Events
“Fright Nights” at AleSmith
Oct. 20-21; Oct. 27-29. Care for a beer with a side of fear? AleSmith Brewing Company invites you on a haunted tour through its brewery—from its shipping docks back to the Zien Family Farm. Learn firsthand what makes the company’s famous seasonal ale, the Evil Dead Red, so intriguing; just beware of the “Red Harvest” as you stroll through the wheat fields. The faint of heart are welcome to hang out in the main tasting room (not recommended for young children). 7:30-10:30 p.m. Early bird tickets are $25. 9990 AleSmith Court, Miramar, 858.549.9888. More Info
Beachside Fall Fest at Belmont Park
Through Oct. 31. Belmont Park’s annual celebration of all things autumn offers something fun for everyone. Festivities include a pumpkin patch; Pumpkin Plunge at Plunge Pool, where the kiddos can actually swim with pumpkins; face painting and glitter tattoos (Sundays); fall treats from Sweet Shoppe and other Belmont Park outposts; and free trick-or-treating (Sundays beginning at 5 p.m.; costumes encouraged). Stay and dine at restaurants such as Cannonball, Draft and Beach House. Open daily (see website for hours). 3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach. belmontpark.com
Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero
Through Oct. 31. Outdoor moviegoing reaches new heights with Rooftop Cinema Club, which presents movie screenings on the fourth-floor terrace of the Manchester Grand Hyatt. It’s an elevated cinema experience—including a state-of-the art projector, headphones and deck chairs; plus popcorn and snacks available for purchase. Films span recent box office hits to cult classics. The lineup this weekend includes Hocus Pocus on Friday; Ghostbusters on Saturday; and The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Scary Movie on Sunday. See website for times and tickets. 1 Market Place, downtown. More Info
Food + Drink
Flamenco Dinner Show at Cafe Sevilla
Oct. 21. Spice up your Saturday night with dinner and flamenco dancing at this beloved Spanish eatery. Cafe Sevilla presents a two-part flamenco performance, featuring seasoned dancers who were trained in Spain; along with a three-course dinner featuring its award-winning Paella Valenciana. Add-ons include a tapas menu, wine and a full bar. Advance tickets are required and include entry to the restaurant’s nightclub. 6:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m., with communal-style seating assigned upon arrival.) $89.50 per person. 353 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.5979. More Info
Rancho BEERnardo Festival
Oct. 21. Sip some beer in the sun for a good cause. Rancho Bernardo’s Webb Park transforms into a campus for beer lovers for this 11th annual festival—featuring two dozen local breweries. Sample suds from AleSmith, Karl Strauss, Gravity Heights, Maui Brewing, Eppig, Original 40, Lake Arrowhead Brewing and more; plus wineries, food trucks and live entertainment. Proceeds from event sponsorships and ticket sales will benefit several local and international charities. 2-5 p.m. $65-$90. 16826 Bernardo Center Drive, Rancho Bernardo. More Info
Craft House Fashion Valley
Now Open. Welcome to the jungle. Complete with hanging vines, roped partitions, and Tulum-inspired decor, Craft House has opened at Fashion Valley Mall—serving gastropub fare with Mexican influences for lunch and dinner. Expect those famous handcrafted “Monster Burgers,” hearty sandos, short-rib mini tacos, Fishermen’s Stew and charred octopus. To drink: cocktails like the Coco Loco Margarita, Tamarind Painkiller and Chocolate Bliss Martini. Dine inside or on the 800-square-foot patio. See website for hours. 7007 Friars Road, Suite 347, Fashion Valley, 619.314.4574. More Info
Sunday Brunch at The Mental Bar
Now Available. Sunday brunch is served at The Mental Bar. The community hub and cafe offers homestyle favorites like chicken ‘n’ waffles, barbecue-chicken flatbread, avocado toast, chicken-avocado sandwiches and more. Wash it all down with a mimosa, wine, beer, craft lemonade, coffee and tea drinks, or a wellness beverage. Try the Coconut Paradise packed with coconut powder for an energy boost; or the Sunset Latte with turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and black pepper to mitigate inflammation. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 6325 Imperial Ave., Encanto Village, 619.230.5099. thementalbar.com
Weekend Brunch at Techo Beso
Now Available. The AC Hotel’s rooftop lounge is popular for its city views, specialty cocktails and Mexican-inspired fare. And now guests can enjoy weekend brunch here. Feast on the Mexican Benedict, with two poached eggs over tamale cakes, topped with brisket and avocado; the Hangover Burger with fried eggs and habanero mayo; brioche French toast with house-made whipped cream; steak ‘n’ eggs; chilaquiles; and breakfast tacos with smoked cheddar. (Return for Techo Beso’s new happy hour every Wednesday through Friday.) See website for hours. 743 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. techobeso.com
Arts + Culture
Bella Vita Fest in Little Italy
Oct. 21-22. Little Italy’s first chalk art festival since 2016, Bella Vita Fest is a celebration of Italian Heritage Month. Peruse myriad chalk art paintings on asphalt (an artform dating back to the 16th century in Italy); along with tastings from more than 25 wineries offering vino spanning 14 regions of Italy; live music by the Gypsy Swing Cats and Rat Pack Reborn; and food from Monello, Bencotto and Tarantino Gourmet Sausages. Sa-Su 11 a.m.-5 p.m. See website for tickets (free admission for kids under age 12). India Street, Little Italy. bellavitafest.com
La Jolla Playhouse’s SUMO
Closes Oct. 22. “Welcome to the dohyō. Where the national heroes of Japan are made. These men are not gods, they are sumo. But sumo wrestlers were once gods.” A coproduction with Ma-Yi Theater Company, La Jolla Playhouse presents the world-premiere play, SUMO. Playwright Lisa Sanaye Dring introduces us to six sumo wrestlers who train at an elite facility in Tokyo—revealing their what drives them, as competitive fighters, to be the best. Ralph B. Peña directs. See website for showtimes and tickets. Mandell Weiss Forum, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org
Photo credits: SUMO / La Jolla Playhouse by Rich Soublet II. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
