Your Insider’s Guide to BottleRock Weekend

The BottleRock 2024 lineup brings headliners like Pearl Jam, Ed Sheeran, Stevie Nicks, Queens of the Stone Age, Maná, Kali Uchis, Megan Thee Stallion and more. There are all kinds of ways to plus-up your weekend from the music to the wine and all the afterparties in between. There’s also a wide variety of lodging options to consider if you haven’t already picked yours.


When you’re ready for a break from the excitement, take a short stroll from the fairgrounds over to Downtown Napa to recharge and refresh. Read on for our best tips for navigating the weekend beyond the fairgrounds.

Tasting Room Reservations

Unlike formal up-valley wineries, many Napa tasting rooms welcome walk-ins and don’t require reservations. If you prefer a reservation, the Napa Valley Welcome Center, located right next to the Archer Hotel, can help with same-day reservations and direct you to the tasting rooms with availability. During BottleRock, lots of tasting rooms shift their hours to stay open late and offer by-the-glass instead of a full traditional tasting.

START OFF WITH BRUNCH

If you’re doing BottleRock right, then you’re out late and sleeping in, which makes brunch a perfect fit. Get fueled up for the day with a hearty breakfast before walking over to the festival.

Bear – Saturday & Sunday, 11 am – 3 pm

The keystone restaurant of a luxury resort, Stanly Ranch, this brunch spot definitely lives up to expectations. Dine on treats like Monkey Bread with lemon caramel and pink lady apples, a Wild Salmon Gravlax or the decadent Dungeness Crab Benedict.

C Casa – Daily, 7:30 am – 11:30 am

This taqueria does tacos their way and you’ll be glad they do. Their innovative tacos are made with house-made corn tortillas and chips, chili-rubbed rotisserie meats, grilled fish, fresh salads and inventive sides.

Celadon – Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 2:30 pm

Elevated global comfort food is what draws the delight of this spot’s diners. Start with a bellini, mimosa or bloody mary, and choose from items like Brioche French Toast with rum flambeéd bananas, Chilaquiles and Asian ‘Sticky’ Ribs.

Napa Farmers Market – Saturday, 8 am – 12 pm

Happening every Saturday, the Napa Farmers Market is a feast of fresh produce, baked goods, food trucks and more. Fill up and grab some snacks for later before heading into the festival.

Downtown Joe’s – Daily, 8 am – 12:30 pm

If you’re craving a traditional American breakfast, then this is your spot. On weekends, they offer $20 bottomless mimosas from 8 am – 1 pm, along with dishes like California Benedict, Huevos Rancheros, BBQ Biscuits & Gravy and Chicken Fried Steak. They also have a special menu just for pups.

Kitchen Door – Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 1 pm

Local, seasonal and handmade are this spot’s specialties, celebrating eclectic tastes from around the globe. They offer a full bar and a highly curated local wine list. As the name suggests, the atmosphere is kitchen-inspired with a warm, family-friendly feel.

Grace’s Table – Daily, 9 am – 3 pm

Come on in for loads of comfort food at Grace’s. Their Cinnamon Roll or Black Cherry Almond Scone will tempt you, so maybe start there. Then add in a Seasonal Fruit Plate for balance and maybe the Shrimp & Gits or Southwest Tamale.

The Grove at Copia – Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm

If you’ve got Mediterranean on your mind, then head to The Grove. Their menu reflects a full garden harvest with essential Californian ingredients. You can eat under their olive trees or inside in their dining room.

Meritage Weekend Brunch – May 25 & 26, 8:30 am – 12 pm

Over on their Village Lawn, Meritage has a full brunch spread complete with a breakfast corner, omelet and avocado toast stations, and a mimosa and bloody mary bar. It’s $55 for ages 14 and up, $18 for ages 4 – 13 and 3 and under are free. Brunch is served 8:30 am – 12 pm with live music from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm.

Vendors will be at the Meritage Weekend Brunch too including Shampoo & Chardonnay (Professional Festival Hair Bar), Made in October (Permanent and Handmade Jewelry), Jayne of the Jungle (Henna Artist) and Guild Napa (Guided DIY arts & Crafts). Meritage also offers shuttle service on the hour to Downtown Napa!

Napkins Bar & Grill – Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 3pm

If Banana Foster French Toast sounds as good to you as it does to us, then head over to Napkins. Their Chorizo Omelet is excellent, as is their bright and flavorful Citrus Habanero Organic Chicken.

