October Kicks Off With Calaveras, Whiskey and Cumbia

Fonda 12 South isn’t waiting until Nov. 1 to start celebrating Dia de los Muertos, the traditional Mexican holiday reserved for paying respects to friends and family who have passed. The restaurant is pulling out the stops the whole month of October in preparation for the big event, bedecking the inside and outside of their space with festive decorations like calaveras (skulls) and seasonal representations of ancestors as skeletons.

They are offering four special themed cocktails: the bourbon-based Magia Negra with cherry syrup and activated charcoal; Pan de Muerto, made with tequila, orgeat, citrus, pineapple and marshmallow; the coconut-forward La Calavera; and the colorful Echizo de Bruja with vodka, pineapple, blue curaçao and edible glitter.

Drop by sometime this month and honor the ancestors with a good time!

On Saturday, Oct. 10, Corkdorks will reprise the 14th edition of their Nashville Whiskey Festival at The Rux Rooftop on the ninth floor atop the Cambria Hotel Nashville Midtown right next door to their Church Street store at 1612 Church. The tasting will feature more than 200 whiskeys from notable distilleries like Four Roses, Woodford Reserve, Jack Daniel’s, Heaven Hill, Barrell Craft Spirits, Found North, Rare Character, Sagamore Spirit, WhistlePig and dozens more.

Some of the distillers and brand representatives will be on hand to answer your questions about bourbon, Tennessee whiskey rye, Scotch, Irish and Japanese whiskey, plus tequila, mezcal, rum, gin and more. There will also be live music, signature cocktails and food pairings available.

Choose between a VIP ticket with early admission at 5:30 p.m., 30 minutes before general admission, plus access to VIP-only pours including vault whiskeys and single-barrel selections, or general admission where the doors open at 6 p.m. instead. Buy your tickets at the festival website now!

Finally, if you’re looking for something festive to do on a Saturday in October, and maybe your favorite college football team doesn’t play until the late afternoon or evening, make your way to Maíz de la Vida at 606 Eighth Ave. S. for Café y Cumbias from noon to 2 p.m. If listening to cumbia music doesn’t amp up your weekend, I’d check for a pulse, and DJ Pablito and special guests will keep the party pumping every Saturday this month. 

In addition to Maíz de la Vida’s already excellent brunch menu, they’ll roll out some special dishes and coffee drinks just for the occasion. I can’t promise that some dancing might not break out.