Bar Next Door pours a taste of Old Hollywood

Bar Next Door has introduced two new cocktails inspired by landmarks and neighborhoods that helped shape Hollywood and the Sunset Strip.

The updated cocktail menu features the Trocadero and the Gardner Street, each drawing on a different chapter of Los Angeles history while highlighting distinct spirits and flavor profiles.

The Trocadero is made with El Tesoro Blanco tequila, Combier Bleu, clarified tropical citrus and La Quintinye Blanc, and is finished with an edible micro flower garnish. The drink is named for the Trocadero, a celebrated Sunset Strip restaurant that was a gathering place for Hollywood figures during the area’s golden age.

The Gardner Street combines Maker’s Mark bourbon, Chamberyzette strawberry aperitif, mint, Cappelletti Amaro Sfumato Rabarbaro and Peychaud bitters, and is garnished with a pansy. The cocktail takes its name from Gardner Street in West Hollywood, a neighborhood that reflects the area’s blend of historic Hollywood character and residential life.

The new additions are part of a refreshed spirits and cocktail program at Bar Next Door.

Bar Next Door is located at 9159 Sunset Blvd.

For information, visit barnext door.com.

Pizza meets philanthropy at Prince St. Pizza

Prince St. Pizza and Bar Next Door will host the LA Pizza Run & Walk Club fundraiser on Sunday, July 12, with proceeds benefiting Soccer Without Borders.

The event, presented in collaboration with LA Countdown, host of The LA Food Podcast, begins at 11 a.m. at Prince St. Pizza, 9161 Sunset Blvd., in West Hollywood. Participants may choose either a 1.5-mile walk or a 3-mile run, with the route ending at Bar Next Door, 9159 Sunset Blvd.

Actor Nick Turturro is scheduled to make a guest appearance during the event to meet participants and show support for Soccer Without Borders.

Registered participants will receive a complimentary slice of pizza from Prince St. Pizza and a Red Bull. Bar Next Door will offer signature bar pies to participants at the finish line. The first 30 people to register will also receive a complimentary half-pint of Henry’s Secret Ice Cream.

Registration is $33.85 per participant.

Founded in 2006, Soccer Without Borders provides soccer-based programming for underserved youth with the goal of fostering belonging, personal growth and community. According to organizers, the nonprofit has served more than 60,000 children from more than 120 countries.

Registration is available through Eventbrite.

For information, visit eventbrite.com/e/la-pizza-run-club-west-hollywood-prince-st-pizza-to-bar-next-door-tickets-19922 41560136.

Santa Monica Block Fest returns July 11

Santa Monica Block Fest will return on Saturday, July 11, from 5 p.m.-midnight with an open-air festival spanning all three blocks of the Third Street Promenade in downtown Santa Monica. Organizers expect the latest edition of the event, known as Vol. V, to attract larger crowds following attendance of more than 20,000 people at the June festival.

Produced by Yappy Studios, Quickserve and Beat Repeat in partnership with the city of Santa Monica and Downtown Santa Monica Inc., the event will feature multiple stages of live electronic music, a food night market on Arizona Avenue and public screenings of FIFA World Cup quarterfinal matches.

The music lineup includes Moonlight, Distant Matter, Sam Silver and Marzi, with sets spanning house, bass house and tech house.

The festival’s night market returns with a mix of food vendors and local merchants. Villa’s Tacos, the Highland Park taqueria that has become a regular attraction at the festival, will return alongside additional new and returning food vendors. Local makers will also sell merchandise throughout the event’s Entertainment Zone.

Waymo will again serve as the festival’s official ride-hail partner. Organizers said the partnership is intended to provide transportation options for attendees traveling to and from the event.

“Each edition of Santa Monica Block Fest raises the bar,” Santa Monica Block Fest founder Peter Trinh said. “After welcoming over 20,000 attendees in June, we’re excited to bring an even bigger experience to Downtown Santa Monica with an incredible lineup, immersive activations and the vibrant atmosphere that has made Block Fest a must-attend summer tradition.”

