Month: April 2022

We’ve spent the last two years largely indoors and damn was that tough. Now it’s time to get out there, hit the poolside, beach, backyard, park, patch of grass, whatever you’ve got access to, with some friends and make up for those lost years. But who has the time to roll out the bar cart, bust out all the tools, and mix fancy cocktails? We did enough of that shit during the lockdown.

That’s why right now we’re all about canned cocktails. No, they’ll never taste quite like the real thing, but they’re cheap, convenient, portable, and require absolutely no mixing skills, tools, mixers, or glassware. They’re perfect for cracking open at the end of the hike while you take in the view and they certainly get the job done when it comes to the whole issue of… you know… having alcohol in them.

So we’re shouting out the best new canned cocktails that you need stocked in your cooler this spring party season. Cheers!

Cutwater Bali Hai Tiki Rum Punch

ABV: 7%

Average Price: $13.99 (4 Pack)

The Cocktail:

Cutwater’s new Tiki Rum Punch features a mix of the brand’s Bali Hai rum and sparkling orange-passion fruit punch. Like the Bali Hai rum, it’s very sugary, with a single can packing 13.5 grams of sugar and 190 calories. That isn’t a lot for a cocktail but is on the higher end for canned beverages.

Those calories are well spent on flavor though, it blows White Claw, Truly, and the like out of the water in terms of flavor and punch.

Tasting Notes:

A medley of berries, sweet melon, and zesty citrus top notes with a subtle brown sugar and pepper bite.

The Bottom Line:

Tropical, sweet, and strong enough to give you a good buzz in a single can.

Owls Brew Boozy Tea — Matcha Pineapple & Chamomile

ABV: 4.8%

Average Price: $13.99 (6-pack)

The Cocktail:

A combination of Matcha green tea, juicy pineapple, and chamomile, this is truly one of the weirder canned cocktails out there, and at 4.8% ABV it hardly even provides a head change but I love this stuff. It’s refreshing, and truly one of the most unique combinations of flavors on the RTD beverage market.

Tasting Notes:

Very vegetal and fresh, with a subtle twist of sour notes and a nice floral aftertaste.

The Bottom Line:

For the novelty of this flavor combination alone, it’s worth the pickup. You’re going to need to drink a couple of these to feel anything resembling a buzz, but on a warm day in the sun, few spiked drinks are as refreshing.

Sauza Agave Cocktails — Tropical Twist

ABV: 8%

Average Price: $7.99

The Cocktail:

Part of Sauza’s new three-flavor canned Agave Cocktails line — which ironically enough aren’t technically cocktails according to the packaging but “cocktail-inspired drinks,” — the Tropical Twist is the best of the line’s three flavors, which also include Strawberry Breeze and the truly awful Lime Crush. Be warned, do not order the Lime Crush unless you want to drink something that tastes like batteries.

When it comes to tequila brands, I’m not the biggest fan of Sauza, but this canned cocktail which combines a malt alcohol base with pineapple, passion fruit, and citrus flavors does a pretty good job at mimicking a fast and easy tequila cocktail.

Tasting Notes:

Pineapple and passion fruit top notes with a sweet agave finish on the backend. A bit vegetal and earthy on the aftertaste.

The Bottom Line:

It’s not quite as good as a margarita in a can, but Sauza’s Tropical Twist dunks on White Claw and other sparkling malt beverages, packing more flavor and a stronger kick.

Cantina Especial — Grapefruit Paloma

ABV: 5.6%

Average Price: $10.99 (4-pack)

The Cocktail:

The Paloma is my all-time favorite cocktail, so I’m pretty specific and picky when it comes to canned versions. Luckily for Paloma fans, the magic of this simple cocktail is easily captured in canned form thanks to its reliance on sparkling Grapefruit soda. It’s practically already a canned cocktail! Cantina Especial is a Texas brand that uses blanco tequila sourced from Jalisco mixed with ruby red grapefruit soda and sweetened with agave syrup.

Tasting Notes:

Bitter, then sweet, then herbal, then floral, and bitter again, if you’re already a fan of Palomas you’re going to find a lot to love here. It leans a bit more on the sweet side, think a Grapefruit Jarritos assisted Paloma rather than one made mixing fresh juice and sparkling water.

The Bottom Line:

A solid canned Paloma, our only gripe is that at 5.6% ABV it’s a bit on the mild end.

