Kiss Me, I’m Irish: Santa Monica St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl March 14th & 15th

From my inbox, tickets here:

GRAB WRISTBANDS NOW!

We’re back, taking over Santa Monica, for our annual TWO DAY St. Patrick’s bar crawl, “Kiss Me, I’m Irish”, March 14th & 17th

PARTICIPATING BARS:  

BRITANNIA PUB [REGISTRATION]
1212
BARNEY’S BEANERY
CABO CANTINA
HOLEY MOLEY
LOULOU
SANTA MONICA WHALER

Here is how it works:

1) Pre-Purchase Your Bar Crawl Wristband.

2) Check in at Britannia Pub (318 Santa Monica Blvd) to get your wristband and map with participating bars, their location, and their drink specials. (Registration on Saturday, 3/14 from 2PM-8PM & Tuesday, 3/17 from 6PM-11PM) ***WRISTBAND MUST BE PICKED UP DURING THESE TIMES***

3) Your wristband gets you into any of the participating bars with no cover, plus gets you drink specials all night

4) Have Fun!

Kogen Omakase Coming To Downtown Santa Monica.

Adorable, but short-lived Bar Monette caused quite a sensation when if opened in 2023. Then it quietly slipped out of its location at 109 Santa Monica Blvd in Downtown Santa Monica. Now the troubled space (also previously home to another flashy eatery Red Ruby before Bar Monette) is getting a new tenant. There’s a new ABC application in the window announcing the impending arrival of Kogen Omakase. I can’t seem to find a lot of information on the new Japanese restaurant, so if you have more info let me know.

Chattanooga Restaurant Bringing “Pure Persian Flavor” To Santa Monica

Ever since the beloved landmark Izzy’s Deli closed at 1433 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, people have been peppering me with questions about what would take its place. In 2020 there was a brief promise of a re-opening, but nothing happened. Then in 2022, the for lease signs went up and we all came to the painful conclusion that after 50 years, the famed “Deli to the Stars” simply was no more. After all these years of no perceptible activity, readers are excitedly writing to tell me that window paper is now up revealing a new eatery, Chattanooga Restaurant, is setting up housekeeping at the famous address. With little information out there except the promise of “Pure Persian Flavor”, you can get an idea of what the new restaurant will look inside like by checking out the artist’s rendering below.

Kandi Swedish Sweets Coming To Montana Ave.

We all know that the nostalgic Swedish candy craze is huge right now. There’s something thrilling about creating your own taste experience at a “pick-and-mix” wall of delectable sweet treats. Just such an opportunity is coming to tony Montana Ave in Santa Monica. Teaser window paper is up at 1230 Montana Ave Ste 103, spilling the beans that Kändi Swedish Sweets is setting up housekeeping at this address. Kändi has a location in Studio City and offers a wide array of brightly colored candies and pre-packed bags.

The Win-Dow Opening In Santa Monica

Shortly after GGET pulled out of their location at 930 Montana Ave in Santa Monica, I heard rumors that a new burger joint was moving in. Thanks to all the sharp-eyed readers who wrote to tell me that banners recently went up letting us know that this will be an outpost of The Win-Dow. With 6 locations around SoCal, The Win-Dow specializes in “classic smash burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and $8 grain bowls”, but also offers a shaved kale salad, a vegetarian burger, hand-spun shakes, and dipped cones.

DOL Coffee House Coming To Santa Monica

The corner building at 1231 Wilshire has sat empty ever since the Krispy Kreme donut craze cooled and this location closed in 2021. The space now has a leased sign on the front, and I believe I know who the new tenant is. If you look carefully at the Instagram page of DOL Coffee House, you can see that the artist’s rendering of their new Santa Monica outpost has their signs up on this address. DOL has a location in Gardena and promises, “the most delicious Vietnamese drinks and desserts in the USA (Coffee, boba, and more)“.

Chez Luna Bringing Pet Adoptions And Lattes To Santa Monica.

An exciting new concept is heading to 2929 Main St in Santa Monica. Window paper is up announcing the arrival of Chez Luna. Chez Luna is billing itself as a pet “adoption cafe” and describes itself as: “A first-of-its-kind space where premium lattes meet live puppy love.” Coffee and pooches? Sign me up. They are aiming for a summer opening.

Louma Bakery Coming To Santa Monica

A new baked treats shop is aiming to become “your favorite neighborhood bakery“. There’s window paper up on the corner space in the new development at 3223 Wilshire in Santa Monica announcing the arrival of Louma Bakery. Louma appears to be a new business, but this job listing lets us know what will be on offer: “breads (sourdough, baguette, rye bread…), [and] classic pastry (Danish and French style)“. Apparently, they are opening soon.

Joy Coming To Santa Monica

Readers have been writing in droves to let me know the exciting news that there’s a new ABC application at 418 Wilshire Blvd (once home to Wahoo’s Fish Tacos) announcing the arrival of Joy. This Joy will be their second LA location, the first being Joy on York in Highland Park. Joy specializes in “heartful, and authentic Taiwanese specialties” influenced by Taiwanese street food and night markets, served in a casual, cozy neighborhood setting. No word on an opening date, but until then read more about Joy here and here. With hip Shirube right next door, this stretch of Wilshire Blvd is certainly turning into an exciting dining destination.

