Put Your Dancing Shoes on and Get Ready to Groove at BottleRock 2023!
Prepare your taste buds and get your dancing shoes ready because BottleRock Napa Valley is back! This annual music, food and wine festival is set to take place this May, complete with celebrity chefs, top-rated wineries, interactive art installations and, of course, all your favorite musicians—we’re talking headliners like Post Malone, Lizzo and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. We’ve put together the best food, drinks and tunes for every type of festival-goer this spring.
For the Hype Man
What to Eat
We’ve gotta tell our hype men about the HopMonk Cheeseburger from HopMonk Tavern–not because it needs more hype but because it deserves it. It’s got tomato chutney, crispy shallots and aioli on a brioche bun, and it’s just sure to make your mouth water. On the side, you can choose among fries, garlic fries and field greens or upgrade to sweet potato fries or even pickle fries. Is that enough hype for you?
What to Drink
Grab your hype squad and head to the Monkey Shoulder Whisky Bar for a sweet tropical treat. The Chi Chi cocktail features whisky, coconut cream, fresh pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, hibiscus falernum and a gold-dusted hibiscus-dipped dried pineapple garnish. Yeah, we can’t even picture that either, but we know it’ll be great. And anything with gold on it really just sells itself.
What to Dance To
Speaking of whisky, you’ll be Feeling Whisky as soon as this rapper comes on–or is it Whitney? Post Malone is a hype-man favorite who really knows how to get the crowd going with his unique style, face tats and killer vocals. And when Lil Nas X sings “Old Town Road,” you sure as heck won’t be the only hype man in the crowd.
For the One Vibin’ Out in the Back
What to Eat
Prefer to watch the action from a distance? There’s plenty to vibe out to without getting your toes stepped on in the crowd (we’re talking to you, white sneakers). When it comes to food, the Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich from Imagination on Fire is a must-try. It’s loaded up with spicy, breaded chicken tenderloins, pickled cabbage and mayonnaise on a brioche bun–and served with a side of fries, of course.
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What to Drink
Everyone knows if you’re vibin’ in the back, you gotta have a drink in your hand at all times to make yourself look occupied. The Peach Please is a good go-to. With Monkey Shoulder Whisky, peach simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, green tea, club soda and a peach ring candy garnish, you won’t be able to stop after one…mostly because of the peach ring. Those things are addicting.
What to Dance To
I hate to break it to you, but it might be hard to continue vibing in the back when you hear the soulful beauty of Leon Bridges’ voice. He’s bound to be wearing some cool, funky suit too, so you might want to get a closer look. But when The Red Hot Chili Peppers start rocking out, it’s safe to say you’ll be able to hear it from afar. Cue subtle head nods and foot taps.
Local Insight: Psst…since you already have tickets, I guess we can tell you about BottleRock’s Porta-Party activation, a secret DJ party through a Porta Potty entrance. Look for the one with the bouncer outside!
For the Dancing Queen
What to Drink
One sip of this can have world-altering consequences (okay, maybe just dance floor-altering). The Butterfly Effect is a tasty, purple drink made with Hendrick’s Gin, Chareau Aloe Liqueur, Jardesca Aperitiva, fresh-pressed lemon juice, fresh honeydew juice, simple syrup and butterfly flower spirulina. It’s sweet, refreshing and sure to get you movin’ and groovin’. Once you get started, you’ll have everybody watching that scene and diggin’ you, Dancing Queen.
What to Eat
The perfect combo of fancy and comfort food, the Black Truffle Grilled Cheese from Torc Napa really hits the spot. And after a few hours of tearin’ up the dance floor, we swear it tastes even better. Of course, a dancing queen has to have her veggies too, so we recommend Torc’s A.I.M. Farmers Market Beet Salad with Liwa goat cheese, pistachio, sumac and sherry-maple gastrique.
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What to Dance To
At 4:45 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, our flirty dancing queens might be inspired to hand out their cell numbers when Carly Rae Jepsen hits the stage. Something about singing along to “Call Me Maybe” as you gaze over at the person next to you just screams meet-cute. And just a few hours later, tired or not, you’ll be up on your feet shouting, “About Damn Time!” when Lizzo comes onstage. It just goes without saying that the queen can get anyone dancing.
For the Hippie at Heart
What to Eat
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Scanning the lineup for healthy options, our hippies at heart will be stoked to find Phat Salads and Wraps, an adorable food truck with lots of yummy salad options. Our favorite is the Santa Fe with romaine lettuce, black beans, cilantro, tomato, cheddar cheese, bell peppers and crunchy tortilla strips with creamy chipotle-citrus dressing. And for the meat-eating hippies, there’s a choice to add chicken or steak for a little pre-groove protein.
What to Drink
Picture this: You just ate a delicious salad. You’re sitting in the sunshine waiting for your next favorite band to come on. You need a little pick-me-up to get you back up and ready to rock. In comes the perfect floral, citrusy gin cocktail. The Genteel G&T is a delicious blend of Hendrick’s Gin, Italicus Rosolio, Top Hat East India Tonic, citrus peels, star anise and pink peppercorns. Pairs well with daisy chains.
What to Dance To
If you’re feeling moody, introspective or ready to tackle climate change, head on over to Jam Cellars Stage to see American indie rock band The National, all the way from Cincinnati. (We heard they’re really good live.) Another hippie favorite, Caamp, has a gorgeous indie-folk, acoustic sound that will take you on a journey and make your heart throb. They got their roots in Columbus, Ohio. Something must be in the water over in the Buckeye State.
