For those who absolutely cannot wait til Christmas — eff Thanksgiving, you say — Melrose Umbrella Co. is already all decked out for the holidays. And I mean, ALL. DECKED. OUT. The Miracle on Melrose Avenue bar is only one of about 100 of the Miracle Pop-Up Bars around the world: 94 in the U.S….
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I refuse to put up Christmas decorations when Thanksgiving hasn’t even come and gone yet. But one thing I will allow in anticipation of the holidays are the cocktails. Beautiful, rich, cozy, festive-inspired holiday cocktails. And Big Bar in Los Feliz just kicked off their new holiday menu, which includes three hot cocktails and a…
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Quick, what’s your favorite L.A. movie and which cocktail would you pair with it? If it’s Amy Heckerling’s Clueless then you’re in luck! On August 19, as part of its summer pop-up series, ArcLight Hollywood is hosting swank West Hollywood cocktail bar, Bibo Ergo Sum, in its Balcony Bar. And the talented bar crew crafted…
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Nowadays, a cocktail bar has to do more than simply follow a classic cocktail template to turn heads. Housemade ingredients and a strong garnish game aren’t going to cut it anymore. Besides, there are so many great bars with new ones practically opening every day, not to mention the breadth of talented bartenders in L.A….
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Looking for something fun and different — with a touch of nerdiness — to serve at your holiday party? Lucky for you barman Christopher Day (Bar Tribute, Redbird) created this recipe for a boozy butterbeer. Your Harry Potter-loving guests will squeal. It’s no coincidence that this recipe uses a butter-washed Black Cow Vodka as Chris…
Continue Reading »Flickr shot by fotogail This Cinco de Mayo forget about body shots. How about bog people? For those not all that crazy about tequila, on May 5th, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County will be presenting an odd mixture of a bog people exhibit, a nightclub scene with djs spinning and a museum…
Aren’t zombies funny? They walk really slow, have no real strength and yet many people have died at their decrepit hands which, oddly enough, can easily rip the living to pieces. So it seems like a natural fit that comedy improv company L.A. Connection–responsible for SNL alum Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan and Jon Lovitz–will be…
I finally decided to try one of those paid-for dating events and am dragging my friend Andrea to the HurryDate Singles Wine Tasting at Tangerine Cantina on May 30th. OK, maybe not “drag” since she bought the tickets this time but we’re both curious to try it out. Sick of meeting guys in bars we…
Before Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow, there was Jeff Spicoli. Before American Pie there was Fast Times at Ridgemont High. This classic to be appreciated and handed down to our children for generations to come has served as a social commentary on teen angst, an Everyman tale through high school and a jumping off point for…
Are you always stuck being the designated driver when you go out barhopping with your pals? Now’s your chance to have someone drive you around for a change while you get plastered. LA Barhopper Magazine is having its Mystery Barhopping “After Taxes” Bus Tour this Saturday, April 22nd. For just $25 you get to board…
One of my favorite Sunday pastimes is to go to the farmer’s market in Santa Monica on Main Street (9:30am to 1pm), grab some food at one of their many food booths as well as some pomegranate juice from a juice stand, and then claim a spot on the lawn where I can people watch…
Crackhead reader Jennifer (and of course I mean that in the most affectionate way possible) gave me a heads-up about Spa Week, sponsored by Allure magazine. (Sure, you gotta register with the site to see the specials but that ain’t no thang.) For the week of April 17th to April 23rd, you can get full-service…
Cleaning out my shopping bookmark folder I came across some pretty neat things that I had wished I could buy for my “new” apartment but because of their expense they don’t rate very high on my shopping list of priorities. But once I win the lotto? Oooh, yeah. Wonderful Graffiti: WG let’s you relive that…
Easter’s coming up and even though I don’t go to church, I always loved going out for Easter Sunday brunch. All that food! So combine an Easter buffet with Southern comfort food and gospel and you have yourself one soul-rousing Sunday. Every Sunday the Sunset Strip’s House of Blues throws a gospel brunch which features…
Flickr Shot by dotsara Just in time for the holidays, Sprinkles Cupcakes is featuring special Easter-themed/Passover cupcakes ($3.25 each) from only April 12-15. Such a short time so, quick like a bunny snatch them up while you can! Brown Sugar Praline: Brown sugar cupcake with caramel frosting topped with crunchy praline (My new favorite) Banana…
