This week kicks off strong with a big cocktail competition and a celebration of Dolly Parton’s 80th trip around the sun, followed by a Taco Tuesday deal that’s definitely worth checking out. Read on for the deets!
The coquito is a traditional holiday cocktail in Puerto Rico, and the tropical cross between eggnog and a piña colada has become more popular in the U.S. over the past few years. Since the drink is strongly associated with PR and rum, it’s logical that Bacardi hosts the Holiday Coquito Competition Final Showdown presented by Tales of The Cocktail, with throw downs in 13 locales around the country.
Nashville is one of the markets recognized for the city’s collective mixology prowess, and we’re playing host to one of the qualifying rounds tonight, Jan. 19, at Pinewood Social. From 6 until 9 p.m., seven talented local bartenders will present their custom coquitos for judgment, each featuring 8-year-old Bacardi Ocho Reserve Rum. Attendees will also get to sample each entry.
The winner will receive a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Casa Bacardi in San Juan, Puerto Rico — the world’s most iconic rum destination. Here are the participating bars that will be throwing down tonight:
The 21-and-older event is free to attend, but you’ll need to RSVP here in advance.
Despite recent evidence to the contrary, I still think that it’s a good thing that there’s no maximum age to run for president, because that means Dolly Parton still has a chance — even after she turns 80 years old today! I apologize for not sharing the news about the early birthday bash they held at Tennessee Brew Works over the weekend, but I just figured it would have been on her actual birthday. My bad. I’m sure it was fun!
You still have the chance to celebrate tonight at the Dolly-est of bars in town, White Limozeen atop The Graduate in Midtown. From 5 until 9 p.m., guests are invited to dress as their hero and participate in a lookalike contest for the chance to win a $500 gift certificate for food and drink anywhere on the property (Cross-Eyed Critters, White Limozeen or Poindexter.)
They’ll be serving up two Dolly-themed specialty cocktails invented especially for the occasion: the Cup of Ambition (Jameson, spiced pear, lemon and Curaçao) and the Rockin’ Years (Absolut Vodka, Dolin Blanc, Tattersall Cranberry, grapefruit, lemon and club soda). DJ Amy Darling will choose the tunes, and proceeds from the event will benefit Dolly Parton’s charity, the Imagination Library. It’s free to attend, but you’ll want to RSVP in advance.
At Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer. located on the ground floor of Dolly’s upcoming Songteller Hotel on Fourth Avenue North, they’re offering a special treat in honor of their future neighbor’s 80th. Their limited-edition Banana Crunch CrazyShake is available all month, and they say it “honors the entertainment icon's roots and her love for Southern comfort food.” That includes bananas, vanilla wafers, Dolly’s banana cake from her Duncan Hines collaboration, whipped cream and a cherry. It’ll be available until the end of January if you want a sweet treat to honor a sweet lady.
Once we’re done with all the Dolly adulation, it’ll be time to honor another beloved institution — Taco Tuesday! Maggie’s Place is gaining traction as a new neighborhood favorite in The Nations, and they’re going further to secure our affection with a new Taco Tuesday promotion from open until close when the entire taco menu is buy one, get one free. Choose from grilled chicken, steak, al pastor pork belly, shrimp, fried fish, cheeseburger or veggie tacos, and they’ll deliver a pair to your table for the price of one! Plus house margaritas are $6, and Monday Night Brewing Taco Tuesday drafts are $4. Sounds like a winner to me!
