Where to Watch the Oscars in Laguna Beach?

By Darnell Bledsoe

Where will you be Sunday during the 2013 Academy Awards? Pardon me, I mean the Oscars ...

This year, the 85th annual Academy Awards is temporarily taking on a new name with a younger tone. According to co-producer Neil Meron, the rebranding of the name might play better to a younger demographic.

Call it what you will, but no matter what the name, I always celebrate this day with family and friends that share the same passion for cinema as I do. This year, however, it's a little more low key, so a few of us decided to see just what Laguna Beach is up to in celebration of the Oscars.

After several phone calls around town, I realized that the showing of the Oscars was something that local businesses hadn’t even given thought to. Some businesses were very receptive to the idea, however, and even agreed to turn the Oscars on for us. Some said they would probably just leave on sports, because that's what most customers prefer.

I'm sorry, but I take offense to that, (no ‘punt’ intended.) There’s no Super Bowl Sunday, but the Academy Awards are the Super Bowl of Performing Arts & Film. Last time I checked, Laguna Beach was a city of the Arts.

So Sunday, we’ll be heading out to watch the Oscars some place in town. As for who the Oscar for best performance will go to, I’m predicting that Wine Gallery will take home the gold. They just opened on September 27th. Chris Olsen, owner and a local resident, said that he’d be happy to roll out the red carpet for Laguna Beach.

I’ve listed a few other places to celebrate and watch the Academy Awards -- however, you may want to check in with them prior to going.

Know of any other places that will be showing this years Oscars? Let the Patch know!

• Wine Gallery | www.winegallerylaguna.com | 949.715.8744 | 1833 South Coast Hwy #110

• Rock ‘n Fish | www.rocknfishlb.com | 949.497.3113 | 422 S Coast Hwy.

• Watermarc (Will turn on Oscars upon request) | www.watermarcrestaurant.com | 949.376.6272 | 448 S Coast Hwy.

• Broadway By Amar Santana (Will turn on Oscars upon request) | www.broadwaybyamarsantana.com | 949.715.8234 | 328 Glenneyre St.

• Lumberyard  (May have the audio down) | www.lblumberyard.com | 949.715.3900 | 384 Forest Ave.