Events
Galentine’s Party at Punch Bowl Social
Feb. 9. Calling all gal pals! Friday evening is for the ladies. Punch Bowl Social hosts a fun night of festivities that include throwback board games (Candy Land and Girl Talk); themed craft cocktails, such as the exclusive Valentine’s Punch; beats by DJ Tigerlilly; a DIY friendship bracelet bar; a free pair of heart-shaped sunglasses; bowling and karaoke (book in advance); and pop-up vendors, including Sparked Up offering permanent jewelry, nail art by Anne Dominique, and flash tattoos from Stay Sacred Tattoo. 6:30 p.m. $15 general admission. 1485 E St., East Village. More Info
Super Bowl Block Party at Firehouse
Feb. 11. Catch the big game on a 20-foot LED Jumbotron at this 12th annual block party in Pacific Beach, presented by Firehouse American Eatery & Lounge. Guests can enjoy a full bar—including an agave bar by Camino Riviera and booths serving Juneshine and Melograno—live DJ music, a Dang Brother Pizza food truck, Dirty Bird wings, a silent disco, glitter and bracelet bars, and seating on couches and bleachers. See website for tickets; call for bottle service and table reservations 1:30-8 p.m. $39 per person. 722 Grand Ave., Pacific Beach, 619.344.1951. More Info
Super Bowl Fun at Draft
Feb. 11. Belmont Park’s sports-centric beachfront hangout hosts a fun Super Bowl celebration. Festivities include a 31-foot-LED screen (and 25 other TVs) to view the game; a wing-eating contest; games and raffle prizes; a special Super Bowl food menu, including sliders, fried pickles and loaded waffle fries; and plenty of cocktail, beer, wine and shot specials. Book a VIP table for a guaranteed, uninterrupted view of the game, bottle service and exclusive lounge seating (see website); no reservations needed for general admission. Starting at 2 p.m. 3105 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach, 858.228.9305. More Info
Super Bowl Party at Moonshine Beach
Feb. 11. A heads up in advance: Country music-themed hangout and concert venue Moonshine Beach is a designated bar for San Francisco 49er fans, who no doubt will pack the place on Sunday. Watch the Super Bowl on two massive LED screens inside and outside, and enjoy specials on beer, shots, bloody marys and drink buckets; plus deals on select food items (with the full food menu also available). No reservations needed (first come; first served). Loyalty card holders get in at 1:30 p.m.; open to the public at 2 p.m. 1165 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.999.0158. More Info
Food + Drink
Swing Social
Now Open. Formerly known as Johnny Wahoo! Golf Bar, interactive sports bar Swing Social is home to three Full Swing golf simulators that transport you to championship courses from Pebble Peach to Pinehurst; as well as 13 interactive virtual sports experiences. On the menu: craft cocktails, beer, wine and elevated bar fare from Rustic Root, including salads, pastas, fried chicken, truffle fries and house-made meatballs. Come for Super Bowl Sunday to watch the game and enjoy an all-day happy hour and SIM discounts. See website for hours. 527 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.642.2652. swingsocialsd.com
Omakase at Temaki Bar
Now Available. Known for its hand rolls, sushi and sake, Temaki Bar is now offering omakase—i.e., a chef-guided tasting experience of seasonal dishes. Headed by Clique Hospitality chef/partner JoJo Ruiz and Temaki executive chef Sebastian Sevilla, the 10-course menu is created daily, using the freshest local ingredients and sustainable seafood available. Expect artful small plates crafted before your eyes—made with fresh catches such as yellowfin, bluefin, o-toro, salmon, scallops and Baja striped bass. Available M-Th 5-8 p.m. (call for pricing). 575 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 760.704.8888. temakibarsushi.com
Arts + Culture
Hold Fast Exhibit at Birch Aquarium
Opens Feb. 8. Explore local kelp forests and climate change through the lens of three local scientists and artists in the new immersive art exhibition, Hold Fast, at Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Visitors can view cyanotype-printed giant kelp by photo-based artist and marine scientist Oriana Poindexter (pictured); come face to face with local species via gyotaku prints by artist Dwight Hwang; and get a glimpse into the world of kelp propagation with Scripps Oceanography Ph.D. student Mohammad Sedarat. See website for hours and admission info. 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, 858.534.3474. aquarium.ucsd.edu
The Age of Innocence at The Old Globe
Opens Feb. 8. The Old Globe-commissioned world premiere of The Age of Innocence—based on Edith Wharton’s famed 1920 novel set in New York City circa the 1870s Gilded Age—plays through March 10 on The Old Globe’s Shiley Stage. Adapted for the stage by Karen ZacarÃas (pictured), the play centers on Ellen Olenska, a glamorous countess who sweeps into town and shakes up the lives of all she encounters, including gallant lawyer Newland Archer. Chay Yew directs. See website for showtimes and tickets. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
Redwood at La Jolla Playhouse
Upcoming | Opens Feb. 13. Broadway icon Idina Menzel makes her La Jolla Playhouse debut in the world-premiere musical, Redwood. Menzel stars as Jesse—a successful businesswoman, wife and mother—who finds herself at a critical juncture in life, gets into her car, and drives away from it all … and toward the respite of Northern California’s redwood forests. The musical is written and directed by Tina Landau with music by Kate Diaz, but was conceived by Landau and Menzel—who also made additional contributions to the songs. 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org
Spanish Village Art Center
Open. Established in 1936, this historical artist collective is an underrated Balboa Park gem—known for its old-world architecture and brightly colored tile walkways reminiscent of an actual Spanish village. Stroll among its working studios, where you’ll witness art in action. More than 200 local artists—whose mediums span painting, sculpture, jewelry design, glass, wood, metal, mixed media and more—can be found creating their latest masterpieces. The center also hosts art classes, shows and special events. Open daily 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission. 1770 Village Place, Balboa Park, 619.233.9050. spanishvillageartcenter.com
Photo credits: Birch Aquarium / Oriana Poindexter by Chelsea Mayer. Spanish Village Art Center by KD Graves. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
