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# Around Town: Art, Gott’s Burger Opening, Montana Art Walk & Bubbly on the Boardwalk
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/around-town-art-gotts-burger-opening-montana-art-walk-bubbly-on-the-boardwalk/
- Published: 2026-10-01T18:59:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-01T18:58:59.000Z
- Author: Sean Besser
- Tags: Events, Los Angeles

**From Montana Avenue’s annual Art Walk to Northern California’s iconic burger import, here is your weekly guide to Westside food, art, champagne, and therapy cats.**

**Club Solaire Comes to Venice:** Veuve Clicquot is bringing Champagne, ice cream and a whole lot of yellow to Venice Beach with Club Solaire, a three-day celebration of food, music, culture and, naturally, Champagne. The weekend includes ticketed culinary experiences plus free-to-explore boardwalk attractions, including a Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar, a concept shop, yellow bike rentals and a pop-up from cult-favorite Parisian ice cream shop Folderol featuring special soft-serve flavors inspired by Veuve Clicquot. **Friday, Oct. 2 – Sunday, Oct. 4, 12–6 p.m., 619 Ocean Front Walk. 21+.** [instagram.com/p/DdCLC-fFKwg](http://instagram.com/p/DdCLC-fFKwg?ref=smdp.com)

**First Friday on Abbot Kinney:** The Venice street turns into a street-food playground, with dozens of rotating food trucks serving everything from international favorites to creative new bites. Local shops and businesses also stay open late, making it an easy excuse to eat, browse and people-watch your way down the boulevard. **Friday, Oct. 2, 5–9:30 p.m.,**[](http://abbotkinneyblvd.com/firstfridays?ref=smdp.com)[abbotkinneyblvd.com/firstfridays](http://abbotkinneyblvd.com/firstfridays?ref=smdp.com)

**Opening Reception: "There Once Were Millions":** Celebrate the western monarch butterfly at an evening featuring the "There Once Were Millions" exhibit, a short film, interactive workshop and conservation expert panel. Registration required. **Saturday, Oct. 3, 5 – 8 p.m., Airport Arts Center, 3026 Airport Ave.** [More details here](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/opening-reception-for-there-once-were-millions-tickets-1999060877899?ref=smdp.com).

**Montana Ave. Art Walk Returns:** The annual Art Walk returns with 10 blocks of art, live music, artisan vendors, wellness experiences, family activities, food and shopping, plus a classic car showcase and interactive installations. The street will close to cars, turning Montana into an open-air celebration of art and the Mother Road as it goes big for Route 66’s 100th anniversary. **Saturday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Montana Avenue from 7th to 17th streets. Free.**[](http://montanaave.com/events/art-walk?ref=smdp.com)[montanaave.com/events/art-walk](http://montanaave.com/events/art-walk?ref=smdp.com)

**Pier Play Returns to the Santa Monica Pier:** The family festival returns with its first-ever two-day edition. The expanded lineup features interactive kids' activities, live music, dance performances, games, and local community pop-ups stretching across the historic landmark, celebrating play, creativity, and Westside youth programming. **Saturday, Oct. 3 & Sunday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.**[](https://rasa.fyi/event/pierplay-festival?ref=smdp.com)[rasa.fyi/event/pierplay-festival](https://rasa.fyi/event/pierplay-festival?ref=smdp.com)

**Sunset Club Returns:** The weather is cooling down, the sun is setting earlier, and Sunset Club is back on the beach. **Sunset Club** returns for its first Sunday of October, inviting locals to kick back, meet some new friends, reconnect with old ones and watch the sun go down together. **Sunday, Oct. 4, 4:30 p.m., Ocean View Park, 2701 Barnard Way** [More details here](https://partiful.com/e/bWxJFFtHUu8ERUXTbJmS?c=VV3Z64HM&ref=smdp.com). 

