Events
Lips’ Grand Reopening
Sept. 24-27. This year has been a bit of a drag; thankfully, the ladies of the city’s fabulous “drag palace” are back to lift your spirits. Lips’ weekend-long grand reopening celebration includes a new menu debut and a celebrity illusion drag show on Thursday (channeling Cher, Tina Turner, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj and more); “Glitz & Glam” nights on Friday and Saturday, when the gals go big with a Vegas-style showcase; and Gospel Drag Brunch on Sunday, starring the Sisters of Sequins. Call for reservations and hours. 3036 El Cajon Blvd., North Park, 619.295.7900. lipssd.com
Friendly Feast Pop-Up Bake Sale
Sept. 27. Satisfy your sweet tooth for a good cause. Purchase a box of six baked goods—with each item made by one of six local pastry chefs—filled with goodies such as Champagne-peach scones, brownies and sweet-potato empanadas, available for pickup at Born & Raised. Participating chefs include Brenda Gonzalez, Rocio Siso Gurriaran, Vivian Hernandez-Jackson, Rachel King, Adrian Mendoza and Faye Rodriguez. Proceeds benefit Friendly Feast and Monarch School, which supports students impacted by homelessness. 10 a.m.-noon. $35 per box. 1909 India St., Little Italy. friendlyfeast.org
SoulCycle’s “SoulOutside” Series
Through Nov. 9. Enjoy some fresh air and a 45-minute sweat session with SoulCycle’s “SoulOutside” series. Staged on the upper-level, open-air deck at The Pointe—located above SoulCycle’s indoor space at Westfield UTC—the studio is offering daily cycling classes, complete with 40 well-spaced bikes and silent-disco-style headphones. An added cool gesture: “The Essential Bike” is reserved each class for essential workers to enjoy a free ride. $28 per session, with packages available. See website for schedule. 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, UTC. soul-cycle.com | The Essential Bike
Dive-In Theatre at The Pearl Hotel
Upcoming | Sept. 30. It’s date night done right with The Pearl Hotel’s fall Dive-In Theatre series. Enjoy well-spaced poolside dining—complete with themed cocktails and a three-course meal by chef Peter Ziegler at the hotel’s Charles + Dinorah restaurant—and a screening of the 1978 cult classic Grease. The series continues every Wednesday through November, with a new dinner menu and movie each week. Reservations required. 8 p.m. (seating begins at 7:15). $50 per person. 1410 Rosecrans St., Point Loma, 619.226.6100. thepearlsd.com
Food + Drink
Parq West Pop-Up Brunch
Sept. 26. Did you know that bottomless mimosas pair perfectly with live music? Hosted by Behind the Scenes and San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival, Parq West presents a festive alfresco pop-up brunch on its Palm Court Patio—featuring a live performance by Electric Violin & DJ Pepper. The three-course, Baja-inspired menu includes such offerings as red chile breakfast enchiladas, chicken tinga tostadas and churro waffles. Reservations required. 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $49 per person (bottomless bubbly included). 2557 Third Ave., Bankers Hill, 858.638.1400. Reservations
Camp Cucina
Now Open. Shuttered due to the pandemic (and no onsite patio-pivoting space), Cali-Italian eatery Cucina Urbana has reemerged at new outdoor digs. Welcome to Camp Cucina, an alfresco pop-up at the Julep event venue—created in partnership with Julep’s main operator Snake Oil Cocktail Co. Enjoy classic Cucina small plates, scratch-made pastas, pizzas and entrees; paired with Snake Oil’s artisanal libations. We love the mushroom-and-goat-cheese pizza with caramelized onion and truffle oil—enjoyed in between sips of the Rosemary Negroni. Th-Su 4-9 p.m. 1735 Hancock St., Midtown, 619.239.2222. urbankitchengroup.com
The Wise Ox Butcher & Eatery
Now Open. To know your local butcher is to trust him. And carnivores can count on the highest-quality cuts of meat at this new neighborhood butcher shop, deli and restaurant. Wrap up cuts to-go straight from the butcher’s block, such as dry-aged wagyu, pork, poultry, sausages, marinated meats and seafood. Guests can also choose from made-to-order sandwiches and salads from the deli counter; or dine in-house on burgers and cheese and charcuterie plates—paired with wine and craft beer. Tu-Sa 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Su 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 2855 El Cajon Blvd., North Park, 619.564.8976. thewiseoxsd.com
Hidden Fish
Reopened. Consider it a speakeasy for sushi (sort of). With just 13 seats, the Convoy District’s intimate dining den is the city’s first traditional omakase sushi bar. This means the chef decides your meal of strictly nigiri (and maybe a few handrolls)—featuring rotating catches flown in from the famous Tsukiji Fish Market in Japan. Centered on a “timed dining” concept that is popular in Japan and NYC, the 90-minute experience includes 18 pieces of sushi for $100 per guest. See website for hours and reservations. 4764 Convoy St., Suite A, Kearny Mesa, 858.210.5056. Reservations
Arts + Culture
“Keep It Wild” Fine Art Exhibition
Sept. 25-Oct. 6. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, WILDCOAST—a San Diego-based conservation organization that works to protect ocean wildlife and coastal and marine ecosystems in the U.S. and Mexico—presents “Keep It Wild.” The virtual event encompasses an international fine art exhibition and fundraising auction—featuring works by more than 35 acclaimed artists from the U.S. and Mexico—in support of WILDCOAST’s efforts to raise awareness about climate change and oceanic conservation. The event kicks off on Sept. 25 at 4 p.m. $10 donation requested to attend. wildcoast.org
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Reopened. All aboard! In addition to its virtual “Steam for School” programming and other online experiences, this gem of a museum in Balboa Park has reopened its doors to members and visitors. Inside, discover a family-friendly treasure trove of all things locomotive. Learn about the heritage and history of American railroading by way of educational displays and exhibits, scale models of railroads across California, toy trains and more. Social distancing and safety protocols enforced. F-Su 11 a.m.-4 p.m. See website for admission prices. 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.696.0199. sdmrm.org
Photo credits: Friendly Feast by MAD Pics Photography. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
