Holy shots! Can you believe it, lushes? The Boozy Blondes just wrapped up Season 4 of the Boozy Blondes Podcast! Mind blown emoji!
This season was packed with travel, tastings, and so many special guests. The girls are so happy to celebrate another boozy season. They created this podcast to share their travels, drinks, and stories with fellow booze travelers. Four seasons later, they’ve done just that and more! In this episode they reflect on meeting amazing people, learning about beer, wine, and spirits, and sharing adventures across the U.S. and abroad.
The DOE is Champagne, of course! The Boozy Blondes are raising a glass to each other, and to you, in gratitude for joining them these past years on this crazy, and boozy, adventure.
The girls discuss highlights from the season. Molly breaks down her top 4 into different categories:
Most WTF Moment (Molly is mortified by her screechy voice in Episode 062 6-pack To Go with the Boozy Bros –listen here-)
Biggest Educational Takeaway (Episode 080 6-pack To Go with Jose Hernandez of 4 Ever Acres Kitchen –listen here– has been a resource for tequila buying for Molly)
Chrissy shares her top 4 moments from Season 4 as well:
Italy (From planning to execution, Italy was unforgettable. There are 4 episodes dedicated to Italy, so if you’re planning a trip, the girls hope those episodes are resourceful for you! Her favorite of the four is Episode 087 Wine Tour & Tasting Near Rome with Sally and Guido of Convivo Rome –listen here-)
Washington, DC (This surprise trip left the girls wanting more DC! Check out Episode 078 for tips and tricks of the best places to visit –listen here-)
Lebowski’s Kool-Luah (Super fun founders and super fun brand! The girls really enjoyed meeting Dave and Monica Kowalski of Lebowski’s Tap Room in Episode 091 –listen here-)
One special highlight of this episode is the game at the end! If you are familiar with the classic tv game show Password, you’ll have no trouble playing along! The girls bring back the Boozy Bros for an epic battle focused on themes of Season 4 – see how well you do!
As the girls say Arrivederci! to Season 4, they look forward to more boozy adventures in Season 5. None of this would be possible without you loyal lushes, and the girls are forever grateful for your support – without you, they would be two boozy blondes drinking alone in a closet!
This week the girls stepped up their party game in a big way — from epic themed parties in Season 1 to something a little more refined: a private wine tasting right at home here in Season 4! (Are the Boozy Blondes growing up?) And yes, they even had a professional guide them through it!
Kevin Wynn from PRP Wine International arrived with a box full of wines and treated the girls and their friends to an unforgettable tasting experience. They sampled numerous exclusive wines (not sold anywhere else!), learned about each bottle, and of course, enjoyed plenty of laughs along the way. PRP makes it simple to tailor your tasting by grape, country, or sweetness level, and after the event, you can even purchase your favorites by the case – unlocking access to their members-only deals and warehouse sales.
Chrissy went all out with the party prep:
Guest List (PRP recommends up to 12 guests at the tasting)
Make an invitation
Plan the menu (what snacks will you serve with the tasting – the girls chose oft pretzel charcuterie boards, tea sandwiches, pasta salad, and mini cupcakes from Sweet City Cupcakes in St. Augustine)
Decor (balloons and wine bottle bouquets)
Party favors
Welcome drinks
Kevin was the star of the night! He was knowledgeable, entertaining, and full of stories from past tastings. Even though his wine preferences didn’t match the girls’ faves, he had the expertise to guide them through every pour.
If you’ve ever thought about hosting a wine tasting with friends, PRP Wine International makes it fun, educational, and totally approachable. You can book your own through the PRP website and be sure to follow Kevin on Instagram along with PRP Wine International.
This episode proves you don’t need to be a sommelier to throw a fabulous tasting party – just good friends, a little planning, and a whole lot of wine. Cheers!
The Boozy Blondes are bringing you another magical episode and this time they are including the Boozy Bros! The gang tackled a magical monorail pub crawl for Molly & Phil’s birthdays; this included stopping at bars in the Walt Disney World Monorail Resorts and as a bonus, they added the Wilderness Lodge, since they all love it there so much. Follow along and see how they attacked the challenge.
The DOE is a Dole Whip cocktail! In honor of the favorite Disney treat, Dole Whip, the gang is sucking up this delicious concoction as they recap their pub crawl journey. Molly blended Publix brand Banana Pineapple Lactose Free Ice Cream, pineapple juice and spiced rum to make the drinks.