Golden Rule — Old Fashioned

ABV: 39.5%

Average Price: $19.99 (4-Pack)

The Cocktail:

Does an Old Fashioned count as a tropical cocktail? It’s got a zesty finish so… f*ck it, we’re counting it! In the intro to this piece, I made a comment about canned old-fashioneds never living up to the real thing, and that is true, but Golden Rule’s Old Fashioned comes pretty damn close. Batch made with rye bourbon, angostura bitters, cane sugar, and orange zest, this canned cocktail has everything that a true old-fashioned should have and delivers a surprisingly complex flavor.

Tasting Notes:

It has that grassy quality that rye whiskey provides with a balanced sweet and bitter body and a bright zesty finish. It’s more mellow and not as sweet and peppery as the fresh stuff.

The Bottom Line:

The best Old Fashioned in a can you will ever drink.

Golden Rule — Margarita Original

ABV: 27%

Average Price: $19.99

The Cocktail:

Seriously someone needs to give Golden Rule an award or something because this brand knows how to deliver a good canned cocktail. This tastes exactly like a traditional margarita, it’s tart, bright, refreshing, and leaps and bounds better than any canned sparkling agave or dive bar margarita you’ll ever drink.

I appreciate Golden Rule for not cutting any corners by adding sweet and sour or margarita mix, instead, Golden Rule uses 100% agave tequila, real lime juice, and a proprietary triple sec.

Tasting Notes:

Exactly what you want a basic margarita to taste like, it balances tart lime and sweet orange liqueur flavors and even manages to provide a slightly salty aftertaste that perfectly captures what a salted rim gives you.

The Bottom Line:

Like the Old Fashioned, this is the best canned Margarita we’ve had to date. If you’re not completely sold on canned cocktails or don’t think they come even close to a freshly mixed drink, try Golden Rule and get back to us.

Spa Girl — Sparkling Mango Vodka Cocktail

ABV: 11.5%

Average Price: $44.99 (12-Pack)

The Cocktail:

If you’re looking for a canned cocktail that tastes tailor-made for the pool-side ragers of Palm Spring’s Splash House, look no further than Spa Girl. The brand, which actually originates in Palm Springs California, offers low-calories vodka-based cocktails paired with fresh ingredients that won’t weigh you down but pack a powerful enough punch to provide a steady and sustained buzz.

Tasting Notes:

Heavy on the juicy mango notes with a slightly bitter initial taste that mellows out into something more pleasingly tropical and fruity. You can’t so much as taste the vodka here as feel it. It’s a bit wince-inducing and clearly not the highest quality vodka, but hey, at least you can taste it working!

The Bottom Line:

Fizzy, fruity, and strong. Spa Girl comes in a small package, both calorically and literally, but it offers a sustained buzz and a great sparkling vodka-based cocktail that tastes even better over ice.

Editor’s Pick — Good Feels Cannabis Infused Seltzer

ABV: 0%

Average Price: $5

The Cocktail:

Okay, a little bit of a cheat here. This isn’t a cocktail, per se, but I definitely recommend keeping it on hand for barbecues and the like. Everyone on our team has different things they want out of weed beverages, but for me, this was the first weed drink I could imagine having more than one of at a time. It came on mellow and… stayed mellow.

And yet, you definitely felt it. But the sensation was cruisy/ boozy — not weed-head-trippy.

For my personal palate, this is the fast-acting social weed drink of my dreams. The fact that it has no sugar sort of boggles the mind. Smart move by Good Feels to take the best three White Claw flavors and focus on those (plus and Apple-Rasberry flavor I haven’t tried), rather than getting bogged down with other flavors that don’t do sugar-free as well (lime, strawberry, etc.).

Tasting Notes:

Black cherry tastes of… black cherries. There’s a teensie bit of piney darkness from the weed but it’s almost pure black cherry. It’s light, like a Claw, but the alcohol-metallic taste of those seltzers always distracts me. I like this better.

The Bottom Line:

The brand is called Good Feels and it leaves you feeling good. Not “f*cked up” by any means, but certainly ever so slightly tilted and deeply relaxed. This is one I’ll be seeking out often.

After sitting comfortably in theaters for over a month, The Batman finally streams via HBO Max on April 18th. Matt Reeves’ movie has been everywhere lately (besides actually available online), raking in massive amounts of money and sparking the Nirvana revival. The movie will also have an HBO premiere on Saturday, April 23rd at 8 pm.

