May 4, 2012

Cinco de Mayo, Los Angeles! It’s Time to Fiesta!

Posted by Kim Ohanneson under Go Go Here | Tags: , , , , |
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Even the dead will drink on Cinco de Mayo

It’s been seven weeks since Saint Patrick’s DayAngelenos have had an excuse for an all-city bash and while there are Cinco de Mayo drink specials all over town, Ms. Go Go’s hand-picked “cinco for Cinco” list features events with that especial something that translates as fiesta.

Stay festive, my friends.

LAS PERLAS

In addition to the year’s best Cinco de Mayo poster, Las Perlas, Downtown’s dedicated palace of mezcal and tequila is teaming up with Herradura for wallet-friendly  Cinco de Mayo revelry: $5 Margaritas, $5 Herradura Silver shots and $4 Modello Especial cans.

Julio Arenas (voted best street taco in LA by…someone) will be selling his signature fare in flavors of chicken, chorizo, carne asada, and pastor on the patio for $1.50 a taco.

That’s going to be one crowded patio.

LAS PERLAS – Sat, May 5, noon-2am; Free/21+ — 107 E 6th St, DTLA 90014; http://213nightlife.com/lasperlas

Yes, the Battle of Puebla was won with a trumpet.

THE EDISON

The dilemma: You want to celebrate the Mexican army’s victory over France but you’re damn well not doing it with a plastic margarita glass.
The solution: The ever-elegant Edison handles your Battle-of-Puebla-victory needs in the classiest way possible.

In addition to music by the Latin Jazz band Mambo Loco, the Edison is cracking open their own Private Label barrel of Casa Noble tequila, pouring $10 Margaritas and $5 Victoria beers, and serving $5 Short Rib Tacos all night.

Nothing says victorious-battle-celebration like mambo and a short rib taco.

THE EDISON – Sat, May 5th, 7pm-2am; 21+/$10 — 108 W. 2nd St, DTLA, 90012.  Reservations:  213.613.0000; http://www.edisondowntown.com/

VILLAINS TAVERN

Weather update: Cinco Saturday promises to be “mostly sunny”.   Sounds close enough to party weather to Ms. Go Go.

If you want to get a cheap, early, al fresco start to the day, Villains Tavern is a Cinco de Mayo grand slam.  From noon to 6:00 p.m., the semi-patio’d drinkery offers $2 Milagro cocktails, $2 Tecates, hand crafted Milagro punches, three bands, and a selection of great taco trucks.  Post 6pm, check out Chef Rosie’s Ceviche Tostada and VT’s killer tacos.

A word about the punches: Milagro means “miracle”.  Just saying.

VILLAINS TAVERN – Sat, May 5th, noon-2am; free/21+ — 1356 Palmetto St, DTLA, 213.613.0766; www.villainstavern.com

For those who like their Cinco pink….

TE’KILA

The tequila bar in the courtyard of the historical Jane’s House has 100+ tequilas.  An unspecified number will be used in festive Cinco cocktail specials.

So far, so good.

From 11am to 2am, Te’Kila will also have $3 Modelo Especial and draft Dos XX.  And just to make sure you stay awake ’til closing, there’s a live Mariachi performance from 9-10 pm.

Just so you can set your watch.

There are also shot girls, free gifts, and, throughout the day, pinata smashes filled with surprises.

Which basically sounds like the best birthday party EVER!

TE’KILA – Sat, May 5th, 11am- 2am; Free/21+ — 6541 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood 90028; 323. 960.2404; http://tekilahollywood.com/

FIVE0FOUR

FiveOFour may be more NOLA than Baja but the Big Easy outpost  always throws a damn good party.  And since you’re in the neighborhood (literally, the same courtyard),  you might as well check out what may very well be the best Cinco de Mayo drink prices in the city: 99 cent Coronitas, $3 pints of Pacifico, $12 pitchers of Pacifico, and most exciting, $5 Herradura shots served out of the FiveOFour ICE LUGE.

They’ve also got some food specials in the works.  Presumably not delivered by ice luge.

FIVEOFOUR — Sat, May 5th, 11am-2am; 21+/free (but RSVP)  – 6541 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028  RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/404111569621374

Ready?  U Know U Want 2 Go Go….


 

December 30, 2010

DAMN THE DECADE AND FULL SPEED AHEAD: Last-minute New Year’s Eve options for drinking to remember or forget

Posted by Kim Ohanneson under Daily Go Go | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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Go Go’ers, it’s been a helluva decade.  Ring it out in style at one (or if you’ve got the stamina…ALL!) of the following Downtown palaces of drinks, delight and debauchery.

THE BIG TICKET: “1 Ticket, Eight Open Bars” is 213 Downtown L.A.’s promise to help you welcome the New Year in style.   You’ll want to wear your high-heeled sneakers for this celebratory crawl!

Casey’s Irish Pub
GRAM RABBIT on stage and well spirits +11 craft drafts and wine in your hand.
‘Nuff said.

