It is the time of year when we start to enjoy the smells of the season. A deep breath may stimulate your senses with peppermint, spearmint, and berries. A quick hop around town and you’ll find several seasonal happy hours sure to stimulate your holiday sense, as well.
Claret Wine & Cocktail Bar (1320 Magazine St.) and the Lower Garden District Association are having a holiday party. Here they are popping bottles and you will taste 40 different wines including a variety of bubbles, reds and white wines. The team here says its a great way to enjoy the holiday season. This event is Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. Catch the fun, if you can.
Bacchanal Wine (600 Poland Ave.) is having a holiday Bubbly Fest. Champagne and sparkling wines from all over the world will be offered. $20 bucks will get you tastes of over 50-wines from their favorite purveyors from 2:30pm-5pm. Get your tickets and enjoy this bubbly fest with friends.
Bradys Wine Warehouse (1029 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. ) is hosting a special seasonal winter beer tasting with New Belgium Brewing Friday, Dec. 6. From 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., they’ll be pouring a few new winter warmers along with their amazing flagship brews. Then, this Saturday, Dec. 7 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. there will be a See, Sip and Shop where local artists will display their goods. Red, White and sparking wine samples will be offered during the event, so stop in and enjoy a glass on the house! Oh, and don’t worry, they’ll be showing the SEC Championship game in the lounge.
Seven Three Distilling Company (301 N Claiborne Ave.) On Saturday, Dec. 7 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., the team at Seven Three Distilling says there will be an epic match-up of bartenders from across the city as they battle it out for the best holiday cocktail. The showdown will host bar talent from Galatoire’s, Coterie oyster Bar, LOA Bar, The Bombay Club, Broussard’s Restaurant, Atchafalaya, Ariana Taqueria Y Cantina and Copper Vine. The competition will include spirits from the company to create the most innovative and festive holiday cocktail of the season. The best part of the event is that you’ll get to sample them all and cast your vote for your favorite. The competition starts at 7 p.m. with sampling and voting until 8:30. This will be fun and festive.
Finally, the 12 Dives of Christmas is happening uptown on Dec. 14. This holiday spirit hopping is so much fun. Twelve dive bars, 12 hours and 12 reasons to raise a glass for holiday sipping. This event is free, but bring cash for cheap drink specials. This walking bar hop encourages you to wear costumes, too. How fun is that? Santa will be watching as you head to Rendezvous Tavern for $4 Bloody Mary’s, Balcony Bar for $2.50 well drinks and $2 domestic beer, The Prytania Bar for craft beer, and there are several other stops with great deals. The tour ends at Snake and Jakes (if you make it that far). The organizers say this event will guarantee you a spot on Santa’s naughty list.
These, of course, are just a few of the great happenings around town. If you know of a great holiday happy hour you want us to check out, let us know so we can experience and share it with cocktail lovers everywhere.