Fun-Seeking Travelers Should Visit These Two Switzerland Cities Amsterdam? Of course. The Greek Islands? Most certainly. Berlin? That's definitely on my party radar, a destination I'm looking forward to visiting in the future. But there are two other places that summer party travelers should have on their destination list: Zurich and Basel, Switzerland. I know … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2012
Go Wine Tasting in Santa Barbara Without Leaving Downtown
Urban Wine Trail Consists of Tasting Rooms From 17 Local Wineries The biggest drag about going wine tasting is that someone has to drive. Or you have to hire a driver, limo or other costly transportation. But not in Santa Barbara. The growing Southern California wine region has opened tasting rooms downtown, which means you can spend the day at the beach and go wine … [Read more...]
A Splendid Time in Zurich’s Splendid Piano Bar
A True Swiss Delight, This Nightlife Spot Is One of My Favorite Bars in Switzerland The place is absolutely Splendid! I found it because I saw a lighted sign above the door when everything else was either closed for the night or not happening. Worth a look, I surmised. Once again, my bar-finding instincts proved to be correct. I was in Zurich, Switzerland, and had … [Read more...]
The Thrill of Drinking Beers in the Streets of Zurich
Unlike in the USA, It's Legal To Consume Alcohol in Public in Switzerland I'm doing a toast to Switzerland. Holding my arm high in the air, cold beer in hand, and giving the country a big Proscht! Kissing her on the cheek – three times, of course – and walking hand in hand with her along the Limmat River to the lake in Zurich. Down the cafe-lined Steinvorstadt street in … [Read more...]
Albanifest in Winterthur One Of Switzerland’s Biggest Parties
Bands Play on Stages in This Music Festival Near Zurich That Attracts 100,000 Party People Anyone who says they don't party in Switzerland has never seen, heard about or been to the Zurich Street Parade, a massive moving techno event held each August (Aug. 11, in 2012). Or Albanifest, a three-day cultural musical extravaganza that features dozens of bands from several … [Read more...]
Beer Wars Brewing Between AB InBev and Heineken Spilling Over to Mexican Breweries
What the Potential Purchase Means For Us Everyday Beer Drinkers It's a takeover, with a twist. Anheuser-Busch InBev is in talks with Grupo Modelo about purchasing the remaining 50% in the Mexican brewery that it doesn't already own. Among the brands of Grupo Modelo is Corona, the brewer's top export to the U.S. It also has Pacifico and the various Modelo beers (Especial, … [Read more...]
Oliva Newton-John Performing in San Francisco
Australian Singer, a Cancer 'Thriver,' Is Back Touring 23 North American Cities This Fall She can, apparently, still get physical. Olivia Newton-John is back on the road touring in 2012. She's making a 23-city tour in North America starting Aug. 12 at the Northalsted Market Days in Chicago and ending Dec. 14-16 at Epcot Center at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. In … [Read more...]
The Swiss Do Party in Switzerland
Shedding the Stereotypes To Go Find the Fun Partying People There's a rumor going around that the Swiss people are not exciting. That they are too methodical in their methods, as stiff as a flagpole, as unemotional as as Spock on "Star Trek." Well thank goodness I've not met any of those Swiss people! The people I have met from Switzerland are just the opposite of their … [Read more...]
Landshark Lager Is The Perfect Summertime Beer
Not To Light And Not To Heavy It's Ideal For The Beach, Boats and BBQs. And Jimmy Buffett Concerts Summer has arrived, and that means going to the beach, the river, the lake, house parties, backyard BBQs, large and small gatherings of friends and strangers and on summertime adventures. Naturally, these activities go better with beer, whether it's putting a couple in the … [Read more...]
Get Your Tickets Now for the Trump National Wine & Beer Festival
Fun 4th Annual Event is Aug. 26 And Will Sell Out in Advance The setting is spectacular – high on a cliff in Palos Verdes, CA at an exclusive golf club – and the event itself surpasses even its surroundings. So it's little wonder that in just four years, the Trump National Wine & Beer Festival has become one of the top social events of the South Bay Beach Cities. It … [Read more...]
