Unity Beer Bottle Release
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm, June 17
Smog City Brewing, Torrance
http://www.facebook.com/events/1611333909145540/
Come to Smog City Brewing in Torrance this Wednesday evening for the bottle release of Unity, the official beer of LA Beer Week. Visitors can purchase bottles, fill growlers, and/or enjoy Unity right in the tasting room.
Taste of Little Italy
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, June 17
Little Italy, Downtown San Diego
http://www.tasteoflittleitalysd.com/
Sample the local flavor of Little Italy this Wednesday night, as attendees stroll through Little Italy and sample food directly in each participating business. Attendees pay for a stamp card with boxes representing each participating business. After receiving a sample, that business will stamp their corresponding box. Two different stamp cards exist for a north route and a south route, and each route’s stamp card costs $30 each, while purchasing both costs $45.
Belmont Shore Stroll & Savor
5:30 pm – 9:00 pm, June 17-18
Along 2nd Street, Belmont Shore
http://www.belmontshore.org/events.html
This “Taste of Belmont Shore” occurs during the summer months annually from May through August on the third Wednesday and the Thursday immediately after. Attendees may purchase booklets of 12 tickets for $10, and redeem these tickets for food & drink samples from various restaurants along 2nd Street. Buy tickets presale now at Olives Gourmet, La Strada, We Olive, Mail Boxes etc. & Sweet Jill’s, or purchase tickets in front of CHASE BANK during the event.
Psychonauts 10th Anniversary
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm, June 17
iam8bit, Echo Park
http://www.facebook.com/events/710551265723205/
Indie video game Psychonauts released to the public ten years ago, and to celebrate, iam8bit will have a free night dedicated to it with art, drinks, and gaming. Guests under 21 must have an accompanying adult.
Build Your Own Mac & Cheese Night
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, June 18
Beachwood BBQ, Seal Beach
http://beachwoodbbq.com/events.html
Build Your Own Mac & Cheese Night returns to Beachwood BBQ in Seal Beach this Thursday night! No reservations required – simply show up, get a table or seat at the bar, then customize your mac & cheese. Pick the toppings, herbs, cheese, sauce, meats, and pasta, and order a nice cold glass of craft beer.
AleSmith & Modern Times Beer Dinner
6:30 pm – 9:30 pm, June 18
OB Warehouse, Ocean Beach, San Diego
http://www.facebook.com/events/112234452443474/
Enjoy a four-course dinner featuring beer pairings courtesy of AleSmith and Modern Times of San Diego. Reservations cost $64 per person excluding tax and tip. No one under 21 may attend.
iam8bit 10th Anniversary Art Show
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm, June 18
iam8bit, Echo Park
http://www.facebook.com/events/766631996787578/
Art gallery iam8bit turns ten years old this weekend, and to celebrate, they will have over a hundred artists from around the world display their gaming art at the iam8bit gallery in Echo Park starting this Thursday night, complete with a live DJ spinning tunes all night.
The Slackers – Live in San Diego
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, June 18
The Observatory, North Park, San Diego
http://observatorysd.com/?event_id=5819225
Ska band The Slackers will headline a show in North Park this Thursday night as part of their North American Summer tour. Tickets to this show cost $16. No one under 18 may enter.
Guttermouth – Live in Southern California
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, June 18, The Karman Bar, Laguna Niguel http://www.eventbrite.com/e/guttermouth-tickets-17238403529
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, June 20, Alex’s Bar, Long Beach http://www.alexsbar.com/event/857359-guttermouth-long-beach/
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, June 21, Til-Two Club, City Heights, San Diego http://www.tiltwoclub.com/events/guttermouth-tba/
Famous punk band Guttermouth will headline a series of shows in California this week. Ticket prices and age limits vary with each show, so click on a link for more details.
The Misfits – Live in Southern California
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, June 18-20, The Observatory, Santa Ana http://www.observatoryoc.com/event/Misfits-Three-Day-Pass
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, June 21, The Observatory, North Park, San Diego http://observatorysd.com/?event_id=5618905
Legendary punk band The Misfits will headline four shows across four consecutive days this week in Southern California. Each show will also have great opening bands, so arrive early to check them out too. Tickets to these all-ages shows vary in price, so click on a link for pricing details.