The movie stars Robert Pattinson as the caped crusader alongside Zoe Kravtiz as Selina Kyle aka Catwoman, Paul Dano as The Riddler and Colin Farrell as the creepy Penguin. For those of you who have been waiting until it is online to see it, here is a brief overview that you probably already know:

When a killer targets Gotham City’s elite with a series of sadistic machinations, a trail of cryptic clues sends the World’s Greatest Detective on an investigation into the underworld, where he encounters such characters as Selina Kyle, The Penguin, Carmine Falcone and The Riddler. As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator’s plans becomes clear, The Batman must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit, and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued Gotham City.

While there hasn’t been an official confirmation of a sequel, both Reeves and Pattinson have expressed interest in continuing the series, and there are multiple Batman spinoffs in the works at HBO Max. So, it’s safe to say Pattinson’s Batman is here to stay.

Though he has been accused of a number of instances of sexual assault, Trey Songz now has one less case to worry about. Las Vegas police closed their investigation into accusations against the singer, determining that “no criminal charges will be filed.” According to TMZ, a representative of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department advised, “If any new evidence comes to light, the case will be reopened for further investigation.”

The R&B star was investigated for an alleged incident at The Cosmopolitan hotel in 2021. He was in Vegas to perform at Drai’s Nightclub and celebrate his 37th birthday this past November. Songz invited a group of women back to his rooms at The Cosmopolitan where the incident allegedly occurred. It’s unclear whether this was the same incident that prompted former UNLV basketball player and model Dylan Gonzalez to call Trey Songz a rapist in a statement earlier this year. Gonzalez did tweet the day of the announcement the case was closed, writing, “No White Flag From Dylan Gonzalez. The War Continues. #BeStrongNotSilent.”

In her statement, she wrote, “With what seems like endlessly recurring news of the alleged sexual assaults committed by Trey Songz, I am forced to repeatedly relive in my mind, and suffer anew, the long-suppressed horror and unbearable PTSD of my rape by his very hands at a well known Las Vegas hotel.” Earlier this year, he was sued by another woman who alleged he also raped her in 2016.

What a year in hip-hop 2022 has already been. This year started with a bang thanks to new album releases from Gunna (DS4EVER), Cordae (From A Bird’s Eye View), and Earl Sweatshirt (Sick!). As the year continued, the big-name releases picked up momentum, with new albums from Saba (Few Good Things), 2 Chainz (Dope Don’t Sell Itself), $not (Ethereal), Big KRIT (Digital Roses Don’t Die), Earthgang (Ghetto Gods), and Conway The Machine (God Don’t Make Mistakes). That momentum has carried over into the beginning of spring, with King Von (What It Means To Be King), BabyTron (Megatron), Lil Durk (7220), Fly Anakin (Frank), Phife Dawg (Forever), Denzel Curry (Melt My Eyez, See Your Future), Buddy (Superghetto), and Latto (777) all contributing to the absolute mayhem that marked the first quarter of rap releases.

All that, and we still haven’t heard from heavy-hitters like JID, Kendrick Lamar, or Nicki Minaj, although increased activity from two of the three suggests that new albums may very well be dropping soon. For now, we’ll just focus on the albums we know are dropping (or have dropped — April 8 turned out to be a monster release day as well). And look, there’s no accounting for taste or surprise releases; your underground fave may not appear here but that doesn’t mean we aren’t always looking out to be pleasantly shocked by a relative newcomer or dark horse viral popup. Here are the most anticipated hip-hop albums of spring 2020.

Coi Leray — Trendsetter

The 2021 XXL Freshman had a stellar year in the wake of her breakout track, “No More Parties.” Following up with strong viral faves like “Twinnem” and “Blick Blick,” Coi proved she’s no one-hit-wonder. Trendsetter looks to bring some color and life to the rap game, bending the genre’s established tropes and throwing expectations for female rappers completely out the window.

Dreezy & Hit-Boy — Hit Girl

As the Chicago veteran — yes, she’s a vet, as she first emerged during the drill rap explosion of 2012 — aims to make her resurgence, she’s picked the perfect partner. Hit-Boy managed to jumpstart the career of rap icon Nas; if anyone can help Dreezy with her relaunch, it’s him. They’ve already made significant headway to that effect with the slick comeback singles “COVID Flow Freestyle” and “They Not Ready,” and honestly, no one could be happier about this than me.

Fivio Foreign — B.I.B.L.E.

