Our picks for official cocktail-related events for The South Beach Wine & Food Festival 2017!

We love a good event that puts its efforts into making cocktails extraordinary and this year, The South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) didn’t skip a beat.

Here are out picks for next week:

Pawnbroker Kickoff Afterparty featuring The Spare Room LA

Will Rivas, Beverage Director of the Pubbelly Group, will be hosting nationally renowned (and very good friend) bartender, Yael Vengroff, at Pawn Broker, for the greatest rooftop after-party in Downtown Miami. Top bartender of The Spare Room, Hollywood CA, Yael will use delicious & exotic tastes to craft her concoctions at the Miami Rooftop, and William Rivas, will craft an exciting assortment of cocktails, representing the finest Pawn Broker has to offer.

Sponsored by Avion Tequila, the evening will be the ultimate industry night, accompanied by good music, great cocktails and the very best from the West Coast and Sunshine State.

When: Thursday, February 23
11:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Where: 
Pawnbroker
121 SE 1 Street
Miami, FL


Tequila Cazadores presents Tacos After Dark sponsored by The National Pork Board hosted by Aarón Sánchez

Whether from a street corner or a white-tablecloth restaurant, tacos remain one of the most sought-after food items out there! Sponsored by the National Pork Board, the Official Pork Sponsor and Preferred Protein of the Festival, Tacos After Dark will be one of the hottest events during SOBEWFF®. This one-of-a-kind experience will be hosted by popular celebrity chef and television personality, Aarón Sánchez, who is also the culinary vision behind several restaurants including his own “Mestizo”. Specially curated with input from Sánchez himself, we’ve rounded up an all-star cast of taco tastemakers to bring you some of America’s best offerings. Variations using lechon, carne, pollo, and more will leave your taste buds satiated during this late night soirée bringing to life Mexico’s most iconic dish. Muy bueno!

When: Thursday, February 23
10:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Where: Loews Miami Beach Hotel
1601 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach
$150

Salty, Sweet & Savory Treats: A Late-Night Party presented by Thrillist
featuring Bar Lab, The Salty Donut & Sarsaparilla Club

A few of Miami’s craftiest spots are coming together to bring a unique collaboration to the Festival’s signature lineup of late-night soirées. The team at the Artisanal Donut Shop & Coffee Bar known as The Salty Donut and the dynamic duo behind the savory creations at the Sarsaparilla Club are bringing their unique delicacies to the night owls that the team at Bar Lab is known for satiating. Move over fried chicken and waffles – fried chicken and donuts is going to be everyone’s new favorite indulgence after hanging out poolside at the Shelborne Hotel. Together, this trio of talent behind some of South Florida’s trendiest cravings will bring guests a night of perfectly crafted treats and innovative libations.

When: Friday, February 24
10:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Where: Shelborne Miami Beach
1801 Collins Avenue – Entrance on 18th Street
Miami Beach
$95

DRINK Fort Lauderdale: Cocktail Time Machine Experience
Part of the Taste Fort Lauderdale Series

SOBEWFF® is bringing its signature late-night flair to Broward County’s favorite FATVillage neighborhood, Fort Lauderdale’s famed art district. Ever wondered what a speakeasy was like during prohibition? How about the martinis Sinatra used to drink? Or the Sex on the Beach cocktail that took the 80’s by storm? Get ready to be whisked away on the Cocktail Time Machine! We will be visiting the 1920’s through the present as we drink our way through generations of cocktail recipes by way of secret entrances, flair bartending, old warehouses that used to house rum running boats and bars themed to fit different decades of cocktail brilliance. Nosh on offerings from a curated selection of South Florida’s trendiest food trucks and carts, courtesy of dear Festival-friend Burger Beast, while the best mixologists and bartenders from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach to whip up classic cocktails as well as modern takes on your favorites through the ages.

Joining forces with the same group who brought libations enthusiasts the sold-out DRINK Miami, this will be the Festival’s first late-night event in Fort Lauderdale, and it will be one for the history books. This one is not to be missed as we will be serving some of the best cocktails the Festival has to offer.

When: Friday, February 24
10:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Where: FATVillage
521 NW 1st Avenue
Fort Lauderdale
$95

The Art of Tiki: A Cocktail Showdown
hosted by Robert Irvine

Surf’s up for this one as restaurateur, author, and popular Food Network star Robert Irvine hosts an evening of Polynesian flare with Tiki-inspired cocktails from across the country. Once again, guests will enjoy an artful display of libations at the hip and trendy Surfcomber boutique hotel. We’ve invited some of the best bartenders and highly regarded Tiki joints across the country to face-off and compete to be crowned Tiki-King or Tiki-Queen. Irvine, who recently announced his own concept at Tropicana in Las Vegas, will join an esteemed panel of judges, to evaluate the contestants’ cocktails featuring Rhum Barbancourt, while you sample all of the creations and enjoy light Polynesian-inspired bites. Tiki is more than a drink, it’s a subculture enjoying a resurgence in popularity with bartenders across America and we’re bringing it back to the beach — to South Beach!

When: Friday, February 24
10:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Where: Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel
1717 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach
$95

Cigars & Spirits presented by Cigar Aficionado
hosted by The Betsy and LT Steak & Seafood at The Betsy

Come spend a sophisticated evening with Cigar Aficionado and Whisky Advocate. Lounge on the rooftop of The Betsy Hotel and enjoy the magnificent views of South Beach as you sip exclusive, rich and lustrous bourbons, whiskies, scotches, and tequilas. Experience the aroma and flavor of some of the finest selections of premium cigars. Learn from the specialists on hand about what makes each spirit distinctive and flavorful and each cigar exceptional and superior.

When: Friday, February 24
11:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Where: The Betsy Hotel – Ocean View Deck
1433 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach

And when all is said and done, the folks at The Broken Shaker have one more treat for you.

Uni BBQ, Mission Chinese, Fords Gin Cocktail Fountains & More

Join The Broken Shaker for  a special Sunday BBQ for Wine & Food Week in Miami!

Collaborating with Chef Ken Oringer & Tony Messina from UNI to serve up those delicious oysters on the BBQ, fresh catches and more. They’ll also have Sam Anderson from Mission Chinese Food mixing up three different The 86 Company cocktails, alongside his signature fountain — first hour’s on us!

WHO: Everyone
WHAT: Seafood BBQ + fountain cocktails
WHERE: Freehand Miami
WHEN: Sunday, February 26th from 2-7pm

There you have it folks, some of our favorite boozy events during one of our favorite times of the year!  It’s going to be a fun one.