FREE Ice Cream Sandwiches CREAM Irvine Spectrum Grand Opening
3:00 pm – 11:00 pm, June 19
Cream Irvine Spectrum, Irvine
http://www.facebook.com/events/1598286637085707/
As the title says, get a FREE ice cream sandwich during this shop’s grand opening this Friday, limit one per person.
Hot Sünner Nights
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, June 19
Select Beer Store, Redondo Beach
http://www.facebook.com/events/369770383222746/
To celebrate the summer solstice, Select Beer Store will pour Sünner Kölsch, a hard-to-find beer, this Friday night at their shop in Redondo Beach. No admission required – come in and enjoy a cold one there, or take a bottle or two to-go.
Valiant Brewing & Center Street Cheese – Beer & Cheese Pairing
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, June 19
Valiant Brewing, Orange
http://www.facebook.com/events/869609686451667/
For $20, receive a pairing of five gourmet cheeses and five craft beers at Valiant Brewing in Orange this Friday night.
Original Long Beach Punk Rock
7:00 pm – 2:00 am, June 19
Blacklight District Lounge, Long Beach
http://www.facebook.com/events/1480973508859622/
Enjoy some local punk rock at this show in Long Beach this Friday night. The cover for this show costs $5. No one under 21 may enter.
Punk Night @ The World Famous Doll Hut
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, June 19
The World Famous Doll Hut, Anaheim
http://www.facebook.com/events/1636442293265154/
Get your weekly dose of punk rock this Friday night at the Doll Hut in Anaheim. The cover for this show costs $5. No one under 21 may enter.
Gang Green – 2015 West Coast Tour
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, June 19, The Airliner, Los Angeles http://www.facebook.com/events/816461821756629/
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, June 20, Characters Sports Bar, Pomona http://www.gonzopresents.com/event/206546
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, June 21, The Observatory, Santa Ana http://www.observatoryoc.com/event/gang-green
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, June 21, Alex’s Bar, Long Beach http://www.alexsbar.com/event/871463-gang-green-long-beach/
Punk band Gang Green currently tours across the west coast, and that tour will swing through Southern California this weekend. Tickets and age limits vary with each show, so check with a particular show to see how much it costs and the age required to enter.
7th Annual Los Angeles Beer Week
June 20-28
Greater Los Angeles Area
http://www.labeerweek.com/
This 9-day beer celebration covers Los Angeles through Orange County, starting with a beer fest at Exposition Park. During this period, virtually every restaurant, bar, gastropub, and any other craft beer establishment will host some sort of beer event. Literally hundreds of beer events will take place over 11 days in the Greater Los Angeles Area, so for an abridged list, visit the website linked above. Even the website cannot contain every single event! Check with your local favorite brewpub to find out how they will participate. For the purposes of condensing this list, I will not include any event that directly relates to LA Beer Week, as their website will list them all.
AleSmith Mr. Padre 5.5K Charity Run/Walk
8:00 am – 12:00 pm, June 20
NEW AleSmith Brewing, Miramar, San Diego
http://www.active.com/san-diego-ca/running/races/alesmith-mr-padre-5-5k-2015
Participate in a charity 5.5k run/walk this Saturday morning, hosted by AleSmith Brewing. The post-run party will have food and beer for participants.
9th Annual Car Show
10:00 am – 4:00 pm, June 20
The Crossing Foursquare Church, Whittier
http://www.facebook.com/events/862630587113226/
Enjoy a FREE and all-ages car show this Saturday afternoon in Whittier.