Golden Gopher 
Go Go to the Gopher for open bar all night on well, beer and wine
DJ Mike Turski spins rock ’n’ roll till 2am

Las Perlas
Flower power your New Year! Open bar features handcrafted Spiced Daisy and popular Las Perlas house Margaritas
Indie Big Sonic Heaven DJ Darren Revell and Kapsoul rock the casa.

Seven Grand
Step into 2011 in high style  with Vieux Carre, Manhattan, Bourbon Fix cocktails inspired by Jim Beam Rye, Wild Turkey Rye, and Buffalo Trace or well spirits (or call for Maker’s Mark) + Deacon Jones All-Star Blues Revue w/ Artwalk Jamal and Special Guests

Broadway Bar
Party like it’s 1999! DJs B-Mix and J-Cru spin 80′s, Disco and Funk while you patronize the all-night open bar on all well products.

Tony’s Saloon
Keep it real at Tony’s; open well bar with select premium cocktails all night +
Raw roots blend of rock and twang with Paul Chesne and Guest DJs

Cole’s French Dip
Get your champers on at Cole’s.  Open Champagne Cocktails  Bitter Bar  featuring cherry, chocolate, mole and other libations  made with your choice of   housemade or branded  bitters.

Cana Rum Bar
Drink in the decade like Papa Hemingway with Cana’s Daiquiri Bar. Fresh handcrafted cocktails served throughout  the night while Icy Hot Club serves up vintage gypsy jazz with a modern twist.

(All-access Downtown L.A. New Year’s Eve party pass; $119 - $250 http://nyedowntownla.eventbrite.com/)

THE ROGUE’S CHOICE: Roots orchestra Dustbowl Revival will be tearing up the joint for FREE (That’s right!  A No Cover New Year’s Eve!) at  Villains Tavern.  The raucous revivalists go on at 9:00p.m.; the temple of boozy toasts starts serving free champagne after 10:00 p.m. (1356 Palmetto Street, 91003, 213.613.0766, www.villainstavern.com/)

IF THE COCKTAIL IS KING:  Cocktalian purists will want to head to the Varnish  to welcome the new with expertly handcrafted cocktails and a bottomless Bols Genever punch.  The Apple Sisters comedy trio (“Sarah Silverman meets the Shaggs” as described by the L.A. Times) will count down to the midnight champagne toast.  Contact general manager Chris Bostick to make reservations. (9:00 – 2:00 a.m. $119.  118 East 6th Street,   213.622. 9999  www.thevarnishbar.com

IF LUCK IS ON YOUR SIDE:  Presale tix to the Edison‘s ever-elegant New Year’s Eve event  have been snapped up but it’s worth stopping by the palace of steampunk at 10:00 p.m. for a chance to snag any unclaimed tickets.   The $75 billet  includes a midnight champagne toast, midnight tray passed dessert and performances by DJ James Spooner and two Stilters (that’s stilt-walkers to the uninitiated) PLUS a rare chance to see the Yard Dogs Road Show, a traveling cabaret self-described as a “love letter from the bordello of your imagination.”  Yes, you hope that Lady Luck smiles on you at 10:00…. (Yard Dogs Road Show performs at 10:00 and at 11:45;   $75; 108 West 2nd Street, 90012; 213.613.0000; www.edisondowntown.com)

BONUS TRAVEL INFO!

***Ride with the Angels — On New Year’s Eve only, the Angels Flight railway fare will be a penny to commemorate the 109th anniversary of the opening of the “World’s Shortest Railway” December 31st, 1901.   Angels Flight will maintain its regular 16 hour schedule that day, from 6:45am to 10:00pm.  A one way ride on the 298 foot railway currently costs 25 cents, $1 for five rides, or 40 rides for $7.50.  (351 South Hill Street, 213.626.1901.)

***Go Metro – Holiday Service FREE all night so no need to drink and drive, Go Go’ers!

***AAA Tow Service –  AAA is offering free towing for the 14th year in a row. Between 6pm and 6am December 31 to January 1, call 1-800-400-4AAA and ask for a “tipsy tow”. This does not include rides for passengers, and is a one-way tow up to seven miles. Anything after seven miles will be charged at normal rates. You do not have to be a member of AAA to use the free towing.

 

June 21, 2010

LUCHA Va VOOM: mayhem at the Mayan

Posted by Kim Ohanneson under Daily Go Go | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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Writhing and wrestling at the Mayan June 23/24

The Mayans used to rip out the hearts of  the living as offerings for the god of the dead.  The entertainment will be equally dramatic, if not quite as dire, at The Mayan theater when Lucha va Voom takes over the downtown temple of fun with “Hot Fun in the Summertime“.

First, get in the va Voom mood at one of Cedd Moses’s joints: perhaps a couple of  “Poblano Escobars”  (mezcal, poblano peppers, cumin, pineapple and orange liqueur) at Las Perlas or a “Cana Punch” (rum and many, delicious, secret ingredients) for you and seven of your closest, lucha-loving friends at the members-only Cana Rum Bar.  (The donated-to-charity, per annum dues  are $20; a pittance considering the potent punch of the punch.)

