The Lush

After many months of permits, construction, and all kinds of headaches, ~SOUTHERN PACIFIC BREWING~ is opening for a private preview party of sorts on New Year’s Eve. The Facebook post announces: “New Years Eve @ Southern Pacific Brewing 8pm-2am. Be the first to see the space and taste the beer,…

Down in SoMa, I heard word about SOFA, a new underground bar with a speakeasy style from Franky Boissy and John Michaud that opened in the downstairs space of Bossa Nova. Funnily enough, the space used to be a speakeasy, and the bar dates back to the 1920s. You can…

This month, you have two more chances to swing by PRESS CLUB for their Visiting Vintner Series, featuring wine tastings from The Scholium Project and Iron Horse Winery. Swing by Thursday December 22nd or 29th from 6pm-9pm, meet winery representatives, and taste their wines. Typically, the wines served during these…

I have the honor of being included on my dad’s Vietnam War buddy’s email list, which is a good thing because he’s a hilarious human being, and often includes gems like this one below. We have all seen variations on the Holiday Fruit Cake Recipe, but I…

The latest classes on offer at ~THE BOOTHBY CENTER FOR THE BEVERAGE ARTS~ will entice any boozehound worthy of the name. Make some time in your busy holiday schedule to enhance your knowledge—the holidays will be that much brighter with a well-made drink in hand. And here’s another…

SKREWCAP is back with yet another holiday tasting this Thursday December 15th, 6pm-8pm, at The Secret Wine Shop (1097 Howard St. at 7th St., #209). You’ll taste at least 25 wines, including bubbly numbers like Champagne, cava, prosecco, and local sparkling wines; vintage Madeira and port; artisan sherries; and…

This Saturday December 17th, THE BUBBLE LOUNGE is hosting a POP-UP Tasting & Sale party featuring Return to Terroir and the The Bubble Lounge’s Bubbly Imports (Fleury and Couche). You’ll be able to stock your fridge, buy hostess gifts for upcoming parties, and pick up something for your…

I know many of my East Bay pals adore the HOTSY TOTSY CLUB, Albany’s oldest bar (“Keeping Albany tipsy since 1939”). If this bar was in the city, it would assuredly be overrun with hipsters, girls yelling “woooohooo!” as they progressively get more wasted, and generally impossible to find…

After one-and-a-half years as the GM and wine director at ~BAR TARTINE~, Alex Fox has departed to pursue and explore other options. The split was very amicable; he’s currently looking into opportunities to open his own restaurant. I know I am not the only one who will be missing…

The former Argus Lounge (you know, the place with the mysterious peacock feather sign) has been transformed into IRON & GOLD (site isn’t active yet, but the bar’s Facebook page is), which is softly opening this week (the official opening is Friday at 7pm). The 60-year-old bar was…