Denver has some super tasty events lined up this week. Start it off by partying at the Smarty Party & A White Elephant Exchange and end it by laughing and sipping at Drunken History Comedy. Wherever your tastes take you, make sure to take a look at this roundup of food and drink events happening in Denver.
Monday, December 10
Smarty Party & A White Elephant Exchange
When: Monday, December 10, 7 – 10 p.m.
Where: Avanti F&B, 3200 N Pecos St., Denver
Cost: Free register here
The Lowdown: Avanti F&B partners with New Belgium Brewing to host Smarty Party & A White Elephant Exchange. The event features holiday-themed trivia with host Greg Studley, a white elephant gift exchange and more. If you win the trivia match, you’ll walk home with a new pair of Rocky Mountain Underground/New Belgium skis. Make sure to bring a gift to exchange and be ready to win prizes.
Tuesday, December 11
Prisoner Wine Co. Tasting
When: Tuesday, December 11, 6 – 7 p.m.
Where: Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood, 2625 E 2nd Ave., Denver
Cost: $35 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood presents a Prisoner Wine Co. Tasting. The event features a taste of four wines from The Prisoner Wine Company. You can sip on a Saldo Zinfandel, The Snitch Chardonnay, a Prisoner Red Blend and a Cuttings Cabernet. Each tasting will be complemented with appetizers from Blue Island.
Holiday Cocktail Workshop
When: Tuesday, December 11, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Hotel Teatro, 1100 14th St., Denver
Cost: $20 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Hotel Teatro presents a Holiday Cocktail Workshop. The event features a class that teaches you how to create three holiday cocktails to wow your friends and family. The bartender Laura will give instructions on how to create a Manhattan, a rum chatta eggnog and an apple cider old fashion. You can taste each cocktail and nibble on bites from The Nickel while you learn.
Wednesday, December 12
Cupcakes & Cocktails
When: Wednesday, December 12, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Bear Creek Distillery, 1879 S Acoma St., Denver
Cost: $20 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Bear Creek Distillery teams up with Good Sugar Baking to host Cupcakes & Cocktails. The event features a pairing of three holiday-themed cupcakes from Good Sugar Baking complemented with three Bear Creek cocktails. These events are extremely popular so make sure to snag your spot soon.
Thursday, December 13
Maine Shack Pop-Up
When: Thursday, December 13, 5 – 10 p.m.
Where: Mythology Distillery, 3622 Tejon St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Mythology Distillery teams up with Maine Shack to present a Maine Shack Pop-Up. The event features a lobster-themed menu with a chance to dig into lobster rolls, clam chowder, lobster mac n’ cheese and more. You can sip on specialty cocktails such a lobstertini and a lobster bloody mary while you dine.
12 Firkins of Christmas
When: Thursday, December 13 – 24
Where: Copper Kettle Brewing Company, 1338 S Valentia St. Ste 100, Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: The 12 Firkins of Christmas is back. The event features a tapping of 12 “firkins” over the 12 days leading up to Christmas. The challenge? You must partake in each firkin each day until December 24 to be able to win a prize and make sure to get a stamp for every beer. The first released beer, on December 13, is an All Spruced Up Pale Ale with spruce tips followed by a Baby It’s Quald Outside winter warmer, a #Basic Red Cup peppermint milk stout and a Respect your Elders Triple elderflower tripel. See the event page for the full list of firkins.
The Ugly Sweater Soiree
When: Thursday, December 13, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: Poka Lola Social Club, 1850 Wazee St., Denver
Cost: Free register here
The Lowdown: Poka Lola hosts The Ugly Sweater Soiree. The event features a night of cocktails created by some magic elves, bangin’ beats from DJ F -eather and more. You can have your photo taken with a naughty Santa and dance all night long. Make sure to wear the ugliest sweater you can find to fit the theme.
Hakkaisan X Mizu Sake Pairing Dinner
When: Thursday, December 13, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Mizu Izakaya, 1560 Boulder St., Denver
Cost: $80 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Mizu Izakaya hosts a Hakkaisan X Mizu Sake Pairing Dinner with Timothy Sullivan, the founder of UrbanSake.com and brand ambassador of Hakkaisan Brewery. The dinner features a five-course meal with each course paired perfectly with five different sakes. You can learn more about each sake and dine on the best dishes prepared by the chefs of Mizu Izakaya.
Friday, December 14
A Ridiculous Holiday Extravaganza
When: Friday, December 14, 6 – 10 p.m.
Where: Alternation Brewing Company, 1539 S Broadway, Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Alternation Brewing Company presents A Ridiculous Holiday Extravaganza. The event features a night of live music from The One and Only Jon Ham, ramen from Mu Denver, holiday photo ops and more. You can also shop from a holiday market and dress up in your wackiest holiday apparel to win prizes.
Beer Dinner Pairing
When: Friday, December 14, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Oasis Brewing Company, LLC, 3257 N Lowell Blvd., Denver
Cost: $40 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Oasis Brewing Company presents a Beer Pairing Dinner. The dinner features a five-course meal prepared by Koi and Ninja with each course paired with a brew that has been professionally chosen.
