Ages And Attracts Several Out-Of-Town Visitors Let's have a big "cheers" for people drinking lots of beers! The Oregon Brewfest, an annual event that takes place the end of July at a waterfront park in downtown Portland, reports the 2012 event poured $30 million into the local economy. Here are specifics, as detailed by … [Read more...]
West 3rd Street L.A. Bar The Churchill Introduces New Cocktail Menu
Signature Cocktails Feature Names Like The Grand Alliance and Thirsty in LA Normally, when a place has the name of Britian's most famous prime minister, you expect it to be heavy on beer, and also brandy and scotch. After all the latter two were favorites of Winston Churchill. And, indeed The Churchill in Los Angeles' West 3rd Street midsection, features 20 regional and … [Read more...]
Hollywood Party Promoter Hosts Fundraiser at Supper Club
Battling a Stroke, Steve Dimon Presents A Hot Music Night To Help His Recovery A Los Angeles bar and event promoter needs your help. And this time it's not just to go to one of its events. It's to help him survive. Steve Dimon who puts on a massive St. Patrick's Day bash in Hollywood plus Halloween and New Year's Eve parties in the South Bay Beach Cities (among several … [Read more...]
UCLA Nebraska Party Bus Hermosa Beach to Rose Bowl
College Tailgate Party Rolls With Transportation From the South Bay College football season is here and that means tailgate parties! One of the season's first big games is in the historic Rose Bowl as Nebraska visits UCLA. But as anyone not from Pasadena will tell you, it's a long way to the Rose Bowl from other parts of L.A. And that's why the South Bay Beach Cities … [Read more...]
A Bikini Contest Labor Day Weekend On Alabama Gulf Coast
Bama Bells and Florida Foxes Compete At The Famous Flora-Bama Bar You think you had a great Labor Day Weekend? You guys should have been at the Flora-Bama, a bar on the Flordia-Alabama Gulf Coast state line. It's a famous bar among people in the area and was the inspiration of the Jimmy Buffett song "Bama Breeze." And on Labor Day Weekend, it hosted a bikini contest! … [Read more...]
Labor Day Weekend Top Party Places At The Beach, Lakes And At The Pool
I'm at the beach this Labor Day Weekend. But I could just as easily be on a boat. Or at a pool party. The key to be somewhere in board shorts, around bikinis and in, on or by the water. These are the prime party places on this end-of-summer three-day weekend. The 2023 dates are Sept. 2-4. • Lake Travis, Austin, Texas. This is a boat tie-up party with … [Read more...]
New Orleans Is Wet After Isaac And Will Be Wild Again
Laissez Les Bons Temps Roule Attitude Keeps The Party Rolling In The Big Easy Let the good times roll. And they do in New Orleans, even when a hurricane rolls through town. Katrina was a devastating punch but eventually the city recovered. Isaac dumped rain on a swamp and more than half the city's residents lost power. But Bourbon Street will be Bourbon Street again … [Read more...]
Nick Saban Makes It Impossible For Bama Fans to Relax During Season
Yet Another Championship-Caliber Team Keeps Tide Fans On The Edge of Their Seats For 2012 After winning National Championships in 2009 and again in 2011, Alabama football is back where it belongs. Tide alumni like myself enjoy winning. With 14 national titles, we're used to it and at the very least expect to be competing for it most every year. And with Nick Saban, that's … [Read more...]
Hot Good-Looking Waitresses Get Bigger Tips Than Unattractive Waitresses
Not Only Do Pretty Girls Get Bigger Tips But More Rounds Of Drinks Are Ordered, Too It happens. I admit it. Just did, in fact, which prompted me to write this column. I tip good-looking waitresses better than ugly ones. I'm not even sure it's a conscious thing, at least immediately. When determining a tip, I look into service and whether or not my beer sat empty for any … [Read more...]
Peter B’s Brewpub Part of September Beer Festival in Monterey, CA
Second Annual Monterey Beer Garden Features A Dozen Craft Brewers on Sept. 22 You may think of Monterey, CA, as a wine area. It largely an accurate assumption. With wine tasting rooms in the city and Cannery Row and vineyards a few miles away, Monterey County is making a push to be recognized as a true California wine country. But it's also becoming a prolific craft beer … [Read more...]
Bar Rescue Gets Third Season From Spike TV
Jon Taffer's Show, Entering Its Second Season, Gets 20 More Episodes If you're bar needs rescuing, then you're got more of an opportunity to have it overhauled by Jon Taffer. His popular Bar Rescue show, in which he goes into establishments and works on everything from the staff to the menu to the decor (to say nothing of the attitude of a place) has just been picked up … [Read more...]