Fully lubricated with liquid cheer, wend your way to the Mayan where you’ll get  “lei’d” at the door if you come in luau or South Sea attire.   The main event of the midweek madness  is the  debut of high-flying Mexico City luchadores Turbo and SuperNova who will take on “the Superbad, one-eyed Pirata Morgan“.   (On a personal note, Ms. Go Go is super excited to learn how to say “Avast, me hearties” en Espanol.)

Expect agility and aerial maneuvers rather than chairs smashed over heads (although Mexican grannies have been known to beat on rudos – the bad guys, natch -  with their purses if they fall into the crowd).   The “minis”  (li’l luchadores who put the pow in pint-sized) will return, as well as crowd fave Chocolate Caliente. (He won’t melt under hot lights!)

Comedians Tom Kenny (Sponge Bob Squarepants) and Blaine Capatch (The Comedians of Comedy) will be on motormouth mic duty to help you root for the tecnicos (That’s “good guys” to you gringos.) and cheer on the chicas calientes. (That’s “hot girls” to anyone under ten.)  Sizzle-tease superstar Kitten Deville brings steamy summer fun with a new-to-you number, Carolina Cerisola unleashes her caged leopard act for the very first time, and a bevy of Lucha va Voom burlesque beauties help bring the boom boom to the room.

You’ll be reassured to know that when  Lucha va Voom partners and co-creators Liz Fairbairn and Rita D’Albert evaluate burlesque dancers, they look for original concepts and great music.

Which are your top two criteria for striptease artists as well….

Ready?  U Know U Want 2 Go Go….

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May 4, 2010

Sombrero-free Cinco de Mayo celebrations: luchadores, chili poppers and lots and lots of tequila….

Posted by Kim Ohanneson under Daily Go Go | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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Celebrate Mexico's victory at the Edison with $1 shots of Casa Noble tequila.

 

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican victory over French forces in 1862.   But  you knew that….   

Cinco de Mayo isn’t widely observed in Mexico but that shouldn’t stop you from hoisting a glass to celebrate the triumph of tequila and mezcal over champagne.  Here are a handful of barras y restaurantes where you’ll have the least chance of getting an embarrassing picture taken of you wearing a giant sombrero while soused on Sauza.  

The Edison downtown may be more grand than guerilla but drink like a wage worker with $1  shots (1 per person) of Casa Noble tequila from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  Willie Martinez y Mombo Loco will perform at 7:00PM with DJ Tatiana accompanying.   Plot your next uprising amidst the underground artifacts of the city’s first power plant.    

The doors at Las Perlas open at 4PM to give you an early start on the $4 Tecates,  $5 shots of El Jimador Blanco Tequila, $6 shots of Herradura Antiquo, and $7 margueritas and shots of Herradura Blanco.  There’s no $8 special but at 9:30PM,  DJ Jose Galvan (of 103.1 FM) helps you count down the night with Latin and Mexican beats in the Oaxacan inspired charm of  downtown’s temple of tequila and mezcal.   

If you’re a reality T.V.  junkie, you probably already know that Ciudad‘s Susan Feniger, one of the Too Hot Tamales, has been competing on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters.  Ciudad will host a TCM viewing party on Cinco de Mayo with $3 tacos, 1/2 off Mojitos and Margueritas, and “special surprise tastes” of one of Ms. Feniger’s TCM dishes.  RSVP by TODAY, May 4th if you’re craving a gourmet, Cinco de Mayo experience with your Wednesday night T.V. fix.  

If you couldn’t get tickets to Lucha Va Voom’s sold out “Cinco de Mayan” extravaganza, head over to “modern Mexican” Provecho Restaurant.  In addition to $2 mezcal shots, $3 Dos Equis, and $5 Cazadores margueritas, the sleekly beautiful bar and restaurant will host one of the wildest nights in town with burlesque, luchadores, and mariachis.  Ay, ay, ay, ay!  

Lula Cocina Mexicana was voted one of North America’s best tequila bars – they only serve 100% Blue Agave tequilas and mezcals and have over 300 varieties – so you know they know how to throw a party.  On Cinco de Mayo, you can roll out of bed and start toasting la revolucion at 10:00AM with special tequila and liqueur promotions; David Duque will perform with Mariachi Mexican Colonial.  Don’t turn into un nasty borracho though;  roaming magician David Groves might turn you into un canejo  and pull you out of a hat.  And the whole point of the evening is to avoid the sombreros, remember?  

Get your caliente on at Border Grill from 11:30AM to 10:00PM in the bar.  In addition to $3 Border tacos and $5 bites, desserts and drinks  (except for the Bacardi mojitos, which are $5.50), the Two Hot Tamales offer a chili challenge: if you can finish a Fresno Chili Popper, a Jalapeno Popper, and a Serrano Popper, they’ll give you a Habanero Popper free!   Ms. Go Go assumes this is a reward for a job well done but it’s really a good thing those drinks are so cheap….  

Ready?  U Know U Want 2 Go Go….  

   

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