Our weekly guide to food and entertainment goings-on in and around town includes National Donut Day offers, Eeeeeatscon Festival, Rose on Rose Fest and much more.
Night Market Returns to The Bungalow every Thursday this Summer: This free event, open to the public for guests of all ages and pet-friendly, kicks off on Thursday, June 6, and will run every Thursday from 5 - 11pm through August 29. Families can also enjoy a kids’ play area with complimentary face painting, alongside various brand activations, celebrity appearances, and DJ performances. Thursday, June 6 features actor Jason Momoa pouring Meili Vodka and performing with his band ÖOF TATATÁ. Aaron Paul of Breaking Bad fame will showcase his Dos Hombres Mezcal. More info here.
Pico Roots Marketplace Grand Opening: Community Corp. of SaMo is hosting the grand opening of this marketplace home to diverse, local small businesses, with a DJ, refreshments, and activities. "As Santa Monica’s first and only small business hub, attendees will have the opportunity to interact and purchase unique products from vendors." Friday, June 7, 10am at 1819 Pico Blvd. Register here.
Mycology Workshop at Main Street Community Garden: Discover the fascinating world of fungi at this workshop. Learn about mushroom cultivation, identification and their ecological roles. Speaker: Jamie Oliver. Workshop begins at 10am. Come at 9am to wander around the gardens and grab a cup of coffee. Limited seating, bring your own chair or blanket. Saturday, June 8, 9–11am at 2318 Main St. Questions? Send an email.
Proper Presents Perspectives with Jim Ganzer: Santa Monica Proper Hotel is hosting an exhibit by Malibu surf legend and underground LA icon, Jim Ganzer. Discover his "Life Lived" collection, featuring black & white photography from the 1960s-1980s, ink drawings, and furniture. Sip cocktails while enjoying a panel discussion and book signing with Ganzer himself. Saturday, June 8 at 700 Wilshire Blvd. Would you like to know more?
Warming, a live site-specific dance performance: This celebrates the beauty of the site and by extension the earth, as well as how it might be affected by climate change. Saturday, June 8, 3pm at the water element at the Ocean Ave. entrance to Tongva Park, 1615 Ocean Ave. More details and RSVP here.
Eeeeeatscon Los Angeles 2024: The Infatuation’s signature food event returns to The SaMo Airport Barker Hangar. Sofia Vergara, Chrissy Teigen, David Chang, Nicole Byer, Keith Lee, and more, highlight festival with more than two dozen restaurants from across the U.S. including Lucali (NYC), KG BBQ (Austin, TX), and more. Saturday June 8 & Sunday June 9 at 3021 Airport Ave. More info here.
"Rosé on Rose" Wine Fest: This rosé crawl and street fest includes tastings, rose-inspired food and beverage, activities, music, vendors, photo ops, art, a pink disco recovery lounge, and more with a portion of proceeds to benefit the Venice Family Clinic, a leader in providing comprehensive high-quality, primary healthcare for people in need. Daily Press readers can get $10 off with the code ROSEALLDAY24. Saturday, June 8, 12–5pm. More details here.
AIDS/LifeCycle Finish Line Festival: Celebrate the arrival of the cyclists and roadies as they finish their 7-day, 545-mile journey from San Francisco. Saturday, June 8, 10:30am–4pm at 2030 Ocean Ave. Would you like to know more?
Venice Stories: Celebrating 10 Years of Community and Culture: Venice Stories, the innovative comic page dedicated to capturing the spoken history of Venice Beach, is celebrating its 10th-anniversary. The party takes place at Hinano Cafe, 15 Washington Blvd. on Saturday June 8, with live music from 5:30–9:30pm. Admission is free and everyone is invited to celebrate a decade of storytelling, creativity, and community spirit.
What to Eat & Drink?
Celebrate National Donut Day: Yup, there’s a day for that too. Friday, June 7.
• FREE DK Donuts, Games & Prizes provided by Lionsgate Entertainment 11am–2pm at Third Street Promenade between Broadway & Santa Monica Blvd, across from the Apple Store. More info here.
• Holey Grail Donuts will offer a free Holeys promotion titled "Make Any Donut Holey," where customers receive a free donut hole with any donut purchase.
Abbot Kinney First Friday Food Truck Fest: About two dozen food trucks are expected to line the street for the monthly event. Friday, June 7, starting at 5pm. More info here.
Cheese & Wine Night at Andrews Cheese Shop: There will be six distinct cheese, wine and accoutrement pairings along with crudité grazing boards with fruits and vegetables to nibble on between tastings. $75. Friday, June 7, 7:30pm at 728 Montana Ave. Details here.
Longtime local favorite bar JP’s finally open after permitting delays: "Originally at 1101 Wilshire Blvd and now less than two blocks west, at 1250 10th Street, JP’s is practically a local landmark and it is in fact among the oldest standalone watering holes in Santa Monica." Would you like to know more?
Baby Blues BBQ is Back! Venice’s legendary BBQ spot is officially open again, after being closed since Sept. 2022 due to a fire. Pull up and get some of the best ribs, brisket, tri-tip, wings, catfish, shrimp, corn bread, banana pudding and much more. 444 Lincoln Blvd. More info here.
A big deal New York City Chef is overhauling SaMo Pier’s concessions: This EaterLA post details "New York City-based chef James Kent, who owns Michelin-starred Crown Shy and two-Michelin-starred Saga in the Financial District, is overhauling the concession menus at Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Park starting on June 8. Kent and his hospitality company, Saga Hospitality Group, will open five new spots under the name Snackville, including Smashie’s Burgers, Mr. Nice Fry, Churrito Churro, Scoops Creamery and Cosmic Funnel." Details here.
Looking Ahead Around Town: Movie Fridays on 3rd St. Promenade (6/14), Montana Ave. Summer Kick-Off & Big Gay Bake Sale (6/15),Make Music Day (6/21), Pride on the Promenade (6/22), Main St. 4th of July Parade (7/4), Summer Solstice Festival: (7/13)
If there’s something you think is worth highlighting around town, reach out to me at sean@smdp.com