Since there were four resorts on the adventure, each of the group members presented a resort:
Before they dive into their resorts, Molly explains the rules of a “Drink Roulette Poker” game the gang played at each stop:
Each player earns one card at each lounge
As a bonus, all four names go in one bag, and drink tokens, relative to each lounge, are in the other bag
Bonus card: Whoever’s name is drawn, draws a drink token. If he or she orders and drinks that drink, a bonus card is awarded
Bonus card: correctly predict monorail color
Bonus card: other random challenges that pop up on the fly (e.g., how tall is the fireplace in the Wilderness Lodge lobby)
Best poker hand wins at the end of the crawl
Losing poker hand orders transportation back to home resort or hotel
In addition to the drink roulette poker challenge, the Boozy Blondes made wardrobe changes at each Resort! They had a scavenger hunt book to follow along with too, which made the visit extra fun!
Phil starts with the Wilderness Lodge, where the group visited two lounges: Geyser Point Bar & Grill and Territory Lounge. Geyser Point offers great views on the water. Here Phil drank a beer, Rainer ordered a tequila soda and the girls enjoyed Pineapple Mules. In the Territory Lounge Phil and Chrissy split a Smores Old Fashioned, Molly had the L&C G&T (lavender and cucumber gin and tonic) and Rainer sipped on a beer. The group highly recommends ordering the popcorn sampler if you’re enjoying drinks here!
When they wrapped up, the group boarded a boat and enjoyed a short ride to the Magic Kingdom, where they transferred to the Grand Floridian boat. Chrissy walks listeners through this resort, and it was extremely busy the day they were there. They put their name in at the Enchanted Rose (pro tip to put your name in because they don’t take reservations), and ran down to the quick service restaurant Gasparilla Island Grille to grab to-go drinks while they waited for their names to be called (technically, they waited for Molly’s phone to receive a text, which is nice, so visitors to this resort can enjoy it from any place on property while waiting for a callback). Once they were called, they collectively ordered Espresso Martinis and truffle fries!
From here, the Boozy Blondes and Bros took the “highway in the sky” to the Contemporary Resort. Molly introduces the Contemporary, one of two original Disney resorts! The group squeezed into the bar at Steakhouse 71, which is always a favorite. Although it was crowded, the group still enjoyed their drinks (a round of tequila sodas) and split the Stack Burger – another favorite! And bonus – the bartenders surprised the group with Champagne in honor of the birthday twins, Phil and Molly! (Pro tip – if you’re celebrating, ask for a pin! You’ll sometimes get to experience a little extra Disney magic – like complimentary Champagne.)
By this time, the Magic Kingdom fireworks had started, so the group boarded the monorail to the final destination, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Rainer walks listeners through this stop, highlighting all the lounges. He advises if you want to get a seat at the Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto Speakeasy, get your name on the list early! Feeling the effects of the heat and drinks, the group decided to stop at only one lounge here, Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace, outside the back of the main lobby. You’ll typically find live music at this beautiful outdoor lounge. Rainer sipped on Reposado, Molly enjoyed Rosita’s Margarita, Chrissy loved her Spikey Pineapple (made with Dole Whip!) and Phil had the Mosquito Mojito. It was time for more food, so they shared a tuna roll (with pink rice!) and dumplings.
The Boozy Blondes are wrapping up their Season 4 Italy tour with an episode all about Rome! Are you planning a trip to the Eternal City? This episode will help you plan for some of the hot spots you don’t want to miss!
First things first – the DOE. Chrissy continues to try to warm Molly up to spritzes, but it’s not going so well. Molly reluctantly sips the Campari Spritz Chrissy made because, well, “when in Rome!”
If you’re traveling by plane to Rome, chances are you’re flying into Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport. From here you can take an Uber to train to your destination. The girls stayed in the neighborhood of Trastevere, and you can hear an episode dedicated to this beautiful community in Episode 088 (listen here!).
One must-see stop when in Rome is Vatican City. Its headquarters to the Roman Catholic Church and full of cultural, religious and historical significance. The girls toured the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square and the Sistine Chapel. Understandably so, Vatican City is a popular spot and gets extremely crowded with tourists. The girls planned for the crowds and booked the earliest tour possible through The Tour Guy for about $150 per person. This 3-hour tour included:
Skip-the-line entry to the Vatican
Pio-Clementino Museum, Gallery of the Candelabra, Tapestries and Maps
Raphael Rooms and School of Athens
Entry to the Sistine Chapel
Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica
A Professional, English-speaking guide
Max group size of 10
The girls highly recommend the tour, especially if it’s your first visit. There is so much to take in! One pro tip is to dress for the weather – much of the tour actually takes place outside, and the girls were not prepared for that! Other tips include:
Go as early as you can to beat the largest crowds
You are allowed to take pictures (no flash) everywhere except inside the Sistine Chapel
Dress modestly – your shoulders and knees must be covered
Bags are allowed but must be small backpacks or purses
Following your tour, there are cute restaurants close by where you can grab a cocktail (or espresso) before your next adventure! For the girls it was touring the Colosseum, but unfortunately due to the miserable weather, they skipped it. This is the tour they had booked again through The Tour Guy for you check out.