When Pop Smoke was killed in 2020, the torch of the oncoming New York drill wave, seemingly passed to Fivio — Pop’s closest collaborator — by default. At times, it seemed uncertain whether he was ready for it, or whether he even wanted it. Yet, in the year and change since, we’ve seen Fivio take some laudable leaps as an artist. His notoriety has certainly increased as well, resulting in collaborations with big names like Kanye West and Nicki Minaj. If nothing else, it’ll be interesting to see what he does with it and whether he can blow some fresh wind into the movement’s flagging sails on B.I.B.L.E.

Jack Harlow — Come Home The Kids Miss You

Harlow’s new album’s title may be a mouthful, but the cocky Louisvillain has certainly earned some latitude to take a few left turns. Just check out “Nail Tech” and “First Class,” which have been stark departures from the upbeat, syllable-a-second breakout single “What’s Poppin’.” Jack promises more introspective material on his latest, but as it turns out, he’s not above relishing in his newfound success either.

Leikeli47 — Shape Up

Listen, the time is certainly ripe for the masked menace to make her long-awaited return. It has been nearly four years since her last album, Acrylic, and to be honest, the rap game has desperately needed a jolt of her fresh perspectives on New York City’s eclectic musical melange of styles and scenes. An MC’s MC, Leikeli has never been afraid to take big risks musically and who knows — maybe this time, the world will actually be ready for them.

Mount Westmore — TBA

The California supergroup consisting of E-40, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, and Too Short couldn’t have come together at a better time. All four rappers are independent and all four have been around the block a few times since they all emerged in the late-80s/early-90s. They’ve got the experience and wisdom of age, but also share a youthful enthusiasm for hip-hop and rap, and from the two singles they’ve released so far, they clearly enjoy working together and inspire each other in a way that has them all sounding more engaged than ever.

Pusha T — It’s Almost Dry

Once again, it’s time to see how many ways Pusha can make the same material sound brand new all over again. If anyone’s up to the challenge, it’s the guy who managed to sneak a cocaine reference into a fast-food jingle and unearthed a near-decade-old beat from 88 Keys’ stores. He even got Jay-Z to rap like he means it again. Push’s last effort, 2018’s Daytona, was universally acclaimed; could it be he has another consensus critical favorite up his sleeve?

Vince Staples — Ramona Park Broke My Heart

In all his years in the rap game, the Long Beach rapper has been a contrarian, an iconoclast, and someone who was singularly disinterested in the trappings of fame, let alone being a working musician aspiring to it. For the first time, it seems like he’s letting his guard down, demystifying his biography, and actually making music for the masses to enjoy. When Earl Sweatshirt did it, we got Sick! When Vince does it, we just might get another masterpiece.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Over a month after stirring up controversy, Sam Elliott has officially apologized for calling The Power of the Dog a “piece of sh*t” because of its “allusions of homosexuality.” The actor made the comments on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast, and he made it a point to specifically apologize to Jane Campion and Benedict Cumberbatch in his first public appearance since the remarks.

“I told the WTF podcaster that I thought Jane Campion was a brilliant director, and I want to apologize to the cast of The Power of the Dog, brilliant actors all,” Elliott said at Deadline’s Contender TV event on Sunday. “And in particular Benedict Cumberbatch. I can only say that I’m sorry and I am. I am.”

Elliott also made it a point to express his support to the gay community and sincerely apologize for poorly expressing his criticism of the film. “I wasn’t very articulate about it. I didn’t articulate it very well,” Elliott said:

“And I said some things that hurt people and I feel terrible about that. The gay community has been incredible to me my entire career. And I mean my entire career, from before I got started in this town. Friends on every level and every job description up until today. I’m sorry I hurt any of those friends and someone that I loved. And anyone else by the words that I used.”

As for one thing Elliott learned, “don’t do a podcast with the call letters WTF,” the actor quipped before, again, apologizing for his poor choice of words.

(Via Deadline)

To say that there are a lot of IPAs on the market is a ridiculous understatement. With the total number of breweries in the US hovering around 9,000, there are likely way more craft IPAs available than any drinker could ever try. Even if you quit your job (or stole mine!) and made it your goal to try every single one of these beers. It’s just not possible.

Maybe, instead of chasing the best IPAs from coast to coast, just try a few each month, with a little help from yours truly and some stone-cold experts. Our collective of craft beer pros was gracious enough to share their picks for the one IPA they wish more people talked about. Note: These aren’t the most underrated beers — some of them are quite popular. But the brewers and beer aficionados we polled said these IPAs don’t get talked about as much as they should.