Bar Rescue’s Season Two Patches Up A Pirate Bar
Maryland's Piratz Tavern First of 10 Bars Being Rescued by Jon Taffer's Spike TV Show They might have thought of him as a scallywag at times but without him, the Piratz Tavern in Silver Spring, MD might have gone down without a fight. The themed bar was dead in the water – a waiter even lost an eye during a swordfight with a fellow employee – and rudderless with … [Read more...]
Hey Rory McIlrory: Here’s Some Irish Bars in SF to Drown U.S. Open Memories
The City's Best Irish Pubs, Top Places to Hear Irish Music and Have a Pint Well, Rory, you didn't make the cut at Olympic Club for the 2012 U.S. Open in San Francisco. But not to worry. You can still make the pubs! And there are plenty of them to explore, surely more fun than those first six holes at Olympic. Here are some suggestions on where to grab a pint in San … [Read more...]
LA Kings Victory Party Photos at Staples Center
Fans Celebrate 2012 Championship With Stanley Cup Champions Want to find the Stanley Cup? All fans had to do was show up in downtown L.A., on Thursday and it came to them. First, it was in a parade, free and open to the public. And then, it sat on the ice on Staples Center in a special ceremony for season-ticket holders and other lucky fans that was a rah-rah celebration … [Read more...]
LA Kings Celebration at Hermosa Beach’s North End Bar
Party Goes Into the Night At the Players' Hometown Bar After Kings Win The Stanley Cup The hometown bar of the players was the place to be in Los Angeles as local sports history was made on an overcast Monday night on June 11, 2012. Fans – true hockey fans and and several people who just wanted to savor the celebration – were out partying as the LA Kings won the Stanley … [Read more...]
Taste of Newport Has Hot Headliners Blondie And Devo
80s Punk Bands Playing on Saturday of the 24th Annual Music, Food and Singles Festival in Orange County The past has seen Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Huey Lewis and the News, the Doobie Brothers, Styx and Pat Benatar, but now the Taste of Newport may have outdone itself. The 2012 event has Blonde AND Devo. On the same night. These iconic early punk bands of the 80s are … [Read more...]
Blondie and Devo Team Up For Fall Concerts
80s Bands To Rock In 13 Cities for 'Whip It to Shreds' Tour This September The 80s are back! In the summer of rock 'n roll revival band tours, now comes this one of punk's early days. Blondie and Devo are combining for a 13-city tour in September that takes them across the country, with stops in California, Florida, Illinois (Chicago) Texas and Washington. It's called … [Read more...]
115,000 Attend Final Night of Electric Daisy Carnival
An Electric Ending to the Electronic Music Party in Sin City The final night of the 16th annual Electric Daisy Carnival brought 115,000 people to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and they were entertained by pyrotechnics displays on every stage, a fireworks show, music and even a wedding. Unlike the previous night when high winds hit the area, Sunday's weather was good, and the … [Read more...]
Malibu Beer Festival Was ‘In’ At the Malibu Inn
Kicking Back At This Laid-Back Beer Event in Malibu The sun was out, the beer was flowing and the people were partying. What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon in Malibu, CA? That's the way it was at the 2012 Malibu Beer Festival, held on a sensational Saturday, May 9. Even though this was Malibu there were no celebrities present. Unless you count the 25 or so … [Read more...]
Electric Daisy Carnival Continues The Show on Sunday
High Winds in Vegas Cause Insomniac to Adjust Schedule of The Popular Electronic Music Festival In a move made to protect fans and performers, Insomniac, the producers of the Electric Daisy Carnival, postponed part of the second night of the popular electronic music festival when high winds hit the venue, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, on Saturday, June 9. The show will … [Read more...]
Miss California USA Natalie Pack at Infusion Lounge Universal Studios
Open Auditions for Miss USA Contestants Take Place June 16 Here's an opportunity to get up close and personal with Miss USA California and, perhaps, Miss Universe. A preliminary contest for Miss USA is taking place at Infusion Lounge at Universal City Walk Hollywood on Saturday, June 16. The winner of Miss USA goes on to compete to be Miss Universe. The event is open not … [Read more...]
