SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes a Beach Cleanup Competition, Truly Pizza Pop-Up at Patio del Mar, New Orleans Chef Pop-Ups at Rustic Canyon, and much more!
Last Thursdays Summer Concert Series on the Venice Boardwalk: Come out and celebrate summer and experience the best of Venice Beach and support our local venues. FREE. Thursday, Aug. 28, 6:30p.m - Sunset @ 300 Ocean Front Walk https://www.instagram.com/lastthursdayvenice/
Plunge & Poppi: This ia a swim social and sober mixer for twenty-somethings kicking off at lifeguard tower 28. Saturday, Aug. 30, 11a.m. https://partiful.com/e/RUgFqp0yHZclDwDibH4x
Spogomi Beach Cleanup Competition: The winning team get a FREE trip Japan in October! “SPOGOMI”, short for “Sport Gomihiroi”, translates to “Sport Picking Up Trash”. Saturday, Aug. 30, SaMo State Beach https://spogomi-usa2025.com
Brennan's Knight Fight “Full Contact Combat”: You can go to the home of the turtle races to watch local knights compete in sword and shield, sword and buckler, polearm, longsword and pro-fight formats. Saturday, August 30, 7 - 9 p.m., 4089 Lincoln Blvd. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/golden-ring-presents-crucible-tickets-1596435614899
Cinema Sundays at Sunset on the Promenade: Toy Story: This summer, Third Street Promenade transforms into Santa Monica's most charming outdoor movie theater every weekend. Sunday, Aug. 31, 6 p.m., in front of the Apple Store, 1415 3rd Street Promenade https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cinema-sundays-at-sunset-tickets-1588204385069
“Mr. & Ms. Muscle Beach” Competition: For decades competitors have traveled from all over the world to compete at the historic Muscle Beach Competitions. These events are highlighted by a warm friendly local atmosphere while providing quality competition. Free for spectators. Monday, Sept. 1, 1:00p.m. @ 1800 Ocean Front Walk https://www.instagram.com/musclebeachvenice
Weekly Western Wednesday Line Dancing at Santa Monica Place: No prior dance experience is required, and attendees are encouraged to bring enthusiasm and comfortable shoes. FREE. Every Wednesdays through Oct. 29, 6 - 8 p.m., Center Plaza. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/western-wednesday-at-santa-monica-place-tickets-1602950109929
ONGOING: “Two Bit Circus” Pop-Up; LiteBrite Experience; Night Market at The Bungalow (through 8/28); David Bowie Art Exhibit at Santa Monica Art Museum (through 8/31); Wellness & Waves (through 10/11); Penmar Sunset Sessions (through 10/31)
What to Eat & Drink?
Wally's Summer Soirée - Last Party of Summer: Enjoy a grand finale soirée at Wally’s Santa Monica with a complimentary glass of Prosecco, dance to the sounds of DJ Nelson, and celebrate the season’s end in style.Thursday, Aug. 28, 214 Wilshire Blvd. https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1020850&restref=1020850&experienceId=514834
Tipsy Scholar Chardonnay Master Class: Taste and learn about Chardonnay from resident sommeliers. Flights are $40 and include an AJA Rosé trucker hat. Reservations are $10 per person. Thursday, Aug. 28,AJA Vineyards, 1417 2nd St. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-tipsy-scholar-chardonnay-master-class-tickets-1507756573499
Rustic Canyon Welcomes Top New Orleans Chefs to LA: Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica is teaming up with top New Orleans talent for their dinner series spotlighting the Crescent City’s bold flavors and warm hospitality. On Thursday, August 28, Chef Adolfo Garcia Jr. of Chichis brings his signature flavors, and the series wraps Thursday, September 4 with cocktails and dishes from Jewel of the South—named #24 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. https://resy.com/cities/los-angeles-ca/venues/rustic-canyon?seats=2&date=2025-08-25
Truly Pizza Pop-Up at Patio del Mar: Hotel Casa del Mar is serving something “Truly” special for Labor Day weekend by welcoming back the award-winning Newport Beach pizzeria for another exclusive coastal pop-up. I went to the first pop-up (which sold out) and was blown away by the flavors and HIGHLY recommend hitting them up this weekend! Sunday Aug. 31 and Monday Sept. 1, 11a.m. - 8p.m., 1910 Ocean Way https://www.instagram.com/trulypizza/
Belles Beach House Labor Day Luau: Come by the beachside patio and indulge in an exclusive menu full of Hawaiian-inspired favorites and hand-crafted cocktails. Say hello to our chefs who will be grilling outdoors and enjoy a DJ spinning good vibes. Free entry with food and drink for purchase. Venice Paparazzi will have one of our super fun, world famous Boomerang Photo Booths on the patio to level up the fun for all! Pull up and join the party! Sunday Aug. 31, 24 Windward Ave., Venice https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1257070&restref=1257070&experienceId=519105
The Infatuation lists Main Squeeze & The Hive as two of "The Best Smoothie Spots In LA": The most fun part of a smoothie at Main Squeeze is slurping up the extra dollop that peaks out of the top of the lid, which we can’t help but refer to as a “nipple.” Are the overfilled cups a bit of a gimmick? Maybe, but it might also be why you see people straight from pilates slurping them up and down Main Street. The shop's interior is lined with jars of maca powder, spirulina, and boosters with names like E3 Live and gotu kola, and they have all the usual fruity smoothies, but the best ones are their thick dessert-like creations, like Late Night Date and Vanilla Birthday. Main Squeeze is at 2727 Main St. and The Hive is at 606 Broadway. https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-smoothies-la
Hot Ones Team Up With Wanderlust Creamery and Randy’s Donuts for Limited Edition Menu Items: This is your chance to try limited-time-only creations inspired by Hot Ones’ iconic heat scale. Randy’s Donuts’ Glaze of Glory is a spicy glazed donut mixed with Hot Ones Los Calientes Rojo Sauce, and topped with a Rojo spicy butter crumb. Wanderlust Creamery’s Sweet Verde Heat offers yuzu milk ice cream hit with a citrusy one-two punch with shards of yuzu chocolate infused with Hot Ones’ Los Calientes Verde and shichimi togarashi (Japanese 7-spice) deliver layered floral fire from green chiles, citrus and orange habanero. Randys is at 829 Wilshire Blvd. and Wanderlust is at 609 Lincoln Blvd., Venice. Now through Sept. 30.
Further Afield: Malibu Food & Wine Festival Next Weekend: The inaugural event unfolds over three days at the picturesque Saddlerock Ranch and invites guests to indulge in elevated tastings, immersive dining, and curated activations featuring celebrity chefs, acclaimed vintners, and local culinary talents along California’s iconic coastline. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu’s ongoing recovery and enrichment programs. Friday - Sunday, Sept. 5-7, 32111 Mulholland Highway malibufoodandwine.com
Looking Ahead: Red Bull Origin Venice Beach Open (9/5-7); A PIERfect Benefit (9/6); Thai Fest by the Beach (9/20-21); The Other Art Fair (9/25-28); Montana Ave. Art Walk (9/27); Abbot Kinney Festival (9/28); Main St. Day of the Dog Festival (10/18); OTH Santa Monica Seafood Festival (10/19)
If there’s something you think is worth highlighting, you can reach out directly to me at [email protected]. Here are my past columns and let me know if you have any feedback on Around Town: Labor Day Weekend Happenings