Day Tripping – And Tripping – In Switzerland’s Wine Country
Trains, Boats and Wine Tasting in Lake Geneva's Lavaux Region My last day in Switzerland was a whirlwind. It was one of train rides, a boat trip, boarding a boat that went nowhere, a drive through vineyards to wine tasting at a winery with a stunning view of Lake Geneva, slamming a couple of beers in Lausanne, getting back to Zurich for dinner and closing the night in one … [Read more...]
The Anatomy of Wine Tasting Events
In The Beginning They Are Sophisticated But In The End It's Really About The Party I love wine tastings and wine festivals. I enjoy them much more than I actually enjoy the wines. That's because they are fun events, and I find it fascinating to watch the demeanor and the mood of the people change as the event progresses. Most people arrive savvy and sophisticated and … [Read more...]
Manhattan Beach 6-Man Should Move To Dockweiler Like The Gillis
Crazy Dress-Up Volleyball Tournament's Best Chance For Its Future Is On This Adjacent Beach The Manhattan Beach 6-Man dress-up crazy costumed beach volleyball tournament has gotten out of control. It's gone too far, and if something isn't done about it the entire event could forever disappear. I speak not of the event itself, mind you, but of the Manhattan Beach City … [Read more...]
Time For College Football Season I’m Ready to Party
The Mizzou Fan's Survival Guide To The SEC Puts The Ball in Play For College Football I'm an elephant ready to stomp. A Bengal Tiger ready to roar out of the cage. A white horse ready to run through the end zone. A big steer ready to charge onto the field, a Sooner ready to boomer, a dignitary ready to dot the 'i." I thought I could hold out for a while. It barely … [Read more...]
Tao Offering Free Trip For World’s Largest Bachelorette Party
Glam Girls Being Offered Accommodations and Invitations To Three Weekend Parties in September A lot of ladies go to Vegas for bachelorette parties, and quite a few of them have a heck of a good time. From what they can recall, anyway. But now there's a chance to really do Vegas right for a bachelorette party. And that's to go for the World's Largest Bachelorette Party. … [Read more...]
Jordan Larson Is USA’s Hottest Sexiest Olympic Athlete
Volleyball Vixen Is a Tall, Thin Blonde From The University of Nebraska The hottest female athlete for Team USA in the Olympics is Jordan Larson. Larson is on the women's indoor volleyball team. She is #10, a tall, thin blonde with a ponytail and has long, tanned legs. Her rear looks great in those tight blue shorts, too. There's no finer female for the States than this … [Read more...]
Electric Daisy Carnival Vegas Charity Contributions
Electronic Music Festival Donates $115,000 From Ticket Sales Insomniac, the promoters of the highly successful Electric Daisy Carnival electronic music extravaganza, has donated $115,000 to five charities in Las Vegas, plus a contribution to Rock the Vote. Insomniac’s Charitable Giving Initiative donates $1 per ticket transaction and $10 per guest list attendee where the … [Read more...]
6-Man Manhattan Beach Is Still About the Volleyball
Focus on The Party Atmosphere Takes Attention Away From The Players Despite the controversy, the change from a weekend to the middle of the week and the Manhattan Beach Police's SWAT team approach to the event, the 6-man tournament is still all about the volleyball. And it always has been about the volleyball, even with the one-day party of the past. That's been … [Read more...]
Smackfest 2012 Surpasses 6-Man As South Bay’s Top Event
Whacky Beach Volleyball Tournament Replaces 6-Man As Top Beach Party Event in Hermosa and Manhattan Beach There's been a passing of the party torch in the South Bay. Smackfest, the 19-year-old beach volleyball tournament, is now King of the Beach Cities when it comes to fun and entertaining events. The once-untouchable Manhattan Beach Surfest and its 6-man tournament is … [Read more...]
Global Beer Network Importing Craft Belgian Beers to the U.S.
Boston-Based Company is Bringing More Than 60 Belgian Beers From 9 Small Breweries to the American Market When I received an invitation to meet the head of a U.S. distributor of a number of Belgian craft brews, I first said, "yeah, beer tasting!" But then I briefly hesitated. Belgian beers can be so strong in alcohol it's like going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. You … [Read more...]
Panama Joe’s Gets to Keep Entertaining in Belmont Shore
Long Beach City Council Allows Permit For Live Entertainment and Dancing One of the issues with being a successful bar is dealing with, well, issues. Just ask Ron and Greg Newman, co-owners of the popular Southern California cantinas Sharkeez. They also own Panama Joe's, the same style of bar with a different name in Long Beach's cool Belmont Shore area. And on a Tuesday … [Read more...]
