11.13.2023

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Today’s Forecast

🍸 Fa-la-la-libations: Holiday pop-up bars

Fa-la-la-libations: Holiday pop-up bars in San Diego

Expect festive cocktails with a view at the Over the Top Lounge this season. | Photo via Over the Top Lounge + Top of the Hyatt

Feeling that holiday cheer? Us too — and we’re not (home) alone. Several San Diego bars will get into the spirit of the season, transforming into festive wonderlands with all the trimmings — wall-to-wall decorations, shimmering lights, and cocktails that sleigh.

Let’s raise a glass to local holiday pop-up bars where you can drink and be merry.

Miracle

Locations: Draft at Belmont Park + The Bar at Rancho Bernardo Inn
For the past few years, “Miracle” pop-ups have taken over bars in select cities across the world, including San Diego. This year, the holiday-themed event — known for its nostalgic, kitschy décor and festive craft cocktails — will take over Draft at Belmont Park in Mission Beach Monday, Nov. 20-Sunday, Dec. 31. You can also find the pop-up at The Bar at Rancho Bernardo Inn.

Sippin’ Santa

Locations: Lime in the Coconut, Chula Vista + The Grass Skirt, Pacific Beach
This beloved, tiki-themed wonderland will bring holiday drinks, light bites, and “more tinsel than grandma’s Christmas tree” to Lime in the Coconut starting Wednesday, Nov. 22, with 90-minute sessions inside the space.

Sippin’ Santa will also return to its longtime holiday home at The Grass Skirt in PB Tuesday, Nov. 21-Sunday, Dec. 31; reservations start at 5 p.m. daily.

Miracle on 30th Street SD — Editor Monica (middle) with her lifelong friends at a past edition of Miracle on 30th Street.
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Photo via Monica Garske

Over the Top Holiday Lounge

Location: Top of the Hyatt, Downtown San Diego
Sitting 40 stories high at the top of the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, this holiday cabin-themed pop-up experience features a cozy fireplace, stockings hung with care, and a menu filled with jolly cocktails and bites. See the Top of the Hyatt’s festive makeover nightly, 3 p.m.-12 a.m., starting Friday, Nov. 24.

3 more festive spots

Asked

My favorite drink during the holiday season is...

A. Eggnog
B. Hot cocoa
C. Anything cider-based
D. Anything with peppermint
E. Anything with cinnamon
F. Mulled wine
G. Hot Toddy

Spread the cheer(s)

Events

Monday, Nov. 13

Whiskey Club Event with Wyoming Whiskey | Monday, Nov. 13 | 6 p.m. | The Whiskey House, 420 Third Ave., San Diego | $65-$75 | Sample 1.5-ounce sips from the brand — Double Cask, Outryder, Single Barrel, and Small Batch — along with small bites.
Mary Lambert | Monday, Nov. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., San Diego | $25 | No “Secrets” here, the “She Keeps Me Warm” singer performs with Maiah Manser.

Tuesday, Nov. 14

Joshua White Trio | Tuesday, Nov. 14 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla | Free | The pianist who’s inspired by Western European Classical literature and Black American music traditions performs with his crew.

Wednesday, Nov. 15

Aztecs for Life Blood Drive | Wednesday, Nov. 15 | 9 a.m. | Viejas Arena, 5500 Canyon Crest Dr., San Diego | Free | Donate and receive a free Red Cross T-shirt and coupons from local businesses, while supplies last.
Laufey | Wednesday, Nov. 15 | 7 p.m. | The Magnolia, 210 E. Main St., El Cajon | $243+ | The Icelandic singer brings her dreamy, jazzy vocals to east SD via “The Bewitched” tour.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Tech

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News Notes

Weather

The US Climate Prediction Center expects a 55% chance of a “strong” El Niño along the West Coast this month through January 2024 — including San Diego County. This could lead to moderate flooding events; check out the city’s El Niño and storm preparedness tips. (Live Science)

Civic

San Diego’s Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs) — mini, permitted restaurants that operate out of home kitchens — are here to stay. The Board of Supervisors voted to make the program permanent and increased the number of meals MEHKOs can sell if they add food carts to their set-up.

