October has arrived, and now we find ourselves in what has become a marketing period called “Spooky Season” — in which bars and restaurants begin to adorn themselves in Halloween decor (kicking off a series of year-end holiday redecorations). I'm not usually too fired up about these themed events, but there is one coming up that has piqued my interest, mainly because of where it is being held and who is organizing it.
Kelsey Ramage and Erin Hayes are longtime bar pros who came up with the concept of Black Lagoon four years ago at infamous New Orleans dive The Dungeon. Back in my younger days I could and would wait until the doors swung open at midnight to get into this Big Easy classic. Now they’ve adjusted their opening time to 6 p.m., so I guess we’re both maturing.
Since coming up with the idea, Ramage and Hayes have expanded the concept to more than 35 bars across the country and in Mexico, and it’s coming to Nashville’s New Orleans-affiliated tavern Barrel Proof from Oct. 10 through Halloween. You can expect eerie decor, themed drinks and a spine-tingling atmosphere, plus all the fun you would expect from any idea that was hatched in New Orleans and executed by Barrel Proof.
There’s no extra charge to check it out, so make your way to 1010 Fourth Ave. N. near the baseball stadium for a spooky good time!
On Saturday, Oct. 12, the Tennessee Pride Chamber Foundation is throwing one of its biggest fundraisers of the year. TASTE 2024 will be held at Geodis Park from 4 to 7 p.m. with a special VIP hour from 4 to 5 p.m. The 21-plus event will feature more than 30 food and bev vendors offering sips and bites along with entertainment from local performers, aerialists, a dance party featuring DJ Griffin and drag queens.
Here’s a list of confirmed vendors to whet your appetite: Diskin Cider, D'Andrew's Bakery & Cafe, The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden, Fait la Force Brewing Company, Daddy's Dogs, NoBaked Cookie Dough, Homegrown Taproom & Marketplace, Nelson's Green Brier, Southern Spoon, A Catered Affair, Frothy Monkey, Jackalope Brewing, JamBox, Central BBQ, Crazy Gnome Brewery, Honeytree Meadery and more!
All ticketholders receive unlimited food and beverage tastings while supporting the Tennessee Pride Chamber to help advocate, educate and connect individuals throughout the state of Tennessee for LGBTQ inclusion and equity. All ticketholders will also receive access to the sampling beer garden and silent auction.
Plus, the food and beverage vendors are competing for awards and cash prizes. All ticket holders will receive one voting token to vote for their favorite vendor.
Tickets range from $75 to $125 and are available at the event website.
Tailor's Vivek Surti
Finally, Vivek Surti of Tailor is hosting a special pop-up event on Sunday, Oct. 13, with Son Pham of Mister Son’s, a fine Vietnamese comfort food concept that pops up around Nashville. The event will be a fundraiser for API Middle Tennessee, the Nashville nonprofit that serves the local Asian and Pacific Islander community.
Surti and Pham are creating a collaborative tasting menu to pair Vivek’s South Asian American food with Son’s inventive Vietnamese flavors, and Michelle Pham of Old Glory will be shaking up drinks in Tailor’s Living Room to pair with the snacks. Please note that due to the special nature of this menu, the kitchen will not be able to accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions.
The menu looks fascinating and delicious, and I’m sure the vibe will be casual and fun. Here’s what they have planned for the tasting:
- pumpkin athanu
- oyster, aromatic gelée
- fermented tomato crispy rice
- turmeric shrimp & potato
- kitchen spice custard
- shrimp toast
- Ōra King salmon, dill foam
- Amaroo Hills duck, Indian and Vietnamese black pepper, sauce Périgueux
- tofu ice cream & ginger sorghum
- Vietnamese coffee, queen mother's cake
Tickets to the bar experience are $100, and the full tasting event is $250 including tax, gratuity, and a donation to API Middle Tennessee. Grab your seat at the event’s reservation page!