The USA Is The Best Beer Drinking Country in the World
Variety and Selection Sets America Apart From Even Places Like Germany, Says Belgian Beer Importer The statement was as bold as the beer he was drinking, a 10.5% Belgian import called Gulden Draak. But Steve Villani, president of Belgian craft importer Global Beer Network, was sticking to his words. "The United States is the best beer country on the planet," he … [Read more...]
Lingerie Masquerade Pool Party Coming to Palms in August
DJs, Sexiest Lingerie and Masks Part of Wet and Wild Halloween-Style Event It's a sexy Halloween party in the middle of the summer. And it's poolside. The sixth annual Midsummer Lingerie Masquerade returns to Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas August 4. It's a pool party of a different kind in Vegas – for starters, it's Saturday instead of Sunday – that involves … [Read more...]
It’s a (Boat) Party At the Annual Catalina Water Ski Race 2019
Water Skiing From Long Beach to Catalina And Back Is Biggest Stationary Boat Party in Southern California It's the perfect Saturday morning scenario: Race boats on the water daredevil competitors prepared to do something mentally and athletically outrageous, and in a major aquatic area. It's the annual Catalina Ski Race, a 56-mile race from the Queen Mary in Long … [Read more...]
Surf Rock Reggae Band Slightly Stoopid Reveals New Album Song
'Top of the World' Song Out Now; Album To Be Released in August Surf music used to be comprised of the hard guitar riffs of Dick Dale, who played as if big waves were falling over his strings, to the more mellow instrumental approaches of Jan and Dean and The Ventures. And then along came a band that called itself Slightly Stoopid. It started a new generation of surf … [Read more...]
The Dark Night Rises Free Party at Universal Studios Screenings
Batman Party at 5 Towers And First Public Display Of The Camo Tumbler Part of Midnight Screenings It's not just the midnight screenings of “The Dark Knight Rises,” the final installment in Christopher Nolan’s popular Batman trilogy, that will have Batman fans from all over Los Angeles descending upon Universal Studios Hollywood on Thursday, July 19. It's a full Batman … [Read more...]
The End of the El Torito Bar Era in Newport Beach
Orange County's Legendary Taco Tuesday Pick Up Bar Closes It was the quintessential Southern California party place, pick-up bar disguised as a restaurant in an upscale mall near the beach. And it played its role like a conqueror for a quarter of a century. But now, the legendary El Torito Grill in Newport Beach's Fashion Island is closing. The Irvine Company basically … [Read more...]
Shellback Tavern Now the South Bay’s Most Happening Bar
Manhattan Beach Casual Hangout Is Crowded Day and Night On Weekends If you're looking for a lively place to party in the Los Angeles SouthBay Beach Cities, then crank it up Shellback Tavern. That's because it's cranking. In the summer of 2012, Shellback Tavern at the Manhattan Beach Pier is the South Bay's most happening bar. It's been going off both day and night on … [Read more...]
Mix It Up With These Olympic-Inspired Cocktails
London Cooler and Gold Medal Spritzer Can Put You in the Spirit(s) Of the Summer Games Here's a way to toast your country's achievements and medals during the London Summer Olympic Games, July 27-Aug 12: With Olympic-inspired cocktails! Pucker flavored vodka has created two, the London Cooler and the Gold Medal Spritzer. Here they are and here's how to make … [Read more...]
Break out the Pink Champagne; Eagles Concert at Revel in Atantic City
Legendary Rock Band Doing Two Concerts on Labor Day Weekend Sept. 1-2 It's not exactly Hotel California, but if you check in here for concerts, you may never leave. Revel Beach, a new hotel and resort in Atlantic City, opened with Beyonce's first concert in a year on Memorial Day, and now has booked the Eagles for Labor Day Weekend. Put the pink champagne on ice. The … [Read more...]
Neil Sedaka is Back (On Stage) And Playing Las Vegas
Legendary Singer and Songwriter Performs at Eastside Cannery July 21 One of the most influential songwriters of the 1960s occasionally takes the stage himself. And he's coming to Vegas, at the Eastside Cannery Casino and Hotel on Saturday, July 21. Sadaka's list of huge hits includes the catchy light tunes "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," "Laughter in the Rain," … [Read more...]
Good Bars and Bad Bars, Smart Bars and Dumb Bars
Dry Tour Wine Bar in Venice, CA, Loses Customers By Charging Full Price For Drinks on a Pub Crawl Just as there are good bars and bad bars, there are smart bars and dumb bars. Sharkeez in Hermosa, Manhattan and other Southern California beach cities is a smart bar. It welcomes new customers, takes care of loyal customers and if presented with a large number of patrons on … [Read more...]
Don’t Shy Away From Swiss Wines in Switzerland’s Restaurants
Regional Wineries Produce Excellent White and Red Pairings For Diners By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine Blogger I know what you're thinking. You're in a restaurant in Switzerland and are in the mood for a glass of wine with your meal. You're familiar with the French wines, of course, and the menu also has selections from South Africa. You know South African … [Read more...]
