House of Blues Anaheim: Entertainment Night and Day

Have you been to the new House of Blues in Anaheim GardenWalk? Anaheim and Greater Disneyland welcomes another exciting entertainment venue to Orange County visitors and residents alike.

When I received an invitation to attend a tasting dinner at the House of Blues, I jumped at the chance. I have heard and read great things about the new House of Blues since their opening and had yet to see it for myself. The community style dinner was held in the Parish room and featured a few of the House of Blues’ signature southern-inspired BBQ menu items kicking off grilling season and celebrating National BBQ Month.

Located on the 4th level of the mall in the former Ultra Luxe theatre location, the Anaheim House of Blues opened on February 28th, with Social Distortion as the headliner. As if that wasn’t enough excitement, The Blues Brothers (Dan Aykroyd & Jim Belushi) made a GRAND entrance riding their Harleys to the stage with the theme from Peter Gunn heralding their arrival. Boo, I missed it! The new House of Blues Anaheim is the first new House of Blues to be built in the U.S. in a decade and features live entertainment every night. Grandiose in scale, the venue spans 44,000 square feet of space, with live music in four unique entertainment venues: the main concert hall, the intimate Parish, the Foundation Room and House of Blues Restaurant and Bar, all under one roof and offering the most advanced sound system of any House of Blues.

Not knowing exactly where the HOB was located within Anaheim GardenWalk, of course, parked at the opposite end of the structure and was able to enjoy a gallery of colorful, street art-style murals as I made my way to the venue.

The tasting dinner was held in the Parish room where blue lights cast an eerie look to a wall of smooth plaster reliefs of legendary rock and blues stars past, and the live people within. Chef Kelvin Crisostomo described each dish as it was served. We enjoyed tasting portions of:

Pulled Pork Sandwich: Slow-smoked pulled pork, BBQ sauce, coleslaw (currently available on the HOB Anaheim Restaurant Menu)

Korean BBQ Riblets: Marinated pork riblets, slow cooked, kimchi (currently available on the Foundation Room Menu

Smokehouse St. Louis Ribs: Dry-rubbed, smoked and covered with BBQ Sauce and served with BBQ baked beans and coleslaw *gluten free (currently available on the HOB Anaheim Restaurant Menu)

Bourbon Bread Pudding (currently available on the HOB Anaheim Restaurant Menu)

All this meaty, robust-flavored, finger-lickin’ good Southern barbecue was washed down with Jack Julep’s, a refreshing version of the classic Mint Julep. The Jack Julep, sponsored by Jack Daniels, is available on Nashville Nights (Monday nights) when country music bands hit the stage. There’s something happening every night – check the House of Blues event page to see the schedule of concerts and events.

Eye-catching, provocative artwork lends color, excitement and energy throughout the venue and features commissioned pieces by two Southern California artists, Johnny “KMNDZ” Rodriguez and Audrey Kawasaki.

Johnny Rodriguez, a self taught painter, has an impressive portfolio of “artistic and technological accomplishments in the graphic design and new media” Look for Johnny’s 30-foot mural by the entrance of the venue.

The stunning “Flora and Fauna style” wall-size painting by Audrey Kawasaki visible in the dining area carries on the House of Blues tradition of adorning properties with signature folk art collections.

Even more exciting: the new House of Blues Anaheim is pleased to introduce the World Fabulous Drag Brunch held on the first Saturday of each month starting June 3, 2017. The World Fabulous Drag Brunch stars WILLAM- actress, author, YouTuber and former RuPaul’s Drag Racer, in a hilarious new show featuring wild entertainment, mimosas and an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet of Southern-inspired favorites including jambalaya, jalapeño-cheese cornbread, collard greens, a prime rib carving station, homemade pastries and more. Best known from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 4, WILLAM and his gaggle of girls will delight and entertain you with music, moves and a dose of comedy. World Fabulous Drag Brunch is perfect for a wild Saturday morning with friends and special celebrations that call for a dash of glitz!

WHEN: The first Saturday of every month beginning June 3, 11 a.m. Show runs 1.5-2 hours

TICKETS: $44 per person. Available online via www.houseofblues.com/anaheim. This is an all-ages show but please use parental discretion as some content may be explicit.

This is in addition to the new House of Blues’ reimagined Gospel Brunch experience each Sunday of the month. A new Southern inspired soulful menu features signature brunch dishes and live action carving and omelet stations. The electrifying, uplifting and unprecedented gospel show is unlike any other brunch experience available. Gospel Brunch is perfect for families, visitors and special celebrations.

WHEN: Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Check House of Blues calendar for dates. Holidays welcome two shows at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Show runs 1.5-2 hours

TICKETS: $45 per person. Available online via http://houseofblues.com/anaheim/gospelbrunch and Ticketmaster.