One of the best experiences the blondes had was renting e-bikes and exploring the Appian Way. Chrissy packed a picnic lunch for the group, and they took off from an e-bike rental store near Circus Maximus. Beware – there are no bike lanes, so navigating the traffic can be a little treacherous. Over the course of the ride, they stopped at:
Catacombe Di San Callisto – the catacombs here were built in the 2nd century around 150AD! The tour is about 10 Euros per person and lasts about 45 minutes
Appia Antica Caffe for spritzes and beer
Borghese Park
Church of Domine Quo Vadis – where Saint Peter was said to encounter Jesus when he initially fled Rome – you can see Jesus’ footprints here
The girls agree this was a great way to experience the Roman countryside and some history too! Having a picnic lunch alongside one of the oldest roads in the world was surreal! After biking the group enjoyed aperitivo at Da Etta and Freni e Frizioni (details in Episode 088), then had an amazing meal at Divin Ostilia Wine Bar.
Other must-sees in Rome are the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. You can listen to our Angels and Demons Pub Crawl episode (Episode 085) to get more details about those stops.
A few more tips as you plan your trip:
Stop in random churches! They are full of history, art and faith, and breathtaking!
Stop for aperitivo! It’s an Italian lifestyle – enjoy drinks and small snacks before dinner. Molly’s favorite was at the rooftop bar of FortySevenHotel.
Beware of bathrooms – or lack of seats on toilets. BYOS! (Bring your own seat!)
Make reservations in advance but leave some room for flexibility! Sometimes getting lost leads to the best adventures!
If you can, add an extra day or two to your original plan – vacation goes by so fast. If you’re planning for 7 days, see if you can swing 10! Having downtime days is a blessing!
Is there a place in Rome you love that we didn’t mention? Share it with us in the comments below!
Bentornato lushes. In this episode the girls are taking you on a tour of the cutest neighborhood in Rome, Trastevere! The girls sip Italian wine as their DOE while they reminisce about the magic this place brings.
On their trip, the Boozy Blondes wanted to stay a little outside of the craziness of center-city Rome but still within walking distance, so they found an Air B&B (check it out here!) in Trastevere. Trastevere is a funky, bohemian area of Rome that clings to its centuries-old, working-class roots. It’s known for traditional and innovative trattorias, craft beer pubs and artisan shops. From the pre-dinner passeggiata until late, a young crowd buzzes around tiny Piazzas, and mosaic-filled churches, enjoying the area’s great restaurants, pubs and nightlife. This neighborhood provides the perfect blend of history, food and art!
Staying in Trastevere allowed the girls to explore on foot rather than booking ride shares. Here are some of the gems they found through their travels:
Freni e Frizioni | translates to: brakes and clutches; a fitting name considering the bar was once a mechanic shop! This bar is highly recommended by the Boozy Blondes. Chirssy got a taste of what their legendary bartenders could do when Riccardo Rossi and Manuel Di Cecco came to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail. (Check out the girls’ mini series on the podcast to hear more about that, starting with Episode 066!) Chrissy visited Freni e Frizioni twice while she was in Italy, spinning the drink wheel and sharing shots with Manuel on her visit. On her second visit, with Molly and the Boozy Bros, they all ordered the Un-Social, which was tequila, passion fruit, coconut & Sichuan liquer, Agavecito infused with coriander, citrus and grapefruit soda. The girls (and guys) still drink about this cocktail! Freni e Frizioni has been recognized by World’s 50 Best Bars and Anthony Bourdain! This place also offers a nice buffet for those enjoying cocktails inside.
Ristorante le Mani in Pasta | translates to: hands in pasta. This restaurant was directly across the street from the girls’ Air B&B door. So convenient! This place provides a realtraditional-style trattoria experience. But make sure you have a reservation, this place is always packed! The second you step inside Le Mani in Pasta you’re wrapped up in a warm and informal atmosphere, typical of a Roman osteria. And on the same note, the food here is delicious! They serve Roman cuisine as well as seafood, meat and pasta dishes from different Italian regions. All the dishes are of high quality and extremely fresh. Le Mani in Pasta makes it its mission to order fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, home-made pasta and cheese every day. This was another double-dip stop for Chrissy. She and Phil enjoyed dinner here so much, they went again when Molly and Rainer arrived in Rome! And they had the same server both times!
