Since I am about two month away from leaving my 30’s behind me, I have come to realize that my definition of a night out has drastically changed. Back in the day, when I was in my 20’s, we used to dress up and go out on the town. We would wear loads of make-up, bust out the Aqua Net and stand at the bar looking annoyed that men would even think about talking to us, while we drank our Midori sours. I know, I know. Anyone remember Chiquitos? Lol!
Well, now a good night out on the town for me is if I can wear my flip-flops or not. So, this past Friday I ventured out to Engelmann Cellars to check out their 80’s night featuring Max Headroom, wearing my flip-flops of course. Oh man, was that a blast!
This is the premise of the evening, bring a glass, bring a chair, buy a bottle, and dance the night away. Well, if that is not as close to a wild night out in flip-flops you can get in Fresno, then I don’t know what is.
I rallied up a few good friends to party hardy with me that evening. We found our place in the grass and planted our chairs. Engelmann Cellars allows outside food and non-alcoholic drinks to be brought into this event, and some people took full advantage of this. I mean, there were some professional wine concertgoers out there, with fold out tables and full on spreads. They had an assortment of cheeses, crackers, gourmet desserts, deli meats and I even saw a crockpot. Hardcore.
Well, since I am never good about planning my adventures out, I of course only had a mint and some trail mix in my purse, so I gravitated to one of the food trucks to buy my food. For tonight’s feast I thought I would try out Casa de Tamales. Yummy Yummy!! Not only was my green chicken chile tamale exceptional, but also the best part is that I did not labor away in the kitchen for ten hours making it. That made it taste ten times better! But in all seriousness this was a good tamale!
We bought a bottle of their Engelmann’s Sommer wine and relaxed in the setting sun. Then the band started playing, and it got all crazy up in here! Who can resist the tunes that remind you of middle school? Well maybe some can, but I can’t! People jumped up and danced, and there I went. All of a sudden I felt like I was at a great wedding with about 300 guests. Max Headroom rocked it out!
If that is not enough to get you interested you can wine taste and have a wine glass personalized all while you socialize and groove. Now I don’t remember Chiquitos having that.
We all agreed that we had a great time. My poor flips flops took the brunt of my jumping around to Journey songs, but hey it was so worth it. I bumped into a lot of people I had not seen in a while, which was amazingly cool as well. Yes, even one from middle school.
The best part of this evening is that there were all different groups there, young and a little more mature. 😉 There was also no Midori sours in sight and the air was clear of Aqua Net. Amen. I can now turn 40 in peace.
So come on out and enjoy an event where you don’t have to be fancy, just chill in the setting sun with your flip-flops in the grass, and your wine glass in your hand.
Engelmann Cellars is still having a few more events this summer. They are located on 3275 N. Rolinda, Fresno, CA, 93723. Their evening events start at 7 pm and go until 10 pm. Most of the evenings are for over 21, with the exception of their family movie night on August 29th.
1-Aug Sugar
8-Aug Licorice Pimps & Rocky Horror Picture Show
15-Aug Marie Wilson Band
22-Aug King Sugar
29-Aug Family Movie Night
5-Sep Back to Black
12-Sep Valley Cats
19-Sep Foreigner Unauthorized
26-Sep The Purple Ones: A Ten Piece Tribute to Prince & One Hot Minute
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Good write up! What I like about here is that it’s very spacious. Also, the temps are a little bit cooler out there & letting you bring the non alcohol drinks is a super plus
There was over 800 people at that show FYI :p
Engleman Cellars AND Max Headroom. Two of my favorite things combined into one fabulous Friday evening. The tamales were also awesome! Check out the video from that night if you can find it. PS…they don’t play Journey, but they play all the fun dance songs from the 80’s.