HEROtini Happy Hours & Helping Kitties: A Week of Mocktails, Movies, and Meows

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 Whew! What. A. Week! 🎉 I knew this one would be a whirlwind, but I didn’t expect it to be this fun. Between a cat rescue fundraiser, a scary movie night, and not one but two HEROtini Happy Hours, I’m officially partied out (well… almost). If it weren’t for this incoming nor’easter, we’d be hitting fall festivals and flea markets too. But hey—South Jersey always keeps the fun coming, and fall is my favorite season for it! 🍂✨

🐱 Fundraising for the Felines

We kicked things off with the Life Improvement for Cats and Kitties (LICK) fundraiser aka the Meow Mixer! This sweet local cat sanctuary rescues and rehomes cats all over South Jersey, and twice a year they throw a $15 party (and cat food donation) filled with food, raffles, and all the good vibes.

Our friend Jenna donated a tray of the most adorable sugar cookies topped with cat heads made of sugar perfection! Joe and I each grabbed a sheet of raffle tickets, and I actually won a basket filled with treats and Hello Kitty goodies. Meanwhile, our friends Bri and Monica scored an Eagles Tailgate Bundle! 🦅

By the end of the night, LICK’s truck was packed with cat food donations—an incredible sight. I can’t wait for the Spring Meow Mixer, and yes, I already have my eye on the next big prize… Still dreaming of that inflatable cat!

🎬 Screams on the Screens

Screams on the Screens

Midweek called for something spooky, so we hit Regal Cinemas in Mays Landing for their Screams on the Screens series—classic horror movies on the big screen. We saw the 20th anniversary showing of Rob Zombie’s The Devil’s Rejects and, okay, maybe we paid full price by accident because we didn’t buy in-app (rookie mistake 😅), but it was totally worth it.

We opted to not get the large combo, because we’re not millionaires, but I NEED a large popcorn when visiting any movie theater. I feel like that is a requirement when at any movie theater. The seats weren’t fancy, but the soda was fizzy, the popcorn was buttery, and the movie was perfectly twisted. Regal might not be the most luxurious theater around, but I’m loving these throwback horror nights and next time, I’m buying those discounted tickets early! 👻

🍹 So Many Mocktails... And I’m Not Complaining!

The end of the week brought a double dose of HEROtini Happy Hour fun!

Night One: The Crab Trap

Thursday night, Joe and I headed to The Crab Trap, where the vibe was buzzing. Their happy hour spread was chef’s kiss—veggie spring rolls, bruschetta, teriyaki meatballs, and their signature mocktail: the Lavender Spritz. 🌸

The veggie spring rolls and bruschetta were at the top of my list. The spring rolls were fresh and had the perfect crunch. They weren’t greasy– thank god! The bruschetta was fresh and piled high on a toasted Italian bread slice drizzled with balsamic. Joe had his eyes on the teriyaki meatball samples that he described as surprisingly sweet and “good.. Real good.” A man of many words as you can see. The real star of the show is the Herotini, their Lavender Spritzer. It was a beautiful lavender color and garnished with a lovely sprig of rosemary.


Now, lavender can be tricky, it can go from “ahh relaxing” to “did I just sip perfume?” real fast. But this drink nailed it! Light, sweet (but not sugary), refreshing, and just pretty to look at. I couldn’t stop sipping! 



Between the raffles, the live music, and the food, it was a night of smiles all around. The hostess won a beach chair and looked like she was ready to take it straight to the beach. The best part? The Hero Campaign raised a ton for their cause, and The Crab Trap’s Herotini score got a happy little boost!

Night Two: Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall

Less than 24 hours later, I was back at it!

This time at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Atlantic City. 🔥 The outdoor fire pits were glowing, the mocktails were flowing, and the vibes were immaculate.

Their entry into the Herotini Challenge is called The Sparkler—a mocktail twist on one of their top cocktails. Made with Ritual Zero Proof tequila, watermelon puree, a hint of jalapeño, and a tajín rim, this one brought the heat! 🌶️🔥

I’m a total baby when it comes to spice, so it definitely surprised me. The first sip was all juicy watermelon goodness, and then—bam!—the heat kicked in. Not over the top, just the right spark to keep things interesting. Sweet, spicy, and seriously fun.

We ended the night chatting by the fire, surrounded by good people and even better cause-driven energy.

🏆 What’s Next: The Big HEROtini Bash!

Everyone’s already buzzing about the main event—the HEROtini Challenge Grand Finale Party at Harbor Pines in Egg Harbor Twp on October 30th. Expect big prizes, raffles, and auctions with everything from guitars and Phillies tickets to Yeti coolers! Joe already has his eyes on that one 🙄.

It’s the biggest night of the season, and the perfect way to wrap up this amazing campaign celebrating mocktails and mindful fun!

There is also the Hero Walk on October 19th in Ocean City, NJ. Come out and enjoy a walk and fun run on the boardwalk to support the Hero Campaign! We will be there... But I am a little rusty when it comes to running. I HAVE to start training if I want to run a mile.

💭 Final Thoughts

Between helping kitties, sipping creative mocktails, and soaking up spooky movie vibes, this week reminded me why I love fall in South Jersey. It’s cozy, community-driven, and just the right balance of chaos and charm.

If you’re local and want to help the cats, check out Life Improvement for Cats and Kitties (LICK) on Facebook, they’re always looking for volunteers.

And if you haven’t tried a HEROtini yet, what are you waiting for?! Visit 2025herotini.org to find participating restaurants, try a few mocktails, and vote for your favorite! Then let me know which one has your heart and your taste buds 😋

Until next time,
 💋 The Sober Party Girl

💖 Pros & Cons of the Week

Pros 🌟

  • 🐱 Supporting local cat rescues (and winning Hello Kitty swag!)

  • 🍸 Two incredible HEROtini mocktail nights back-to-back

  • 🎶 Great live music, raffles & happy hour bites

  • 🎬 Throwback horror movie fun—popcorn required!

  • 🔥 Cozy fall vibes around fire pits & fundraisers

Cons ⚡

  • 💸 Full-price movie tickets (rookie move—buy in-app!)

  • 🌶️ The Sparkler mocktail had a sneaky spicy kick- not a con, but deff a surprise!

  • 🌧️ Nor’easter canceled some weekend plans

  • 😴 So many events = one very tired Sober Party Girl
Location: Atlantic County, NJ, USA

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