Happy Friday, Miami. Enjoy what's new in town this Memorial Day weekend, including Burger Beast's Hamburger House Party tonight at Magic City Casino; a performance by Michael Jackson's nephew, Austin Brown, at Bitter Truth; a Shake Shack/Salty Donut collaboration dessert; and a medley of holiday-weekend specials.
Hamburger House Party at Magic City Casino
7 p.m. Friday, May 26; $50 via hamburgerhouseparty.com
May is National Burger Month. If you haven't been celebrating with at least three burgers a week the past three weeks, catch up with Hamburger House Party, thrown by the Burger Museum. This one-night extravaganza will bring burgers from more than 20 restaurants to compete for the Hamburger House Party Trophy, bequeathed upon the burger with the most votes from aficionados like yourself. Chips, fries, desserts, and drinks will round out a beefy celebration of this American favorite, so wear your stretchy pants.
Austin Brown at Bitter Truth
7 p.m. Friday, May 26
Tonight the King of Pop's nephew, Austin Brown, will perform live at Bitter Truth in midtown Miami. The bar's Fancy Friday Happy Hour, which runs from 4 to 8 p.m., offers half-off craft cocktails and bar bites. Brown is set to go live at 7 p.m.
Shake Shack/Salty Donut Collab at the Miami Beach Shake Shack
Through Sunday, May 28; $4.69 for a single and $6.89 for a double
There's more than just burgers and shakes at Lincoln Road's Shake Shack. After more than a month of renovations, the Miami Beach location celebrate the debut its updated space with an exclusive Salty Donut collaboration. Through Sunday, order the "Salty Donut concrete": frozen vanilla custard combined with the Salty's dulce de leche doughnut, along with banana and salted caramel. Each cup comes garnished with the Salty's mini chocolate-chocolate doughnut. The treat is priced at $4.69 for a single and $6.89 for a double.
Memorial Day Family Pool Party at the InterContinental
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 28
Spend the day alfresco at the InterContinental for the hotel's Memorial Day rooftop pool party. While you're there, grab a bite to eat and sip cocktails at Bluewater Café, the hotel's rooftop restaurant. During the day, there will be live music, as well as games and activities like volleyball. Cabanas and daybeds will be available to rent. Visit torotoromiami.com/promotions.
FemAle Brew Fest at FAT Village
1 p.m. Sunday, May 28; $10 to $50
No matter what the mainstream beer industry wants you to believe, women like a hoppy brew just as much as the next bro. That's why a festival celebrating ladies who brew, FemAle Brew Fest, will take place in Fort Lauderdale's arts district, FAT Village. Expect panel discussions, displays by women-owned breweries, and opportunities to sip plenty of suds. The event is 21 and over, but it's not just for femmes; men are welcome too. The Pink Boots Society, which helps women break into the beer industry, will benefit from a portion of the proceeds.
Duck Duck Goose Deux at the Anderson
3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 28; $20 to $75 per person via eventbrite.com
If you like all things fowl and foie, get ready for the second-annual Duck Duck Goose. Miami chef Jeremiah Bullfrog brings back his popular poultry-centric food festival this Sunday. The area's best chefs will prepare local and pasture-raised fowl using innovative techniques and ingredients. The daylong event will offer a small group of local foodies the opportunity to sample one-of-a-kind creations from some of the area's top chefs, along with live music and a family-friendly party vibe. The 2017 chef lineup includes culinary talent from across the nation: Brad Kilgore (Alter); Scott Anderson (Elements, New Jersey); Nina Compton and Levi Raines (Compère Lapin, New Orleans); Aaron Brooks (Four Seasons Miami); Richie Nakano (IDK concepts, San Francisco); and James Strine (Grato, West Palm Beach).
Memorial Day Weekend Brunch & BBQ at Spasso
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 28; $35
Celebrate the holiday weekend at celebrity chef Amaris Jones’ brunch pop-up at Spasso in Coconut Grove. Nosh on her signature chicken 'n' waffles, shrimp 'n' grits, crispy catfish, jerk baby-back ribs, vegan baked beans, and homestyle mac 'n' cheese.The buffet is available for $35 per person from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. From 4 to 7 p.m., enjoy happy hour with small barbecue bar bites. For reservations, call 305-441-0219.
Memorial Day Barbecue Specials
All day Monday, May 29
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. While the rest of the country breaks out their swimsuits and barbecue tongs for the first taste of good weather, Miamians are already dealing with sweltering heat. Though the beach is always fun, who wants to fire up the grill when it's 90 degrees out? Let someone else do the hot work for you. Luckily, a host of restaurants throughout South Florida are cooking up some tasty barbecue specials so you can get your grill on without any of the work.