Posada: A Taste of the Americas
When: Friday, December 14, 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: Museo De Las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Dr., Denver
Cost: $5 – $20 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Museo De Las Americas hosts Posada: A Taste of the Americas. The event features an honoring of Las Posadas, a traditional nine-day celebration of the pregnancy of Mary in the Catholic church. You can taste dishes such as arepas, gorditas, tamales and more while sipping on Mexican hot chocolate and other traditional drinks.
Saturday, December 15
Denver Beer Festivus
When: Saturday, December 15, 3 – 6 p.m.
Where: Sports Castle, 1000 Broadway, Denver
Cost: $40 – $65 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Celebrate the holidays during the 7th annual Denver Beer Festivus. The event features a beer-themed party with a gathering of local breweries to present their best brews. An invite is sent to all of the breweries within Denver’s city limits to really give you a chance to celebrate local beers.
Grand Opening
When: Saturday, December 15, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Federal Coffee, 2307 Federal Blvd., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Federal Coffee presents its Grand Opening. The event features a chance to explore the shop and sip on some great coffee. You can help welcome Federal Coffee to the Denver coffee scene.
Gingerbread House Party
When: Saturday, December 15, 1 – 3 p.m.
Where: Sweet Cooie’s, 3506 12th Ave., Denver, Little Man Ice Cream, 2620 16th St., Denver
Cost: $15 suggested donation
The Lowdown: FirstBank presents a myriad Gingerbread House Partys. The events feature a chance to build a gingerbread house at several of Little Man Ice Cream’s locations. You can enjoy a free ice cream courtesy of FirstBank, sip on hot chocolate and win prizes.
Holiday Rumpus and Market
When: Saturday, December 15, 12 – 9 p.m.
Where: Call to Arms Brewing Company, 4526 Tennyson St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Call to Arms Brewing Company presents a Holiday Rumpus and Market. The event features holiday beer releases, a vendor market full of makers and more. You can sip on tons of different brews and celebrate the holidays with Call to Arms. Make sure to dress warmly as the market is outdoors.
Hudson Hill Festivus
When: Saturday, December 15, 6 – 11 p.m.
Where: Hudson Hill, 619 E 13th Ave., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Party all night long at the Hudson Hill Festivus. The event is the afterparty for the Denver Beer Festivus. You can wear your best ’90s gear, imbibe on beverages, wine prizes and more. You can also munch on hot hand pies from Bistro Georgette while you get festive. The proceeds from the event benefit ONE Colorado.
3rd Annual ’80s Ski Party
When: Saturday, December 15, 7 – 11 p.m.
Where: Alpine Dog Brewing Company, 1505 Ogden St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Alpine Dog Brewing Company hosts its 3rd Annual ’80s Ski Party. The event features a Screening of Zig Zag created by Level 1, live music from Chrispy Von Richthofen and beer galore. Make sure to wear some killer ’80s gear to fit the theme of the party.
Sunday, December 16
Il Porcellino Sausage Making Class
When: Sunday, December 16, 5 – 7 p.m.
Where: Il Porcellino Salumi, 4324 W 41st Ave, Denver
Cost: $60 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Il Porcellino Salumi presents an Il Porcellino Sausage Making Class. The class features a chance to learn from Chefs Bill Miner and Forbes Rigsby of Il Porcellino about creating the perfect sausage. The ticket price includes all of the materials needed to partake in the class. Spots in the class are limited so make sure to purchase your tickets soon.
Sunday Roast
When: Sunday, December 16, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Rotary, 3200 N Pecos St., Denver
Cost: $25 – $45 get tickets here
The Lowdown: The Rotary presents a Sunday Roast. The event features a three-course meal with a pairing option. You can taste a rotisserie slow-cooked Moroccan-spiced Colorado leg of lamb, a salad made of local greens and more.
Impact Sack Lunches for the Homeless
When: Sunday, December 16, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Where: Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2635 Welton St., Denver
Cost: $10 suggested donation
The Lowdown: Help create lunches for those in need at Impact Sack Lunches for the Homeless. You can pitch in your effort to put together sack lunches and hand them out in downtown Denver. You can make an impact on your local community one lunch at a time this December. Volunteer here.
Drunken History Comedy
When: Sunday, December 16, 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: Crooked Stave Taproom, 3350 Brighton Blvd., Denver
Cost: Free register here
The Lowdown: Crooked Stave Taproom host Drunken History Comedy. The event features a Drunken History comedy show with comedians performing history with a tipsy twist. You can grab a drink from Crooked Stave and kick back and laugh. Half of the proceeds from the event will benefit Conscious Alliance.
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Mark Your Calendar
12 Firkins of Christmas
When: December 14 – 24
Where: Copper Kettle Brewing Company, 1338 S Valentia St. Ste 100, Denver
Cost: Free admission
Craft Cocktails and DIY Shot Skis
When: December 17, 5 – 8 p.m.
Where: Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse, 3636 Chestnut Pl., Denver
Cost: $65 tickets available here
Cozy Cookie Decorating
When: December 19, 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: ViewHouse Ballpark, 2015 Market St., Denver
Cost: Free register here
Scam Likely 3.0
When: December 21, 5:30 – 10 p.m.
Where: La Fillette, 4416 E 8th Ave., Denver
Cost: $35 per person