With about three hours before game time, OCSC opened their stadium doors to the Orange County community to enjoy unlimited beer tastings from about 20 local breweries. As you walked in the stadium entrance, you received your own souvenir mini pint glass. This glass was your golden ticket for all the tastings the breweries had to offer. As you walked through the field of brewery tents, you watched as fans played cornhole or compared OCSC jerseys. The energy was upbeat as strangers became friends, and community members became fans.

Now let’s talk beer and bourbon! Everyone attending the event received a bourbon taster. The quick shot of bourbon was the perfect start or end to everyone’s beer journey. Local breweries came in full force with the best and newest beers for the community to try. Each brewery provided at least two beers for everyone to taste, offering a variety of options for any fanatic beer lover or beer tasting novice. For example, Firestone Walker Brewery went the extra mile and brought their newest product, Rose Beer. This new beer was light and mimicked the taste of your favorite summer wine in beer form. My favorite beer from the day was the Tauva Guava from Laguna Beach Brewery. This one was the perfect light summer beer that brought the fruity flavors of guava to life. For those who were not beer fans, breweries such as 2 Towns CiderHouse came in tow with fun flavored ciders and hard seltzers for people to try. My favorite cider of the day was CiderHouse’s Pacific Pineapple Cider. It was crisp and refreshing and could be enjoyed by the beach or by the soccer field.

With all this beer, we needed to add some bacon in the mix! Along with all the brewery tents, there were also food trucks hot and ready to serve bacon-filled treats. The food truck Lets Meat Up was a one-stop-shop for my bacon journey. They were serving bacon, loaded fries, burgers and sandwiches. I went for the bacon loaded fries, which combined my three favorite things: cheese, french fries and bacon. For those who were not bacon lovers, other food options included personal pizzas from California Pizza Kitchen, grilled cheeses and bacon-less burgers. From all the bacon, I was in desperate need to satiate my sweet tooth and the food truck Sweet Life was there for me. They offered kettle corn, ice cream sandwiches and candy to help balance out everyone’s bacon intake. The Jay-Z sandwich was my choice for the day. It was snickerdoodle cookies filled with strawberry ice cream and topped with Captain Crunch cereal. It was the perfect end to my food tour for the day.

The best part of about this event was that it allowed you to stay and watch the OCSC vs. Sacramento Republic FC game after. Besides my short-lived AYSO career as a kid, this was my first experience at a professional soccer game. The 90 minutes flew by as the two teams battled it out. The OCSC fans were passionate as they chanted songs and limericks. During half-time, they even provided the opportunity for young soccer stars to hit the field and play a small pick-up game. I thought that was a great way to not only involve the community in the game but it also allowed these young soccer hopefuls to achieve their dreams that maybe one day they could be playing on that field. Even though the game ended in a 0-0 tie, the community’s enthusiasm for the team was obvious. I am excited to follow the team and see how the rest of their season goes.

The second annual Beer, Bourbon and Bacon festival was a great event that brought together new and old fans of OCSC. The event was a great way to bring awareness to a team that is still a hidden gem in our Orange County community. If you were unable to attend this year, make sure to put this event on your calendar for next year. It is one that you cannot miss! I mean, who doesn’t love beer and sports?

OC Soccer Club’s next home game is Saturday, August 17 vs. Las Vegas Lights FC.

Tickets can be purchased here.

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Bacchus Bar and Bistro

Bacchus Bar and Bistro is the perfect neighborhood hangout spot to have a nice glass of wine. Here you can try one of the 50 wines they offer by the glass. Or if you are looking to commit to a bottle, you can choose from over 200 bottles to buy and try. With such an extensive collection, Bacchus offers the perfect wine for every occasion. They even have a wine club, so the experience doesn’t have to stop after your first visit. By becoming a Wine Club member, you get to experience individual quarterly bottles of wine that can include two bottles of red, one bottle of red and white, or a bottle of gold red. Being a member also comes with lots of other amazing perks such as 10 percent off local wines, food and the bar and getting invited to their quarterly wine parties.  Go and check out Bacchus Bar and Bistro and be a part of their local wine family today! 6735 Quail Hill Pkwy, Irvine

(Courtesy of Wine Lab)

Wine Lab

Located in Costa Mesa’s anti-mall, Wine Lab is the perfect combination of modern and fresh. It offers two ways to get your wine fix. The first is by ordering one of their wine flights. Presented in their signature test tubs, Wine Lab offers three to six tastings tubes that showcase different themes of wine. Although the wines available for these flights are ever changing, Wine Lab will always provide a variation of a White Wine Flight, Red Wine Flight and a Top Red Flight. The Top Red Flight offers more expensive red wines that are usually limited in quantity. If a flight is a little too much wine for you, Wine Lab also sells wine by the glass. Their wine by the glass menu is a large beautiful variety of wines ranging from bubbly wines to deep reds. Wine Lab also offers a variety of food to go with your wine including amazing cheeses and meats where you and your friends can build your cheese and charcuterie boards. Break out your science kits and get those test tubes filled with the fantastic wines at Wine Lab. 2937 Bristol St. Ste A101B, Costa Mesa

(Courtesy of The Lost Vine)