They had a wide selection of wine, and the prices were incredible – each bottle was under $30! As in most of Italy, you can get a killer bottle of wine for a fraction of what you’d pay in the States, and as good Boozy Blondes, the girls certainly made the most of it at Le Mani in Pasta. Chrissy had the Kressman Monopole on her first visit which is a white Bordeaux and Sauvignon Blanc blend. Molly ordered a bottle of St. Michael- Eppan Pinot Noir. But it didn’t stop there. The group ended up drinking 4 bottles between them all. (Randomly the group ran into friends from Florida, Lloyd and Lisa, who ended up joining them for dinner!) And the best part was they only had to stumble across the street to get home.
La Punta Expendio de Agave | Molly and Rainer found this great tequila bar just around the corner from their Air B&B. Walls inside are filled with tequilas up to the ceiling! They have a menus of specialty drinks, and Molly started with a classic Paloma and then the El Grtio which was mezcal, sage, lime and agave. Rainer had the best time choosing tequilas to drink neat. The food menu is small, but with a small menu, you know they really nail the items. They had street tacos, and fun fact, it was on Thanksgiving, so definitely the most unique Thanksgiving dinner they have shared – Thanksgiving at a Mexican bar in Italy.
Taverna Trilussa | This classic has been open since 1910, operating with the same motto: we don’t care who you are, the important thing is that in the end you have eaten and drunk more than well. This is the only thing that really matters. Pasta is served straight from the pan!
Jerry Thomas Bar Room | This tiny cocktail bar is everything a speakeasy should be, right down to the little password window in the door. You can check out the Boozy Blondes Reel on Instagram highlighting their visit.
You can learn more about this amazing bar in Episode 085 – Italy: Roman Angels & Demons Pub Crawl (listen here!) to hear the insider information about the world-renowned cocktails the girls tried at this speakeasy’s new location in Trastevere. Just know, the hand-crafted drinks are amazing, they gave the group (and the entire bar) shots and the team there was so welcoming!
Da Etta | Boasting “an all day venue open 7 days a week from 8 am to midnight,” Da Etta has anything and everything. Part breakfast, gastro pub, restaurant, cocktail bar, pastry shop, and wine cellar the possibilities are endless. You can enjoy the cozy atmosphere inside or the large outdoor terrace.
Settled in the shadow of Tiberina Island and historic Trastevere, this little gem was perfect for the group to visit. Located in Piazza Piscinula, it was a short walk from the Air B&B. Phil and Chrissy went there for wine and light bites one evening and then the group went back for beer, wine, and espresso after surviving our biking adventure. (You can here more about that in the upcoming Rome episode!) Check out all their locations here!
There is so much to explore in Trastevere; it’s one of those places with such an original charm that it’s almost impossible to explain. There’s so much to do, like concerts, food tours, pub crawls, and more. It’s close enough to the hustle and bustle of downtown Rome but still tucked away from the major touristy areas. The girls were able to absorb the culture and let the neighborhood guide them.
Have you been to Trastevere? Is there a place you’d recommend to the Boozy Blondes? Leave a comment below!
Ciao, lushes! The Boozy Blondes are taking you back to Rome in this episode to give you all the details on a half-day wine tour they experienced just outside of the hustle and bustle of Rome. This episode takes you through beautiful countryside.
The DOE is a bottle of Pecorino, a light-skinned white Italian wine grape variety that grows in Italy’s eastern wine-growing regions. It’s similar to a Sauvignon Blanc.
During the girls’ stay in Rome, they knew they wanted to take an excursion, and they found this Half Day Rome Wine Tour with Convivio Rome just outside the city. This tour is managed by the sweetest couple, Sally and Guido, who, spoiler alert, turned out to be the most amazing hosts the girls could have asked for!
This tour included a drive through the beautiful countryside on the way to visit the local winery, where the girls enjoyed a tour and sampled (3) different wines with a light snack. It also included a visit to Sally and Guido’s home complete with other quality local wines and an amazing spread of food they had prepared, while overlooking a spectacular view. There was even a medieval village down the mountain from their home!
That’s the overview – here are the steps to take and expect if you want to enjoy this beautiful day:
Take the train to Fara Sabina. Sally and Guido will send you all the details so you know which station to leave from and where you need to go. Remember: when you’re taking the train in Italy, and you buy your tickets at the station, you need to get your ticket validated BEFORE you board. — Pro tip when traveling to the Fara Sabina station: Buy provisions before you go or bring them with you. There is one shop outside the station in Fara Sabina, and you can get an espresso or pastry, but you can bring whatever you want to eat or drink on the train. Yes, that includes your boozy libations.
