Michele StuevenDeath & Co LA will be bringing back its fan-favorite pop-up in December, transforming the Standing Room bar into a retro holiday party called Season’s Greetings.
The festivities begin on Wednesday, Dec. 3, and will run from Wednesday through Sunday from 6 p.m. til midnight through the end of the year (except for NYE). The sublevel space will be outfitted with all the trappings of a nostalgic yuletide gathering, including festive lighting, vintage décor, and a cocktail and food menu that includes seasonally-appropriate serves like Vintage Eggnog, Polar Espresso, Gingerbread Toddy, and Peppermint Puppy Chow.
Limited reservations are available now via Tock, but walk-ins are welcome
The Coquito Holiday Highball at Death & Co LA (Shelby Moore)
When life gives you lemons, you get Ed Ruscha. The legendary artist and chef/restaurateur Ruthie Rogers will launch their new Rizzoli book, Squeeze Me: Lemon Recipes & Art, at the Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center at Vista Del Mar on Sunday, Dec. 7. They’ll be talking about the book with Laurene Powell Jobs as part of Live Talks LA. Packed with fifty recipes from appetizers to main courses, the book casts the lemon as the star of sweet and savory dishes like creamy risotto al limone and a sweet lemon tart accompanied by art created by Ruscha. Get tickets here.
The Santa Monica Pub Crawl is back, with more than 20 of the city’s popular bars and restaurants in Santa Monica participating, including Edgemar, Jameson’s, Barney’s Beanery, LuLa’s Cocina Mexicana, Santa Monica Whaler, 1212, Tavern on Main, Ashland Hill, Library Alehouse, JuneShine, Britannia, Cabo Cantina, Lanea, Ye Olde King’s Head, Socal Vibes, Holey Moley and Vamos Vamos.
© Squeeze Me: Lemon Recipes & Art by Ruthie Rogers and Ed Ruscha, with Heather Ive; Rizzoli New York, 2025
Tickets include free entry to the venues, exclusive $6 to $9 drink deals, and discounted food all night long, one free drink for the first 500 crawlers at each route, priority entry to Santa’s official after-party, prizes for best holiday costume and best holiday spirit. Pulse there’s a scavenger hunt with prizes and beer gardens.
In celebration of Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary, there will be a block party on the 3rd Street Promenade in the new Entertainment Zone with outdoor stages, DJs, and pop-up holiday bars.
Unique Green, a next-generation Taiwanese milk tea brand, is making its North American debut with its first flagship store opening in San Gabriel on Saturday, Dec. 6. Known as the “gentle monster of milk tea”, UG Tea blends floral-forward recipes and futuristic design, with eco-consciousness.
With no additives, low sugar, and plant-based options, signature drinks include Camellia oolong milk tea, strawberry hibiscus fruit tea with tangy black currant, a strong next-level matcha latte, and a matcha smoothie blended with crushed cookies.
What’s Popping Up is a column in the L.A. Weekly that explores everything new in food and drink.