Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are five choice dining and drinking events going on around the Twin Cities:
1) The Happy Gnome Bourbon Tasting
When: Tuesday, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Where: The Happy Gnome
What: There's bourbon to be tasted at The Happy Gnome. A representative from Jim Beam will be on hand talk history, present, and the future of America's signature spirit, along with special guest and renowned mixologist Bobby Gleason. A ticket will get you samplings of a variety of bourbons as well as a house-made appetizers. For ticket information and more, click here.
2) Marvel Bar Cocktail Class #6: Punch
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Marvel Bar
What: Learn how to make a perfect cocktail from a top Twin Cities bartender. Askov Finlayson teams up with Marvel Bar on the second Saturday of every month to teach you how to do just that. This month, Peder Schweigert is teaching the class on how to craft a perfect punch. Cost of the hour-long session gets you hands on training, take-home bar materials, and a tasting session. To reserve your spot or to find more information, click here.
3) Fulton War & Peace Brunch
When: Friday, 10 a.m.
Where: The Lyndale Tap House
What: Brunch on Friday? Why not?! Join Fulton at The Lyndale Tap House where $10.95 gets you a bottomless cup of Peace Coffee, a glass of Fulton War and Peace Russian Imperial Stout, and your choice of 2 breakfast entrees (either the Peace Coffee smoked salmon breakfast sandwich or the silver dollar pancakes with Peace Coffee whipped cream and War and Peace glaze). Check out Fulton's website for more information.
4) Sociable Cider Werks Cider Dinner
When: Wednesday, 6 p.m.
Where: Mason's Restaurant and Barre
What: If beer isn't your thing, perhaps cider is. Mason's Restaurant and Barre is teaming up with Sociable Cider Werks and pairing five courses with five ciders from the NE Mpls taproom (actually, four ciders plus one fruit beer). Spaces are limited and reservations are required. To find more information about the dinner and to see the menu, click here and here.
5) Brit's Pub Number One in the World Party
When: Friday, 4 to 10 p.m.
Where: Brit's Pub
What: The Nicollet Mall pub just happens to sell the most Newcastle on draught in the whole world (bravo, Minneapolis) and wants you to stop in to help celebrate. Score a free t-shirt (while supplies last), sip $2 pints of the brown ale, take part in a trivia contest, and listen to The Crown Jewels, a Queen tribute band. More information can be found here.
Also of Note: Stanley's NE is teaming up with O'Hara's for a four-course Irish beer dinner (Wednesday, 7 p.m.). Head out to Stillwater and check out the Lift Bridge Irish Coffee Stout release party (Saturday, 3 p.m.). Celebrate 50 years with Boca Chica by grabbing $1 tacos today only. Meet two of the founders of Bent Paddle and sip on some of their brews at Muddy Waters (Friday, 4 to 6 p.m.). Get your tickets to these upcoming events as they will sell out fast: Chef's Night Off features The Rabbit Hole's, Thomas Kim (March 24). VIP tickets to Minneapolis Cakewalk are already gone but you can still get in general admission-style (March 13). Dangerous Man and Chowgirls Catering are teaming up for a St. Patrick's Day dinner at the taproom (March 17). Dinner on the Farm presents a Nordic Cocktail Dinner featuring cocktails from Far North Spirits and food from Chef Dustin Thomas (March 14). Email Dinner on the Farm to reserve your spot and to get more information. And finally, FIKA is doing a spring equinox tasting menu dinner (March 21).