The Lost Vine

The Lost Vine proves that coffee and wine are a match made in heaven. Located right next to their coffee shop The Lost Bean, The Lost Vine is the perfect weeknight hideaway for a great glass of wine. This sustainable wine bar has a list this is always rotating so you will never be bored. The Lost Vine’s relaxed atmosphere is embedded with fun themed nights for their customers to enjoy. Kick off the week on Tuesday with their Five Tastings at Five Deal. Here you will be able to enjoy generous tasting pours of 5 wines for only $12. The Lost Vine also has a fantastic Wine Wednesday deal where if you buy a bottle of wine, your second bottle comes in at 50 percent off. Now that is a wine steal! On top of all of their amazing wine deals, you can always sit back and relax to the live music that plays Wednesday-Saturday nights. Make your weeknights more fun by stopping by The Lost Vine. 13011 Newport Ave., Tustin  

(Courtesy of Orange Coast Winery)

Orange Coast Winery

If you are looking for a more traditional winery experience to enjoy a glass of vino, Orange Coast Winery has got you covered. Orange Coast Winery offers the experience of a traditional tasting room that allows both members and non-members to enjoy a variety of wine tastings. Their team is very knowledgeable on all of their wines and are there to help you not only learn but find your perfect blend to sip on. If you’re not looking to commit to becoming a member of a winery just yet, Orange Coast Winery offers tons of wonderful Groupon deals that let you enjoy different tastings. Their classic tastings usually include six glasses of a variety of red, whites, and roses. If you are ready to jump on the wine train and become a member, you will get to experience tons of exclusive deals including free cheese boards, guests, and significant discounts off wine purchases. Join the club and visit Orange Coast Winery. 869 W. 16th St., Newport Beach

The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar

Make wine night date night at The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar. This upscale dining experience comes with a side of first-class wines to drink and enjoy. Wine country becomes the focal point of all their menus, allowing every course and every meal to have the perfect counterpart in their magnificent wine cellar. The Winery’s wine list includes over 650 bottles that change weekly. They even take their wine process one step further by ensuring that all of their wines have a home in their climate-controlled cellars. The Winery is the ultimate wine and dining experience. Bring in your loved one for an evening of elegance, incredible food, and even better wine at The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar. 3131 W. Coast Hwy, Newport Beach & 2647 Park Ave., Tustin

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Photo courtesy of Habana

Habana

708 Spectrum Center Dr
Irvine, CA 92618

Spice up your life with the amazing brunch buffet at Habana. This Cuban restaurant is revamping what it means to be a breakfast buffet. With a fixed price brunch menu, Habana has endless options that vary from classic American breakfast items to the flavors of Cuba. Try their home-made paella filled with fresh shellfish including shrimp, clams and mussels. Head over to some of their other amazing stations that include a carving station with fresh whole roasted pig or the shellfish station that includes jumbo shrimps and crab legs and claws. If you are someone with a sweet tooth, check out their endless dessert tables. There are mouthwatering selections like mango cheesecake, guava filled pastries and pineapple croissants. Wash down this endless buffet with one of their hand-carved Habana coconuts filled with white or dark rum. Escape Southern California and head to Cuban Paradise at Habana for brunch every Sunday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Bosscat Kitchen and Libations

4647 MacArthur Boulevard
Newport Beach, CA 92660

Bosscat Kitchen and Libations is your perfect stop on the weekends for the ultimate bottomless brunch. With their Instagram-worthy breakfast dishes, TVs showing all things sports, and a DJ booth, Bosscat knows how to throw a weekend breakfast party. When it comes to food, Bosscat puts a spin on classic comfort breakfast dishes. For example, you have to try the “Fruity Pebbles” French Toast. You can’t ever go wrong with cereal-crusted French toast topped with candied milk, bacon and fresh berries. Add another layer of decadence to your table by ordering the donut burger. You read that right, Bosscat serves a donut burger. Not only are the buns made of glazed donuts, but the burger also has bacon and a duck egg sitting on top. Along with their great bottomless mimosas, a fan favorite drink is their Breakfast in Bed Shot. Wake yourself up by ordering this shot composed of maple bourbon, orange juice and a piece of bacon. Join the party and visit Bosscat for brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Gratitude Pancakes

Gratitude Kitchen and Bar

1617 Westcliff Dr, Suite 112
Newport Beach, CA 92260

If you are vegan or vegetarian, Gratitude Kitchen and Bar is the perfect brunch spot for you. Try their buckwheat flax pancakes. Topped with cashew coconut whip cream and fresh fruit, this is a menu item you cannot skip. Gratitude even does their spin on the brunch favorite of chicken and waffles. Instead of using real chicken, they use chicken-fried mushrooms to accompany their gluten-free oat waffles. Gratitude is always working to make plant-based food fun and delicious for its Orange County crowd. The best part about brunch is that you can order pitchers of your favorite cocktails such as mimosas, sangria and margaritas to complement your meal. Gratitude Kitchen and Bar is open for brunch Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Have fun and put a vegan spin on your brunch routine!

Photo courtesy of Snooze

Snooze

3032 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92782

Snooze Eatery will have you running out the doors on the weekend to get in line to try to their vast breakfast menu. Even though Snooze is an everyday breakfast spot, it still makes the list for hottest brunch spots since their menu is massive! There are so many items to choose from it will make you want to go back every weekend to try something different. They have everything from breakfast pot pie, pancake flights and a variety of egg benedict flavors to try. They even take their mimosas, and Bloody Marys, to new heights by adding different variations including the Abri-ca-lav-ra Mimosa that includes apricot liquor, lavender, honey and lemon juice. If you are more of a Bloody Mary fan, grab their Horse and Sidecar. It is their house Bloody Mary served with the works including tender ham, smoked cheddar cheese, green olive, pickle, and to top it all off, it is also served with a can of locally brewed beer. Although Snooze doesn’t take reservations, you can pass the time waiting for your table by sipping on complimentary coffee. Don’t snooze for too long or you might miss out on this awesome breakfast spot. Check them out daily from 6:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of The Cut

