Enjoy a Summer Sunset at The Bungalow Santa Monica Night Market

 

The Bungalow is known to Santa Monica citizens as one of the most populated bars on the Westside. Its brand built on surf culture, Baja California and a quality sunset over the Pacific leads locals and visitors alike to keep coming back to the inviting venue attached to the Fairmont Hotel. With summer just around the corner, The Bungalow has a new draw with the launch of their Night Market—a weekly event featuring a selection of LA’s best food trucks. Learn more about The Bungalow Night Market and their plans for a bustling, beachside summer event.

For those looking to get their weekend started early, the Night Market will run every Thursday night, from June 1st through August 31st. The free KCRW-sponsored event will stake its claim on what is currently the Bungalow’s parking lot, which normally houses valet cars along with a line of people that snakes through the space on weekends. The unstoppable Bungalow crowds are sure to appreciate a new reason to swing by and take advantage of an additional space to hang out along Ocean Boulevard.

Running each week from 5-11pm, the Night Market will take on a different tone than the bar to attract families and foodies of all ages, looking for street eats at a fun summer activity. Picnic tables will be set up throughout as guests try different tastes from some of the best food trucks in the city. The lineup is looking strong, with Lobsterdamus cooking up their famous lobster fries, The Arepa Stand delighting palates with Venezuelan street food, and Chimmelier slinging their popular Korean fried chicken. Other newcomers include the juicy soup dumplings of Cali Dumpling, the NY style deli sandwiches of LA staple Uncle Paulie’s, and The Ice Cream Guys holding down dessert. Returning vendors include local favorite Tacos 1986 and their Tijuana-style tacos, alongside some vegan delights from Secret Vegan Pizza.

Opening night will include a special service of Ketel One Espresso Martinis, but the excitement doesn’t stop there. Cameron Diaz’ Avaline rosé will be featured later on in the summer, and Casamigos, Don Julio, Tito’s Vodka, 818 Tequila, Maker’s Mark, Casa Del Sol, and other friends of The Bungalow are expected to return with fun bar activations and specialty cocktails.

 

Activities for families and children are better and more varied than ever, and kids can look forward to an expansive play area featuring face painting and more, while parents enjoy a complimentary massage provided by Exhale Massage. Night Market is also 100% Dog Friendly, and proud to partner with Wags & Walk to bring a monthly on-site meet and greet with adorable and adoptable dogs rescued from local shelters.

Bungalow visionary Brent Bolthouse joined designers Studio Collective to open up the now iconic indoor-outdoor space in the summer of 2012. Since then, the beloved brand has expanded to include another location in Huntington Beach with additional venues in La Jolla and Long Beach scheduled to open by the end of the year. Guests flock to both of the current locations to take in the quintessentially Californian vibe while sipping drinks in a welcoming, beachy environment.

Following the neighborhood-centric blueprint of The Bungalow and taking inspiration from farmers markets, The Night Market provides an ideal open-air setting between city and sea, where guests can relax and unwind with loved ones, celebrating the local essence of Santa Monica. “Night Market is truly an extension of The Bungalow’s community-based ethos. As The Bungalow celebrates a decade in Santa Monica, we wanted to evolve with our guests, many of whom now have families of their own. Night Market allows us to expand upon the culture we’ve created and the community that has embraced us with an impactful event for everyone, celebrating the vibrant artists and artisans who together craft the one-of-a-kind creative landscape that is Santa Monica,” comments Bolthouse. 

Last year’s Night Market saw celebrity attendees like Aaron Paul and Eva Longoria guest bartending, creating specialty cocktails with their brands Dos Hombres and Casa Del Sol for food and drink lovers alike, while Brody Jenner closed out the 2022 Night Market season with a special DJ set with his tequila seltzer, Mamitas. “Night Market gets bigger and better every year with new food vendors, live music, great drinks and even some surprise celebrity guests.” says Bolthouse, “Food is the ultimate connector and I wanted to create an event where families and guests of all ages can come together and enjoy each other’s company while eating some of the best food that LA has to offer. I can’t wait to have everyone enjoy their summer evenings with us at Night Market.”

Bolthouse is also known for creating exciting events and is recently coming off the heels of the success of the annual Neon Carnival Coachella after party. The 2023 event included blowout live DJ sets, an airstream speakeasy, a themed ferris wheel and bumper car installations, and an unprecedented amount of drinks, dancing, and good times. Bolthouse has since succeeded in making Night Market a staple in the Santa Monica summer scene alongside the June Santa Monica Pride festival and the August Santa Monica Pier Twilight Concerts.