SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes Oktoberfest, Montana Ave Art Walk, Opera at the Beach, The Other Art Fair, and much more!
The Other Art Fair: This four-day event at The Barker Hangar showcases a curated selection of over 140 independent artists. Spy art for sale while enjoying live DJ sets, activations, installations, and a cash bar. Thursday - Sunday, Sept. 25 - 28. https://www.theotherartfair.com/la/
Penmar Oktoberfest x2 (Weekend 1: Fri 9/26, Weekend 2: Fri 10/3): Both weekends are sponsored by Paulaner Beer and feature all the authentic food, revelry, and oompah music of the season! W1 features Die Saukrauts and W2 the Ladyhosen band. Tickets are available here and include a free beer, wine or n/a. A limited number of newsletter subscribers are invited to use the coupon code OPA25 for 25% off.
“Not Enough Comedy: Venice”: Billed as the Westside’s premier comedy show, it aims to deliver sharp performances while fostering community engagement and supporting rising comedians. The KINN, known for its mission-driven community and curated events, provides a vibrant backdrop for the evening.
a comedy show featuring some of Los Angeles’ top comedians. Friday, Sept. 26, 6:30 - 10 p.m., 150 Horizon Ave. https://www.instagram.com/notenoughcomedy_/
Hispanic Heritage Month, Piñata Party: Kids can make their own piñatas and fill them with treats! Saturday, Sept. 27, 10:30a.m., Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Montana Ave. Art Walk: Montana Ave. transforms into a festive, car-free celebration with art, performances, kids’ activities, and a VIP Wine Garden. FREE! Saturday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/montana-avenue-art-walk-tickets-1588002812159
Oktoberfest on Third Street Promenade: Enjoy this FREE event as Downtown SaMo brings the Bavarian spirit to life with live performances, drinks, kid zone, and games for all ages. Don’t miss out on this Entertainment Zone event where you get a free Commemorative Downtown Santa Monica Beer Stein with purchase of a beer or cocktail.Saturday, September 27, 2 - 7p.m., 1200 - 1400 Blocks of 3rd Street Promenade (Between Wilshire & Arizona) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oktoberfest-downtown-santa-monica-tickets-1618487903889
Opera at the Beach: West Side Story: Lights, camera, action: Gather your blankets and lawn chairs, pack your picnic, and come experience the music and drama of West Side Story under the stars. Originally conceived as an opera, we’re paying tribute to Bernstein’s impact with the grand operatic treatment. New York City’s West Side is split between the Jets and the Sharks—but these warring gangs never imagined that two of their own could fall in love. FREE. Saturday, Sept. 27, 5p.m., SaMo Pier. https://laopera.org/community-learning/performances-events-for-all-ages
Broadstage: Stella Cole: The global viral sensation went from self-producing short a capella clips of classic standards online, to signing with one of the world’s biggest music labels. Experiencing Stella perform live is like stepping into a time machine–her captivating interpretations of 20th-century American jazz standards, popular songs, and show tunes from the Great American Songbook captivate audiences of all ages and transcend generations. Saturday, Sept. 27, 7:30p.m., 1310 11th St. https://broadstage.org/tickets-shows/calendar/stella-cole/
Cinema Sundays at Sunset on the Promenade: Cinderella: This summer, Third Street Promenade transforms into Santa Monica's most charming outdoor movie theater every weekend. Sunday, Sept. 28, 6 p.m., in front of the Apple Store, 1415 3rd Street Promenade https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cinema-sundays-at-sunset-tickets-1588204385069
ONGOING: “Two Bit Circus” Pop-Up; LiteBrite Experience; Wellness & Waves (through 10/11); Weekly Western Wednesday Line Dancing (through 10/29); Penmar Sunset Sessions (through 10/31)
What to Eat & Drink?