The Cut

3831 Alton Pkwy, Suite C
Irvine, CA 92606

From food truck fame to the most addicting honey sriracha wings, the boys at The Cut are really on top of their food game. Although they are mainly known for their amazing hand-crafted burgers, The Cut also provides a killer weekend brunch selection. For those with a sweet tooth try their Tres Leches French Toast. The Cut upgrades this fan favorite breakfast food by adding bacon maple syrup, making it the ultimate decadent treat. If you are someone who reaches for something savory in the morning try their chicken and waffle. It is the perfect mixture of sweet and savory. A bonus to The Cut brunch menu is that they also offer their cult favorite burgers during brunch. Besides a classic cup of coffee, enjoy your brunch with bottomless mimosas or a traditional Bloody Mary. The Cut brunch runs every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

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The post Best Spots to Get Your Sunday Brunch Fix appeared first on Irvine Weekly.

Milky Buns – Photo courtesy of Afters Ice Cream

Afters Ice Cream

Afters Ice Cream combines my two favorite loves: Doughnuts and ice cream. What sets Afters apart from most ice cream joints is two key things. One is their signature milky buns. Milky buns are handcrafted glazed dough buns that act as the perfect vessel for your ice cream. They are always fresh and hot, providing a nice compliment to the cold sensation of the ice cream. The second is Afters unique flavors of ice cream. These range from milk and cereal flavored ice cream to a twist on a classic flavor like Madagascar vanilla. A fan-favorite at Afters is their Cookie Monster flavor which is blue-dyed cookie chunks. Another is favorite is Cookie Butter which tastes exactly like the Cookie Butter you might find at your local Trader Joes.

2738 Alton Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92606

Photo courtesy of 85 Degree Bakery

85 Degree Bakery

85 Degree Bakery is a great spot to pick up tasty and delicious pastries. The concept of the store is a self-serve bakery that offers a vast variety of baked goods. For a sweet pastry, try their Choco bun, taro swirl bun or matcha chocolate bun. All these breads burst with sweet flavor whenever you take a bite. They even have a fantastic selection of savory pastries to choose from. These include fun items like garlic cheese bread, sausage rolls and potato cheese buns. Locals also swear by their classic brioche bun roll and their mini cheese tarts. If pastries are not what you’re looking for, 85 Degree Bakery also offers a large selection of cakes and other sweet treats. You can order anything from full-sized cakes to mango tarts, and slices of blueberry cheesecake. With so many different options to satisfy your sweet tooth, it will be hard to stay away from this place.

2700 Alton Pkwy, Suite 123
Irvine, CA 92606

915 Spectrum Dr
Irvine, CA 92618

Photo courtesy of Sweet Combforts

Sweet Combforts

Sweet Combforts is proving that waffles are much more than breakfast food. By making beautifully sugared hand-made waffles and putting them on a popsicle stick, Sweet Combforts has made a dessert that is portable and less messy than most. Their waffles come in a variety of eye-catching and enjoyable flavors. Try a Bam Bam waffle, their classic Belgian liege waffle dipped in white chocolate and topped with fruity pebble cereal, cheesecake bites, powdered sugar and a white chocolate drizzle. Another favorite is their Cookies and Dream waffle. Dipped in Oreo cookie butter, this waffle is then topped off with Oreo cookie crumbles, powdered sugar and a chocolate drizzle. These beautiful and sweet waffles are a pleasant new way to eat dessert. Along with their waffles, Sweet Combforts also makes fun shakes such as a Horchata shake. And to accompany their Cookies and Dream waffle, they make a Cookie Monster Shake.

2222 Michelson Dr.
Trade Food Court
Irvine, CA 92612

Photo courtesy of the Dirty Cookie

The Dirty Cookie

The Dirty Cookie is the perfect spot to pick up dessert for your next dinner party. This place gives a whole new angle on what it means to be a cookie. The Dirty Cookie takes different flavors of cookie dough and molds them into a small cup shape. These cookie shots come in classic cookie flavors like chocolate chip, red velvet, churro and cookies and cream. They even have vegan, gluten-free cookie shot options. My favorite part about these cookie shots is that they become the best vehicle for liquid. You can pour milk or any liquid of your choice right into the middle of the cookie. For an adult party, you can even add your favorite type of liquor such as Bailey’s or Kahlua!

2493 Park Ave,
Tustin, CA 92782

SideCar Doughnuts

Visit SideCar when you want a unique spin on a glazed doughnut — or any doughnut for that matter. With a revolving door of flavors every month it is hard to pick a favorite, but here are some of SideCar Doughnuts must-tries: For a twist on a classic flavor, grab their butter and salt doughnut. It is the perfect combination of sweet and savory which makes it hard to resist. For a fruity twist, grab their signature huckleberry-flavored doughnut. This rich pink-colored doughnut is the ideal flavor-bomb of summer in a doughnut. Lastly, a unique flavor is their basil eggs benedict doughnut. It is a savory raised doughnut filled with a poached egg, basil and a delicious sauce.

270 E 17th St, Ste 18
Costa Mesa, CA 92627

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Photo courtesy of Orange County Soccer Club

In 2011, Orange County became part of a new national sports phenomenon. It became one of the 12 founding teams of the new United Soccer League (USL). For those who are not caught up on your soccer terminology, USL is one of the most well-known Division 2 professional soccer leagues in the world. Positioned directly below Major League Soccer, USL is helping fuel the growth of professional soccer across North America and the world.

