Miami's Best Eats and Drinks This Weekend: Blocktoberfest, Bourbon Brunch, and Puppy Adoption

Friday is here, and this weekend promises a plethora of amazing events and happenings.

There's so much to do and so little time. You can celebrate the official start of Oktoberfest right in Wynwood, enjoy a sophisticated beachside event, have a bourbon-fueled brunch, or dine from food trucks. You can even find the love of your life — wrapped in its own little fur coat.

The weekend starts now!

Caring About the Strays at 180 Degrees
Here's a win-win situation. Head to 180 Degrees at the DRB this Saturday, September 19, from 4 to 8 p.m. with your best buddies and help save the lives of some adorable, fluffy puppies. 180 Degrees is hosting a fundraiser for Caring About the Strays, and for a $10 donation, you'll receive a draft beer and happy-hour specials. There will also be pups for adoption, so you might just get lucky in the most heartwarming way possible. The money raised helps this nonprofit nurse abandoned or injured strays and provides deserted animals with veternary consultations and necessary vaccinations. Chef Ryan Martin, an animal lover and son of a veterinarian, says, “After adopting a brother-and-sister canines from Caring for the Strays, helping the organization is more important than ever now. We want to educate our loyal customers and new faces about this program in our relaxed environment over a beer and a burger, and hopefully, they will make a new furry friend to bring home.” Awww.

Digest Miami's Beach Feast
Saturday, September 19, from 8 to 10 p.m., dine under the stars at Digest Miami's Beach Feast at the Surfcomber Hotel in Miami Beach. Enjoy bites from Miami's best restaurants, including Area 31, Cibo Wine Bar, Edge Steak & Bar, Coyo Taco, Fooq's, Lure Fishbar, High Tide, the Social Club, Coya Miami, and Swine Southern Table & Bar. Cocktails will be presented by Afrohead dark rum. Stroll around the property's pool or enjoy its sandy lounge area while you and the palm trees sway to DJ Umber Bandi-Ville. General-admission tickets cost $45; VIP tickets cost $100 and include unlimited cocktails and access to the event at 7 p.m. Purchase tickets at digestmiami.com. 

Burger Beast's El Main Evento 
Burger Beast's family-friendly El Main Evento combines the celebration of Mexican culture with food trucks, mariachis, a burrito-eating contest, a mechanical bull, and lucha libre wrestling. This will all go down Saturday, September 19, from 5 to 10 p.m. at Magic City Casino. Admission is free, and each food truck will offer a special Mexican-inspired dish. Some standouts include the Lobsta Guy's Mexican fiesta lobster roll, Palate Party's pork belly tacos, Arepas Las Gorditas Frida Kahlo arepa stuffed with pork al pastor, and King of Racks BBQ's Bori-burrito stuffed with pork carnitas and grilled steak. Nearly two dozen food trucks will serve your favorites (prices vary) while you enjoy a night of Mexican music and culture, Burger Beast-style.

Concrete Beach Blocktoberfest
Concrete Beach Brewery is combining the official opening of this year's Oktoberfest in Munich with their official ribbon cutting, with a blowout Blocktoberfest. On Saturday, September 19, from 2 to 11 p.m., celebrate with Concrete Beach, starting with a ribbon cutting ceremony with Coty of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado. The all-day celebration continues with pretzel eating contests, yodeling competitions, live music, and plenty of fresh, local beer. It's also the brewery's debut of the new Floridafest, Concrete Beach’s new Oktoberfest-style coconut lager, a medium-bodied, copper-hued beer with notes of coconut, toffee, and vanilla. On Sunday, September 20, at 11 a.m., the brewery is hosting a recovery brunch with Loba. Brunch is $39.99 per person — the Blocktoberfest is free. 

Bourbon Brunch at 27 Restaurant & Bar
If you're looking for a boozier alternative to the usual mimosa Sunday affair, head over to 27 Restaurant & Bar on Sunday, September 20, for the bourbon and brunch, presented by ChatChow TV. For $75 per person, you'll enjoy a four-course brunch paired with four bourbon-based cocktails. We suggest an Uber because no one's gonna want to be a designated drive to this meal. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 305-531-2727 or emailing [email protected].