Once you get to Fara Sabina, Sally and Guido will pick you up in a passenger van. From here they drive you through the beautiful countryside to the winery.
At the winery, you experience a behind-the-scenes tour of production and bottling, and you get to see the barrel room! After the tour, you gather in the main room. Just off this room is a giant deck which overlooks the vineyards and the Roman countryside – so incredibly beautiful.
In the main room you sample some wines and enjoy some snacks! At this point, you can purchase any bottles you like.
From here, pile back into the van and head to Sally and Guido’s home! The hospitality they showed the Boozy Blondes was so genuine and heartfelt, like the girls were old friends rather than tourists. More wine is served along with a delicious selection of light bites.
After taking in the views, enjoying each other’s company, and wine, of course, Guido drives you back to the train station.
Sally and Guido have been hosting this tour for over a decade, and they have it nailed down to a science. They also host cooking classes, cooking holidays and olive oil tours. They are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about sharing the wines, food, culture, landscape and more, we can’t begin to give this experience justice by trying to describe it to you.
Be sure to follow them on Instagram, and follow links at the top of this blog to see all they offer! You can see the Boozy Blondes’ Instagram reel from the day here. The girls give the Half Day Rome Wine Tour their stamp of approval. If you embark on this beautiful day, be sure to tell Sally and Guido the Boozy Blondes sent you! Salute!
Grab your 6-packs, lushes! It’s that time again – and today we’re filling them with the best bars in New Orleans, Louisiana, better known as NOLA. The Boozy Blondes chat with Amber Gunn of Hop Around Nola, who is a true expert when it comes to the New Orleans scene, especially where to get a good drink.
Amber fills her 6-pack and then the Boozy Blondes take a stab at it – and ask Amber to grade it. So tune in to see how they do!
As for Amber’s 6-pack, these are the places you need to go in New Orleans:
Barrel Proof | Amber’s favorite neighborhood dive bar – “a margarita bar with a whiskey problem.” If you are looking for a bar offering an impressive variety of whiskeys and bourbon, make this place a stop on your visit! Amber claims you can get the best margarita in the city here too! And if you go on a Friday night, there is a good chance you’ll see Amber there!
Chandelier Bar | This is located in the Four Seasons Hotel downtown (The Boozy Blondes actually mention this bar in Episode 059 | New Orleans, Part 1 – Jazz Parade – listen here!) – serving amazing classic cocktails and specialty cocktails by some of the best bartenders in the city!
Carousel Bar | Located in Hotel Monteleone, this bar actually rotates! It takes 15 minutes to make a complete rotation. Serving great cocktails – Amber’s is the French 75 – and she recommends waiting for a seat at the bar for the full experience.
Cure | This bar has a little upscale feeling with unique cocktails! Pro tip – order the deviled eggs! Fun fact – this is where Amber and Chrissy met for the first time in real life!
Pigeon and Whale | This is more of a restaurant than bar, but they are serving up amazing cocktails – including the best espresso martini in the city! They also specialize in Negronis. This is also a great place to get oysters.
Pepp’s Pub | This is a dive, dog bar with incredible margaritas. Very laid back and a perfect place for dog owners to bring their pups! And if you want to try Malört, they will take your picture while you try it and add your description of this scary spirit to the bottom of the photo!
The Boozy Blondes share their 6-packs with Amber, and are very proud that they matched two of her bars! But you have to listen to hear their grades!
Be sure to follow Amber on Instagram for more great NOLA content and send the Boozy Blondes a message with your favorite NOLA bars! Also…you can hear more about great New Orleans places in Episodes 059, 060, and 061!
Whether you’re feeling angelic or sinful, this episode is for you. The Boozy Blondes embark on a full day of bar-hopping and sightseeing around the Eternal City at places referenced in Dan Brown’s popular thriller (and movie starring Tom Hanks), Angels & Demons!
The DOE is a Select spritz – the national drink of Italy!
If you’re not familiar with Angels & Demons, it’s a great read (and as mentioned, available to watch in about 2 hours) – and the references in this episode might make a little more sense. Regardless, these stops will not disappoint – Angels & Demons fan or not! In the story, the main character follows “The Path of Illumination.” In this episode, the girls follow “The Path of Intoxication!”
