Gastronomy and Wine

🌌Ever look up and marvel with insatiable curiosity at the beauty and wonder of the **universe?** That wild sobering thought that somewhere in the chaos of creation - through the emergence of us - the universe became **conscious** enough to look back in time and not just ask the existential questions, but try to answer them. 🚀 Join fellow big picture thinker dreamers to take a look at **Venus,** **Jupiter** along with planet's potential life‑harbouring **moons**, iconic beautiful **star fields**, the peak of **Strawberry Moon**, rare view in the northern hampshire of the galatic centre off the Milky Way where huge black hole sits, remnants of supernovae witnessed by our earliest ancestors, **multi‑star systems** reminiscent of the twin suns of *Star Wars* and even **Tau Ceti**, a star hosting two Earth‑like worlds in its habitable zone. As we await for skies to darken - we will **kick off with drinks, tunes and engaging conversation** and good‑natured banter in the park (feel free to bring blankets to sit on). In between observing - we'll have **drinks and engaging chats** on all astronomy related topics for those inclined: Space exploration \| Fermi Paradox \| Astrobiology \| Cosmology \| paleontology\, \| SETI & Drake Equation for alien civilisations estimates \| exoplanetology etc as well as non space chats and banter too\. No doubt we'll hear the usual jokes we've all heard before\! If those don't make you laugh\, my impersonation of Los Angeles ET will\! 👽 And to help set the mood and make the night feel even extra stary, I’ll put my DJ hat to play some space‑theme tunes and songs about the stars! You don't need a telescope as you will be able to view through scopes belonging to me and other club members (as long as you behave responsibly and don't temper with expensive equipment). If you have your own telescope/binoculars feel free to bring along and I can help you setting it up if you're a newbie **==== ITINERARY =====** We will meet outside H&I Station in Highbury Islington. After a short wait for anyone delayed, I will escort everyone to our observation point in the local park 5 minutes walk away and brief you in terms of what to expect, observing etiquette, tips, equipment handling and take any questions you have - weather general or astronomy/cosmology related. **After Drinks:** Unless I have a very important 9AM Tue deadline for a unfinished client presentation or something - most of us usually head to a cosy bar for a drink. If so - I will annouce the pub when we leave the park **==== What Can You Expect To See (this time of year)? ====** * Orion Nebula * Jupiter and 4 moons * Meteors * Andromedia Galaxy * Star clusters such as the Pleiades & Owl Cluster etc * International Space station fly by * Binary & tripple star systems (think planet *Tatooine in* Starwars!), * Neptune * Uranuus * Our moon * A look towards the galactic centre of the Mlikyway where that supermassive £22b Labour black hole sits (Sagittarius A) More here from Jodrell Bank Observatory/Astrophysics Centre: [http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/](http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/) Guide to viewing the cosmos for beginners: [https://phys.org/news/2018-05-universe-distant-starstips-cosmology-backyard.html#jCp](https://phys.org/news/2018-05-universe-distant-starstips-cosmology-backyard.html#jCp) **===Weather Dependent=====** The event is subject to clear skies forecasts on the night so if on the actual afternoon of the event the weather forecasts looks unsuitable beyond doubt then I will postpone so please check the event status on the day of the event . If this event is still listed here at 5PM on the day, it will be going ahead at the designated day and time! Lucas Skywalker - The Singin, Dancin, DJ-in Astronomer

Looking for, uh, what's the politically correct term, "community"? Hmm. Anyways. Yes we can talk about AI if you want. Or Pokémon. Maybe meet in Hobo Coffee, Nice, France. Bubble tea? Pizza? Sushi? Church-hopping? AC & Shade-hunting? Details TBD

Join me for an exclusive dining experience at the acclaimed Coal Office in King's Cross, where members of our group will enjoy **50% off food and drinks** for the evening. Coal Office, created by renowned chef Assaf Granit and designer Tom Dixon, offers a vibrant Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired menu designed for sharing. Expect standout dishes such as freshly baked Kubalah Yemeni brioche, creamy Machneyuda's polenta, flavour-packed hummus, seasonal sharing plates, grilled meats, fresh seafood, and creative vegetarian options, all served in one of London's most stylish dining spaces. See Menu below https://coalofficestorage.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/11182252/Dinner-Menu-June-2026.pdf Usual Rsvp fee £3 and £20 deposit to be taken off bill. Non refundable