**Santa Monica History Museum Annual Gala - Roots & Vines:** Support local history preservation at the Santa Monica History Museum's annual fundraising benefit at the iconic Annenberg Community Beach House. The evening includes fine wines, hors d'oeuvres, a live auction, and a celebration of community history alongside the presentation of the 2026 Spirit of Santa Monica Award. **Sunday, Oct. 4, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Hwy.**[](http://santamonicahistorymuseum.betterworld.org/events/roots-vines?ref=smdp.com)[santamonicahistorymuseum.betterworld.org/events/roots-vines](http://santamonicahistorymuseum.betterworld.org/events/roots-vines?ref=smdp.com)

**Need a Break? Try Some Therapy Cats:** Feeling stressed? Put down the phone and pet a cat. Cat Chow’s Therapod is bringing a mobile, phone-free relaxation experience to Westwood, where visitors can spend 10 minutes hanging out with certified therapy cats from Pet Partners. Adoptable cats from Meow Squad will also be on hand, along with Purina animal behaviorist Dr. Annie Valuska. The free pop-up makes two Westside stops: **Tuesday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., UCLA’s Wilson Plaza, 405 Hilgard Ave.; Wednesday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Broxton Plaza, 1036 Broxton Ave.**

**ONGOING:**[](https://moisantamonica.com/?ref=smdp.com)[Museum of Illusions](https://moisantamonica.com/?ref=smdp.com);[ ](https://www.thecubeevents.com/santamonicaexperiences?ref=smdp.com)[The CUBE VR](https://www.thecubeevents.com/santamonicaexperiences?ref=smdp.com);[ ](https://www.nbclosangeles.com/video/california-live/paint-sip-and-create-in-santa-monica/3834517/?ref=smdp.com)[Splatter Studio](https://www.nbclosangeles.com/video/california-live/paint-sip-and-create-in-santa-monica/3834517/?ref=smdp.com);[ ](https://www.santamonicapier.org/wellness-and-waves?ref=smdp.com)[Wellness & Waves](https://www.santamonicapier.org/wellness-and-waves?ref=smdp.com) (Saturdays through 10/17);[ ](https://www.santamonicapier.org/localsnight?ref=smdp.com)[Locals' Night Third Thursdays](https://www.santamonicapier.org/localsnight?ref=smdp.com);[ ](https://www.perrysbeach.com/events?ref=smdp.com)[Perrys Beach House DJ Event](https://www.perrysbeach.com/events?ref=smdp.com) (Saturdays and Sundays in Sept.);[ ](http://morgan-wixson.org/?ref=smdp.com)[“Into the Woods” at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre](http://morgan-wixson.org/?ref=smdp.com) (through 10/18)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/data-src-image-87dfc8b1-bb6b-4791-aa1d-58c0d71758fe.png)

****Gott’s Roadside Grand Opening** at 401 Wilshire Blvd.

**WHAT'S NEW & DELICIOUS?**

**Gott’s Roadside Grand Opening:** The famous James Beard Award winning Northern California burger favorite and “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” regular is finally making its way to Santa Monica, bringing burgers, sandwiches, salads, seafood, shakes and plenty of wine-country hospitality. The sexy 6,600-square-foot restaurant will also feature a sprawling patio, full bar and dedicated soft-serve counter with toppings and nostalgic sundaes. **Soft open Thursday Oct. 1 with ribbon on Friday, Oct. 2, open 11 a.m.–9 p.m. daily, 401 Wilshire Blvd.**[ ](http://gotts.com/?ref=smdp.com)[gotts.com](http://gotts.com/?ref=smdp.com)

**Tiki & Fire Comes to Marelle:** Marelle is trading its usual coastal-Mediterranean vibe for something a little more tropical with a one-night “Coastal Roast” featuring ahi tuna, miso-glazed pork belly, char siu short rib, island-inspired sides, pineapple rum cake and tiki cocktails. **Thursday, Oct. 1, 5–10 p.m., 1740 Ocean Ave.** [marelle.com/event/tiki-fire-a-coastal-roast](http://marelle.com/event/tiki-fire-a-coastal-roast?ref=smdp.com)

**Burger She Wrote Opens in Brentwood:** The cult-favorite smashburger spot is opening its third and largest location, bringing its Oklahoma-style burgers made with Snake River Farms American Wagyu beef and King’s Hawaiian buns to San Vicente Boulevard. The grand-opening celebration features DJs Don “Nuge” Nguyen and Blake Anderson, merch giveaways, and more. **Saturday, Oct. 3, 2–10 p.m., 11686 San Vicente Blvd., LA** [burgershewrote.com](http://burgershewrote.com/?ref=smdp.com)

**Coffee Bean Birthday Celebration:** The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is turning 63, proving that coffee shops can have birthday parties too. Stop by for complimentary beverage samples, live music from a Power 106 DJ, giveaways, a prize wheel, photo ops with Mr. Ice Blended and a first look at the brand’s upcoming Paul Frank holiday collaboration. **Sunday, Oct. 4, 1–4 p.m., 1312 Third St. Promenade.** [More details here](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-coffee-bean-tea-leaf-turns-63-birthday-bash-in-santa-monica-tickets-2002459997758?ref=smdp.com).