Keep scrolling to check out all of their picks so you can add them to your list.

Atlas Ponzi

Jeff Hancock, co-founder, and brewmaster of DC Brau in Washington, DC

ABV: 7.3%
Average Price: $12.99 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

I’d have to say the Atlas Brew Works Ponzi West Coast Style IPA. The hop combination of Cascade, Chinook, Centennial, Mandarina Bavaria, and Amarillo hops that are laid atop a subtle malt base makes this one a killer. It’s also a year-round offering from the brewery, so no waiting for a seasonal release.

Ska Modus Hoperandi

Chris Bell, founder of Call to Arms Brewing in Denver

ABV: 6.8%
Average Price: $9.99 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

Modus Hoperandi by Ska Brewing. This is one of those old-school IPA’s that I think gets lost in the fray with all of the new fruited, milkshake, sour dry-hopped & New England IPAs. Not that those aren’t great, but this is a classic and one that always is fresh in Colorado. It’s a great mix of citrus and pine and really brings back a lot of great memories of when craft beer was still in its infancy.

Everyone who’s anyone has a favorite West Coast-style IPA. And that one is certainly one of mine.

pFriem IPA

Mark Hughes, specialty brewing manager at Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, California

ABV: 7.2%
Average Price: $7.99 for 500ml bottle

Why This Beer?

Pfriem IPA is a can’t miss beer. Like all beers from Pfriem, it deserves a ton of respect. Their annual offering is a nod to the heritage of Northwest brewing and a time when beers did not need gimmicks to be enjoyed. Brewed with Chinook, Mosaic, and Citra hops, it’s loaded with citrus flavors and caramel malts.

Red Hook Big Ballard

Greg Deuhs, director of brewing, batching, and quality at Sprecher Brewery in Glendale, Wisconsin

ABV: 8.6%
Average Price: $10.99 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

Red Hook Big Ballard. It’s really an easy-going West Coast IPA. If I remember right, it’s 45 IBUs [Actually, it’s 73!]. It’s good because it not only has the hop character, but it also has malt character. Hoppy, malt, and slightly bitter. It’s a classic West Coast IPA.

Sena Farm Diagonal Stride

Zach Fowle, advanced Cicerone and head of marketing at Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix

ABV: 6.2%
Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

People should talk more about Sena Farm Brewery in general, but Diagonal Stride—their IPA dry-hopped with Vic Secret, Sabro, and Mosaic—deserves endless praise. The blend of hops results in a flavor that shifts between Fruit Stripe gum, melons, and tropical fruits, with just a hint of mint at the finish.

Sierra Nevada Celebration

Chris Collier, brewer at Biggerstaff Brewing in Atlanta

ABV: 6.8%
Average Price: $4.99 for a 12-ounce can

Why This Beer?

Sierra Nevada Celebration is a seasonal fresh hop West Coast IPA that might not be on a lot of people’s radar, although it has been a perennial since 1981. Fresh Cascade and Centennial hops give this beer solid citrus and pine flavors supported by a slightly caramelized malty backbone.

Maine Beer Dinner

Mike Kelly, senior brewer at Harpoon Brewery in Boston

ABV: 8.2%
Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

Maine Beer Co Dinner. While many people talk about its counterpart Lunch, Dinner had a brief moment in the sun years ago, before the NEIPA craze really took off. I think people forget just how good this beer is. With a huge hop nose with notes of pineapple, guava, and melon balanced with a slightly sweet malt body, this beer sneakily continues to be one of the best DIPAs money can buy.

Worthington’s White Shield

Dan Lipke, head brewer at Clown Shoes Beer in Boston

ABV: 5.6%
Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

Worthington White Shield is my pick. The IPA style has moved so far away from its original form that I wish people would do a bit of a reset and talk more about original versions, like Worthington’s White Shield. Originally brewed in Burton upon Trent and shipped over to British troops stationed in India in the 19th century, now only available in bottles in the UK, it’s still worth a sip.

You’ll find it has a full malt profile and is hopped much lighter than American versions of the style.

Civil Society Fresh

Marshall Hendrickson, co-founder and head of brewing operations at Veza Sur Brewing in Miami

ABV: 6.2%
Average Price: $18.50 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

Why This Beer?

