1) SF Bicycle Coalition Trivia Happy Hour Ride
Roll right over hump day by joining the SF Bicycle Coalition Happy Hour ride on Wednesday, August 14. Bring your own bike to Huckleberry Bicycles (1073 Market St. @ 7th) at 5:30 pm for complimentary beer, snacks and beverages. Then pedal into the evening with your newfound friends, enjoying games and trivia along the way. The ride ends around 7:30 pm at Nopalito in the Inner Sunset, where you’ll find 10% discounts on food. The ride and pre-party snacks are free; RSVP is requested. Be sure to bring lights for your bike, as you may have to find your own way home in the dark.
2) Bon Voyage Gin Bust at the Lookout
Four Bay Area friends are driving motorized rickshaws 2000 miles across India for literacy, and The Lookout (3600 16th @ Market) is sending them off with a Gin Bust on Friday, August 16. A $20 donation at the door gets you complimentary gin cocktails from 6 to 8pm. Distillery 209 is donating the liquor, and 7x7 Magazine is sponsoring. The Lookout's bartenders will serve up three different gin cocktails for the occasion, including the 209 and Tonic, the 209 Martini, and the 209 Gingerberry Snap. All donations at the door benefit Room to Read, a San Francisco-based charity that supports 1,500 schools and 15,000 libraries in ten countries, benefiting 7.8 million children. Team members from “The Reading Rickshaws” (including this writer) will be on hand to introduce the charity, stage toy rickshaw races, and talk about their inadvisable Rickshaw Run across India.
3) Urban Air Market in the Dogpatch
Down at Pier 70 in the Dogpatch, through a normally locked gate at 22nd and Illinois, you’ll find an open air market this Sunday, August 18th, from 11 am to 6 pm. For one day only, this massive raw building on the waterfront will be transformed into a gathering place for art, fashion, food, drinks, and music. Curious interlopers can take the T line or the 22-Fillmore, then follow the dog feet to the venue, where they’ll find more than 100 local vendors, food trucks, live music, a beer and wine garden, kids’ play area and artist galleries. Valet bike parking is available onsite at no additional charge, provided by SF Bicycle Coalition.
4) New Happy Hour at 25 Lusk
Already known as a chic spot to eat, drink and be seen, 25 Lusk is launching a daily Happy Hour from 5 to 7 pm, in the lounge. Starting Monday, August 19, patrons will find $5 wines, $4 beers, $6 cocktails, and $5-6 selections of gourmet bar fare from Chef Matthew Dolan. Choices include octopus kebabs with shishito peppers, heirloom squash and black garlic; house-made grilled sausage on focaccia; confit frog leg sliders with togarashi aioli, fried green tomato and prosciutto; sweet potato fries with banana ketchup and bacon shishito aioli; oysters with pink pepper mignonette; and Bavarian-style soft pretzels with gruyere fondue. 25 Lusk is named for its address, which means you’ll find it off Townsend, between 3rd and 4th Streets.
5) Take the Field at AT&T Park
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping onto the field at AT&T Park in front of thousands of adoring fans, your dreams are about to come true–minus the “in front of” part. AT&T Park is inviting you (and everyone else) to “Take the Field” this Saturday, August 17, from 1 to 5 pm. Bring the whole family for club house tours, music, a kids’ zone, and sports stations with celebrity coaches and athletes. Once you’ve tired of rubbing elbows with World Series Champions (‘89) Dave Stewart and Dave Henderson (aka Hendu) of the Oakland A’s, you can visit the beer garden for some liquid courage. You’ll need it to compete in the “Splash Hits Derby,” which challenges participants to hit a ball into McCovey Cove. The event is free, with a $5 suggested donation at the door. Proceeds support Coaching Corps.
Send drinking suggestions to renee@grassrootspr.com