**Rustic Canyon 20th Anniversary: “How It Started” Dinner:** Rustic Canyon kicks off its 20th-anniversary dinner series by recreating the intimate, communal-style family dinners hosted by founder Josh Loeb that inspired the Santa Monica landmark. The special evening reunites Loeb, co-owner and original head baker Zoe Nathan, opening chef Samir Mohajer, and current executive chef Elijah Deleon for a family-style feast paired with pours from regenerative winemaker Steve Matthiasson. **Tuesday, Oct. 6, 1119 Wilshire Blvd.** [resy.com/cities/los-angeles-ca/venues/rustic-canyon](http://resy.com/cities/los-angeles-ca/venues/rustic-canyon?ref=smdp.com)

**Coucou Launches Apéritif Club:** Looking for an excuse to have a drink before dinner? Coucou is launching its three-week Apéritif Club, bringing a different L.A. bar to its bistros for one night each week. The series kicks off with Bar Next Door at their Main St. spot, with a welcome cocktail plus passed bites including fried olives, zucchini beignets and crudités. I’ll definitely be there! **Wednesday, Oct. 7, 5–7 p.m., 218 Main St., Venice** [More details here](https://resy.com/cities/los-angeles-ca/venues/coucou-venice/events/coucou-aperitif-club-2026-10-07-6?ref=smdp.com).

**Further Afield:** **James Beard Foundation's Taste America:** This signature national culinary series returns to LA for a high-profile walk-around tasting celebrating the city's independent restaurant culture. The evening features signature bites and drink pairings from over 10 celebrated local kitchens, including Bridgetown Roti, Camélia, Azizam, Komal, Ki, and Maydan LA. Proceeds directly support the foundation’s national programming for independent restaurants. **Tuesday, Oct. 6, 7:00 p.m., The LINE LA, 3515 Wilshire Blvd.**[](http://jamesbeard.org/tasteamerica?ref=smdp.com)[jamesbeard.org/tasteamerica](http://jamesbeard.org/tasteamerica?ref=smdp.com)

**Even Further Afield:** **Del Mar Wine + Food Festival:** If you're looking for a quick culinary road trip further down the coast later this month, San Diego’s premier food and wine gathering offers five days of chef collaborations, spirit tastings, and beachside events. Capped off by a massive two-day Grand Tasting at the Del Mar polo fields (Surf Sports Park), the festival gathers top regional talent, Michelin-starred guest chefs, and international wineries. **Wednesday, Sept. 30–Sunday, Oct. 4** [delmar.wine](https://delmar.wine/?ref=smdp.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/data-src-image-43c467b7-bf99-485b-b3fe-42f6625e614b.png)

****Del Mar Wine + Food Festival This Weekend**

**Looking Ahead:**[](https://www.fairmont-miramar.com/events/oktoberfest-at-the-miramar-2/?ref=smdp.com)[Oktoberfest at the Fairmont](https://www.fairmont-miramar.com/events/oktoberfest-at-the-miramar-2/?ref=smdp.com) (10/8-10);[ ](https://offthehookseafoodfest.com/?ref=smdp.com)[Off the Hook Seafood Festival](https://offthehookseafoodfest.com/?ref=smdp.com) (10/11);[ ](https://www.petapaloozawest.com/santa-monica?ref=smdp.com)[Main St. Day of the Dog Festival](https://www.petapaloozawest.com/santa-monica?ref=smdp.com) (10/18);[ ](https://www.latimes.com/events/la-food-bowl?ref=smdp.com)[LA Times Food Bowl](https://www.latimes.com/events/la-food-bowl?ref=smdp.com) (10/23-24)**;** Montana Avenue Halloween Hop (10/31)

**Know something I missed?** Send tips, events and questionable culinary decisions to sean@smdp.com or[ ](https://www.instagram.com/seanbesser/?ref=smdp.com)[instagram.com/seanbesser](https://www.instagram.com/seanbesser/?ref=smdp.com).[ ](https://smdp.com/author/sean/?ref=smdp.com)[Check out my past Around Town columns here](https://smdp.com/author/sean/?ref=smdp.com).