Christmas is almost here and you're probably at your wit's end from weeks of shopping, eggnog, and Mariah Carey singing All I Want for Christmas is You.
Take a break from the madness! Flee the mall and meet your friends for brunch, a classic cocktail (made to order), or a beer (with bacon). When all else fails, air your grievances at The Abbey's annual Festivus celebration.
Festivus (for the rest of us) starts now.
See also: Christmas Dinners in Miami
Swine Happy Hour With DIY Old Fashioneds
Between work and shopping, you're probably exhausted (and broke). Yet, your friends still want to get together for a cup of "cheer". Meet them at Swine Southern Table & Bar for their brand new DIY Old Fashioned happy hour. Tonight from 4 - 7 p.m. (and every Monday - Friday), have an Old Fashioned exactly the way you like it. You'll be handed a checklist from your friendly barkeep and asked to check off the boxes. Start with your favorite bourbon (choices include Old Forester ($5), Maker's Mark ($6) and Russell's 10 Year ($7)); then pick your sweetener from a classic sugar cube, honey, or maple syrup. Finally, find your favorite bitters from a selection that includes Angostura, cherry vanilla, or Swine's own house bitters. The best part? Once you've selected your ingredients, a professional bartender will create your perfect, customized Old Fashioned.
Tongue & Cheek Selfie Contest
You do it anyway, so you might as well get a free meal. Nooo...get your mind out of the gutter. We're talking about selfies. Tongue & Cheek owner Jamie DeRosa wants to see your holiday selfie, and he;s even giving away gift certificates to Tongue & Cheek for the best ones. To enter, just take a silly holiday selfie of you or your family. Post it on the Tongue & Cheek Facebook Page and tag Tongue & Cheek. The best three pictures posted with the most likes by December 24, 2015 will win a $25 gift certificate to Tongue & Cheek. We suggest renting a penguin for the win! Because even Kim Kardashian's selfies could use a penguin!
Siena Tavern Brunch
Siena Tavern, the new kid on the block helmed by Top Chef alum Fabio Viviani, has just started brunch service. After your last minute mall frenzy, reward yourself with the SoFi's restaurant's new brunch menu that includes favorites like steak & eggs, lobster hash, stone crab benedicts, caramelized waffles, and tiramisu French toast. Not done with your holiday shopping? Numb your pain with bottomless mimosas and bloody Marys. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Bacon and Beer Tasting With Miami Smokers and Cigar City
If there's one thing better in this world than beer, it would have to be bacon...or bacon and beer together. That's why beer (and bacon) lovers will want to get to World of Beer Midtown on Saturday, December 20 from 7 - 10 p.m. for a special beer and bacon tasting of Miami Smokers and Cigar City. $20 gets you a flight of four beers paired with bites from Miami Smokers including Cigar City Guayavera paired with urban trail mix;
Cigar City Tocobaga paired with bacon wrapped plantains; Cigar City Jai Alai paired with Smokers' pulled pork slider; and Cigar City Puppy's Breath paired with candied bacon.
The Abbey Celebrates Festivus
Did Seinfeld invent Festivus or simply make it popular? That's a question sure to be debated for centuries to come. In any event, Festivus, the holiday for the rest of us, is alive and well and being celebrated at The Abbey Brewing Company for the third year in a row. On Sunday, December 21, starting at 2 p.m., celebrate this non-holiday with complimentary Festivus fare (basically the same as Christmas vittles); signature Festivus cocktails like the Can't stands Ya Coquito; and a costume contest where the best Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine gets a $50 bar tab. There will also be an airing of the grievances box, where you can get their two cents in, and a possible female arm wrestling competition, for the feats of strength portion of the Festivus holiday, with Abbey swag as the prize. There is no admission for the event, and all patrons must be 21 or over to attend (being a cynic also helps).
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