After playing as the Orange County Blues for six years, in 2017 the team was bought and rebranded by James Keston, the Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties. Keston’s goal was to develop a professional sports team that focused on its fans, players and youth soccer clubs in Orange County. With the arrival of Keston also came a new team name, the Orange County Blues turned into the Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC). Along with a new team name came a new state-of-the-art sports facility and stadium at the Great Park in Irvine for home games and practices. The Sports Complex Soccer Stadium is now the official home base for OCSC and their fans.

The Sports Complex Soccer Stadium is the ultimate spot for you to become an OCSC fan. With seating for 5,000, it gives the community the ultimate professional sports team experience. During OCSC games, spectators can expect to have a full fan zone, including food trucks, a beer garden and family-friendly games and inflatable fun. OCSC makes every game a fun experience, including themed game nights, family nights, military nights and nights that support local community organizations. The stadium even blows out orange smoke every time a goal is scored. Truth be told, an OCSC game might be one of the best kept secrets in Orange County.

Now that you know where to catch a game, let’s introduce you to some key players.

Photo courtesy of Orange County Soccer Club

OCSC is composed of about 25 players with an average age of 24 years old. Their captain for the 2019 season is mid-fielder Aodhan Quinn. Quinn is a Southern California native who is a pivotal member of OCSC and in 2018 was a league MVP finalist. Another player to cheer on this season is goalkeeper Aaron Cervantes. Cervantes is a local kid who has been tearing up the soccer field from an early age. At age 15, he became one of the youngest players in USL league history to sign a professional contract.

There is also forward Michael Seaton, who previously played for the Jamaican national team and is a force to be reckoned with on the field. He is not only fast, but he is a vital goal-scorer, having scored over 15 goals in his professional career. Lastly, I want to introduce you to a new member of the OCSC, English professional player Harry Forrester. Forrester previously played for one of the biggest clubs in the Scottish Premier League. As a midfielder, Forrester will bring a great deal of strength and skill to the 2019 season.

OCSC’s 2018 season was a success on and off the field, as the team placed first out of 17 teams in the Western Conference. They then went on to the playoffs where they fell just short of winning a USL championship. Despite the loss, this is just the beginning for the team. The team’s motto of “Pathway to Professional” is allowing for the best of the best to come and play for the team. Whether they are a rising 16-year-old player or a 29-year-old veteran getting his second chance, OCSC is finding a way to dominate the USL.

Orange County is a hotbed for young professional athletes and is considered one of the top recruiting spots for both men’s and women’s soccer, which is why it is so important to have a local professional team. OCSC represents a pathway for young athletes to not only root for a local professional team but gives top young players and club teams the opportunity to train with the professionals. Being the only professional soccer team between Orange County and Tijuana, OCSC is providing an avenue for young soccer players to have their chance at stardom.

As the 2019 season begins, OCSC is concentrating on bringing the community together. With their growing fan base and fan zone, home games are becoming the new hot-spot for family-friendly nights out and even a place to grab a beer during their annual brew festival. As OCSC continues to grow, their goal is not only to be one of the best USL teams in the league but to provide a space for the ultimate community night out. The team is also giving back to our Orange County community by partnering with Hoag Hospital and the Alzheimer’s Association.

OCSC will kick off their season on Saturday, March 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Great Park. Watch them dominate their season from March through October with 17 home games usually held on Saturday nights. You can see them take on their Phoenix rivals on May 4, or catch the game on June 9 when they will be playing the USL L.A. Galaxy team. With so many games, there is no excuse not to go and cheer them on! OCSC even offers group stadium tours, meet the player sessions and opportunities to be a part of the game and play on the field.

Become a fan and be a part of the best-kept secret in Orange County. You can visit orangecountysoccer.com to buy your tickets for your first home game and keep up with the team through their social media pages. Follow OCSC on Instagram at @orangecountysoccer or on Twitter at Orange County Soccer Club.  

See you at the first home game!

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The post Professional Sports in the Heart of Irvine appeared first on Irvine Weekly.

Photo courtesy of Wild Taco

Wild Taco

407 31st St.
Newport Beach, CA 92663

Wild Taco is definitely wild about margaritas. However, they don’t serve your classic margarita here. This beach town hang-out spot offers margaritas made with Sabe Blanco. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Sabe Blanco, it is blanco tequila infused with sake. These flavor combinations are unique and add the ultimate flavor punch to the classic tequila margarita. It is the perfect margarita for anyone who is looking for a classic margarita but without the harsh tequila after-taste. With refreshing fruit flavors like pineapple and watermelon, it’s hard not to love these margaritas. If you are looking to add an extra kick of heat to your drink, you have the option to make these flavors spicy. Adding to their local beach vibe, Wild Taco serves their margaritas in a mason jar. 

Photo courtesy of Mi Casa

Mi Casa

296 E 17th St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
https://www.micasa1.com/home

Mi Casa is the perfect place for a family night out on National Margarita Day. Having been a local’s spot for over 40 years, Mi Casa infuses both tradition and flavor into their margaritas. All of their margaritas are made with fresh and seasonal fruits. Their house margarita includes an award-winning mix that has been a family secret since opening in 1972. Some favorite flavors are the Ultimate Cadillac Margarita which uses their famous home-made margarita mix. Their Coco-Rita Margarita is a blend of two classic drinks that seamlessly combines the flavors of pineapple, coconut and tequila. Lastly, their fruit flavored blended margaritas add a nice variety to their margarita menu. They are classic margarita flavors blended into the ultimate adult slushy. 