$20 Luke’s Lobster Rolls for National Lobster Day: Yes…National Lobster Day is a thing. Ha! Each roll is filled with wild-caught and sustainably sourced lobster meat on a split-top, toasted buttered bun with a swipe of mayo, a drizzle of lemon butter, and a sprinkle of Luke’s Secret Seasoning. Each order also comes with chips and a soft drink. Thursday & Friday, Sept. 25 - 26, 200 Santa Monica Blvd. https://www.instagram.com/lukeslobster/
Taste the Flame: Jack Arnold BBQ Experience at Fairmont Miramar: Feast on dry-aged Steaks from Colorado Craft Beef, expertly grilled over XL Kong Ceramic Grills by Grilla Grills, paired with artisanal salts by Osmo. Enjoy sips of Tequila Seltzers, Piña Colada mimosas, and more. The night will glow with live-fire theatrics, curated bites, and signature Jack Arnold flair. Whether you're a barbecue fanatic or just looking for an epic night out, this is your chance to taste the flame. Saturday, Sept. 27, 5p.m., 101 Wilshire Blvd. https://www.fairmont-miramar.com/explore/event-calendar/#!/event/9ab92a96-23af-4472-adb9-1170e2edf2cd
Stop The Void Charity Dinner at Citrin: The special 5-course dinner will feature Michelin-starred guest chefs Matthew Kammerer (Harbor House Inn), William Bradley (Addison), & Genevieve Gergis (Bestia, Bavel, Saffy's) at Citrin & Mélisse, benefitting Stop the Void, a charity close to Chef Josiah's heart. After losing his son Augie at 23 years old, Chef Citrin has dedicated his time to spreading awareness of fentanyl poisoning in the hopes that his work can help at least one person. $750. Sunday, Sept. 28, 1104 Wilshire Blvd. https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1070095&restref=1070095&experienceId=529771
Wally's Celebrating 100 Years of Rioja Tasting: Enjoy 5 exceptional wines alongside artisanal cheese, charcuterie, and small bites from their kitchen. $75. Thursday, Oct. 2, 5p.m., 214 Wilshire Blvd. https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1020850&restref=1020850&experienceId=535715
Blue Plate Oysterette Community Dinner Series: Join a gourmet dinner at sunset for $33. Enjoy a chef-curated meal, mingle with your Santa Monica neighbors, and soak in the sunset from our communal table. This month the featured dish will be seafood enchiladas served with shaved elote and Mexican slaw.. Monday, Sept. 29, 6 - 8p.m., 1355 Ocean Ave. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bpo-community-dinner-series-tickets-1712476375939
Birdie G’s, once called ‘Santa Monica’s hottest restaurant,’ set to close in December: The celebrated restaurant from chef-partner Jeremy Fox will close Dec. 31, citing the January fires and a range of other economic impacts as contributing factors. Birdie G’s plans to end its run with specials, guest chefs and experimentation through the rest of the year. https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2025-09-17/birdie-gs-restaurant-jeremy-fox-closing-santa-monica
Rustic Canyon ON MEAT / Kwéyòl Dinner: Join renowned chef and bestselling author Jeremy Fox of Los Angeles’s Rustic Canyon and Birdie G's for an exclusive dinner at Rustic Canyon in collaboration with Nina Compton in celebration of Fox’s new book On Meat (Phaidon) and Compton's new book Kwéyòl / Creole (Clarkson Potter). Thursday, October 2, 2025 5:00 PM https://resy.com/cities/los-angeles-ca/venues/rustic-canyon/events/on-meat-kweyol-dinner-at-rustic-canyon-2025-10-02
Multiple SaMo Shops Make the Infatuation's "Best Sandwich Shops in LA" List: Bread Head, Bay Cities, Lady & Larder, and Tre Mani all get love! For Tre Mani, they say it “is a lunchtime-only sandwich pop-up inside Ghisallo that makes schiacciata sandwiches. That’s the word for Roman-style flatbread, or as we like to call it, another big-ass Italian sandwich in LA. The incredible bread is baked by Jyan Isaac next door and is spongy and fluffy on the inside, and crackly on the outside. Ghisallo brings the filling to the party, and the results are glorious: mortadella with horseradish and fennel, salty salami punched up with sweet blueberry jam, and roasted eggplant with a hit of Calabrian chili heat.” https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-sandwich-shops-in-la
Looking Ahead: Tech St. Santa Monica (10/13); 3rd St. Promenade Dia de los Muertos Celebration (10/18); Main St. Day of the Dog Festival (10/19); OTH Santa Monica Seafood Festival (10/19)
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: Oktoberfest, Montana Ave Art Walk, Opera at the Beach & More!