07.18.2023

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Today’s Forecast

🍸 Don’t worry, be happy (hour)

Sip, snack, save: A guide to happy hour deals in San Diego

This drink — made for four people — comes in a disco ball and is available for $30 during happy hour at The Smoking Gun. | Photo via The Smoking Gun

Happy Drink Up Month, San Diego.

You told us you’re interested in happy hour deals around San Diego and we feel you. Let’s raise a glass and toast to local sip-worthy spots shaking things up downtown.

SD Cloak and Petal Happy Hour Guide 2023 — A Japanese Mule at Cloak & Petal.
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Photo via Cloak & Petal

Keeping spirits up

The Smoking Gun | Weekdays, 3-7 p.m. | Specials at this trendy downtown spot include a $6 Japanese Highball, an $8 Mai Tai, and the $30, Instagram-worthy Punch Bowl — a drink served in a disco ball, made for four, featuring Absolut Citron, Absolut Pear, Aperol, ginger, lemon, grapefruit juice, bitters, and champagne.

Cloak & Petal | Weekdays, 4-6 p.m. | Designed after the streets of Shibuya and Harajuku in Tokyo, this hip Little Italy restaurant offers discounted specialty cocktails, sake, wine, and draft beer, plus snacks between $3-$13, and specialty sushi rolls. Try the Japanese Mule featuring iichiko Saiten, ginger, lime, and Angostura.

Hungry for meal deals

Madam Bonnie’s | Thursday-Saturday, 3-6 p.m. | Come for the roaring 1920s vibes, stay for the seasonal happy hour deals, which include $5 Bonnie’s Blonde Ale, $6-$15 snacks, and food and drink combos like the $25 Baked Brie + Bottle of House Wine.

Queenstown Public House | Weekdays, 3-6 p.m. | Score $9 beer flights, Moscow Mules, or whiskey sours, plus $8 snacks like NZ Chips & Dip and sliders.

SD Barrio Star Happy Hour Guide 2023 — A margarita flight at Barrio Star.
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Photo via Barrio Star

Weekday wildness

Barrio Star | Weekdays, 3-5 p.m. | We spy a margarita flight for $20, a margarita for $8, sangria for $8.50, and snacks starting at $5.

Kansas City Barbeque | Daily, 3:30-6:30 p.m. | This will take your breath away: The iconic “Top Gun” bar offers daily specials on draft beer and snacks. We recommend grabbing a pint and perusing the movie memorabilia — and, of course, taking a seat at Goose’s piano.

18 more happy hour spots

Asked

Test your happy hour knowledge: Which of the following is true? (select all that apply)

A. One of the first references to happy hour was by Shakespeare
B. Massachusetts was the first state to ban happy hours
C. Ireland celebrates happy hour more than any other country
D. All of the above

Hit us with your best shot

Events

Tuesday, July 18

Twilight in the Park Concerts | Tuesday, July 18 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Spreckels Organ Pavilion, 2125 Pan American E. Rd., San Diego | Free | This week, the Back Pocket Whiskey Fellas take the stage.
Tuesday Night Potluck | Tuesday, July 18 | 7 p.m. | The Comedy Store La Jolla, 916 Pearl St., San Diego | Free with two-drink minimum | Take the mic and try your hand at comedy, or take a seat and take in the laughs.
“Crime and Punishment” | Through Sunday, Aug. 13 | Times vary | The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego | $90-$104 | Five actors retell Dostoevsky’s masterpiece with a zany twist.
Jesse & Joy Summer Tour 2023 | Tuesday, July 18 | 8 p.m. | The Observatory North Park, 2891 University Ave., San Diego | $55 | The brother and sister pop duo performs with special guest Francisca Valenzuela.

Wednesday, July 19

Gen X-Rated Comedy | Wednesday, July 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Mic Drop Comedy, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego | $18 | A night of laughs from comedians who know how to use VCRs and floppy discs.
Poolside Movie Series: “Roman Holiday” | Wednesday, July 19 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | La Valencia Hotel, 1132 Prospect St., San Diego | $40 | The luxe hotel’s summer film series kicks off with the 1953 classic starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.