Civil Society Fresh. This has always been one of my favorite IPAs. It’s always so juicy, loaded with citrusy hop flavor and aroma. I know Fresh gets a lot of love in South Florida, but I think it’s one of the best IPAs I’ve ever had. The label art is super rad as well.

Cigar City Jai Alai

Nancy Lopetegui, taproom general manager at Wynwood Brewing in Miami

ABV: 7.5%
Average Price: $10.99 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

Cigar City’s Jai Alai has always been one of my favorites especially since I’m from Florida, so this beer has always been available down here. It is getting more and more talked about in other parts of the country which I love to see but still doesn’t get the praise it deserves. There are citrus and tropical fruit hop notes with a hint of malt sweetness. Even with its popularity, it should be talked about more.

Maryland’s All Things Go Festival has announced the lineup for 2022. Headliners include Lorde, Mitski, and Bleachers; the rest of the performers are treats for indie fans, with Lucy Dacus, King Princess, Hippo Campus, Peach Pit, Julien Baker, Goth Babe, Maude Latour, Bartees Strange, Jack Kays, Michelle, Wallice, Kyle Dion, and The BLSSM. The festival will take place on Saturday, October 1.

Last year, All Things Go announced that they were moving to a larger event space — Merriweather Post Pavilion outside of Washington, DC — to accommodate more music fans. The move allowed the festival to expand its capacity and have two stages instead of just one. This year will also be at the Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Pop star Lorde is set to headline a few festivals this year, including Primavera Sound in Los Angeles alongside Arctic Monkeys and Nine Inch Nails as well as Life Is Beautiful in Las Vegas next to Jack Harlow and Gorillaz. This is part of her world domination after unveiling her third studio album Solar Power last year, whose compelling singles “Stoned At The Nail Salon” and “Mood Ring” had everyone’s attention.

Check out All Things Go’s full lineup announcement above. Information about tickets can be found here.

I’ve stayed in five-star, all-inclusive resort suites, grimy hostel bunks, corporate-style hotel rooms, woodsy cabins, Airbnbs, and in pretty much every other style of travel accommodation in between. While every type of lodging has its perks, there’s nothing I love more than the local character and charm that can be found at boutique hotels.

Sure, big hotel chains offer the convenience of luxury amenities, but there’s something about small, one-of-a-kind properties that adds to the overall travel experience. What I love about boutique hotels is that they further immerse you into the local scene and culture. Or at least that’s what I found when I stayed at The Green Room Hotel in Oceanside, California.

Oceanside itself delivers all the laidback vibes and sunshine you could ask for on a trip to Southern California but without the overcrowded beaches and road-rage-provoking traffic of Los Angeles or San Diego. Although it’s a little more under the radar, the city of Oceanside (particularly in South Oceanside) is a buzzing, up-and-coming area that’s in the midst of a boom — with delicious restaurants, a lively bar scene, boutique shopping, and plenty of outdoor adventure.

Better still, most of these South Oceanside gems are within a few steps of each other on the famous Pacific Coast Highway. I was able to experience it all first-hand recently while staying at The Green Room. The fact that the hotel is walking distance to everything popping in Oceanside is reason enough to book a stay, but that’s not the only thing that makes it worthy of a spot among the “Hotels We Love.”

If you’re in the market for a carefree California beach weekend, check out my full review below.

WHY IT’S AWESOME:

I’m no interior design expert or HGTV super fan, but I can appreciate a beautifully designed space when I see one. That’s what stood out most to me about The Green Room, which just opened last summer. The property was originally an old 1950s motel that the owners, who are two nearby residents and avid surfers, refurbished and transformed into what it is now. I never would have thought to paint an entire hotel jet black, but combined with the chic white window linings, cedarwood accents, and greenery, it makes for an unexpectedly contemporary aesthetic.

The property is lined with tall fencing and hedges surrounding the rooms and communal area, which includes a fire pit, picnic tables, and a cedar hot tub. The trendy outdoor decor is so well done that you forget you’re staying next to a parking lot off the highway. Speaking of the communal area, I love that the hotel property itself feels like a generally cool spot to hang out. It’s a welcoming environment — from the free donuts and coffee in the morning to the other guests chilling on their patios with a drink each night.

We haven’t even touched on the actual rooms yet, which are as stylishly designed as the rest of the hotel, but I’ll get more into the room details below.

