A Taste of What to Expect at Midtown Cocktail Week 2014
Raise your glasses! The seventh annual Midtown Cocktail Week is upon us, going down at various bars and restaurants all around town from Aug. 19 – 24, celebrating Sacramento’s artisan cocktail movement and innovative bar programs. Midtown Cocktail Week offers a little something for everyone: affordable hands-on educational classes, industry leading guest lecturers, exciting cocktail competitions, creative themed parties, tons of amazing drinks (obviously) and overall just more fun times than you can shake your swizzle stick at! Here are some brief breakdowns of the official MCW parties, a few of the pop-up events throughout the week as well as some of the educational elements. For a full rundown of what to expect, visit Midtowncocktailweek.org or Facebook.com/midtowncocktailweek. Cheers!
Keeping it Official
MCW 2014’s Main Events Are Not To Be Missed
Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014 | 6 – 9 p.m.
The Cocktail Competition
Harlow’s (2708 J Street)
Eight of the best local bartenders battle for top honors at this year’s MCW Cocktail Competition! $15 offers you access to the live spectacle, including tastings of batched cocktails created by the competitors. Live entertainment by Apple Z to follow the comp.
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014 | 6 – 9 p.m.
Just Chill, A Spirited Snow Cone Party
Centro (2730 J Street)
Chill out on a hot summer evening as Centro Cocina Mexicana offers snow cones flavored with their trademark tequila infusions! Like something spicy? They’ve got an infusion for that. How about fruity and sweet? Yeah, they got that too. Admission is free.
Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014 | 6 – 9 p.m.
Amaro Tomorrow – Give ‘Em the Boot – An R Street Ambush
Shady Lady (1409 R Street)
Unarguably one of Sacramento’s best spots to grab a cocktail, Shady Lady will host this evening of Amaro (Italian for “bitter”) cocktails, antipasti, and bad decisions! “Fernet about it!” Admission is free.
Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 | 6 – 9 p.m.
Bright Lights, Big City, Dress Up, Get Down
Grange (926 J Street)
This spirited celebration will boast craft cocktails, inspired plates, transportive décor, and many toast-worthy occasions in the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Lounge. Sip on fresh cocktails and dance to live tunes from Happy Fangs, DJ Katz and The Satin Dollz. Admission is free.
Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014 | 6 – 9 p.m.
Midtown Cocktail Week’s Big Ole Round-Up
Goldfield (1603 J Street)
Belly up to the bar at Midtown’s newest watering hole, Goldfield Trading Post, for their “Big Ole Round-Up.” Goldfield is partnering with Bulleit Bourbon to bring you “cowboy cocktails,” live honkytonk music and hearty homestyle bites. Admission is free.
Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014 | 1 – 4 p.m.
Island Summer Nights
Crawdads on the River (1375 Garden Highway)
Midtown Cocktail Week goes off the grid and onto the river for this year’s wind-down daytime party at Crawdads on the River. “Island Summer Nights” will be a tropical-themed getaway from the fast-paced downtown lifestyle, featuring island-inspired libations (think tiki drinks, both traditional and with a twist), island-esque plates, music and more!
{Trisha Carr}
Knowledge Is Power
MCW 2014’s Educational Classes Help You Elevate Your Bartending Skills
Looking to up your hone bartending skills? Maybe you’re already a “pro” and work at a local bar? Well, even you can still learn something from Midtown Cocktail Week’s many awesome educational classes! They’ve got everything from “Alabama Moonshine History with Lara Guerra,” to “History of Women in Cocktails with Trisha Carr,” to “POP! Bottled Cocktails with Andrew Calisterio,” to “BLOODY MARY! The Art of Preservation and Infusion” and so much more. Attend, listen, watch, get hands on, be inspired, then pass on the knowledge. That’s the whole point. Classes are only $5 (plus Eventbrite fees), but they are limited to 50 spots each, so be sure to sign up ahead of time at Midtowncocktailweek.org/education, where you can also get dates and times of all the specific classes. All classes will be held at The Citizen Hotel’s Quorum Room with the exception of Portland, Oregon guest bartender/author Jeffrey Morgenthaler’s presentation, which will take place at the Metropolitan Terrace (also at the Citizen, $10).
Poppin’ Bottles
MCW 2014 Offers A Variety of Fun Pop-Up Events
Want to avoid the crowds at the much-hyped “official” MCW events? Check out these (and many other) pop-up events throughout the week instead. There are multiple events each day; it’s like a choose-your-own-booze-adventure!
Monday, Aug. 18, 2014 | 9 – 12 p.m.
Bartender Karaoke
Shady Lady (1409 R Street)
This MCW pre-party is sure to be absolutely hilarious and perhaps even slightly awkward. Witness as local bartenders sing karaoke WHILE making cocktails! Can you say, “multi-tasking?”
Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014 | 9 – 12 p.m.
It Takes Two to Tiki
Red Rabbit (2718 J Street)
Red Rabbit will host this annual “enchanted luau” with a tiki drink competition presented by Lucas Bols, an exotic playlist from Shaun Slaughter, guest bartenders, tropical drink specials and all sorts of other surprises!
Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014 | 9 – 12 p.m.
Under the Big Top
Capitol Garage (1500 K Street)
This wild and wacky pop-up event will be inspired by all things circus! The bartenders will be the ringmasters and will feature circus-inspired food, cocktails and performances.
Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014
Comedy Cocktail Hour
Pour House (1910 Q Street)
Wind down Midtown Cocktail Week with a good laugh as four local comics take to Pour House’s stage and center their acts around cocktails!
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