Opening

City leaders will celebrate downtown’s revamped Children’s Park at 326 W. Harbor Dr. with a 9 a.m. ceremony tomorrow. The park features new playground equipment, an off-leash dog park, and “Petrichor” — an abstract, 3D installation by local artist Miki Iwasaki that’s part of the Civic Art Collection.

Sports

The Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) has launched San Diego Mojo, a women’s team owned by Olympic gold medalist and volleyball legend Kerri Walsh Jennings. The Mojo is set to debut in February 2024, competing alongside six other PVF clubs: Atlanta, Las Vegas, Omaha, Orlando, Columbus, and Grand Rapids. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Number

22-19. That was the score of the SDSU vs. Colorado State football game over the weekend, with the Aztecs falling short. The defeat marked the team’s first losing season since 2009 and ended SDSU’s 13-year bowl-eligible streak. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Announced

Winner, winner. The Breeders’ Cup has chosen the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to serve as the host site for the 2025 World Championships. The local venue hosted the prestigious event in 2017 and 2021, and will serve as the epicenter of next year’s Breeders’ Cup, too — set for Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, 2024.

Plan Ahead

San Diego Comic-Con 2024, is that you already? Open Registration for the beloved pop culture convention launches this Saturday, Nov. 18. The virtual waiting room opens at 8 a.m. and badge sales begin an hour later; for the best experience, find or create your Comic-Con Member ID beforehand.

Watch

It’s getting down to the wire on “Dancing With the Stars,” and San Diego’s own Jason Mraz is still going strong. The musician and his partner, Daniella Karagach, have been consistently good performers and with the Dec. 5 finale around the corner, it’s possible he could “Have It All.”

Question

If you could make a “Mount Rushmore of San Diego celebrities,” whose faces would you want on it? We asked the AI bot, Chat GPT, to suggest familiar faces and now we want your votes. Dr. Seuss? Tony Gwynn? Blink-182? Tony Hawk? Raquel Welch? Annette Bening? Tell us.

Trending

It’s here — Oprah’s Favorite Things list, just in time for the holidays. We’re seeing: luxury flaky sea salt, all-weather boots, fleece robes, and a baked brie board.*

Finance

This card is offering a rare $300 welcome bonus (and bonuses like that don’t come around that often). That’s why thousands are lining up for it. Learn more and apply.*

Coming Soon

🍩 The hole sweet comeback story

Copper Top Coffee & Donuts set to reopen in Pacific Beach

There’s nothing sweeter than a comeback. | Photo via Copper Top Coffee & Donuts

Donut worry, be happy. A coffee and donut shop that shuttered its Hillcrest location in May 2022 will rise again, reopening in Pacific Beach by the month’s end.

Copper Top Coffee & Donuts will open a new shop at 4636 Mission Blvd. next to Bare Back Grill within the next few weeks.

Owner Josh McCorkle told SDtoday the fresh space will feature an open kitchen where customers can watch — and smell — the sweet donut-making process.

The menu will feature 18-20 donut varieties, including the brand’s best-selling namesake — the Copper Top, with maple frosting, salted caramel espresso glaze, and dusted with espresso grinds. McCorkle said all of the donut sauces and latte flavors are made in-house, with a whole lot of pride.

McCorkle said he’s thrilled to return to SD’s coffee and donut scene — and judging by comments from customers, they’re ready for the comeback, too.

The Buy

This best-selling women’s pea coat you can wear with anything. We’re liking colors camel and khaki.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Monica

From the editor

San Diego has solid pizza places, and it’s always fun to discover a new one. My family and I recently tried Seaside Pizza Co. in Pacific Beach.

We loved the dough and selection of pies; we tried the Master Splinter (grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic) and Veggie Deluxe and both hit the spot. Tell us, what does pizza night typically look like for you?

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