Thursday, July 20

San Diego Comic-Con International | Thursday, July 20-Sunday, July 23 | 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. | San Diego Convention Center, 111 W. Harbor Dr. | It’s here — the iconic pop culture event takes over downtown SD and although it’s sold out, we’d be remiss if we didn’t cheer for the fandom in our home town.
Encinitas Cruise Night | Thursday, July 20 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas | Free | The summertime staple revs up once more in the heart of the seaside town.
Jeff Goldblum and The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra | Thursday, July 20 | 8 p.m. | Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego | $46-$136 | The man, the myth, the legend is in town, headlining the historic downtown venue with a full orchestra — because, you know, he’s fly like that.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Weather

Whew, this heat won’t quit. The National Weather Service San Diego says temperatures have been 8-20° above average for more than a week, and the prolonged heat wave will continue through the weekend. Temps are expected to gradually decrease this week, but are likely to remain hot inland. (National Weather Service)

Festival

With ongoing actor and writer strikes, many Comic-Con panels have been canceled — but the show must go on. This week’s pop culture convention will go back to basics, with much of the spotlight on comic book creators and smaller, niche panels. Many outdoor experiences are still on, too. (Screen Rant + The Hollywood Reporter)

Civic

The Registrar of Voters will hold two public hearings Wednesday, July 26, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., to gather public input on the County’s Election Administration Plan under the Voter’s Choice Act. Voters can give feedback on vote center and ballot drop box locations and voter outreach plans.

Open

Gotta go fast. Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe — a pop-up restaurant inspired by the video game series — is now open at 910 J St. The menu includes the Knuckles Sandwich, Fast Fries, and Blue Blur blueberry slushie. After the Con, it’ll remain open daily, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., through Sunday, Aug. 20. (SDCC Unofficial Blog!)

Coming Soon

Family-owned BBQ restaurant Smokin’ J’s will open its third location Friday, July 28, at 751 Fourth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter. The 3,800-sqft spot’s menu will include the brand’s beloved pork shoulders and briskets smoked for 12-16 hours, scratchmade sides like slaw, and new items only available downtown.

Biz

With a $31 million transformation under its belt, the historic Lafayette Hotel & Club has entered a new era of glam. CH Projects recently reopened the landmark property with new bars and restaurants, including Oaxaca-inspired Quixote and Gutter, complete with a two-lane bowling alley. More spaces will open in October. (Eater San Diego)

Drink

Drink Up, SD. Vista-based coffee co-packing company NuZee, Inc. has secured a licensing deal with San Diego’s Stone Brewing to launch a line of specialty coffee products later this summer. The offerings will include single-serve brew bags, whole bean bags, and Industrial Compostable capsules boasting Stone’s renowned name and logos.

Traffic

SANDAG is working on the Barrio Logan Segment of the Bayshore Bikeway, impacting parts of Harbor Drive. Northbound drivers will be shifted to the outside shoulder lane between Schley Street and Cesar Chavez Parkway through this Friday; southbound Harbor Drive at Beardsley Street will be reduced to one lane for the next six weeks.

Sports

Five San Diego Wave FC players (ahem, Alex Morgan + Naomi Girma for USA) will compete in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and the club is hosting local watch parties. Head to Novo Brazil Brewing in Otay Ranch this Friday, July 21, and Guava Beach Bar & Grill Wednesday, July 26.

Announced

Rapper Playboi Carti will bring his “Antagonist Tour” to Pechanga Arena Sunday, Sept. 17, with Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely, and Homixide Gang. Find tickets.

Fun Fact

Screen legend Jamie Lee Curtis is also a writer. She’ll debut her graphic novel, “Mother Nature,” exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con. The schedule shows the actress leading a discussion about her project in Room 6A this Friday at 1 p.m. The Titan Comics title will be released Tuesday, Aug. 8.

The Buy

Our new must-have for concerts and baseball games this summer: this clear, stadium-approved backpack. Psst — It’s also great for football games in the fall.*

Development

🌳 Fast Facts: Pepper Park

3 things to know: the redesign of Pepper Park at the National City Bayfront

A rendering of a pirate-themed playground at Pepper Park along the National City Bayfront

Ahoy, there: One of the additions will be a pirate-themed playground. | Rendering via Port of San Diego

Last year, we told you about the $6.1 million redesign of Pepper Park along the National City Bayfront, an effort to improve and rebalance land use at the prime public space.

Last week, the Board of Port Commissioners approved a Coastal Development Permit for the project. Now we know more about what’s coming to the 5.2-acre park adjacent to Pier 32 Marina — and we’ve got renderings, too.

Three things you should know:

The project is designed to improve the park’s existing spaces and additions will include a pirate-themed playground, a “perched beach” area, an overlook, a hillside play zone, and a splash pad.
Construction is set to begin in early 2024 and the Port of San Diego says it’ll take 12-18 months to complete.
If additional funding and certification becomes available, a future 2.5-acre expansion of the park could also be in the cards.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Monica

From the editor

Hi, friends. I was away on a family vacation last week, and it feels great to be back in your inbox. I hope you’re all doing great.

I have to tell you about Deja Brew Lounge, a cute spot for specialty coffee in North Park where Michael and I recently tried the Chai Latte and Vietnamese Coffee. We loved the relaxing space; it just feels so local — right down to the decor, trinkets, and jewelry for sale from local businesses.

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