[Eventbrite link here](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1991401571708?aff=oddtdtcreator) This event is run by 'Ve Social' A Small Independent Vegan Events company 🥰 Follow our Instagram: [@vesocialevents](https://www.instagram.com/vesocialevents/) or visit our website: [www.ve-social.co.uk](www.ve-social.co.uk) 🌱 **Dates and Mates** **A plant-based speed dating & friending night for 20s and 30s** Looking to meet new people — for romance, friendship, or both *Dates and Mates* is a relaxed, inclusive social night designed for folks in their 20s and 30s who are into connection, conversation, and veganism (or curious about it!). We’re blending **speed dating** and **speed friending**, so whether you're single, new in town, or just want to vibe with cool people, there's a space for you here. ### 🥂 What to expect: * **Algorithmic Match-Making**, with our compatibility quiz! * **Human bingo** to break the ice and get you mingling * **Come solo or bring a mate — either way, you’ll leave with new faces in your circle.**

Hi everyone, We hope everyone's enjoying their (very) sunny summer ☀️. We'd love to invite you to the ☀️ **Summer** **Rooftop Edition**🍹 of our after-work networking event. Happening on **Tuesday 30th June**, please join us for a drink and a chat to enjoy the summer vibes! This event will be relaxed and informal, with the chance to meet and connect with other Women in Product London members. Please join us at **[The London Bridge Rooftop](https://www.londonbridgerooftop.com/)** in Colechurch House at London Bridge (nearest station), on Tuesday from **6:00pm** until around 8:00pm. Spaces are limited so please make sure you book now. As this event is not sponsored, any food or drinks you order will need to be paid for at the bar. See you soon The WIP London team x

Wine Not? is a women-only gathering before the Balancers Saturday social. Most attendees come solo, so it’s an easy and welcoming place to meet people and settle in before the night gets busier. London can make meeting new people feel awkward, especially if you're coming alone. This early social creates a comfortable environment where you can chat, laugh, and get to know a few friendly faces first. Expect a relaxed atmosphere, a few light games, and plenty of time to connect naturally. **At 7.30 pm the main Balancers social begins**, and the room fills as over **150 people usually join the night**. Wine Not? naturally flows into the rest of the evening, so you’re welcome to stay and enjoy the full experience. Coming solo is completely normal. Our hosts will be there to help everyone feel comfortable, included, and connected from the start. **Check out our past events here:** **[https://www.instagram.com/_balancers/](https://www.instagram.com/_balancers/)** **Want to stay in the loop? Join our WhatsApp community: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O)** *Remember, our pillars are Openness, Respect, Kindness and Authenticity. Attendance at this event is subject to our [Code of Conduct](https://www.balancers.app/code-of-conduct) and [Terms of Service](https://www.balancers.app/term-of-service). By joining, you may receive emails about Balancers events and community updates. You can unsubscribe at any time.*

Bar Rioja is having its annual festival at their hidden Victorian courtyard just off Pentonville Road. Last year's was very good, so we'll go again this year. Tickets are **£50**, and include a walk-around wine tasting of 16 wines from across Rioja, as well as a plate of freshly prepared paella. There will also be a jamón expert carving Ibérico ham, with additional tapas available throughout the day (at additional cost). There are multiple entry times from 1:30pm to 3pm - I'll be there from 1:30pm onwards, but feel free to join later. Buy your tickets [here](https://www.sevenrooms.com/events/ahNzfnNldmVucm9vbXMtc2VjdXJlchwLEg9uaWdodGxvb3BfVmVudWUYgICx7-zI9gkM?event_id=ahNzfnNldmVucm9vbXMtc2VjdXJlcjkLEg9uaWdodGxvb3BfVmVudWUYgICx7-zI9gkMCxIQc3JfR2VuVmVudWVFdmVudBiAgLPV5Py-CAw). This is a public event, so there will be many other people there that are not part of the meetup. *As usual, this meetup will have a strict "no show" policy - anyone who is marked as going, and does not turn up without giving notice, will be removed from the group.*