Santino’s Triumphant Return To Santa Monica

A very enthusiastic reader (Thanks James!) excitedly wrote to tell me of the return of beloved neighborhood tapas spot Santino’s to its former home at 3021 Lincoln Blvd in Santa Monica. You may recall that Santino’s closed down sometime around 2015 to make way for sports bar Burgers N Brews. Burgers N Brews is now gone, and while I don’t have information on ownership or menus, we can definitely say that Santino’s is returning to this location, and their Instagram page is projecting a February opening.

Makenna Koffee Bringing Beach Vibes To Santa Monica

New signs are up on the old Del Taco location at 2425 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica announcing the arrival of a new java joint and drive through. Makenna Koffee describes itself as a “beach themed coffee shop” and has a smattering of locations across SoCal. While you’re waiting for your Maui latte to debut in Santa Monica, you can read more about the company here and their plans of expansion. (Thanks Carol!)

Pontu Bringing Peruvian To Santa Monica

A sharp-eyed reader (Thanks Carol!) noticed a small ‘coming soon’ notice in the window of 3117 Ocean Park Blvd in Santa Monica, previously home to beloved neighborhood eatery The OP Cafe. Another piece of paper lists the new restaurant as Pontu. I can’t find a lot of information on Pontu, other that their undeveloped Instagram page that promises two things: “Peruvian” and “Local”.

Intelligentsia Coffee Coming To Pico In Santa Monica

A charming new coffee spot is coming to an area of Pico desperately in need of one. The historic old A-frame at 3010 Pico, once the home of Wienerschnitzel, is getting spruced up to re-open as a branch of Intelligentsia Coffee. I’m so glad they have decided to keep the original structure that has long been such an landmark in this neighborhood. Intelligentsia began in Chicago in 1995 and has since spread a footprint across five American cities (Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York), as well as international locations, and strives to offer “the most extraordinary coffee in the world“. A spokesperson could not give me a specific opening date due to permitting reasons, but it looks like they’re close. (With Joe & The Juice landing a few blocks away, is the Pico Corridor in Santa Monica becoming a third-wave coffee hotspot?)

(Thanks Spencer!)

GGET Closes On Montana Ave.

Innovative coffee purveyor Go Get Em Tiger has abruptly closed its location at 930 Montana Ave in Santa Monica on Tuesday. Santa Monica’s other location on Main St. closed a while ago. GGET opened this location in 2022 with much excitement and an extended menu. I’m not sure what is happening with the chain, but their Culver City location, as well as other locations east of here are still open.

(Thanks Steve!)

Raising Cane’s New Santa Monica Location…

A while back I told you that Raising Cane’s was moving into the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Here is the new location at 1401 Third St. Promenade, on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd, formerly the home of Bibibop. It looks like they are working on a complete build-out. This is part of a major expansion into the California by the beloved Louisiana-based poultry provider known for chicken finger meals and noontime lines out the door.

Joe & The Juice Coming To Santa Monica

Santa Monica is finally getting an outpost of übercool international lifestyle/juice brand Joe & The Juice, albeit in a curious location. Their signature window paper is up on the free-standing building in the Whole Foods complex on the corner of Pico and Cloverfield. Hailing from Denmark, the chain of coffee and juice bars has locations across Europe, Asia and North America, and has a mission to promote a “contemporary educational platform for how to prepare all people of our movement for a healthy life filled with aspiration and meaning”… as well as coffee.

Layla Bagels & Coffee Coming To Brentwood

Apparently, I only gave you half the story when I reported to you that Sora Temaki Bar was taking over the Contempo Floor Covering store at 908 S Barrington Ave. in Brentwood. They are moving into the space, but only part of it. Window paper has since gone up indicating that the spacious address is being divided with Sora moving into the right side, and Layla Bagels & Coffee taking over the rest of the space. Crazy-popular Layla has two other locations (Santa Monica and Beverly Hills) and specializes in “hand-rolled sourdough bagels baked fresh daily”, bringing yet another bold bagel choice to carb-saturated Brentwood.

(Thanks Madelyn!)

Wally’s Expanding With Two New Locations In SoCal

Congratulations lucky people of Century City and Malibu, ever-popular oenophile paradise Wally’s Wine & Spirits is landing at least two new locations in SoCal. Wally’s currently has three locations (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Las Vegas) that specialize in the “finest food, beverages, and gourmet foods”, drawing in large well-heeled crowds with their chic “cave à vin” vibes. Here is a look at the new Wally’s at Century Plaza location, located in front of the Fairmont Century Plaza on Avenue of the Stars in Century City. Wally’s Holiday catalog is also promising a new location in Malibu at Cross Creek Ranch. Both are planning on a Spring 2026 opening. Read more about the new Century City outpost here.