Celine Dion Is Back and In Vegas All Summer
Singer is at Caesars Palace in June, July and August After Vocal Cord Injury Those Caesars Palace Las Vegas commercials that end with Celine Dion getting a rose can continue to be on the air. After a vocal cord injury ended her run at The Colosseum prematurely in February, she's now back with a whopping 36 shows in three months this summer. And you can see her for as low … [Read more...]
Shark’s Cove Manhattan Beach Needs to Honor Its Happy Hour
Popular Sports Bar Goes to Full Pricing During 'Big Games' like the LA Kings I like Shark's Cove. The downtown Manhattan Beach bar – located just up the pier in a cool spot formerly known as Manhattan Coolers, for you long-time locals – is a clean sports bar that transforms itself into a fun nightspot later in the evening, often with bands. It's a perfect kick-back place … [Read more...]
Hey LA Kings Fans, Meet The Stanley Cup
Lord Stanley's Trophy Has Even Been in Manhattan Beach Los Angeles, meet your newest resident. It's 35 inches high, weighs 35 pounds and shines like the biggest celebrities. It will look great with all this sunshine. It's Lord Stanley's Cup – the Stanley Cup, for short – and it goes to the winner of the Stanley Cup Final, the National Hockey League's champion. Before … [Read more...]
Los Angeles Sports Fans Getting Behind LA Kings
Sports Bars, Particularly in Hermosa and Manhattan Beach, Are Feeling The Rush From Stanley Cup Excitement Something's happening in Los Angeles. There's a wave rolling in, and it's not the surf in El Porto. It's a wave of emotion, something not felt for 19 years. It's the LA Kings and the Stanley Cup Final. Back in 1993, the Kings were king for a day (well, actually a … [Read more...]
Cincinnati Music Festival Features 100 Bands
Weezer, Jane's Addiction and Death Cab for Cutie Headline Summer Festival July 13-15 You may not think of Cincinnati when it comes to music or music festivals, but consider this: It's where the term "Parrotheads" came from to describe Jimmy Buffett fans, and Buffett used the city in the opening line to his wildly popular song "Fins." And in July, the city is hosting a … [Read more...]
Insomniac Las Vegas Offering Nightclub-Style VIP
Bottle Service By Marquee Nightclub And A Helicopter Ride At Electric Daisy Carnival Leave it to Las Vegas to get creative when it comes to entertainment. The Electric Daisy Carnival is June 8-10 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. That's a half hour (with no traffic) from the Strip. And there will be traffic those nights. So why not arrive by helicopter? That's an option this … [Read more...]
Hear The Bar Blogger on Internet Radio
Party Report on Static Beach Radio in Hermosa Beach You read the words, so now hear the voice. I'm on the air, coming to you via the Internet each week on Static Beach Radio – staticbeach.com– a fun Internet radio station based in Hermosa Beach, CA. Once a week, I'm doing the PubClub.com Party Report. It focuses on happenings and my observations on the party and nightlife … [Read more...]
Harry O’s Still the King of LA Kings Sports Bars
The Manhattan Beach Bar Was Once the Home of the Kings and Hit Its Peak During the '93 Stanley Cup Final There's LA Live and in the South Bay Beach Cities – home to many of the team's players and even its coach – there's the North End. But when it comes to watching the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Final, no current bar comes close to the legendary Harry O's in … [Read more...]
Becks Gives Its Beer Bottles an Artistic Look
Labels Painted By Artists Provide a Fresh Look to a Refreshing Pilsner Many of us think of beer as a work of art. Its taste, its ability to stimulate conversation – some people even developing develop extreme passion for certain brands – and its overall contribution to the betterment of society are all emotions that exist among both beer drinkers and within the artistic … [Read more...]
Win A Weekend in New Orleans For Arena Bowl XXV
Big Times in the Big Easy On Some Hot August Nights New Orleans called and I answered. The city is giving away a trip to the Big Easy this summer for Arena Bowl XXV. Airfare, three nights hotel on a weekend, dinner or Sunday brunch at Commander's Palace (that's where Emeril Lagasse kicked his cooking career up a notch), tickets to the Arena Bowl and two pre-event … [Read more...]