Photo courtesy of Puesto

Puesto

Los Olivos Irvine
8577 Irvine Center Dr.
Irvine, CA
https://eatpuesto.com/locations/los-olivos-irvine-tacos/

Park Place Irvine
3311 Michelson Dr.
Irvine, CA
https://eatpuesto.com/locations/park-place-irvine/

With such a variety of margaritas to choose from, you can’t go wrong with Puesto on National Margarita Day. Start off with their Puesto Perfect Margarita, which is a great rendition of everything found in a classic margarita. If you are looking to add a little kick to your drink, try their Spicy Margarita. It is one of the best spicy margaritas out there and provides just the right amount of heat without being too overwhelming. Are you on the adventurous side? Then try the Avocado Marg or the La Verdad Margarita. Both are unique in flavor. The Avocado Marg is a summery drink that offers a completely different approach to the classic margarita. The La Verdad is what I like to call an undercover margarita. Its notes of cucumber, cactus and lime will have you forgetting that you are drinking a margarita and instead have you believing you are drinking a healthy juice from Whole Foods. 

Photo courtesy of Sol

Sol Mexican Cocina

Newport Beach
251 E. Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92660
https://solcocina.com/

Enjoy your margaritas right on the water at Sol Mexican Cocina. Sol has endless options when it comes to their margarita menu. They have frozen margaritas, skinny margaritas and about any flavor of margarita you can think of. Their frozen mango chili margarita is definitely a crowd favorite. It’s the perfect mix of both sweet and savory with its added chili-salted rim. Another fan favorite is their watermelon margarita that is the prettiest shade of pink. It is the perfect blend of summer flavors that are not overwhelmingly sweet. Their classic margarita is also one of the best in town – so smooth and delicious you can easily forget you are even sipping on an alcoholic beverage. Made with house-made sour mix and fresh-squeezed orange juice, Sol’s house margarita will have you imagining you are on the beaches of Mexico. 

Photo courtesy of Javier’s

Javier’s

Irvine Spectrum
536 Spectrum Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618
https://www.javiers-cantina.com/pages/irvine

Crystal Cove Promenade
7832 E. Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92657
https://www.javiers-cantina.com/pages/newport-beach

If you are looking for a spot to have date night on National Margarita Day, Javier’s should be at the top of your list. A local favorite, Javier’s has the perfect mix of ambiance and classic margarita options, making it the ultimate romantic night out on the town. Along with their upscale dining experience, Javier’s offers more upscale flavored margaritas. Try their Granada Margarita that adds a kick of pomegranate liquor to their classic margarita mix. The sunset colors the margarita creates are almost too pretty to drink. Or try a more tropical flavor with their Pina Margarita. This margarita is so refreshing with fresh pineapple and a splash of St. Germain. Another local favorite is their Jalapeno Margarita. This margarita brings the heat with pieces of jalapeno added right into the drink.

Between the classic margarita, spicy margarita, margaritas that combine different liquors and endless amounts of fruit flavors, there is a margarita for everyone during National Margarita Day. Enjoy one of my favorite national holidays and remember to drink responsibly when trying all of these amazing margaritas and restaurants around Orange County.

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The post Where to Celebrate National Margarita Day appeared first on Irvine Weekly.

Photo courtesy of CorePower Yoga

CorePower

corepoweryoga.com

4734 Barranca Parkway
Irvine, CA

2646 DuPont Drive
Irvine, CA

2872 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA

3010 Harbor Boulevard
Costa Mesa, CA

Time to break a sweat with CorePower Yoga. This yoga studio provides heated rooms to help you gain the ultimate stretch within your yoga practice. CorePower offers a variety of classes. For the yogi beginner, CorePower offers C1.5, a welcome introduction to the heated room and CorePower’s special style of yoga. If you are a more advanced yogi, try CorePower’s signature class of C2 for a more challenging Vinyasa flow. CorePower also offers a unique class called Yoga Sculpt. This class combines the flow of yoga with added free weights. Intensify your practice while integrating cardio and movements that will help you gain lean muscle mass. 

Photo courtesy of Ra Yoga

Ra

rayoga.com

854 Spectrum Center Dr.
Irvine, CA 92618

1617 Westcliff Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660

3077 Bristol St, Suite A
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Ra Yoga is a one-stop shop for all of your yoga needs. What sets Ra apart from other yoga studios is that it offers both heated and non-heated classes. If you are looking for a class that stays away from the heat, try a Restorative class or Yin Stretch. Both of these classes go at a slower pace and will help guide your practice and make you feel more relaxed than ever before. Or turn up the heat and check out Hot Ra 1, a class that will introduce you to the heat. There also classes for the more advanced which include Vinyasa, Yogalates and Ra’s most challenging class, Ra Strength. A great addition to Ra Yoga is that they also offer yoga classes for children and childcare. 

Vibes

vibeshotyoga.com

100 W Coast Hwy, #103
Newport Beach, CA 92663

Vibes yoga brings a heated and innovative atmosphere to Orange County. From their Himalayan salt wall, killer music selection and kombucha on tap, Vibes sets themselves apart from other yoga studios. They offer a handful of new and original classes. Try Vibes Hot Hip Hop which incorporates a Vinyasa flow to the music of your favorite Hip Hop artists from Kendrick Lamar to Nicki Minaj. Or try Vibes Hot Barre. This workout fuses the love of a barre class with yoga practice to give you a full body workout that will tone everything from your arms to your glutes. 