Debbie Lee, CEO of Downtown Santa Monica Inc., said the event also supports local businesses while bringing residents and visitors together.

“Santa Monica Block Fest continues to showcase the best of Downtown Santa Monica, bringing together residents and visitors for unforgettable nights of music, dining and community,” Lee said. “Building on the success of our June event, Vol. V is another opportunity to support our local businesses while showcasing the vibrant, welcoming atmosphere that makes Downtown Santa Monica unique.”

The event will be held along the Third Street Promenade and Arizona Avenue in downtown Santa Monica. The festival is free to attend. Advance ticket reservations are available at posh.vip/e/santa-monica-block-fest-vol-v-free-music-festival.

Raising Cane’s comes to Westwood

Raising Cane’s will open its newest Los Angeles restaurant on Monday, July 13, at 1008 Broxton Ave. in Westwood Village, directly across from UCLA.

The restaurant is Raising Cane’s second Westside location, following the opening of its Santa Monica restaurant on the Third Street Promenade in June. The new location occupies a historic building that has been redesigned with features reflecting the company’s history and its Westwood surroundings. The restaurant includes a patio, garage-style doors and custom décor inspired by the neighborhood.

An opening-day celebration will begin before the restaurant opens at 10 a.m. Customers ages 13 and older may enter a “Lucky 20” drawing from 8-9 a.m. for a chance to win free Raising Cane’s for a year. Winners will be selected shortly afterward and must be present to claim the prize.

The festivities will also include a gift basket presentation for the first customer in line, an 8:40 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony with representatives from the Westwood Village Improvement Association and Friends of Westwood Library, a live DJ from 8-11 a.m., a caricature artist from 8 a.m.-noon and a face painter and balloon artist from 2-5 p.m.

As part of the opening, Raising Cane’s will present a $1,000 donation to Friends of Westwood Library to support literacy and educational programming.

“Opening in Westwood Village is such an exciting milestone for our Crew,” Restaurant Leader Raul Mira said. “This community has so much energy and being right outside UCLA puts us at the heart of it. We’re proud to be here and looking forward to becoming a Westwood staple.”

The restaurant will be open daily from 10 a.m.-2 a.m.

For information, visit raisingcanes.com.

Tomat heats up summer events

Tomat in Westchester is continuing its summer programming with a special guest chef collaboration and an expanded lineup of rooftop and indoor events.

On Saturday, July 11, Tomat will host “From Scratch,” a one-night-only dinner featuring writer, photographer, cook and fermenter Peter Barrett in collaboration with Tomat chef and co-owner Harry Posner. The event will be held in the restaurant’s dining room and will not extend to the rooftop.

Barrett is the author of “Project 258: Making Dinner at Fish & Game” and co-authored the bestselling “Blue Zones Kitchen: One-Pot Meals” with Dan Buettner. He is also working on a forthcoming book with chef Dominique Crenn.

Barrett and Posner share an interest in fermentation, gardening and developing dishes from high-quality raw ingredients. The special à la carte menu will feature dishes made with rare and vintage ferments from Barrett’s collection. Planned menu items include black cod with curry sauce and paratha, duck with two moles and additional seasonal offerings. Reservations are available through Resy.

Tomat is also continuing its rooftop programming throughout the summer. The restaurant is hosting viewing parties for nearly every FIFA Club World Cup match through July 19, with the viewing schedule updated weekly on Instagram. Guests can order food from the rooftop menu along with Bloom & Wild ESB, an English-style ale produced in collaboration with Smog City Brewing Co.

Weekly rooftop programming also includes Game Night on Wednesdays from 5-8 p.m., when guests may bring their own board games or use games provided by the restaurant, including backgammon, chess, checkers and Scrabble.

Trivia Night is held Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in partnership with King Trivia. Participation is free.

Following the conclusion of the World Cup viewing schedule, the restaurant plans to introduce biweekly weekend programming featuring DJs and live jazz performances.

Tomat is located at 6261 W. 87th St. in Westchester.

For information, visit tomat.la.