Napa General Store – Saturday & Sunday, 8 am – 3 pm

The trifecta of Downtown Napa, the Napa General Store is equal parts store/café/wine bar. They serve an incredible brunch with dishes like nuevos huevos rancheros and chocolate-filled beignets. It’s also a great spot to grab snacks for the festival.

Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar – Sunday, 11:30 am – 3pm

On the roof of the luxurious, 4-diamond Archer Hotel, this bar and restaurant has amazing panoramic views and inventive brunch choices like their Bottomless Bacon Bloody Mary, Biscuits & Chorizo Gravy and Lobster Corn Dogs.

Waterfront Seafood Grill – Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 2:00 pm

This brunch spot is right on the Napa Riverfront and serves favorites like their Main Lobster Omelet and the Surf and Turf Quiche.

This is just the beginning of brunch choices in Downtown Napa. Check out more of our brunch picks here.

EXPLORING BEYOND THE FESTIVAL

A welcome diversion for many, Downtown Napa is close to the fairgrounds and has much to offer. Amazing food and wine are everywhere, plus there’s art to explore, excellent shopping and even a gondola ride if you so choose.

NAPA GONDOLA TOURS

No need to travel all the way to Italy. You can enjoy a Venetian-style gondola ride right on the Napa River. Each tour is private and holds up to six people. You’re welcome to bring your own wine, relax, enjoy the music and take in the sites as you float along.

THE NAPA ARTWALK

Take a break from the music and head out to explore the Napa ArtWalk, a rotating exhibit of public art scattered around Downtown. The theme for the seventh Napa Art Walk Exhibition is ‘Play!’. Using kinetic art, movement and/or light to define dimensions and interaction in space, these 10 sculptures from Western artists feature symbolic movement or require motion for their effects.

DOWNTOWN NAPA SHOPPING

Downtown Napa is the perfect place for some retail therapy. Our suggestion is to head to First Street Napa, where you can find all kinds of treasures. Kemo Sabe’s western wear pop-up in First Street Napa is open. It will be there until after La Onda by BottleRock. There are other colorful spots around town, too.

Oxbow Public Market is like a little village of local, artisanal vendors. It offers shopping and dining on a beautiful deck overlooking the Napa River. The Napa Bookmine at Oxbow is an independent and locally owned bookstore that’s as charming as it sounds.

Marketplace at Copia has the most beautiful and rare household goods including culinary antiques, locally-made pottery, home and garden treasures and children’s culinary tools and books. Whole Spice Company is a home chef’s dream and Napa Fermentation Supplies has everything a home brewer or vintner could want.

Annette’s Chocolate and Ice Cream Factory is a must-stop for chocolate lovers, which is just about everybody. The Euro-Drinking Chocolate is a favorite and their delicate chocolates and creams are almost too pretty to eat. Their small-batch ice creams and sorbets are well worth a taste too.

Boutique shopping is a thriving scene in Napa. Miyamo is an affordable option with the cutest contemporary clothes, while Muguette Renee Boutique is a Parisian-inspired choice with clothes, handbags and kimonos. Kalifornia Jean Bar will set you up with your favorite, dream-worthy pair of jeans and Napa Running Company is a runner’s haven.

GRAB A DRINK AFTER THE FESTIVAL

There’s a lot going on in Downtown Napa at night, including several bars that stay open late. Downtown Joe’s Brewery is one of those. They’re big on creating their own craft brew with six of their own recipes and they create seasonal brews too. Napkins Bar & Grill stays open to roughly 2 am and offers a special late-night menu as well. And over at Sky & Vine rooftop bar atop Archer Hotel, snag a firepit spot and enjoy delicious craft cocktails paired with killer views of Downtown Napa.

ALL ABOUT THE AFTER SHOWS

Grab a seat for more from your favorite bands at these official after shows, at BottleRock AfterDark Be sure to grab tickets for the closest one in Downtown Napa:

JaM Cellars Ballroom 

  • Thurs. May 23: Miike Snow with Akira Galaxy
  • Fri. May 24: Cold War Kids with Mondo Cozmo
  • Sat. May 25: Chevy Metal with The Alive
  • Sun. May 26: St. Vincent with Momma

The Garden, Napa

Uptown Theater, Napa

  • Sat. May 25: Norah Jones with Ron Artis II

Wilfred’s Lounge in Partnership with Salty Sundays Productions

MAKE TIME TO RECHARGE

It’s best to come in early and stay late for the BottleRock Festival. You’ll enjoy a more relaxed pace and it’ll give you a chance to explore all the things to do in Downtown Napa. From charming and comfy to luxurious and spacious, check out all of Downtown Napa’s appealing lodging options.

 

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