Bikram Yoga Irvine

bikramyogairvine.com

680 Roosevelt
Irvine, CA 92620

Get a taste for the original hot yoga method at Bikram Yoga. Bikram Yoga is a technique that will guide you through the fundamental 26 yoga poses. Each sequence within the class has a purpose to help prepare your body for the next pose. At Bikram Yoga Irvine there is only one class with one level. It is designed to let beginners with zero experience safely practice while allowing more advanced yogis to strengthen their flexibility, strength and balance. What makes Bikram unique is that in every class you will be practicing the same sequence of poses. This approach allows you to evolve in every class at your own pace. 

Photo courtesy of Edam Pilates

Ekam Yoga/ Ekam Pilates

ekamyogapilates.com

2700 West Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92663

This beachfront studio offers both yoga and Pilates classes to help build your best self. Ekam Yoga embraces the traditional practice of yoga in a modern-day setting. They offer a variety of yoga classes to fit every level. Try their Gentle Yoga class for a therapeutic experience that will guide you through a softer and slower practice to bring you the ultimate body awareness. Ekam’s yoga classes bring an extra level of meditation and mindfulness to help you connect your body and mind. After yoga, visit Ekam Pilates and continue your journey. Located in the same studio, Ekam Pilates welcomes you to their Powerful You Pilates class, a class that uses high-power Pilates form and their custom Project X Reformers. 

Photo courtesy of SeaFit

SeaFit

seafitstudio.com

17655 Harvard Avenue, Suite A
Irvine, CA 92614

SeaFit brings an awesome twist to a conventional reformer Pilates class. Their classes intermix Reformer Rocker Pilates with TRX. The marriage between these two workouts allows you to use your whole body within this 45-minute class. The mix of Pilates movements with suspension training will make muscles burn that you didn’t even know you had. Regain total body balance and increase coordination with this one-of-a-kind Pilates workout. 

Pilates Plus

pilatesplusoc.com

1220 Bison Ave, Suite A-3
Newport Beach, CA 92660

Get ready to have all your muscles shaking with the ultimate Pilates experience at Pilates Plus. Using the Lagree Fitness Method, Pilates Plus provides a workout that molds cardio training, weights and Pilate movements altogether. Each class uses a Megaformer that will allow you to reach your peak fitness level while still maintaining a low-impact workout. On top of their regular group classes, Pilates Plus also offers form and technique classes once a week to help you break down the movements and improve your skills. If you are a newbie to Pilates or a veteran at the reformer check out Pilates Plus and have your muscles transformed. 

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Happy 2019! With the beginning of a new year always comes new resolutions and goals. Fitness always seems to be at the top of most peoples’ resolution list. However, no one wants to go to the gym alone! I am here to help jump-start your 2019 fitness goals with a list of excellent group workout classes to check out in Orange County over the new year.

Barry’s Bootcamp

Barry’s is a great way to kick-start your strength training into high gear. Their workouts combine intervals on the treadmill and strength training on the floor, providing a perfect marriage for your body to become lean and strong in this new year. Barry’s workouts target a different part of the body every day. If you are looking to strengthen your arms, check out Monday’s classes for a workout that will work on your biceps, triceps and forearms. Is your goal to gain that new year six-pack? Check out Thursday classes that will strengthen your core to the max. Barry’s even has an option for those who can’t stand running on the treadmill. Barry’s offers it all to ensure your body has the perfectly balanced workout throughout the week.  Visit their website at barrysbootcamp.com to join the hustle and be a part of the Barry’s Team.

Website: barrysbootcamp.com

Location: 6260 Scholarship, Irvine, CA 92612

Orangetheory Fitness

For a more competitive edge in the new year check out Orangetheory Fitness. What sets Orangetheory apart from other studios is that you can see your fitness stats right in front of you. Orangetheory uses special monitors to help track your heart rate and performance in real-time, while you work with the class to reach your fitness goals. Coaches will help push you to the limit to achieve speed and strength throughout the one-hour workout. With a combination of running, rowing and floor training, expect to be burning calories days after your workout is over.

Website: orangetheoryfitness.com

Locations:

5675 Alton Parkway, Irvine, CA 92618

3201 E Pacific Coast Hwy., Corona Del Mar, CA 92625

2865 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92782

1040 Irvine Avenue, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Motion

Motion Fitness Group combines the love of having a personal trainer with being in a group class environment. Motion defines their workouts as H.I.R.T which stands for High-Intensity Resistance Training. Now, don’t be intimidated by how that sounds. Motion is only a 50-minute workout and is designed for all fitness levels to help you not only build confidence but also build muscle. Prepare to push yourself on the battle ropes, sleds, weights and other conditioning tools that will bring out your inner Serena Williams or Lebron James.

Website: motionfitnessgroup.com

Location: 2737 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92612

Newport Peach

Are you someone who is looking to switch up your workout routine in 2019? Newport Peach brings a modern twist to the classic aerobic workout. Their classes combine traditional high step, ballet work, mat Pilates and weights for an ultimate high-energy full-body workout. These workouts will help improve your coordination and strength while boosting your lung and heart function. Newport Peach offers three types of classes for all your needs. They have PeachStep, a class that combines step aerobics and Pilates. There is also PeachPhysique, a class that intermixes kettlebells, cardio and Pilates. Lastly, Newport Peach offers Buti Yoga, a one-of-a-kind class that combines yoga with cardio-infused tribal dance.

Website: newportpeach.com

Location: 2400 West Coast Highway, Suite S. Newport Beach, CA 92663

Pure Barre

Looking for a workout that is low impact, but still gives your body killer results? Pure Barre is perfect for you. The 45-50 minute class incorporates a ballet bar and other light equipment to target muscles you never knew existed. Don’t be fooled; the small isolated movements will make your muscles shake and become stronger than ever before. They even offer a beginner class that will introduce you to the basic techniques and movements of a regular Pure Barre class. Or are you looking to push your body further within the Pure Barre experience? Check out their Pure Empower class. This class is more cardio based and will have your blood pumping with different interval workouts.

