Monday Menu: Whiskey and Champagne Edition

The calendar has turned to November, and it's starting to get dark early — but that just means evening parties can start sooner. Like a rearview-mirror image, dates on the calendar are closer than they appear, and invitations to celebrate are already starting to pile up. Get a head start on your plans by checking out a few new events coming up soon.

First up is the annual celebration of the holiday season by members of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, a coalition of local distilleries that cooperate to draw attention to the important industry across the state. This year, they have chosen the theme “Fireside Tennessee,” an invitation to visit eight participating Trail members for a cozy hygge experience with crackling fire pits, warm cocktails, seasonal decorations and festive lights.

The participating distilleries include:

• Gate 11 Distillery (Chattanooga)

• Leiper’s Fork Distillery (Franklin)

• Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery (Nashville)

• Old Forge Distillery (Pigeon Forge)

• Old Tennessee Distilling Company (Kodak) 

• Short Mountain (Woodbury) 

• Stable Reserve (Franklin)

• Sugarlands Distilling Company (Gatlinburg)

“The Tennessee Whiskey Trail is about more than what’s in the glass,” says Charity Toombs, executive director of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. “It’s about the people, places and experiences that make exploring Tennessee so special. With Fireside Tennessee, we’re inviting visitors to experience our distilleries in a new way this winter, creating spaces that encourage people to slow down, gather with friends and family, and discover the warmth of Tennessee hospitality throughout the season.”

The Fireside Tennessee seasonal experience will be available from now until the end of February, so make plans to visit for a toddy or two!

East Nashville favorite Bad Idea is coming up on its third birthday, and you’re invited to join them for the party on Tuesday, Nov. 3, starting at 5 p.m. What better way to celebrate than with Champagne and (I’m possibly about to type the most beautiful words I’ve ever written here on Bites) unlimited fried chicken!

Owner and beverage director Alex Burch has partnered with his friends at Woodland Wine Merchant and Advintage to select a dozen bottlings from across the Champagne region for a gala tasting, and another 12 Champagne wines will be available for purchase by the glass.

Tickets to the celebration are $75 per person and the bubbles and chicken will flow from 5 until close. Make your reservation at OpenTable.