Basel Switzerland Provides a Fun Nightlife Experience
Surprisingly Lively Swiss City Appeals To This Party Veteran After I returned from Switzerland in the late Spring/early Summer of 2012, I was asked what surprised me the most about the trip. My response was as precise as a Swiss watch: Basel. Basel is a happening little place, as lively and bouncy as a college coed. But it doesn't exactly come to mind when discussing a … [Read more...]
Ironman Gets 4th of July in Hermosa Beach Off To A Rockin’ Start
Annual Event Where Competitors Run a Mile, Paddle a Mile and Chug a 6-Pack Starts the Beach Party The 4th of July in Hermosa Beach, CA, got off to its usually silly start in 2012 with the annual Ironman "athletic" competition, on the sand in front of 28th Street. Though it involves three disciplines, this is not your typical Ironman. It consists of running a mile, padding … [Read more...]
Photos of the PJ 10K Long Beach’s Annual Fun and Funky Run
Exercise and Socialize A Party in Pajamas, And a Beer Garden They roll out of bed, go out in public dressed as they are when they sleep, some even with their hair still in curlers. They gather early in the morning and go for a little run. It's the PJ 10K, an annual event in Long Beach, CA, a creative concept that's a party in pajamas. The Pajama Run, as it is officially … [Read more...]
Basel & Zurich Are Two Fun European Party Destinations
Fun-Seeking Travelers Should Visit These Two Switzerland Cities Amsterdam? Of course. The Greek Islands? Most certainly. Berlin? That's definitely on my party radar, a destination I'm looking forward to visiting in the future. But there are two other places that summer party travelers should have on their destination list: Zurich and Basel, Switzerland. I know … [Read more...]
Go Wine Tasting in Santa Barbara Without Leaving Downtown
Urban Wine Trail Consists of Tasting Rooms From 17 Local Wineries The biggest drag about going wine tasting is that someone has to drive. Or you have to hire a driver, limo or other costly transportation. But not in Santa Barbara. The growing Southern California wine region has opened tasting rooms downtown, which means you can spend the day at the beach and go wine … [Read more...]
A Splendid Time in Zurich’s Splendid Piano Bar
A True Swiss Delight, This Nightlife Spot Is One of My Favorite Bars in Switzerland The place is absolutely Splendid! I found it because I saw a lighted sign above the door when everything else was either closed for the night or not happening. Worth a look, I surmised. Once again, my bar-finding instincts proved to be correct. I was in Zurich, Switzerland, and had … [Read more...]
The Thrill of Drinking Beers in the Streets of Zurich
Unlike in the USA, It's Legal To Consume Alcohol in Public in Switzerland I'm doing a toast to Switzerland. Holding my arm high in the air, cold beer in hand, and giving the country a big Proscht! Kissing her on the cheek – three times, of course – and walking hand in hand with her along the Limmat River to the lake in Zurich. Down the cafe-lined Steinvorstadt street in … [Read more...]
Albanifest in Winterthur One Of Switzerland’s Biggest Parties
Bands Play on Stages in This Music Festival Near Zurich That Attracts 100,000 Party People Anyone who says they don't party in Switzerland has never seen, heard about or been to the Zurich Street Parade, a massive moving techno event held each August (Aug. 11, in 2012). Or Albanifest, a three-day cultural musical extravaganza that features dozens of bands from several … [Read more...]
Beer Wars Brewing Between AB InBev and Heineken Spilling Over to Mexican Breweries
What the Potential Purchase Means For Us Everyday Beer Drinkers It's a takeover, with a twist. Anheuser-Busch InBev is in talks with Grupo Modelo about purchasing the remaining 50% in the Mexican brewery that it doesn't already own. Among the brands of Grupo Modelo is Corona, the brewer's top export to the U.S. It also has Pacifico and the various Modelo beers (Especial, … [Read more...]
Oliva Newton-John Performing in San Francisco
Australian Singer, a Cancer 'Thriver,' Is Back Touring 23 North American Cities This Fall She can, apparently, still get physical. Olivia Newton-John is back on the road touring in 2012. She's making a 23-city tour in North America starting Aug. 12 at the Northalsted Market Days in Chicago and ending Dec. 14-16 at Epcot Center at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. In … [Read more...]
The Swiss Do Party in Switzerland
Shedding the Stereotypes To Go Find the Fun Partying People There's a rumor going around that the Swiss people are not exciting. That they are too methodical in their methods, as stiff as a flagpole, as unemotional as as Spock on "Star Trek." Well thank goodness I've not met any of those Swiss people! The people I have met from Switzerland are just the opposite of their … [Read more...]