40th Annual Big Irish Fair & Music Fest
10:00 am – 7:00 pm, June 20-21
El Dorado Park, Long Beach
http://www.irishfair.org/
Southern California’s largest Irish Fair returns to Long Beach this weekend. This family-friendly fair brings Irish culture to one location, where attendees can see over a thousands Irish dancers, dozens of live bands, bagpipe demos, a shepherding show, athletic competitions, cultural reenactments, a parade, and more. Guests should bring cash if they want to purchase any food, drinks, merchandise, accessories, or any other Irish goodie. I suggest avoiding American food, and trying the Irish food that you would not find elsewhere. Admission varies depending on how you want to attend, with general admission costing $15 presale, and discounts available for seniors and students.
23rd Annual Pasadena Chalk Art Festival
10:00 am – 7:00 pm, June 20-21
Paseo Colorado, Pasadena
http://www.pasadenachalkfestival.com/
Watch hundreds of artists create massive works of art on the sidewalks, plus enjoy a classic car show on Father’s Day! Completely free to attend for all ages, attendees will also find live music, arts & crafts, merchandise vendors, food trucks, and more.
8th Annual Chili At The Beach
11:00 am – 6:00 pm, June 20
Downtown Huntington Beach
http://www.hbdowntown.com/chili-at-the-beach.html
Got a craving for heat? Satisfy that craving this Saturday in sunny Surf City, as the streets close to traffic for the annual Huntington Beach Chili Cook Off & Salsa Tasting. Free to attend for all ages, this all-in-one street fair covers a massive portion of Downtown Huntington Beach, filled with arts & crafts, food, drinks, merchandise, a kids’ zone, music, and lots of chili and salsa tastings. In order to taste the chili and salsa, guests must purchase tasting tickets for $10 presale or $15 on the day of the fest. As this area gets extremely crowded on this day, I suggest carpooling, taking public transportation, or parking far and walking to downtown.
Hamilton Brewery’s 1st Anniversary Celebration
11:00 am – 12:00 am, June 20
Hamilton Brewery, Rancho Cucamonga
http://www.facebook.com/events/949206648465273/
Hamilton Brewery turns a year old this week, and to celebrate, they have a special anniversary beer ready to release to the public. In addition, they will have special merchandise available for sale, plus FREE food for all guests starting at 12pm.
29th Annual Long Beach Bayou & Blues Festival
11:00 am – 9:30 pm, June 20
11:00 am – 8:00 pm, June 21
Rainbow Lagoon Park, Long Beach
http://longbeachfestival.com/
Enjoy a weekend of Blues & Jazz music, specialty Cajun & Creole food, a Mardi Gras parade, dancing, kids’ activities, and more. Ticket prices vary, with general admission costing $25 presale, and discounts available for seniors and students. This fest takes place outdoors with very little shade, so dress for the warm weather, and prepare sunscreen.
So Cal Brew Fest
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, June 20
Phoenix Club, Anaheim
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/so-cal-brew-fest-tickets-15723453272
Here comes a new challenger! A new beer festival arrives in Orange County this Saturday, complete with everything one would expect to find at a beer festival. General admission costs $40 presale or $50 at the gate, and starts at 1pm. VIP admission costs $50 presale or $60 at the gate, and starts at 12pm. All visitors receive unlimited beer tasters from all the participating breweries while supplies last. Bring cash for food truck purchases, and dress appropriately for hot weather. No one under 21 may attend.
Los Angeles Beer Week Kick-Off
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, June 20
Exposition Park, Los Angeles
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/la-beer-week-kickoff-festival-tickets-16242788618
LA Beer Week moves from September to June this year, and along with that huge change comes the big beer fest moving to the beginning of the week, as well as its new location of Exposition Park. Featuring over 75 breweries bringing over 200 beers, you definitely will not want to miss this epic beer tasting gala. General admission costs $45 and includes 25 2oz beer tasters and the souvenir glass. VIP admission sold out long ago, so I have no reason to list its features! No one under 21 may attend.
OC Weekly’s Summer Fest 2015
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, June 20
Newport Dunes, Newport Beach
http://microapp.ocweekly.com/summerfest/2015/
Come act merry and get drunk with other rich people at this fancy summer party this Saturday in Newport Beach. General admission costs $15 presale or $25 at the door, while VIP admission costs $30 presale or $40 at the door. Pay the admission, and you too can come get drunk and party with strangers that like to flaunt their status.