The first stop actually isn’t boozy, but it’s worth mentioning. Tattoos at Bad Church Tattoo in Trastevere. In Angels & Demons, some of the characters get branded, so why not really get into character…and drag the Boozy Bros with them! While lifelong ink might not be everyone’s souvenir choice, if you are looking to get a tattoo abroad, the girls list off some pro-tips:
Make reservations online
Go early so it doesn’t slow down your day.
Email your art ahead of time in case of language barrier.
From here the girls traveled to Piazza del Popolo on the north end of the city to Angolo degli Artisti. Piazza del Popolo is the largest square in Rome and an iconic site in the book. The girls loved this restaurant; they were seated outside looking across the square and enjoyed spritzes, pizza and charcuterie…adding limoncello shots to wrap up the meal.
From here, the girls crossed the square and wandered up some steps to Terrazza del Pincio. This public park offers sprawling views of the city and is one of the best places to see the sunset in Rome. Since it was early in the day, there was no sunset, but the girls still captured some beautiful pictures overlooking Piazza del Popolo!
Next, the girls headed south to see the Spanish Steps and grab espresso at Don Nino. The Spanish Steps aren’t in the book, but an iconic (and super busy) spot in Rome. Don Nino is a traditional pâtisserie chain in Rome where Chrissy had stopped just days earlier to recreate the Audrey Hepburn scene in Roman Holiday.
Next stop was the Trevi Fountain, but the girls didn’t wait in line to throw in coins. Go early! The line stretches pretty far! The girls moved on past the Trevi Fountain and around the corner to Baccano for cocktails and appetizers. The girls were seated outside along the street and absorbed the bustling ambiance will sipping spritzes and enjoying carpaccio and tartare. It was about a month before Christmas and Baccano nailed it with the decorations – it was beautiful!
From Baccano, the blondes traveled to the Pantheon. While there are different options for tours, the girls chose a self-guided one. Major Pro Tip and time saver – there’s a cash-only line at the Pantheon where there’s rarely a line, and it’s only 5 euros to get in. Make sure to find the line farthest to the left.
After spending some time soaking up the ancient history at the Pantheon, the Boozy Blondes made their way to Piazza Navona, another plaza hosting an iconic scene from Angels & Demons. While it’s only a 4-minute walk to here from the Pantheon, there are beautiful churches lining the way that the girls highly recommend you visit. The combination of history, art and faith is not to be missed in these stunning structures.
Just around the corner from Piazza Navona is a great wine bar and deli, I Pizzicaroli. Here the girls enjoyed a bottle of wine and drooled over the giant charcuterie boards. The girls found there way back here later on to grab another bottle for the road!
The final stop on the Angels & Demons tour was Castillo San Angelo. While the girls didn’t go in, you can tour Castillo San Angelo for around $20. This is basically where Angels & Demons ends, so it was the perfect finale to the day. It’s a 20 minute walk to here from I Pizzicaroli, but feeling the effects of “The Path of Intoxication” it took the Boozy Blondes way longer than that! They stopped for espresso, gelato, shopping and provisions, and enjoyed some wine overlooking Castillo San Angelo from across the river.
Technically the Angels & Demons tour ended here, but the girls had one more stop on their list: Jerry Thomas Speakeasy, frequently named one of the best 50 bars in the world! The girls found their way to the Jerry Thomas Bar Room, which is a new edition and location for the famous speakeasy. The speakeasy is just a few blocks from I Pizzicaroli, while the bar room is across the Tiber River back in Trastevere where the girls were staying. If you’d like a sneak peek inside the bar room, watch the Boozy Blondes’ reel highlighting this spot. If you want the password, you can find it on the website.
The itinerary for this day was definitely aggressive, and credit is due to Chrissy for mapping out this amazing tour. If you want a more guided, all-inclusive experience that involves little to no planning on your part, they’re out there. Reputable groups like GetYourGuide and Viator had a few different Angels & Demons tours available at the time of this recording.
You can see the Boozy Blondes’ reel highlighting this pub crawl on their Instagram. If you’d like a map with details of the Boozy Blondes Angels & Demons Pub Crawl Tour, send them a message, and they will send you their custom plan. And remember, whether you’re feeling angelic or sinful (or both, like the young Boozy Blonde Chrissy in this picture), this day is sure to be fun! Cheers!
Welcome back to another episode about beautiful Hawaii! In this episode the girls dish about all the best places to go on the island of Oahu!
The DOE is none other than the famous Hawaiian Mai Tai! Everywhere you go in Hawaii, someone has “the best Mai Tai on the island.” The girls crafted a pitcher of mai tais made with light rum, gold rum, cointreau, orgeat syrup and fresh lime juice. Most have a dark rum floater on top too!