Macellaio is an Italian restaurant famous for its fine steak. In fact, Macellaio means "butcher". The steak they serve is exclusively from the Fassona beef breed, which is native to the mountain valleys in the north of Genoa. Macellaio takes pride in sourcing authentic Italian ingredients, preparing them with love, and expertly cooking each dish bringing to life a delightful trattoria dining experience. ​ **The menu is primarily focused on quality beef,** however there are also some vegetarian starters and main courses (pasta) and a chicken main course. Before signing up for this event **please make sure that the menu is suitable for any dietary requirements you may have.** Here is the full menu [https://www.macellaiorc.com/soho](https://www.macellaiorc.com/soho) For the BYO for our table of 8 people I will take a 6 bottles of wine with an average retail value of £20 per bottle - 1 bottle of sparkling wine, 2 white wines, 2 red wines and a dessert wine. With typical restaurant mark-ups these wines would cost around £60 on their wine list, so this is a great opportunity to enjoy delicious food and drink fine wines without paying restaurant prices (for the wine!). The pre-pay for this event is £53 which includes:- \- the 6 bottles of BYO wine \- £30 credit towards your food bill \- paypal/meetup fees The wine which I will take is an integral of this event so please do NOT ask if you can attend if you are not happy to share in all 6 bottles of wine. On the evening you will pay for the balance of your food bill and any additional drinks you order. **Please note that Meetup now charge an additional fee to attendees on top of the price which the Organiser sets. This fee is paid direct to Meetup and is beyond our control.** **REFUND POLICY:** If you cancel your place by Sunday 28th June latest you will get a refund of £50 but, IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE, only if there is someone on the 'waitlist' who books and pays for your place. **TRANSPORT:** The nearest station is Piccadilly Circus **WAITLIST:** If this event is fully booked and you would like to attend if someone cancels, post a comment in the event to let me know that you are interested. Cheers, Christos

A refined evening of high quality Sauvignon Blanc from Around the World and Seafood. There will be Six selections. Cost will about $40-$50, depending on the wines, to be paid prior to attending. Wines will be served single blind format. Guests will bring a seafood entree. Resort wear, please. This will be a couples focused event at a residence in Dublin, although singles are welcomed; pair up with someone for your entree. Details, wine selections, payment mechanism, and other details to follow. Sancerre Bordeaux New Zealand California Italy TBD Sauvignon Blanc is grown in nearly every major wine-producing region, with each area highlighting a different side of the grape: * **Loire Valley, France –** Elegant and restrained, with high acidity, citrus flavors, and flinty minerality. * **Bordeaux, France –** Often blended with Sémillon to add texture, weight, and aging potential. * **New Zealand –** Bold and aromatic, featuring grapefruit, passionfruit, and fresh herbal notes. * **California –** Ranges from lean, stainless-steel styles to richer wines with subtle oak influence. * **Italy & Other Cool European Regions –** Focused on balance, freshness, and food-friendly structure rather than overt fruit.

This is "***New Members Night***." If you are one of the many folks on the fence about coming to your first wine tasting with the *Hilliard Wine Club*, this is the night to come. There will be many other new people, so you won't be alone. And the regulars will be there to help make you feel welcome. We're a relaxed and warm group. We hope to see you. **New Venue:** After more than a year on Norwich Street in Old Hilliard we have found a new home at The District's Club House. It's about 3 miles from the former location but is brighter and more spacious. See photos and map. **SIDE NOTE:** New members are welcome to ALL our Friday night wine tastings, but this night is a special overture to those who don't want to feel that they are the only new person in the room. Don't worry. You won't be. And don't hesitate to RSVP to other events. **OLD MEMBERS NOTE**: Hey Old Members! You're not excluded from this event. We expect to see you there to help make the new members feel welcome. **Sample 4 different wines** this Friday for $15 (*Cash or Venmo only please*). Glasses are provided. Bring a snack to share. Bring a bottle to share if you care to. See all the details below for the Hilliard Wine Club Wine Tasting. In Person. In Real Life. Actual Wine from glass bottles with corks and everything. **Wine**: Tastings will be $15 for four samples as always. And you are welcome to bring a bottle of your favorite wine to share with others. Participation in the wine tastings is optional. But since you’re going, I will buy enough wine to cover you. If you bring your own wine and do not participate in the tasting you will only pay $10 to cover the door charge. **Parking**: There are 15 visitor spaces along the North curve if you make a right hand turn after the first stop sign when you are facing the clubhouse. If all of those spaces are taken, there are 30 more visitor spaces across the back of the community (westerb edge) where the concrete wall separates the world from I-270. It's only about a 100 yard walk back to the clubhouse from there. **Glasses**: …will be provided. Please note that after the wine tasting, the glasses need to be returned to the boxes at the service table. Please be gentle, our glasses are fragile. Uh, they are made of glass! **Food**: You are welcome to bring a snack to share. It is not required. Most people do though. If no one brings anything, there will be nothing. **Code of Conduct**: Though mostly understood, it’s still worth mentioning. We don’t have rules per se, but we highly discourage the following topics of discussion because they are likely to incite anti-social responses - Sex, Politics, Religion. Please don’t mistake this as an attempt to limit your free speech rights but rather a guide to a place and time for appropriate discussions. **Extra Wine**: After everyone has had their samples, we remove the pouring spouts and any remaining wine is poured freely to whomever wants it. I hate having leftover wine. **Queen of Hearts**: The Queen of Hearts raffle is a fundraiser for the club and a Barnum and Bailey type extravaganza - minus the dancing ponies, clowns, and actual circus. Bring your ***cash*** as the Queen does not accept American Express or other plastic. Again, We look forward to meeting new members and reuniting with old friends. Sincerely, ***Paul Uttermohlen***, **Red 1 Realty** *Your Hilliard Wine Club Host*