NEARBY FOOD & DRINK:

There’s no on-site restaurant, but also no shortage of grub within walking distance of The Green Room — from the taco joint right next door, Municipal Taco, to the nearby coffee shop, Revolution Roasters, and the dive bar with live rock music and a slew of men who definitely own motorcycles, Pour House. There are endless options along the PCH, and every local restaurant and bar has its own eccentric character that adds to the vibrant energy of the city.

If there’s one restaurant you need to visit near The Green Room, it’s Wrench & Rodent. Dining somewhere with “rodent” in the name threw me off at first, but the locally beloved restaurant served some of the best sushi I’ve had in a long while.

For an appetizer, the roasted cauliflower is a must. It’s full of flavor, tangy yet salty, and weirdly juicy but in a good way. For the main event, I went with the Chronic Roll (spicy tuna, krab, and avocado deep-fried and topped with spicy aioli and sweet citrus sage) and the Dragonfly Roll (spicy tuna and shrimp tempura topped with seared albacore, avocado, citrus soy, and garlic chili). Wrench & Rodent also offers a small selection of plant-based sushi rolls.

Oh, and don’t forget to order a bottle of sake! The restaurant has a selection of different sake options to complement your meal.

AMENITIES:

• Complimentary high-speed WiFi
• Private patios in specified rooms
• Smart TVs with streaming services
• Communal fire pit
• Cedar hot tub (for up to eight people)
• Outdoor entertainment area
• Grab ‘n’ go foam surfboards
• Beach cruisers

ROOM TYPES:

The Green Room offers 12 individually curated rooms that are each uniquely designed with the ultimate boho-chic and retro-inspired decor and accents. The rooms also feature custom art by local artists — mine had an entire mural painted on the wall! There are three different room types to choose from, including six deluxe studios, five suites, and one two-bedroom suite.

I stayed in the two-bedroom suite, and I’m not exaggerating when I say I was about ready to move in. “I would live here” came out of my mouth more times in my 24-hour stay than I can count. It was basically a full two-bedroom, two-story house with a full kitchen and lots of open space. If you’re traveling with a few friends, this room type is an excellent option.

As it turns out, some people actually do move in. Thanks to The Green Room’s extended stay options (booked through Airbnb), anyone from travel nurses to international families can reside in Oceanside’s coolest property.

Learn more about The Green Room’s various lodging options here.

THE BEST THING TO DO WITHIN A 5-MINUTE WALK:

You can’t visit Oceanside without spending the vast majority of your time at the beach, especially when you stay somewhere like The Green Room, which has complimentary surfboards and beach cruisers available. That’s a given.

You can also take your daily outdoor adventures up a notch by renting an electric bicycle from SoCal Bike, located right next door to the hotel. The added electric-assist motors make exploring the entire city easy and accessible, from busy downtown streets to the calming coastal bike path. Plus, the bike rental comes with helmets and locks, so you can make pit stops as things catch your interest along the way.

THE BEST THING TO DO WITHIN A 5-MINUTE DRIVE:

The truth is that you really won’t need your car when staying at The Green Room. But if you really want to venture out, then the best thing to do is probably to head over to Carlsbad Village. It’s a bustling seaside area in the neighboring city that offers tons of dining options, boutique shopping, local cafés, bars, and ocean views.

You can pretty much spend an entire afternoon here browsing through the many shops, chilling out by the beach, and simply walking around the neighborhood while people-watching.

BED GAME:

I love a bed that makes it nearly impossible to get up in the morning. The Green Room’s bed setup did just that, at least when it came to the master bedroom in the two-bedroom suite. Typical hotel beds can be overly plush to the point you sink into the mattress like quicksand.

What I liked about my bed at The Green Room was that it was actually quite firm, while the comforter, sheets, and pillowcases were lusciously soft against my skin. This level of comfort combined with the gentle sunlight and bird chirps outside my bedroom window made for the most calming weekend wake-up call.

Rating: 8/10

SEXINESS RATING:

While the property’s vibe is overall more friendly than it is your classic idea of sexy, there are plenty of aspects about The Green Room that put intimacy at the forefront. The fire pit presents the perfect opportunity to cozy up with your crush, while the hot tub helps things get a little more steamy (in more ways than one).

Not only that, but taking the on-site beach cruisers for a ride to the beach makes for a fun and flirty outing. You can also create an ambiance when you get back to your room by making use of the smart TV. Log in to your Spotify and turn on those sultry tunes to set the mood.

If you need proof of The Green Room’s sexiness level, know that I spent Valentine’s Day weekend with my S.O. here and can attest to the fact that the romance was flowing.