2015 San Diego Beer Festival
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, June 20
NTC Liberty Station, San Diego
http://sandiegobeerfest.com/
From the people who brought us LA Beer Fest and OC Beer Fest comes SD Beer Fest, another event to get your drunk on. General admission costs $40 and starts at 2pm, while VIP admission costs $50 and starts at 1pm. All visitors receive unlimited beer tasters while supplies last. Bring cash for food from food trucks, and dress appropriately for hot weather, including sunscreen. No one under 21 may attend.
Anaheim Night Market
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, June 20
Farmers Park, Anaheim
http://anaheimpackingdistrict.com/event/2015/6/21/anaheim-night-market-5
Anaheim Packing District will hold its own night market this Saturday night. Unlike most other night markets taking place around Southern California, this has nothing to do with the Asian-influenced night markets. Instead, this event will simply have local crafts, artisans, musicians, curators, live music, and more.
The Stitches @ The Karman Bar
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, June 20
The Karman Bar, Laguna Niguel
http://www.facebook.com/events/1423979067911418/
Enjoy some local punk rock this Saturday night in Laguna Niguel. The cover for this show costs $10. No one under 21 may enter.
Father’s Day
June 21
United States
Do something nice for dad today!
Make Music Los Angeles 2015
June 21
Los Angeles County
http://makemusicla.org/
All day this Sunday, local artists will perform across Los Angeles County with endless diversity. Most of these performances will cost nothing, but check with the website for a full listing of music performances and where they will take place.
Father’s Day Craft Beer Brunch
10:00 am – 3:00 pm, June 21
Alpine Village, Torrance
http://www.alpinevillagecenter.com/upcoming-events/sunday-may-21-fathers-day-brunch/
Treat dad to a brunch buffet this Sunday morning, which includes two craft beers. Adults cost $23.95, teens cost $16.95, while kids cost $9.95. In addition, 5oz beer tasters will cost $1.50 on Father’s Day.
LA Beer Week Hangover Brunch
10:00 am – 3:00 pm, June 21
Far Bar, Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles
http://www.facebook.com/events/857246381022877/
Got a little too sudsy at the LA Beer Week Kick-Off the previous day? Far Bar will have a special brunch menu this Sunday morning in preparation for LA Beer Week.
6th Annual Summer Solstice Festival
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, June 21
Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton
http://themuck.org/events-performances/festivals/
Sample worldly cuisine at this cultural festival this Sunday afternoon at The Muck in Fullerton. The Summer Solstice Festival, which contains live music, arts & crafts, merchandise, and more, occurs the entire time, and costs nothing to attend for all ages. Guests may park for free at the venue.
Cascade Brewing & Friends for Father’s Day
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, June 21
Select Beer Store, Redondo Beach
http://www.facebook.com/events/399338190254468/
Just in time for Father’s Day, Select Beer Store has some uncommon Cascade beers on tap ready for your sipping pleasure.
Cask & Ye Shall Receive: MacLeod Ale Brewing’s 1st Anniversary
1:00 pm – 10:00 pm, June 21
MacLeod Ale Brewing, Van Nuys
http://macleodale.ticketbud.com/cask
MacLeod Ale Brewing turns a year old this weekend, and to celebrate, they will have a trio of cask beer tasting events at their tasting room in Van Nuys this Sunday. Expect to encounter a handful of other breweries sampling their cask beers as well as this event. Guests can choose to attend any of three sessions that each last three hours, and admission will vary based on how much guests intend to drink. $15 nets five drink tickets, $25 nets ten drink tickets, and $50 provides unlimited drinks for the duration of the session. Each session has a 275-person limit, so act fast if you want to attend.
Slaughter & The Dogs w/ The Briggs @ The Soda Bar
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, June 21
The Soda Bar, San Diego
http://www.sodabarmusic.com/calendar.php?event_id=2456
Punk bands Slaughter & The Dogs and The Briggs will perform in San Diego this Sunday night. The cover for this show costs $15. No one under 21 may enter.
A Punk, A Camera, and An Empty Stomach 