This Week In Fresno - Eats, Events & Local Highlights

Fresno Fact of the Week

The Golden Hour Cocktail Lounge, located in northeast Fresno behind Mad Duck Craft Brewing Co., is a small upscale cocktail bar with a unique vibe and a craft distillery next door called Maple & Copper Distilling Co.

It is set to open around Feb.14 and will feature handcrafted cocktails made with spirits produced in-house.

The lounge offers a mix of classic and innovative cocktails, including unique creations such as the $18 Bananas Foster Old Fashioned.

With a focus on high-quality ingredients and customer experience, The Golden Hour aims to be a place where normal people can enjoy high-end drinks in a comfortable atmosphere.

Papi's Mex Grill is taking over the former Casa Corona location in northwest Fresno at the corner of Bullard and West avenues.

It will be the third location for Papi's, owned by Raul Gutierrez Jr. and Jovanie "Jo" Gutierrez.

The restaurant will have a full bar serving margaritas and will offer the same menu, including popular surf and turf burritos.

The owners chose the northwest Fresno location to grow and serve a previously underserved area.

The restaurant is expected to open before summer with a remodeled interior and a focus on classic cocktails.

The Dog House Grill in Fresno is a popular bar and restaurant known for its tri-tip sandwiches, smoked meats, and sports bar atmosphere.

The restaurant, celebrating 20 years in business, goes through 400 cuts of tri-tip a day, making it a local favorite.

Despite parking and noise complaints, the restaurant continues to draw in customers, including regulars who love the tri-tip sandwiches and other menu items such as the Pig Sandwich, tri-tip tacos, and burgers.

The restaurant's smoking process begins early in the morning, and Dog House Grill has become a sports fan's haven, known for hosting sports shows and big game viewing parties.

China Peak Mountain Resort in California is using snowmaking machines to keep their slopes open during a snow drought caused by a persistent ridge of high pressure.

Despite the lack of natural snow, business has been good and regular skiers are still able to enjoy the trails.

The resort spends between $50,000 and $100,000 a year to use the machines, but they are committed to ensuring people can continue to ski and snowboard.

Forecasters predict snow in the coming weeks, which will hopefully give the machines a break.

Yelp provided a list of the top 10 most romantic restaurants in Fresno, based on ratings from reviewers.

Some of the restaurants highlighted in the article include The Lime Lite, The Annex Kitchen, Saizon, Valentino’s, Cracked Pepper Bistro, Willow Osteria, Oiza, Five Restaurant, Teppan Tora, and 13 Prime Steak.

These restaurants were praised for their ambiance, service, and delicious food, making them ideal choices for a romantic Valentine's Day celebration.

The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad has added Shay #12, a historic steam engine, to its lineup of working engines.

The 60-ton locomotive, built in 1926, was once used by the West Side Lumber Company in the Sierra Nevada for logging operations.

After being out of operation for over 15 years, the railroad plans to have Shay #12 running this year for historical tours in the Sierra National Forest.

The addition of this rare piece of railroad history marks a long-awaited return for the iconic Shay locomotive to the region.

Founded in 1995, Club One Casino has grown into Central California’s premier cardroom destination, offering 51 table games alongside a full lineup of entertainment, dining, and nightlife in northeast Fresno’s Granite Park complex. Open 24/7, the casino features multiple lively bars, a spacious patio for open-air dining and events, and video walls showing major sporting and pay-per-view events, making it a go-to spot for both gaming and social gatherings. With a mission centered on providing a safe, fun escape while supporting its team and community, Club One continues to expand its vision of Granite Park as one of the Central Valley’s most exciting entertainment hubs.

✨ Beauty and the Beast: 35th Anniversary Film Screening

📅 Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026
🕒 Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

📍 Location: Historic Crest Theatre
🎟️ Admission: Ticketed event

📄 Details: Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a magical night at the Historic Crest Theatre as Beauty and the Beast returns to the big screen for its 35th anniversary. Relive the timeless tale of love and adventure, sing along to unforgettable songs, and experience this beloved classic in one of Fresno’s most iconic venues. 🌹🎶

Whether you’re planning a romantic date night or a nostalgic outing with friends and family, this special screening is the perfect way to celebrate a classic story that has enchanted generations.

Buy tickets on Eventbrite

🎶 The Zapp Band Live in Fresno

📅 Date: Friday, February 13, 2026
🕒 Time: 7:00 PM

📍 Location: Selland Arena
📍 Address: 700 M St, Fresno, CA
📞 Info: (559) 445-8100
🎟️ Admission: Ticketed event

📄 Details: Get ready for a night of funk, soul, and nonstop grooves as The Zapp Band brings their legendary sound to Fresno. Known for iconic hits like “More Bounce to the Ounce,” “Computer Love,” and “I Want to Be Your Man,” Zapp delivers a high-energy live show packed with talkbox magic, deep basslines, and dance-floor anthems.

With a legacy spanning decades and influence across hip-hop, R&B, and funk, this concert is a must-see for fans of classic funk, old-school vibes, and feel-good music built for dancing and good times. 🕺💃🔥

Tickets available through Ticketmaster

🩰 Cinderella — A Broadway-Style Ballet Experience

📅 Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
🕒 Time: 6:00 PM

📍 Location: Saroyan Theatre
📍 Address: 730 M St, Fresno, CA 93721
🎟️ Admission: $70.75 – $124.25 (all fees included)
👨‍👩‍👧 Audience: Ages 2 & over
⏱️ Duration: 2 hours (including 20-minute intermission)

📄 Details: Step into a storybook world as World Ballet Company brings Cinderella to life in a dazzling, Broadway-style ballet. Featuring grand sets, over 150 hand-sewn costumes, and sweeping choreography, this enchanting production blends classical ballet with theatrical flair, humor, and romance. A magical night out for families, ballet lovers, and anyone craving a fairytale escape. ✨👑

🎶 Music: Johann Strauss II | “Time” theme by Anna Drubich
🎫 Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C0062E8C14C3B41

Meet Morgan 🐾

Meet Morgan 🐾
Morgan is an 8-month-old Labrador Retriever mix with a classic black-and-white coat and a sweet, youthful personality. This neutered young pup is ready to learn, play, and grow with a loving family. If you’re looking for a loyal companion to start new adventures with, Morgan is waiting to meet you! 💛🐶

👉 View Morgan & apply: https://24Petconnect.com/DetailsMain/FRNO/A024078

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