Website: purebarre.com

Locations: 

6791 Quail Hill Parkway, Irvine, CA 92603

Pacific Plaza Shopping Center, 234 E. 17th Street, Suite 116, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

17245 17th Street, Tustin, CA 92780

Bounce Society

Bounce your way into the new year with Bounce Society in Newport Beach. This trampoline-style cardio class will have your heart moving and grooving while giving you the ultimate lower-body workout. Bouncing on a trampoline may sound intimidating, but don’t worry, Bounce Society has the perfect class for everyone. Every first-timer must take a Bounce prerequisite class called Bounce 1. Here you will learn all the techniques and moves to have you bouncing on to more advanced and high-paced levels. Bounce Society also offers muscle sculpting classes, barre classes, dance cardio and classes that combine all these aspects to give you the ultimate full body workout.

Website: bouncesociety.com

Location: 1725 Monrovia Ave, Suite 43, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Freedom Ride

Hop in the saddle and join the spin movement in 2019. Freedom Ride is a 45 minute spin class that will have you dancing in your saddle to the beat of the music. The workout incorporates rhythm-based movements that will have you thinking you are dancing in a club rather than working out. Freedom Ride encourages riders of all levels to come take a class and experience a total body and mind transformation. Freedom Ride even offers a post-class trip to the sauna through Revive Sauna Studio which is located onsite. Enjoy a killer ride and then jump right into the sauna where you can experience all the benefits of their infrared system. Freedom Ride is a one-stop shop for the ultimate detox experience.

Website: freedom-ride.com 

Location: 1000 Bristol Street N., Newport Beach, CA 92660

As you can see the options for workouts are varied and numerous in Orange County. There is something for everyone, whether you want to spin, push the weights or dance to the music. Make 2019 an excellent and healthy year by checking out one, if not more, of these classes!

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These three little words are not only the names of boxing punches, they are also the motto for Orange County’s newest fitness studio, BoxHaus. Located in Newport Beach, BoxHaus is paving the way for the hottest new trend in the fitness world.

BoxHaus opened its doors in February 2018 and is the creation of Andre Huseman and Vanessa Bourne. Both Huseman and Bourne are longtime entrepreneurs in the fitness community and dreamed of the day when they could run their own boxing studio. Huseman has been involved in the fitness community for over 12 years. Not only has he competed as an amateur boxer but also is a distinguished personal trainer to professional athletes, celebrities and social influencers. Huseman had a love for boxing from the very start and was looking for a way to combine this passion with personal fitness.

Courtesy of BoxHaus

Bourne, on the other hand, gained her loved of fitness through yoga and Lagree Pilates. After owning Pilates studios across Orange County, she was looking for a new fitness challenge, and Huseman was the missing piece to her fitness puzzle. Brought together by an email, this dream soon became a reality. They both wanted to create a space that was inviting with a perfect boutique studio feel. Within just a few weeks of meeting, Andre and Vanessa were on the way to turning their idea into a reality.

BoxHaus is a chicly designed boxing studio; its design straight out of a Pinterest board. Motivational quotes, paintings and colorful lights invite the neighborhood to take a peak and hop into one of their many classes. Huseman and Bourne’s ultimate goal is to recreate this idea in multiple communities across Southern California, all the while maintaining the concept’s principle of specializing in intimate classes and community.

So How Does It Work?

The minute you walk into the doors you feel the energy that is BoxHaus. Not only are you greeted by the huge boxing ring in the middle of the studio, but you are also welcomed by the friendly front desk staff who always have a smile on their face and are willing to help you with anything you might need. The studio is beautiful and clean with state-of-the-art facilities including lockers with built-in chargers, an alkaline water fill-up station, and kombucha on tap.

Courtesy of BoxHaus

The class itself is 45 minutes of high-intensity fun. It takes place in a private boxing room that has 20 personalized boxing bags. Even though it is a group class, it offers a very intimate experience that allows clients to feel like they are always getting one-on-one attention from the coaches. The room is almost like a nightclub that puts you in the zone to rock out and hit the bag as hard as you can. The workout is broken down into seven rounds of boxing with high interval training in between each round and a cool down round of ab and core workouts. Now, this may seem daunting at first; however, the class is for all levels of fitness. This could be your first boxing class or your 100th, and you will still feel challenged all while having fun with a fast-paced workout. After a hot and sweaty workout, a treat of a cold eucalyptus towel is awaiting.

BoxHaus offers classes seven days a week at a variety of times. If you are a person who wants to work out before heading into the office, there is a class for you. Or are you a mom on the go who needs a later morning class? Don’t worry there is a class for you too! With such a variety of class times and days, it’s hard to make an excuse not to go.

Along with the vast number of classes, there is also a group of high-level trainers from which to choose. BoxHaus currently has five main trainers: Andre, Mary, Jason, Jeff and Dallas. What makes them special and unique from other group fitness coaches is that along with their experience as personal fitness trainers, they all have backgrounds in the boxing world. Each is unique in their own way and make every class different from the one they taught the day or even the hour before. Looking to work out to rap music? Or what about rock n’ roll classics? These coaches keep you on your toes with the best music in the business, helping ensure their classes remain motivating and energized throughout.

