SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes Ice at Santa Monica Grand Opening, LA Wine & Food Festival, and much more!
LOL Comedy & Tapas Night at Telefèric Barcelona: Enjoy a live entertainment experience that pairs stand-up comedy with authentic Spanish cuisine. Each performance transforms the restaurant’s outdoor patio into an intimate setting full of laughter, great food, and community spirit. Thursday, Nov. 6, 5:30-6:30 p.m. and 7:30-8:30 p.m., 11930 San Vicente Blvd. opentable.com/r/teleferic-barcelona-los-angeles
Wine & Wagyu at Bar Fogo: Sample side-by-side Wagyu Ribeye alongside Bone-in Ribeye, paired with premium VIK wines of your choice and savory bar bites including Brazilian-style Empanadas, Bacon Wrap Steak, and more. Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, 6:30 - 8:30p.m., 1551 Ocean Ave. opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1381726&restref=1381726&experienceId=558050
Swim & Saba: Kick off your Friday with an early morning dip in the ocean, followed by discounted coffee. RSVP for the exact location.
Ice at Santa Monica Grand Opening: ❄️Santa Monica’s beloved ice rink, presented by Disney + and Hulu, is back from November 7 to January 19. You’re invited to the grand opening and it’s totally FREE! The festivities kick off with the Grand Opening Celebration on Friday, Nov. 7, 6 - 10p.m. Guests can enjoy free ice skating, a live DJ, on-ice skating performances 🕺🏻, giveaways and a magical “snow” surprise. 1324 5th St. https://iceatsantamonica.com/santa-monica-events/
Shades Indoors Brings House Music to ZJ's: What started as a small gathering of friends has grown into one of Santa Monica’s favorite nights out. Join house music pop-up series Shades Indoors at ZJ Boarding House this Friday. Each ticket includes a free pair of shades, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Ocean Park Association. Friday, Nov. 7, 9pm, 2619 Main St. instagram.com/shades.indoors/
Fly Me to the Moon – An Evening with Sinatra: Get ready for an unforgettable night of timeless music, community spirit, and generosity, headlined by Richard Shelton, the world’s leading dramatic interpreter of Frank Sinatra. This special evening supports SCF’s mission to ensure academic equity for local K-12 students through high-impact tutoring and social-emotional learning programs. Saturday, Nov. 8, SaMo Bay Woman's Club 1210 4th St. eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-with-sinatra-a-benefit-for-southeast-community-foundation-tickets-1400348583309
A Morning with Our Mayor @ the Main Street Community Garden: Stroll through this unique habitat which has hundreds of plant varieties, insects and a seemingly endless supply of ideas for your home garden. Our team of dedicated and seasoned gardeners will have vegetable and flower seeds for distribution, warm coffee, fresh pastries, and plenty of tips on what to plant and the techniques which are most successful. Saturday, Nov. 8, 9 - 11a.m., 2318 Main St. santamonica.gov/events/4n0rcec226geqr1dr3bxg6qk4f/202511080900
Tiles & Treats: If you’ve been wanting to learn mahjong, here’s a really sweet way to do it. $10 nabs a spot at Wanderlust Creamery, 609 Lincoln Blvd., Venice. Saturday, Nov 8, 2p.m. https://partiful.com/e/g6cIgq529dGdBiSB8uxn
Haunted Mansion Cabaret at Illusion Magic Lounge: Reincarnating the spirits of the Haunted Mansion in a burlesque tribute that will tickle your funny bone and have you screaming for more. Saturday, Nov. 8th, 9:30p.m., 1418 4th St. eventbrite.com/e/haunted-mansion-cabaret-a-spirited-tease-tickets-1884311509449
Travis Barker’s Run Travis Run: This wellness-and-running experience created by Travis Barker invites fans and fitness enthusiasts to join him for 5K runs, wellness workshops, and mindful activities. Sunday, Nov. 9, 9a.m. runtravisrun.com/santamonica
AJA Vineyards Succ + Sip - A Pumpkin & Succulent Decor Workshop: Enjoy a pumpkin succulent decor workshop hosted by Santa Monica community member Earl Clarkston. Tickets $55 per person includes a 3 wine flight and succulent pumpkin class. $50 for AJA wine club members. Sunday, Nov. 9, 2p.m., 1417 2nd St. ajavineyards.orderport.net/product-details/0198/Succ-plus-Sip-A-Pumpkin-and-Succulent-Decor-Workshop
Veterans Day Celebration: The city of Santa Monica will join the U.S. Army for a Veterans Day ceremony on the Santa Monica Pier. The event will feature exciting performances, distinguished guests, and more. The ceremony, which will take place on the Pier’s west parking deck, is free and open to the public. Tuesday, Nov. 11, 11a.m. santamonica.com/event/veterans-day-celebration
Plastic People Documentary Film Screening & Panel Discussion: Plastic People is an award-winning feature documentary that chronicles humanity’s fraught relationship with plastic and one woman’s mission to expose shocking new revelations about the impact of microplastics on human health. FREE. Tuesday, Nov. 11, 7p.m., Laemmle Monica Film Center, 1332 2nd St. events.humanitix.com/plastic_people
ONGOING: “Two Bit Circus” Pop-Up; Museum of Illusions
What to Eat & Drink?