Oahu has a completely different feel from Maui. Oahu is home to the state capital, Honolulu, Waikiki beach and white sand beaches, surfers, classic Hawaiian resorts, and tons of people. There are still many beautiful places to explore outside of the city, and this episode covers it all!
Molly stayed at the Sheraton Waikiki Beach. While it’s super touristy, she enjoyed staying in the middle of the city with the ability to walk to bars, restaurants and stores. The Sheraton has a beautiful adults only infinity pool over-looking the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head as well as great restaurants, bars and shops. Next door to the Sheraton is the Royal Hawaiian – one of Waikiki’s most historic and iconic hotels. It’s known as the “Pink Palace of the Pacific” with pink accents everywhere and a delightful pink plumeria scent. This is home to the legendary Mai Tai Bar overlooking the Pacific with amazing sunset views and musicians nightly.
Molly rented a Jeep and explored the North Shore while she was here. From Waikiki Beach, it’s about an hour drive through beautiful countryside. Along with pulling off on the side of the road to enjoy the beaches and watch the surfers, below are two specific places to visit on the North Shore:
Kahuku Sugar Mill – food trucks, restaurants, local shops and vendors. She ordered food from Da Bald Guy, which appeared on the tv show the great food truck race and the Netflix Street Food USA show. She had drinks at the Kahuku Beer Garden, a tap room with about 14 beers on tap, most from local breweries. Molly had a flight: Churro Cream Ale, Guava Donut Sour, Legends Hazy IPA and Shave Ice Seltzer. Rainer had Hibiscus Sunrise.
Waimea Valley – this felt like going into Jurassic Park (as it should feel since some scenes were shot here from some of the more recent movies). It’s a nature preserve with a destination 3/4 mile hike to a 45-foot waterfall where you can swim. For you lushes, there is bar at the welcome center with fun specialty cocktails. Rainer had a vodka cucumber cooler and MollyI had the daily special – the Hawaiian Passion – tequila, lilikoi liqueur and ginger liqueur.
Traveling to the Southwest corner of Oahu, you’ll find Disney’s Aulani Resort. You can visit the resort even if you aren’t a guest, so Molly had small bites and cocktails at the Olelo Lounge while listening to live music. Molly drank The Old Koa Canoe (a version of an old fashioned) and Rainer had Green Sands, which was a mezcal based drink.
One popular spot scattered around the island is Leonard’s Bakery, serving up the famous malasadas (Portuguese donuts with a crispy outside, fluffy inside and coated in sugar). Chrissy enjoyed a version of these when she visited Portugal; pictured below are Portuguese tarts compared with the Portuguese-Hawaiian malasada. Leonard’s was the first place to introduce malasadas in Hawaii in 1952!
A trip to Oahu must include a visit to Pearl Harbor. At the Visitors Center there are two museums to explore, and you can make a reservation to go out to the Arizona Memorial. The USS Bowfin is also here with an audio tour. You can take a bus to Battleship Missouri, then to the Aviation Museum both located on Ford Island, which is an active military base. If you decide to visit, go as early as you possibly can; it gets extremely crowded. Take note that only clear bags are allowed here.
Time to get boozy! Molly visited Ko Hana Distillery & This Lil’ Piggy BBQ! Ko Hana Distillers specializes in agricole-style rum (French style of rum-making) made from Hawaiian sugarcane, unlike most rums, which are distilled from molasses. Ko Hana initially started making wine, but apparently sugar cane wine tastes like vinegar. They offer three different tasting adventures every 30 minutes on site. Molly had the classic flight: 2 Kea (white), 1 Koho (aged), 1 Kokoleka (cacao & honey) and Rainer had the aged rum flight: 1 Koho (aged), 1 Koa (koa wood aged), 1 Kila (cask strength), 1 Kokoleka (cacao & honey). Ko Hana offers distillery tours and farm tours and has a great shop filled with fun swag!
This Lil’ Piggy is on property serving up delicious bbq options. Molly grabbed a pre-made bottled daiquiri inside Ko Hana with cups and ice to enjoy with sliders and This Lil’ Piggy’s version of chili & rice with chopped Texas Style Beef Brisket.
After Ko Hana Molly found her way to Manoa Mead & Honey. Manoa specializes in raw, locally sourced honey and craft mead. It’s a very small space, mostly outdoors. Molly and Rainer each ordered a flight. Molly had the In Bloom Flight and Rainer enjoyed the Essential Flight. Manoa offers “bees to mead” tours, which includes an introduction into beekeeping, honey production & mead making.
