Cocktail bar identity crisis, late night SoFi happy hours, and other news
Volume 1, Issue 39
NEWS (TO US)
All the latest scoops
Ohm Coffee Roasters. Takes over the former Monday Bakery spaces (both)
Oops, looks like someone spilled the beans...
La Taberna. Rumored to be closing. Say it ain't so!
Last week we speculated, this time we're all too certain. Taberna may in fact be closing. We have a good guess who will be taking their place. The news has us both sad and happy and we're busy working through those bittersweet feelings.
Napa SoFi District. Introducing SoFi Friday Nights
A whole district of Happy Hours, every Friday 5pm on through the end of the year.
1331 Cocktails. New week, new name
In an all-too-expected twist, First & Franklin redubs its bar (yes, again, really) to 1331 Cocktails (Cousin, we barely knew ye).
Asian Burger. New-ish food truck
Smash, Impossible, Western Bacon, Asian... BINGO!
Napa Valley Limoncello Co. New NVD project?
According to liquor signage at the old Brandy House space. Perfect, just in time for summer. Oh, wait...
Katya's Sourdough Bread & Bakes. New microbakery
Find her at local pop-ups at Napa Valley Roasting Co, Juniper Station, the Elks Lodge and more. Bready, steady, go!
Napa Yard x Grape Escape. Mobile escape experience
How do we escape the proliferation of escape rooms? That's the real puzzle.
Charlie's (St. Helena). "Icons + Innovators", Monthly Wine Dinner Series
Charlie, don't worry, we're free to host a dinner. Just have your people call our people.
Decant Napa. Bottle shop coming soon
The female-founded, sommelier-owned SF shop opens their second location in the old Bay Grape space.
C Casa. Family Day, Wednesdays
Treat your kiddos to $5 meals all day on Wednesdays. If you play your cards right, maybe they'll let you eat off their plate.
ArBARetum. Industry Night, Mondays
Does this extend to the journalism industry? We could use the subsidy.
Tonewood & Courage. Open now
Have a drink. Listen to live music. Just NO Stairway.
The Valley Villager. Editor-in-chief, expecting!
This means our small team is (temporarily) getting a bit smaller ::cough:: one person ::cough:: We appreciate your understanding as the frequency of our newsletter may fluctuate a bit over the coming weeks as we get into a new groove. If you're ever dreamed of a career in journalism, this probably isn't it — BUT, if you've ever considered penning a quirky listicle, a fun featurette, or you simply have some good gossip to share, please reach out. We could use the help!
Over the Hill
Poppy's (Petaluma). New-ish family-owned toy store
Part toy store, part gathering space, all fun.
COMING IN HOT
Events and happenings
Sep 12-22: Twelfth Night (theatrical performance). di Rosa Center, $25
Sep 16-22: Negroni Week (fundraiser). Cadet / ArBARetum / Folklore, prices vary
Sep 20: Live Fire with Johan Jureskog. Farmstead (St. Helena), $250
Sep 20: End of Summer Dance Party. Benevolent Neglect, free cover
Sep 21: Coastal Clean-up Day: 40th Anniversary. Various locations, free
Sep 21: Krautrock:The Rebirth Of Germany (film screening). Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $20
Sep 21: The Art of Eating: The Life of M.F.K. Fisher (film screening). Jarvis Conservatory, $15
Sep 21-22: Open Studios Napa Valley. Various locations, free
Sep 23: Cocktail Masterclass w/Claudia (Kaito del Valle, CDMX). Folklore, prices vary
Sep 25: Whiskey Seminar with Andrew Healey. Cadet, $65+
Sep 26: Jenny Lewis (live music). Gundlach Bundschu (Sonoma), $82
Sep 28: Fall Faire. 1710 Soscol Ave, free
Sep 28: Bale Grist Mill Harvest Dinner & Auction. Bale Grist Mill (St. Helena), $250
Sep 28: "For the Love of Ella" (live music). Empress Theatre (Vallejo), $35+
Sep 29: Napa Day Against Hate (Rally & Walk). Westwood Hills Park, free
Sep 29: Black Pumas (live music). The Meritage Resort, price TBD
Oct 2: NEWS: Happy Hour for Hope Fundraiser. Wilfred's, $100
Oct 3: Sundowner Hours. River Club, $15
Oct 4: Labyrinth (film screening). Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $5
Oct 4-6: Just Between Friends North Bay Fall Event: Children's Consignment. Sonoma County Fairgrounds, free
Oct 5: The National, The War on Drugs & Lucius (live music). The Meritage Resort, $105
Oct 5: Puttin' On The Glitz (shopping event). Community Projects, prices vary
Oct 5: Blues, Brews & BBQ (w/ Classic Car Show). Napa Valley Expo, $50
Oct 5: Garden Gala. Sonoma Botanical Gardens, $275
Oct 5-6: California Native Plant Sale. Skyline Wilderness Park, prices vary
Oct 5-6: Mictlan: A Theatrical Exploration Of The Aztec Legend. Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $20+
Oct 6: Napa Half Marathon & Quarter Marathon. Skyline Park, $96+
Oct 6: Harvest Farmers Market. Clos du Val, $125
Advance NoticeOct 10: (Inaugural) Wine Women Soirée. Raymond Vineyards, $75+
Oct 12: Cambodia: Photojournal Exhibit, Reception. Wine Thief, prices vary
Oct 12: Sideways (20th Anniversary film screening + dinner + convo). CIA Copia, $165
Oct 17: Oktoberfest. Contimo, prices vary
Oct 18: Remembering Sasha (community fundraiser + vigil). Kiwanis Park & Softball Field, $5
Oct 20: Harvest Festival. Connolly Ranch, $10+
Oct 24: Napa Humane Community Mixer. Napa Yard, free (RSVP)
Oct 25: Alonzo Bodden (comedy), Blue Note, $31+
Oct 25: Nosferatu: with live soundtrack (film screening). Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $20
Nov 28: Napa Valley Turkey Chase. Napa Valley College, $43
HACK OF THE WEEK
The generous pours at Small World
Most of you are probably already acquainted with Small World. Or, as we refer to it (affectionately) during a busy lunch rush, "Slow World." But hey, what's the rush Napa? Slow it down a little.
The staff is kind, the food is tasty, they advocate for peace, and at $8.61 the wine pours are rather generous (see above, no trick photography there). What's not to love?
Sure, it's not Kongsgaard, but if your bar is as low as ours, we think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Billy Corgan has gone on the record praising the food (true story), so we're here to endorse the wine.
Treat yourself to a glass (or two) over a "working" lunch, kickoff happy hour before you dive into $20 cocktails elsewhere, or consider the money saved as one of the last vestiges of those 'old school' Napa vibes we hear so much about. "In my day wine cost a nickel! A nickel!" Guess we'll have to settle for $8.61. That's fine by us.