Beer, beer and, yes, more beer.
A beer dinner at pop-up Oddbird, the first anniversary of Second Self Brewing Co., the Georgia Craft Beer Festival, a bike ride at LadyBird, and a beer and barbecue event for charity at SweetWater top this week's best in food and drink.
If beer's not your thing, don't worry. You can catch a Cognac dinner at Ration & Dram, a champagne dinner at Osteria Mattone, or $5 martinis weekdays at Watershed. You can also learn how to make your own fall cocktails at Preserving Place. Also on tap: The opening of the dining room at Staplehouse, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band at Venkman's, Decatur Restaurant Week and more.
Wednesday, Sept. 30
Cognac Dinner with HINE
6:30 p.m. at Ration & Dram. The Kirkwood restaurant hosts a three-course Cognac dinner with HINE, producer of exquisite cognacs since 1763. A welcome cocktail will be served at 6:30 p.m., with dinner to follow at 7 p.m. Call 678-974-8380 for reservations, which are $50 per person. rationanddram.com
Monday Night Brewing Beer Dinner at Oddbird
7 p.m. at Oddbird. The hot chicken pop-up at West Egg Cafe hosts a dinner with Westside neighbors Monday Night Brewing. For $45, you'll enjoy five courses from Chef Andrew Smith paired with Monday Night brews, including Nerd Alert, Eye Patch Ale, Fu Man Brew, Blood Orange Blind Pirate and Drafty Kilt. 404-872-3973 or oddbirdATL@gmail.com for reservations. oddbirdatl.com
Thursday, Oct. 1
Garnish and Gather Meals with Chef Kevin Gillespie's Red Beard Restaurants
Order at Garnish & Gather. Prepare restaurant-worthy meals at home with this local, organic dinner kit delivery service, which is partnering with chef Kevin Gillespie's Red Beard Restaurants in October. Four Red Beard chefs provide dinner recipes using Garnish & Gather's local, farm-fresh ingredients, including Korean barbecue pork bulgogi from Gunshow. Meal kits can be picked up on Monday of each week or delivered to a home or office. garnishandgather.com
Rumours -- Fleetwood Mac Tribute
7 p.m. at Venkman's. The Old Fourth Ward's newest restaurant/music venue welcomes Rumours - Fleetwood Mac tribute to the stage. Sip on the house cocktail, the Ecto Cooler, chow down on Check Nick Melvin's comfort food and enjoy your favorite Fleetwood Mac tunes. Reservations can be made online. venkmans.com
Friday, Oct. 2
Staplehouse Dining Room Opens
5:30 p.m. at Staplehouse. The much-anticipated dining room opens for dinner service. The patio menu is a la carte and first come, first served. The dining room is reservation only and serves a five-course tasting menu. BYOB. Tickets for the dining room can be purchased at staplehouse.com.
Saturday, Oct. 3
Second Self Beer Co. Anniversary Party
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Second Self Beer Co. To celebrate its first anniversary, Second Self will pour 16 different beers in its Tasting Room. That includes three different versions of its much-acclaimed Molè Porter, released on Oct. 1. During the anniversary celebrations, chef Rusty Bowers of Pine Street Market will grill and make bites to match the brews. Limited tickets are available for purchase here. secondselfbeer.com
Champagne Growers Tasting
12:30 p.m. at Osteria Mattone. Vin 25's Phillip Cooper, master sommelier Michael McNeill and Osteria Mattone sommelier Daniel Pernice lead a tasting of champagne and sparkling wines, which includes light bites prepared by executive chef Ted Lahey. Tickets are $65, not including tax and gratuity. Click here to purchase your tickets. osteriamattone.com
Georgia Craft Beer Festival
1 p.m. 2333 Defoor Hills Road N.W. Sample beers from more than 30 top breweries in Georgia, including SweetWater Brewing Co., Three Taverns Brewery and Terrapin. Tickets are $45 for general admission and $75 for VIP, and include live music, prizes and more. georgiacraftbeerfestival.com
Sunday, Oct. 4
Decatur Restaurant Week
Times and restaurants vary. The second annual Decatur Restaurant Week kicks off this week and runs through Oct. 8. Enjoy prix fixe menus from more than a dozen neighborhood restaurants, including The Bishop, Cakes & Ale and No. 246. decaturrestaurantweek.com
Spokes & Folks
5 p.m. at Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall. Enjoy a BeltLine bike ride led by The Spindle, plus beer and Oktoberfest-worthy BBQ bites such as bratwurst and pretzels with spicy beer cheese from chef Nick Anderson of Rathbun's and the Ladybird team. Tickets, which are $20 and available here, will cover the guided bike ride, food and one draft beer from Three Taverns Brewery. Additional beverages and treats from King of Pops also will be available for purchase.
Barbequing with Myron Mixon
6:30 p.m. at SweetWater Brewery. World champion and celebrity chef Myron Mixon leads a barbecue demonstration, followed by a delicious dinner, silent auction, great music, six beer tastings and more. Event proceeds benefit the Fragile Kids Foundation, which provides rehabilitative and medical equipment not covered by insurance or government programs for medically fragile children in Georgia. Tickets are $45 for adults and $20 for children, and they can be purchased at www.fragilekids.org.
Monday, Oct. 5
Madre + Mason Opens
Hours vary at Madre + Mason, 560 Dutch Valley Road. Chef Calavino Donati and artist/activist Doria Roberts open their most recent concept, which will serve traditional Latin meat–and–three favorites for brunch, lunch and dinner, plus an extensive wine, spirit and tequila menu. For more information, call 404-748-1498.
Pumpkin, Spice & Everything Nice: Fall Cocktails 101
6:30 p.m. at Preserving Place. Fall means apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, ciders, toddies and more. Mixologist Jessie Harmon leads a session on the basics of fall-inspired cocktails. $50 ticket includes a seasonal-inspired meal and bubbles to start. www.preservingplace.com
Tuesday, Oct. 6
Martinis on Peachtree
5 p.m. at Watershed. Throughout October, the popular restaurant will offer five house-made martinis for $5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Grab small bites from executive chef Zeb Stevenson while sipping a martini at the bustling bar or people-watching on the spacious patio. watershedrestaurant.com