Diamond Head State Monument is home to an iconic volcanic crater near Waikiki and is one of Hawaii’s most famous landmarks. It’s a popular hiking trail – 0.8 miles to the top and a little more strenuous than Molly anticipated! If you want to visit, you must make reservations to enter park if you’re not a HI resident (6AM gates open – trail closes at 4PM). Make sure to go early, it’s a narrow path that is used to go both up and down.
If you hike on a Saturday, you can visit the KCC Farmer’s Market (Kapiʻolani Community College) following your venture. Every Saturday 7:30AM – 11AM you can find local produce, handmade goods, coffee, snacks, etc.
The Abhasa Spa at Royal Hawaiian is the only spa in Honolulu offering luxurious treatments in a serene tropical garden setting. Molly didn’t love it here; she thought the tropical garden setting was beautiful, but too many outside noises interfered with the serenity. She loved her service though!
Molly enjoyed a four course tasting menu dinner at the Moana Surfrider Resort at the Beachhouse. Located outside the back of the hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean you can catch amazing sunset views from your table. As a good Boozy Blonde, she ordered the wine pairing to go with her meal.
Following dinner, she attended Auana – Cirque du Solei, which was a beautiful tribute to the Hawaiian culture with incredible performers. To Molly, it seemed the show highlighted the four elements, earth, air, water, and fire, with different performances. She also thought each performer was incredibly beautiful! There is a VIP experience available which includes a 90-minute reception with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as well as opportunities to meet the performers!
To round our her trip, Molly enjoyed drinks at two local breweries, Waikiki Brewing and Maui Brewing. She had visited these breweries on Maui as well. This time she enjoyed a Mai Tai at Waikiki Brewing, and was able to enjoy her favorite, Mango Stickee Rice IPA, one more time at Maui Brewing. Maui Brewing is located in the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, which is home to Auana. And fun fact, Maui Brewing provides the food and beverages and is the host for the VIP Experience mentioned above!
If you find yourself on Oahu, the girls guarantee you’ll enjoy your time there. One of the most beautiful places in the world with so much to enjoy – boozy or not! Have you been to any of the places the girls recommended? Send them a message, and let them know what you think! Or send them a rec for a place they missed! Cheers!
Hello lushes! The Boozy Blondes are asking the Boozy Bros to fill their 6-packs with their favorite St. Augustine bars in this 6 Pack To-Go episode. Rainer and Phil have plenty of experience enjoying libations around their town and break down their favorites for you.
Rainer leads the episode through downtown St. Augustine and eventually moseys over the bridge. What do you think of his 6-Pack?
Forgotten Tonic | upscale drinks and food with an intimate environment. Big fans of the owner John (listen to John’s interview from Season 1! It’s Episode 004) and love the holiday theming around Halloween and Christmas!
Barley Republic | Irish pub downtown with a great happy hour and live music. Bars upstairs and downstairs with music on both levels.
Stogies | cigar bar with a great outdoor space. Big fans of the owner Jeff and love the amazing bands he brings in to play here! This is an OG and the group really appreciates how it’s remained a classic downtown for over 25 years!
Conch House | Restaurant + bar + marina, this place is another classic. Between Reggae Sundays, killer painkillers and goombay smashes, tree house dining and crow’s nest bar space, Conch House always dishes out a great time.
Rainer throws in a “bonus beer” to his pack and gives Jack’s a honorable mention – a definite group favorite. You can hear more about this episode in the above mentioned Episode 023.
Phil takes the mic next and fills his 6-pack with any place that serves beer and food. #priorities How do you rank his 6-Pack?
Ice Plant | step back in time at the Ice Plant which shares a space with the St. Augustine Distillery. Enjoy amazing craft cocktails and delicious food in this swanky spot!
Bog Brewing | The group agrees this brewery has the best logo in town – and also a great outdoor space, and of course, beer! You can hear more about Bog in the above mentioned Episode 003. Pro tip – order the torta from the permanent food truck on site, Taco My Blessing.
It’s another match! Forgotten Tonic! Phil dares to say, Forgotten Tonic serves THE BEST cocktails in town! (The group agrees!)
Old Coast Ales | Dog friendly and serving delicious brews, this brewery is at the top of Phil’s list. Order a “Christina!” It’s half kombucha, half light beer! The group loves Osprey Tacos next door too. Listen to Episode 003 to hear more about Old Coast and the infamous guac drop by the crew’s bestie, Elias!
So you heard it from some locals – these are the favorite bars in St. Augustine, and the Boozy Blondes agree! The boys filled great 6-packs! Have you visited their town? What are some of you favorite places to stop? Email the Boozy Blondes with your favorites!
Boozy Blondes 