Courtesy of BoxHaus

BoxHaus also offers a more personal, private training and ringside training sessions. Ringside training takes the experience of a group class and reduces it to a small group of four participants. Here you will work out in BoxHaus’s chic boxing ring while focusing on everything from footwork to punches. Both private training and ringside training are great ways to get started and learn the basics on a more intimate level or for a veteran to solidify their technique. For the ultimate personal experience, you can even reach out to BoxHaus to host your corporate event, birthday party or bachelorette party. Here you will have the ultimate experience with a 45-minute private class and private trainer.

BoxHaus
1342 Bison Avenue
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: (949) 752-7778
Email: box@boxhausoc.com
New Member Special: Four group classes for $69 or four private training sessions for $199

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Started in 2009, Sofar Sounds’ goal was to transform everyday spaces such as living rooms, coffee shops and even rooftops into secret performance spaces where artist and fans could get together for a night any music lover would enjoy. One can enjoy Sofar Sounds in over 300 countries around the world. The events usually highlight up-and-coming artists who are either local to the community or have an underground sound. Social media is a big part of the experience, and fans can learn where to follow and listen to the artist they hear that night.

Photo by Ethan Talby

On Saturday, November 3rd Sofar Sounds OC held a joyous rock ’n’ roll night in the heart of Orange. The secret location of the night was the big and beautiful backyard of our volunteer host, Dave. This backyard looked like a small neighborhood park, filled with twinkly lights, lawn chairs and blankets for the crowd. Guests were even treated to homemade warm cookies courtesy of Rye Bakery in Newport Beach. Even though it was a sold-out show of 100 guests, it still had a very intimate feeling. With a BYOB (bring your own booze) policy, you feel as if you are at your family’s or best friend’s house. The guests ranged in age, but all had their love for music in common, making it a friendly and welcoming experience, sharing their drinks and asking if this was their first Sofar experience. Surprisingly, for the majority of the audience, it was.

The show opened with Shannon, our MC for the night. With her bubbly personality, Shannon delivered some guidelines for the night: “Please limit your cellphone usage as artists perform, try not to talk, and enjoy tonight with your whole heart.” That last statement stuck with me as the theme for the entire evening. Open your heart to these performers and new music and open your heart to this new intimate experience.

The opening act of the night was Garrison Starr. A native of Tennessee, this soulful singer took the audience through a personal journey – with every song came a story. Whether it was about her dropping her life and moving to L.A. with friends, coming out, or remembering loved ones who have passed, Starr was vulnerable with the audience, letting them in on this personal and intimate musical story. Starr’s set included an appearance from her best friend Margo; however, the biggest surprise is that Dave went up to join them. Dave hopped up on base and joined Margo and Starr for a melody that brought the house down. Starr closed her set with a gospel song dedicated to her late grandfather. It was beautiful and heart wrenching with vocals that touched everyone. She said thank you and goodbye to the crowd with a quick encore of Happy Birthday to Dave. You can check out Garrison Starr on Spotify or follow her on Instagram @garrisonstarr.

The second act of the evening was a rock ‘n’ roll band named The Mammoths from Austin, Texas. Even though this was their first trip to California, these Texas boys looked like they were straight from Venice. They had the perfect laid-back rocker vibe with the long hair and incense burning off of their soundboards. They opened up their set with “Lose Control” followed by “Running.” Halfway through a guitar solo during “Running” they were jamming so hard they pulled their cords out of the power. It added to the intimate feeling of being in someone’s house, and the guys had a great sense of humor about it. When they got the sound back, they immediately picked up right where they left off without skipping a beat. The lead guitarist, Michael Jekot, was straight out a 90s rock ‘n’ roll band. He ripped through his solo during “Running” and the chemistry between him and lead singer David Kapsner was electric. They closed their set with “Cold Sweats,” a song that drew inspiration from what happens after a night of having too much to drink. The band’s chemistry as a whole was spot-on during this song. You could tell that this was a group of guys who genuinely loved to play music together. I can’t wait to follow these guys and see what they do next! You can find their EPs on Spotify and be on the lookout for their first full-length album coming soon. Check out The Mammoths on Instagram @the_mammoths.

Photo by Arielle Roude

The closing act of the night was Ninet. Ninet is a firecracker rock ‘n’ roll diva hailing all the way from Israel. Ninet opens her set and immediately forms a bond with the crowd. She asks if anyone has some whiskey they can share. Audience members were quick to pass up their whiskey to her. Before she starts singing, Ninet wanted to give a message to the audience regarding the recent tragedies across the country. Ninet passionately tells the audience, “light will defeat darkness,” and with that, she starts to sing her first song “Self-Destructed.” Her voice is powerful and draws passionate calls from the audience throughout all her songs. She rocks like no other with a Middle Eastern sound that fills most of her songs. As her set begins to end the crowd begs for an encore. Luckily, she obliges and covers an all-time hit, “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley. She took this early 2000s pop hit and put a new spin on it: It was rock ‘n’ roll, it was women’s empowerment, it was Ninet. You can follow Ninet like all the other performers from the evening on social media, including Instagram @n.tayeb.

After being to many concerts, some that were in large stadiums and others on smaller stages, experiencing live music through Sofar Sounds has been one of my favorite ways to date. I left this concert with goosebumps because I felt as if I got to know all of these artists. Their music brought together 100 people for two hours, but it was two hours I will never forget. It was intimate and homey and showed that one could appreciate all forms of music. I highly recommend checking out Sofar Sounds OC and attending their upcoming events. It will be one of the most magical musical experience you will ever have. Although Sofar Sounds OC is sold-out for the rest of the month, their first event in December will be December 2nd.

Head over to https://www.sofarsounds.com/orange-county to reserve your spot. You won’t regret it!

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