Michele StuevenWho needs an advent calendar when you have 20 Days of Sides at Baby Blues BBQ? In honor of its 20th anniversary, the Venice BBQ joint will offer free sides from Sunday, Dec. 1 through Friday, Dec. 20. A minimum spend of $15 is required per order.
Baby Blues BBQ highlights include hushpuppies, fried green tomatoes, smokin’ wings, Memphis-style ribs, baby back ribs, pulled pork, brisket, tri-tip, Gulf Coast catfish, and grilled tiger shrimp. The plant-based section offers country-fried tofu sandwiches, sautéed spinach, baked beans, and vegan corn muffins. Beers like Skyduster Westcoast IPA and Santa Monica Pale Ale are on tap and a selection of red and white wines and frosé are available, too. Here’s the lineup
Sunday, Dec. 1 – Coleslaw
Monday, Dec. 2 – Banana pudding
Tuesday, Dec. 3 – Creamed spinach
Wednesday, Dec. 4 – Hush Puppies
Thursday, Dec. 5 – Potato salad
Friday, Dec. 6 – Pork & beans
Saturday, Dec. 7 – Collard greens
Sunday, Dec. 8 – Cornbread
Monday, Dec. 9 – Corn on the cob
Tuesday, Dec. 10 – Mac & Cheese
Wednesday, Dec. 11- Vegan corn muffins
Thursday, Dec. 12 – Fried okra
Friday, Dec.13 – Sweet Mash
Saturday, Dec. 14 – Baked beans
Sunday, Dec. 15 – Sauteed okra
Monday, Dec. 16 – Key Lime Pie
Tuesday, Dec. 17 – New Baby Blues BBQ hat
Wednesday, Dec. 18 – Fries
Thursday, Dec. 19 – Sauteed spinach
Friday, Dec. 20 – New fried pickles
Courtesy Holey Moley Santa Monica
Holey Moley Golf Club, from Australian entertainment company Funlab, opens on Friday, Dec. 6, on Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade. The experiential space spans two floors and is 9,748 square feet, featuring a full bar and dining program with whimsical cocktails and a playful take on comfort food. Paying homage to cultural icons from the 80s and 90s, it’s adorned with cheeky neon signs and playful decor and has moody indoor/outdoor lounge spaces, a karaoke room, and three immersive putt-putt courses in a multi-sensory environment. There will be 27 themed mini-golf holes over three campy courses, including Friendless Summer, Beware The Drop Bears, Tee Rex, Morning Tee With Granny, and Par for the Corpse.
Lugano Diamonds Split Rock Jumping Tour comes to Santa Anita Park now through Sunday, Nov. 24 with a custom lineup of specialty cocktails. Highlights include the Split on the Rocks with Casamigos reposado tequila, St. George spiced pear liqueur, and a touch of pink guava, the Just Like That made with Grey Goose, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, yuzu, and honey syrup, and a Sunset Spritz made with Lyres Italian Spritz, grapefruit juice, and sparkling nonalcoholic wine, topped with a tart grapefruit garnish. Other NA options include the All Night Long (No combining espresso with Lyres Agave Blanco Spirit and Lyres Coffee Originale. There will also be VIP experiences like curated vendor villages, upscale dining options, and live music from Delilah’s band.
From colorful candy-themed boats and sparkling lights to sweet treats and carnival rides, the 48th Annual Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights & Fireworks takes place on Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14, followed by a fireworks display. This year’s theme, Candy Land, will transform the waterfront into a sugary spectacle, with vibrant boats and holiday cheer lighting up the night sky. There will be live entertainment, LED light performers, the popular faux snowfall, and professional bubble shows by SB Bubble Guy. Sweet treats inspired by this year’s theme include kettle corn, candy apples, and funnel cakes. Pop into Top This Chocolate for custom gourmet chocolates, grab whimsical creations at Coastal Cone Ice Cream, and savor French pastries at Le Petit Café & Bakery in the Harbor Village. Visit venturaharborvillage.com for more information.
What’s Popping Up is a column in the L.A. Weekly that explores everything new in food and drink.
HoneyBee cocktail featuring Beyonce’s Sir Davis American Whisky, honey syrup, lemon juice, and San Pellegrino Limonata at Santa Anita Park (Courtesy SirDavis American Whisky)