For the next seven days, Denver will be overrun with tacos. Between the Top Taco competition on Wednesday and Denver Taco Festival on Saturday, no one’s taco cravings will go unsatisfied this week. As for drinks, it’s all about the whiskey and wine. So put down your beers, and strap in for a week of wine dinners, whiskey classes and bourbon festivals.
Monday, June 19
Himchuli Vegan Buffet Night
When: Monday, June 19, 5 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Himchuli – Highlands Indian & Nepali Cuisine — 3489 W. 32nd Ave., Denver
Cost: $16 — tickets here
The Lowdown: This buffet will feature nine hot entrees, a salad bar and a variety of dessert selections — all completely free of animal products. Vegans will also appreciate that Himchuli tries to cut down on waste by only making as much food as necessary. To help Himchuli accurately gauge how much food to prepare, you must buy tickets online before the buffet.
Tuesday, June 20
A Night of Scotch Whiskey with Southern Wine & Spirits
When: Tuesday, June 20, 6 p.m.
Where: Atticus Denver — 1135 E. Evans Ave., Denver,
Cost: $55 — tickets here
The Lowdown: One of the first Americans to be named a Master of Scotch, Rick Edwards will lead an expert whiskey tasting. To accompany the whiskey, Atticus will also serve a four-course dinner beginning at 7 p.m. Menu highlights include seared scallops in brown butter sauce and a dark chocolate and currant bread pudding.
Wednesday, June 21
TAG ‘Guest Chef Series’ featuring Coquette
When: Wednesday, June 21, 6 p.m.
Where: TAG Restaurant — 1441 Larimer St., Denver
Cost: $78 (plus $30 with wine pairing) — reserve by calling 303-996-9985
The Lowdown: As part of their Guest Chef Series, TAG restaurant will welcome chefs Michael Soltzfus and Kristen Essig from New Orleans’ Coquette. For one night only, TAG and Coquette — two restaurants focused on using local ingredients — will work together to combine internationally-inspired flavors with classic southern cuisine.
Penfolds “Grange” Wine Paired Dinner
When: Wednesday, June 21, 6 – 9 p.m.
Where: The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa — 321 17th St., Denver
Cost: $250 — reserve by calling 303-312-5924
The Lowdown: Palace Arms at the Brown is serving a five-course meal paired with Penfolds Grange — one of Australia’s most highly acclaimed collections of wine. Each pairing will be expertly selected by Master Sommelier and US Ambassador of Penfolds Wines, DLynn Proctor. One guest will even take home a bottle of Penfolds Wine selected and signed by Proctor.
Thursday, June 22
Red Wine and Seafood: 21st Annual Fundraiser for Volunteers of America
When: Thursday, June 22, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Oxford Hotel — 1600 17th St., Denver
Cost: $95 — tickets here
The Lowdown: All of the proceeds from this annual Volunteers for America fundraiser will go toward helping homeless women served at Irving Street Women’s Residence. Beyond helping a good cause, you will also enjoy a sneak peak of Urban Farmer Denver — a new steakhouse set to open in Oxford Hotel this July.
Top Taco
When: Thursday, June 22, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Where: River North Festival Grounds — 3715 Chestnut Pl., Denver
Cost: $69 – $125 — tickets here
The Lowdown: For only $69, try unlimited taco and margarita samples from restaurants around Denver. You will also get to vote for your favorite tacos and cocktails while enjoying live music. If you splurge on the full VIP experience, you will also get access to a private lounge, exclusive tequila tastings and extra food cooked by 11 Denver star chefs.
Style the Perfect Charcuterie Board
When: Thursday, June 22, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Hotel Teatro — 1100 14th St., Denver
Cost: $30 — tickets here
The Lowdown: In this installment of The Study — Hotel Teatro’s monthly workshop — The Nickel’s Chef de cuisine Russell Stippich will lead a charcuterie tasting and styling session. Not only will you get to sample a variety of meats and cheeses, but you will also get to learn how to build your own charcuterie board. The ticket includes one cocktail, but more drinks will be available for an additional cost.
Friday, June 23
Experience The Brown with Jordan Winery
When: Friday, June 23, 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa Lobby — 321 17th St., Denver
Cost: Free Admission
The Lowdown: Begin your weekend with some free wine and food samples served up in The Brown’s lobby. A wine specialist from Jordan Winery and Palace Arms Chef Garrett Kasper will be handing out sips and bites for all to enjoy.
