RIP La Vida Cantina

Hello Back Bay Bebes, happy Friday!

We can’t sugarcoat it, its been a bit of a slow week. The weather is shaping up to be steadily hotter, which means the Peninsula is packed from 12pm onward on any given day (especially Wednesdays, thanks to the Newport Run Club. Bless their Hoka-wearing souls).

To the 100 or so new readers since our last send—welcome! The Back Bay Buzz delivers just the right amount of news and events for locals in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. No crime, no politics, no spam—just the good stuff. We scan newspapers, blogs, social media, business journals, and Google alerts so you don’t have to.

In today’s Buzz:

• La Vida Cantina has been re-branded

• $4 Beers at Board and Brew

• 80’s Market at Westcliff

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

RIP La Vida Cantina, Long Live “The House of Vibes”

After more than a decade as a nightlife staple at Triangle Square, La Vida Cantina has closed—making way for a new concept from the same team: Casa de Onda. The revamped space at 1870 Harbor Blvd. is now home to a Mexican-American fusion restaurant and cocktail lounge designed to channel warm, tropical vibes without ever leaving Costa Mesa. Owner Alex Petrosian describes it as a “House of Vibes,” brought to life with Chef Ryan Perez, and reimagined in just eight days. Casa de Onda is now open daily at 12pm with late-night hours and a refreshed, elevated atmosphere.

• DIY Herb Garden + Olive Oil Tasting - Jenni Kayne (Lido Village)
  Sat July 19th 10-4pm
  Info

• ModRef Sample Sale - The Lab
  Vintage, baked goods, accessories
  Sat-Sun July 19th-20th
  Info

• Sunset Social - Newport Pier
  Hosted by OC Social Club “Orange County’s social club for 20 and 30 somethings”
  Sat July 19th 7-9pm
  Info

• Outdoor 80’s Themed Market with Free Kids Crafts, Face Paint, and More - Westcliff Plaza (Newport Beach)
  Saturday, 19 July

  3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  Info

• Meals on Wheels Pickleball Bash Tournament - The Tennis & Pickleball Club
  Proceeds will support Meals on Wheels Orange County’s nutrition, socialization, and wrap-around services
  Sat July 19th 1-4pm
  Info

• $4 Beers at Board & Brew (Costa Mesa)
  “Cheers to 3 years!” $4 beers all of July (Harbor location only)
  Directions

UPCOMING:

• Paint Night - Wild Goose Tavern
  Tues July 22nd 6-8pm

• Good Boy’s Social Club Wine Event - Third Place Wine Bar
  “Entry for you, and one well-behaved pup– A free glass of wine, beer, or non-alcoholic beverage– Access to a laid-back, dog-friendly community”
  Wed July 23rd 6-9pm
  RSVP

• Country Kickback - The Camp
  live music, free line dancing classes, hat bar, mechanical bull
  Thursday July 24th 3-10pm
  RSVP

• Native Newport Classic Annual Volleyball Tourny - Newport Beach (tower TBD)
  Sat July 26th
  Info

• Sterling Silver Ring Making Workshop - Methra (Costa Mesa)
  Sat July 26th - Info

• Calling All Artists 🎨 : Apply to Costa Mesa’s annual juried art exhibition - Deadline: July 28th - Info

• Summer Garden Party - Sherman Gardens
  Sat Aug 9th 4-7pm
  Info

• Fun Run 5k 🏃 - OC Fairgrounds - Aug 10th 8am - Register

• Pacific Wine and Food Classic - Newport Dunes
  Sat Sep 20th 1pm-5pm
  Tickets

Friday
65🌡️ 72 I 🌤️ I 7% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SW 11mph

Saturday
65🌡️ 72 I 🌤️ I 7% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SSW 10mph

Sunday
64🌡️ 71 I 🌤️ I 6% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SSW 10mph

🌊 Water temp = 66º
Suit Rec: Summer suit

THIS WEEKEND:

• Newport Dunes Outdoor Summer Movies (Free Except for Parking)
  Friday, 18 July

  7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  Info

• Dive-In Movie Night (Lilo & Stitch) - Downtown Aquatic Center (Costa Mesa)
  Friday July 18th 7:30-9:30pm
  Info

• Family Storytime at Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library
  Saturday, 19 July

  10:30 am - 11:00 am
  Info

• Outdoor 80’s Themed Market with Free Kids Crafts, Face Paint, and More - Westcliff Plaza (Newport Beach)
  Saturday, 19 July

  3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  Info

• Free Pilates with Vuori at Irvine Spectrum
  Saturday, 19 July

  8:45 am - 9:45 am
  Info

• Barnes and Noble Storytime at Fashion Island
  Saturday, 19 July

  11:30 am - 12:00 pm
  Info

PLAN AHEAD:

• Corona Del Mar Songs and Stories - CDM Branch Library
  Thursday, 24 July

  10:30 am - 11:00 am
  Info

• Strolling Jazz Quartet - Lido Village
  Every Thursday 5:30pm-7:30pm
  

• Kyle Tiernan's Draw Along Art Workshop in Corona Del Mar
  Saturday, 26 July

  11:00 am - 12:00 pm
  Info

🎶 Costa Mesa – July 18–20, 2025

• W U B – Tiki Bar – Friday, July 18, 7:00 PM

• DJ Night - Cowboys and Poodles (The Camp) - Sat 6/19 7pm - close

• Couch Dog with bed and Rangoo - Wayfarer - Sat July 19th 8pm

• The Offtrax, Clark Kiane, Archer Valentine - Wayfarer - Sun July 20th 6pm

• Jimmys Buffet - The Hangar (OC FAIR) - Sun July 20th 7:15 - Tickets

🎶 Newport Beach – July 18–20, 2025

• Tijuana Dogs – Campus JAX – Friday, July 18, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Joe Marx – Lido Marina Village (Lido Deck) – Saturday, July 19, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

• Alex Maes – Lido Marina Village (Lido Deck) – Sunday, July 20, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

🎵 ⏩️ PLAN AHEAD:

• Fitz and The Tantrums + Aloe Blacc - Pacific Ampitheater - July 25th - 6:30pm - Tickets

• Led Zepplica - Led Zeppelin Tribute - The Hangar (OC FAIR)
  Fri July 25th doors 7:15pm - Tickets

• Dispatch, John Butler with Band - Pacific Amphitheatre
  Sat July 26th Doors 4:30pm - Tickets

• Ellis Bullard - Wayfarer Fri 7/18 7pm - Info

• BECK - Pacific Ampitheatre - Wed 7/30 7:30pm - Tickets

• Oliver Anthony - Pacific Amphitheatre
  Fri August 1 Doors 6:30pm - Tickets

• Ludacris, Ying Yang Twins - Pacific Amphitheatre
  Thurs August 7th Doors 6:30pm - Tickets

• Mickey Avalon (yes That Mickey Avalon)- Wayfarer
  Sat October 18th

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor decided it was a good idea to go the pier on a Wednesday.

PS: Feel free to let me know any feedback or inside scoops you have for the newsletter. Just reply to this email, I read every one. Thanks!