This Weekend: Tiki Throwdown, Vegan Beer Fest, Cocktail Paired Drago Dinner

— by Caroline on Crack

Europe was great but it’s so awesome to be back in LA. And all these drink-focused events this weekend make me extra happy to be back. Booze and pancakes, cocktail-paired dinner, tiki cocktails? Yes please!

Friday, June 24

Pancake and Booze Art Show
Underground art show featuring 75 artists, live music, body painting and free pancakes and a photobooth to commemorate the indulgent fun. Cash bar is available for imbibing along with your flapjacks.

  • Friday -Saturday, 8pm-2am. $5. Lot 613, 613 Imperial Street, Los Angeles (map). (323) 934-7777.

Saturday, June 25

LA Vegan Beer Fest 2011
Vegan blogger QuarryGirl and craft beer bar Tony’s Darts Away host the 2nd Annual Vegan Beer Fest at The Roxy June 25. General admission is $40, $15 for DDs and $50 VIP for early entry and VIP lounge. Indulge in a selection of vegan food trucks and unlimited pours of over 40 craft beers like Cismontane, Dogfish Head, North Coast and Eagle Rock! There will also be live music by bands like The Mowglis and The Silent Comedy.

  • 1-5pm. $15-$50. Roxy Theatre, 9009 W Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood (map). (310) 278-9457

Sunday, June 26

Filipino Chocolate and Wine Pairing
Savor exotic gourmet chocolates showcasing Filipino flavors at this unique wine and chocolate pairing event which supports FilAm ARTS. Chocolates, made by Filipina chocolatier Marti Chocolatt, will include ube with white chocolate ganache, durian in 33% milk chocolate and pineapple caramel with Ilocano sea salt! General admission includes six chocolates and four wines at $35 while VIP at $75 also gives guests a box of chocolates and wine to take home.

  • 7pm. General $35, VIP $75. Kazuyo, 7160 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles (map). (323) 939-3816.

Open Bar at Camerata Sundays at Hemingway’s
Yes, all the Jameson you can drink from 9 to 10pm at this weekly event which also features live art, live music and djs.  Admission is free before 10pm and $10 after.

  • 9pm-12:30am. Hemingway’s, 6356 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood (map).

Monday, June 27

Drago Santa Monica’s Scorpacciata Menu with Cocktail Pairing
Three chefs and five dishes featuring local, sustainable and organic ingredients. Dishes include a Tuna Crudo and chai-spiced duck. Library Bar mixologist Chris Hewe has also created a cocktail for each course: Champagne Rocket Cocktail for the tuna and The Sterling cocktail with Elijah Craig, honey leaf syrup and grapefruit peel to go with the duck. Dinner is $65 and an additional $25 for cocktail pairings.

  • 6-10pm. $65 dinner (additional $25 cocktail pairing). Drago Santa Monica, 2628 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica (map). Reservations: (310) 828-1585.

Tiki Throwdown at 320 Main: Don the Beachcomber vs. Trader Vic’s
A must-do cocktail night for any Tiki fan where you determine once and for all who makes the better Tiki cocktail: Don the Beachcomber or Trader Vic’s. Guest bartender Marcos Tello (The Varnish, 1886), 320 Main owner Jason Schiffer and booze blogger/bartender Matt Robold (aka Rumdood) will serve up the classics (cocktails $10, punch cups $6) for your consideration. Those who vote will also have a chance to win one of five prizes which include a bottle of Appleton 12 year and a tiki mug with $100 worth of 320 Main drink chips (mine!).

  • 7-10pm. 320 Main, 320 Main Street, Seal Beach (map).