Rating: 8/10

THE VIEWS AND PHOTO SPOTS:

As a mostly single-story property right off the highway, you won’t be getting any breathtaking views without a short walk to the beach for sunset. Fortunately, the property itself offers tons of photo-ready backdrops. The bohemian, minimalist aesthetic throughout every inch of the property provides endless photo opportunities both during the day and once the sun goes down.

Rating: 7/10

BEST SEASON TO VISIT:

There’s no bad time to visit California, but I’d recommend staying at The Green Room during spring. It will be warm and sunny enough for beach days, surfing, and bike rides. It gets chilly after sunset at this time of the year, so you’ll still be able to make good use of the fire pit and hot tub.

IF I HAD TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ONE THING:

Between the friendly staff, unbeatable location, and general coolness of the property, there isn’t much to complain about at The Green Room. But if I had to pick one thing, it’d probably be that it was somewhat difficult to find the hotel’s address. That may not have to do with the actual hotel, but it made the overall experience slightly inconvenient.

It’s likely because the hotel is still pretty new, but it didn’t show up on my Apple Maps app every time I’d be trying to navigate myself there. So I had to search for the address in Google, then manually input the address. I know, it’s only a few extra clicks of the thumb. But like I said, there’s not much else to complain about!

BOOK HERE:

The room type varieties make it easier to find something within your needs and budget. Plus, The Green Room price matches and adds free early check-in or late check-out for those who find a better rate than booking with them directly. Rates vary between about $150 to $300 per night, depending on your room type preference and the time of your visit.

BOOK HERE

INSTAGRAM IMAGES TAKEN AT THE GREEN ROOM:

For the first three seasons of Stranger Things, most of the action was contained to Hawkins, Indiana, the most cursed fictional town since Buffy‘s Sunnydale, California. That will not be the case in the new season.

Based on the season four posters, the new episodes will span the globe, including Russia (David Harbour knows it well), California (where Eleven and the Byers family, Joyce, Will, and Jonathan, moved to at the end of season three); and back in the midwest at the Hawkins National Laboratory and the creepy Creel house. During Deadline’s Contenders Television panel over the weekend, Stranger Things co-creators Matt and Ross Duffer even referred to season four as their “Game of Thrones season” for how “spread out” the plot is.

We kind of jokingly call it our Game of Thrones season because it’s so spread out, so I think that’s what’s unique or most unique about the season. Joyce and Byers family to have left at the end of season three. They are in California – we’ve always wanted to have that like E.T.-esque suburb aesthetic, which we finally got to do this year in the desert; and then we have Hopper in Russia; and then of course we have a group remaining in Hawkins. So we have these three storylines, are all connected and kind of interwoven together, but it’s just very different tones.”

The Duffers wisely made the Game of Thrones comparison before the final season (there’s one more season to go). Otherwise “our Game of Thrones season” has a different connotation, as Killing Eve fans know all too well.

The horror move-inspired first half of Stranger Things season four will premiere on Netflix on May 27, followed by the second half on July 1.

(Via Deadline)

John Oliver waded into the murky online waters of data brokers on the latest episode of Last Week Tonight, and when he emerged, he had a handful of blackmail material on politicians that was way too easy and legal to get.

Oliver kicked off the segment by highlighting the all too familiar feeling of going online and seeing targeted ads that are oddly specific. “They collect your personal information, and they resell or share it with others in a sprawling, unregulated ecosystem which can get very creepy, very fast,” the late night host said.

Unfortunately, lawmakers have done nothing to rein in the wild west world of data harvesting, so Oliver decided to show them how the practice can be quickly turned against Washington D.C. by anyone feeling adventurous. The late night host produced a manila envelope filled with blackmail material that his team acquired through a “f*cking creepy” use of targeted ads in the Capital Hill area, which provided tracking data that let them easily pinpoint politicians. Via HuffPost:

“If you’re thinking, ‘How on Earth is any of this legal?’ I totally agree with you. It shouldn’t be,” he said. “And if you happen to be a legislator who is feeling a little nervous right now about whether your information is in this envelope, and if you’re terrified about what I might do with it, you might want to channel that worry into making sure that I can’t do anything.”

To keep the creepy vibes going, Oliver ended the segment with a “friendly” message. “Anyway, sleep well!” he said while gleefully holding his folder full of God knows what.

(Via HuffPost)