Saturday, June 24
Taco Festival
When: Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25, 12 – 8 p.m.
Where: The Compound — 725 W. 39th Ave., Denver
Cost: $5 – $60 — tickets here
The Lowdown: While munching on $2 tacos and sipping on specialty drinks, entertain yourself with live music, Lucha Libre wrestling, Chihuahua racing and live game shows. If you purchase the $60 VIP ticket, you will gain access to a private area and get four food and three drink coupons. For an extra $20, you can also experience Mexico in a Bottle — an exclusive event celebrating tequila, Mexican craft beers and mezcal.
Keystone’s Bacon and Bourbon Festival
When: Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25, 1 – 6 p.m.
Where: River Run Village, Keystone Resort — 140 Ida Belle Dr., Keystone
Cost: $30 – $50 — tickets here
The Lowdown: People of all ages can enjoy an event centered around thousands of pounds of bacon. On top of unlimited bacon strip samplings, food vendors from across Denver will be transforming bacon into a variety of different forms. The $50 Hungry Hog Package also includes access to the Jim Bean Bourbon tour — an extensive tasting of whiskeys from around the country.
Beer, Bacon & Bluegrass
When: Saturday, June 24, 2 – 4 p.m.
Where: Black Shirt Brewing Co. — 3719 Walnut St., Denver
Cost: Free Admission
The Lowdown: Black Shirt Brewing Co. will provide the beer, Tender Belly will serve up the bacon and Old Fuss and Feathers will play the bluegrass. It won’t cost you a cent to gain access to an afternoon filled with red ales, good food and live music.
90s Bar Crawl
When: Saturday, June 24, 2 – 10 p.m.
Where: TBA
Cost: $35 — tickets here
The Lowdown: Celebrate the best of the 90s with drink specials and classic 90s music at a number of Denver bars such as Howl At The Moon, ViewHouse and Lodo’s Bar & Grill. You will also receive a bar crawl cup and a welcome beer. The cost increases to $40 after Wednesday, so buy quickly to take advantage of lower ticket prices.
Cocktail Curriculum Class: “When I Was Your Age…ed Whiskey”
When: Saturday, June 24, 2:30 – 4 p.m.
Where: The Way Back — 4132 W. 38th Ave., Denver
Cost: $40 — tickets here
The Lowdown: On the second Saturday of each month, The Way Back’s bar team leads a cocktail-making class where you can learn to mix drinks like a pro, enjoy three cocktails and snack on bites prepared by chefs Sam Charles and Marcus Eng. This month’s class focuses on all things whiskey — Whiskey Sours, Manhattans and a variety of applications of Scotch. The evening after the class, you will also get 20 percent off your bill at The Way Back.
Sunday, June 25
Brunch Running, Denver: Brazen
When: Sunday, June 25, 9:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Where: Brazen — 4450 W. 38th Ave., Denver
Cost: $40 — reserve spot here
The Lowdown: Start your Sunday off right with a 5k or 10k run through the Highlands to Sloan’s Lake. The run begins and ends at Brazen, which will be serving up brunch at the finish line. Your ticket includes the run, an entree and two drinks. For every ticket purchased, Brazen will also donate $1 to the Run Eat Drink Foundation.
Basic B#@$h Brunch
When: Sunday, June 25, 1 – 7 p.m.
Where: Rebel Restaurant — 3763 Wynkoop St., Denver,
Cost: $40 — reserve spot here
The Lowdown: Rose, a whole-roasted pig and French cuisine all play a central role at this wild brunch. Rebel Restaurant will be slow roasting a Berkshire pig while serving up French-inspired sides including macaroon towers and chocolate fountains. Meanwhile, Anvil Wine Company will provide Rose in all forms — from cocktails to straight out of the bottle.
Mark Your Calendars
Great Divide Summer Block Party
When: Saturday, July 8, 2 – 6 p.m.
Where: Square on 21st Street
Cost: $5 – $40 — tickets here
Keystone’s Wine and Jazz Festival
When: Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16, 1 – 5 p.m.
Where: Keystone Resort — 140 Ida Belle Dr., Keystone
Cost: $60 – $100 — tickets here