***July is National Picnic Month*** (along with National Hot Dog/Baked Beans/Ice Cream Month)! So let's do it up by joining a giant PICNIC celebrating America's 250th Birthday! Join us at Wyandotte Winery for an **America 250–Ohio Homecoming Picnic as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States in true Ohio style!** Throughout July 2026, communities across Ohio are gathering for food, fun, and friendship to honor our nation’s history and reflect on the contributions of Ohioans over the past 250 years. Our picnic will feature a relaxed atmosphere with food, live music (starts at 5pm), and opportunities to connect with friends. ***BRING***: ***Guests are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and lawn chairs*** and enjoy an afternoon of community celebration. ***FREE EVENT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC***: Food and beverages will be available for purchase from the shop and food trucks. ***PARKING***: limited near the wine shop. Most park one block away in the church parking lot. [Wyandotte Winery](https://www.wyandottewinery.com/) has been part of the Central Ohio community since 1977, and we are proud to host this gathering during our 50th year of operation as a local place for connection and hospitality.

This is "***New Members Night***." If you are one of the many folks on the fence about coming to your first wine tasting with the *Hilliard Wine Club*, this is the night to come. There will be many other new people, so you won't be alone. And the regulars will be there to help make you feel welcome. We're a relaxed and warm group. We hope to see you. **SIDE NOTE:** New members are welcome to ALL our Friday night wine tastings, but this night is a special overture to those who don't want to feel that they are the only new person in the room. Don't worry. You won't be. And don't hesitate to RSVP to other events. **OLD MEMBERS NOTE**: Hey Old Members! You're not excluded from this event. We expect to see you there to help make the new members feel welcome. **Sample 4 different wines** this Friday for $15 (*Cash or Venmo only please*). Glasses are provided. Bring a snack to share. Bring a bottle to share if you care to. See all the details below for the Hilliard Wine Club Wine Tasting. In Person. In Real Life. Actual Wine from glass bottles with corks and everything. **Wine**: Tastings will be $15 for four samples as always. And you are welcome to bring a bottle of your favorite wine to share with others. Participation in the wine tastings is optional. But since you’re going, I will buy enough wine to cover you. If you bring your own wine and do not participate in the tasting you will only pay $10 to cover the door charge. **Parking**: There are several public parking lots near the Alive614 hall. Please be careful to NOT park in private parking lots. They do tow. Check Google maps to scope out your space. Anyone who is early could easily find a parking space on the street nearby. **Glasses**: …will be provided. Please note that after the wine tasting, the glasses need to be returned to the boxes at the service table. Please be gentle, our glasses are fragile. Uh, they are made of glass! **Food**: You are welcome to bring a snack to share. It is not required. Most people do though. If no one brings anything, there will be nothing. **Code of Conduct**: Though mostly understood, it’s still worth mentioning. We don’t have rules per se, but we highly discourage the following topics of discussion because they are likely to incite anti-social responses - Sex, Politics, Religion. Please don’t mistake this as an attempt to limit your free speech rights but rather a guide to a place and time for appropriate discussions. **Extra Wine**: After everyone has had their samples, we remove the pouring spouts and any remaining wine is poured freely to whomever wants it. I hate having leftover wine. **Queen of Hearts**: The Queen of Hearts raffle is a fundraiser for the club and a Barnum and Bailey type extravaganza - minus the dancing ponies, clowns, and actual circus. Bring your ***cash*** as the Queen does not accept American Express or other plastic. **After the lights go out**: After the last sip of wine, when we clean up and turn the lights out, if you still haven’t had enough of us, it is typical for a group to get together and go to a local eatery for food and/or drinks or coffee. Again, We look forward to meeting new members and reuniting with old friends. Sincerely, ***Paul Uttermohlen***, **Red 1 Realty** *Your Hilliard Wine Club Host*

***Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at Wyandotte Winery!*** Discover where local wines are crafted, and gain insights into the making of small-batch wines. Learn about the interesting history of Wyandotte Winery and the unique aspects that make it a local gem. **Highlights:** • Guided tour of the wine cellar and details on our wine-making process • Historical overview of Wyandotte Winery • Opportunity to taste our current wine selection **Pretour**: *3:30-4pm*. Arrive a little early so you can preorder your food selection, ready at the end of the tour. You can also grab your glass of wine to take on the tour. **Start Time**: *4:00 PM*. **Tour Cost:** $10 (includes 1 glass of wine). Pay at the door **Light Dinner**: *5:00pm* After your tour, feel free to join us for a Fired Up Pizza or winery small charcuterie plate! We have our own space to chat and eat the food we pre-ordered. **Live Music**: Tonight they have live music open mic night on the patio *6pm-8pm*! **Parking:** usually best to park one block down the road in the church parking lot. 2 minute walk. **Note:** Touring the cellar requires taking one flight of stairs. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or just curious, this tour will enhance your appreciation for wine and small-batch winemaking. Cheers!!![🍷]()

**Shark Week Kick Off -** In celebration of Shark Week (and to honor Nick's favorite animal, just after humans and bigfoot) we will serve shark themed wines and play the theme to Jaws in the background as our wittier members blurt out puns such as "I think we're going to need a bigger..." glass of wine... Shark Week runs from **Sunday, July 26, through Saturday, August 1, 2026**. The eight-day programming event will air on the Discovery Channel. **Sample 4 different wines** this Friday for $15 (cash or Venmo only please). Glasses are provided. Bring a snack to share. Bring a bottle to share if you care to. See all the details below for the Hilliard Wine Club Wine Tasting. In Person. In Real Life. Actual Wine from glass bottles with corks and everything. **Wine**: Tastings will be $15 for four samples (cash or Venmo only please). And you are welcome to bring a bottle of your favorite wine to share with others. Participation in the wine tastings is optional. But since you’re going, I will buy enough wine to cover you. If you bring your own wine and do not participate in the tasting you will only pay $10 to cover the door charge. **Parking**: There are several public parking lots near the Alive614 hall. Please be careful to NOT park in private parking lots. They do tow. Check Google maps to scope out your space. Anyone who is early could easily find a parking space on the street nearby. **Glasses**: …will be provided. Please note that after the wine tasting, the EMPTY glasses need to be returned to the boxes at the service table. Please do not make me hunt down your empty glass. Please be gentle, our glasses are fragile. Uh, they are made of glass! **Food**: You are welcome to bring a snack to share. It is not required. Most people do though. If no one brings anything, there will be nothing. **Code of Conduct**: Though mostly understood, it’s still worth mentioning. We don’t have rules per se, but we highly discourage the following topics of discussion because they are likely to incite anti-social responses - Sex, Politics, Religion. Please don’t mistake this as an attempt to limit your free speech rights but rather a guide to a place and time for appropriate discussions. **Extra Wine**: After everyone has had their samples, we remove the pouring spouts and any remaining wine is poured freely to whomever wants it. I hate having leftover wine. **Queen of Hearts**: The Queen of Hearts raffle is a fundraiser for the club and a Barnum & Bailey type extravaganza - minus the dancing ponies and clowns. Bring your ***cash*** as the Queen does not accept American Express or other plastic. **After the lights go out**: After the last sip of wine, when we clean up and turn the lights out, if you still haven’t had enough of us, it is typical for a group to get together and go to a local eatery for food and/or drinks or coffee. Again, We look forward to meeting new members and reuniting with old friends. Sincerely, ***Paul Uttermohlen***, **Red 1 Realty** *Your Hilliard Wine Club Host*

*The streets of Columbus are going French this July!* The **[Chouette Bastille Day Festival](https://www.chouetterestaurant.com/)** returns to N. High Street this summer for an afternoon of live French jazz, traditional French cuisine, and premium cocktails, wines, and craft beers from our DORA bar. Free cover, festive, and entirely French.⁠ **⁠When:** Sunday, July 12th, 12PM to 4 PM - we'll meet about 2pm. **Parking**: Metropolis Parking garage, one block west. Metropolis Parking lot, one block east. **Note**: Feel free to come by early and grab a sit down lunch at one of the great restaurants nearby, if you like. Once the fest begins, eats n drinks purchased are walkabout, round tables, or lean in high tops. *You just may find me at a barstool at Hank's ;)*