Tapas & Vino: Two things needed for a fun shopping trip? That’s my answer! Tonight, Thursday December 2, Catalina Avenue, Riviera Village, will be closed to traffic from 5-9 p.m. for an evening of festivities including holiday music, wine and apps served throughout the shopping district and special offers at the new Tapas & Vino in the heart of RV like $5 glasses of Sangria (normally $8). With an extensive hot and cold tapas menu including $2-3 tapas during Happy Hour, 3-6 p.m. and a wine list to rival the length of War and Peace, this new comer is a great place to begin or end your trek. Call (310) 791-8200 or go to tapasyvino.com and start your holiday shopping today…

Holiday Wine Tasting: This Sunday, December 5, 4-7 p.m., Lido di Manhattan, Rosecrans, is hosting a special wine tasting on the heated patio with over 30 wines represented from wineries Lapis Luna, Magness, Santa Margarita, Jordan, Corison, Gioia, Trinitas and more. $25 per person includes all the wine you can taste, holiday appetizers and the opportunity to buy the wines at wholesale prices. I am familiar with Lido’s weekly Thursday wine tastings ($15 per person for tastings and apps), which are a blast. People meet, greet and end up buying bottles at wholesale prices to share with their new friends (stay for dinner and get 15 percent off the food bill), so I am certain this one will be double the fun. Call (310) 536-0730 to reserve your spot and check out lidodimanhattan.com for more info…

Charity Event: Sometimes it’s nice to get out of town and tomorrow night is a great chance to do it. This Friday, December 3, Steve Fowler, formerly of Beaches, Manhattan Beach Boulevard (now undergoing remodeling by new owner Mike Zislis of Shade Hotel, Rock & Fish, Mucho, etc), is holding the third annual “Babes in Toyland” toy drive to benefit Children’s Hospital LA at Bar 210 at the Beverly Hilton, corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards. $20 donation plus an unwrapped toy (no stuffed or wooden toys), gains you entry to a party that will be a who’s who of Hollywood, including winner of The Bachelor 13, Natalie Getz, actresses Suzanne Stokes, Alana Curry and Melissa “Mojo” Hunter, professional poker player and Amazing Race participants Maria Ho and Tiffany Michelle, and more. Open bar from 8-10 p.m. hosted by Stoli Ohranji and Tyku, silent auction and VIP table packages available. Call (310) 274-7777 or go to platinumevents.net and show your support for one of our own starting off the holiday season with a good deed and a great party…

Questions? Comments? Contact DebL at BarflyDebLG@aol.com. ER

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