Don't trust a brilliant idea unless it survives the hangover. —Jimmy Breslin
Neighborhood Late Night Menu at MINA Test Kitchen
Starting Wednesday night, MINA Test Kitchen will be offering a new late menu for night owls looking for dinner, cocktails, and bar bites. From 10:30 p.m. until after midnight every Wednesday through Sunday, patrons can dine on BBQ steamed buns, BBQ Thai shrimp, and BBQ burnt-ends pork sandwiches, and wash it all down with a beer and shot combo (whiskey + pickle back) or a banana horchata spiked with Zaya rum. // 2120 Greenwich St. (Cow Hollow), michaelmina.net
Queer as Fourth Rent Party at El Rio
Nationwide, half of homeless youth identify as LGBTQI, and locally, up to a third of all homeless cases could have been prevented with access to temporary rental assistance. Local nonprofit MYREM (Make Your Rent Event Management) is hosting a fundraiser on July 4th at El Rio to aid qualified San Francisco and Alameda County applicants in need of rental assistance to prevent evictions. Expect $7 palomas at the bar, a BBQ on the back deck, DJs, gogo dancers, and drag performances. The party starts at 3 p.m. and tickets are available online and at the door: $10 suggested donation. // 3158 Mission St. (Mission), myrembayarea.com
Bluestem Brasserie Launches Summer Vacation Cocktail Menu
Bluestem Brasserie could have celebrated their five year anniversary with cake, but we're grateful that they've opted for cocktails instead. The Summer Vacation cocktail menu debuts on July 4th, featuring seven seasonal drinks that will make even the most jaded San Franciscans believe in summer again. Our favorite is the Maui Margarita, made with Casamigos Reposado, Cointreau, coconut milk and cream, lime juice, lime zest, and a salt rim. // 1 Yerba Buena Lane (Mid-Market), bluestembrasserie.com
Free Film and Booze at Top of the Mark
Enjoy a free movie and beverage tasting in posh surroundings every Tuesday night this summer at Top of the Mark. This week's Summer Movie Nights film is A League of Their Own, starring Geena Davis, Rosie O'Donnell, and Madonna. Arrive at 5:30 p.m. for a complimentary tasting of wine or spirits, and stick around for the show, which starts at 7 p.m. Seating is first come, first served with no reservations required. Future Summer Movie Nights titles include Bullitt (July 12), Vertigo (Aug. 2), and Airplane (Aug. 23). // InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel, 999 California St. (Nob Hill), topofthemark.com
Drink to Support Mission Fire Victims
Since you're planning to drink anyway, you might as well do it for a good cause. The recent five-alarm fire on Mission Street near Cesar Chavez displaced dozens of residents, burned six buildings, and gutted at least two businesses. Several nearby bars and restaurants are offering drink specials and hosting fundraisers to generate donations for their neighbors, which means the more you drink, the more you help. Participating businesses include El Rio, Old Bus Tavern, Front Porch, Rock Bar, and several other local establishments. // Various locations in Bernal Heights and the Mission