LA Wine & Food Festival: During the 3-day event, guests will savor dishes from exciting local and internationally acclaimed chefs, sip beverage selections from top regional and international producers, and experience the cultural mosaic that makes this city a global food capital. From innovative tasting experiences to immersive pop-ups and artistic food installations, the festival is a feast for the senses—where food, culture, and art merge in the most delicious and Angelyne way. I am going Sunday and am looking forward to it! Friday–Sunday, Nov. 7–9, Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave. lawineandfood.com
Abbot Kinney First Friday Food Truck Fest: About two dozen food trucks are expected to line the street for the monthly event. Friday, Nov. 7, starting at 5p.m. abbotkinneyblvd.com
Pasjoli's Burnt Basque Cheesecake Listed on The Infatuation's "Best Desserts In LA" List: "The best dishes at Pasjoli involve some sort of oozing cheese, and turns out, that also includes dessert. This slim slice of Basque-style cheesecake with a blackened top is almost all cheese and no cake, with a custardy, fondue-esque middle that spills out like lava. A bit of tangy crème fraîche keeps things from veering sweet.” 2732 Main St. theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/the-best-desserts-in-la
New SoCal Vibes Bar and Tasting Room Now Open at 119 Broadway: Be the first to experience this new spot in Santa Monica! Socal Vibes is a beach-themed cider house and tasting room offering a diverse selection of craft beverages, including their famous Honest Abe cider, delicious meads, fresh cocktails, and a rotating food menu with indoor and outdoor seating. The Santa Monica location features a casual atmosphere with live music and game nights! The company also pledges 1% of its profits to environmental efforts through the Surfrider Foundation. instagram.com/socalvibesco/
Xuntos Launching a Wine Club: It features a monthly collection “built on the belief that wines should ring true to their origins — & be fun to drink.” They also offer optional add-ons like Aperitivos + Conservas or a rare “Gran Reserva” cellar pick. 516 Santa Monica Blvd. app.table22.com/product/bar-xuntos-wine-club
Shake Shack Launches Limited-Time French Onion Menu: Offerings include French Onion Soup Burger (quarter-pound beef patty topped with Gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, crispy sweet onions, and roasted garlic parmesan aioli), French Onion ‘Shroom Burger, French Onion Shack Stack, Parmesan Garlic Fries, and Onion Rings.
Salt & Straw Launches Thanksgiving Ice Cream Series: Flavors include Parker House Rolls w/ Salted Buttercream, Turkey Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce, Maple Koginut Squash with Pomegranate, Pumpkin Pie Tiramisu, and Cranberry Orange Sorbet. Now through Nov. 27, 1357 Abbot Kinney Blvd. & 11640 San Vicente Blvd. saltandstraw.com
Looking Ahead: SaMo City Tree Lighting (11/20); Montana Ave. Holiday Walk (12/6); Venice Holiday Sign Lighting (12/6); Main St. Tree Lighting & Holiday Party (12/7); SaMo 150th Anniversary Grand Finale Celebration (12/13); SANTA Monica Pub Crawl (12/13); Meet Me Under the Fig Tree (12/14)
If there’s something you think is worth highlighting, you can reach out directly to me at sean@smdp.com. Here are my past columns and let me know if you have any feedback on Around Town:Ice at Santa Monica, LA Wine & Food Festival, and More!
