KIND BITES, GUEST DRINKS
This week you can keep Tucson kind and have some great eats all at once when Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails joins forces with Ben's Bells for a special happy hour event. On Thursday, Jan. 22 from 4 until 6 p.m. you can enjoy food and drink specials including $2.50 craft brews, $5 glasses of wine, and $4.50 cocktails. Downtown's happy hour offerings also include $2.50 braised beef cheek or fish tacos; $9 crostini with foie gras mousse and Prosciutto di Parma; and the $8 Downtown burger with mushrooms, manchego, bacon, foie gras, and a side of fries—just to name a few.
The event will feature two guest bartenders—Olympic gold medal swimmer Matt Grevers and Ben's Bells founder Jeannette Maré. All tips from the event will go to benefit Ben's Bells in their mission to promote intentional kindness throughout Tucson. You can help out by stopping into Downtown Kitchen, 135 South Sixth Ave.
SIP IN PROHIBITION STYLE
If you've ever wanted to be whisked away to the time of outlaws, gangsters, and mobsters, this weekend is the weekend for you in the Old Pueblo. Dillinger Days is kicking off this weekend and the first event will be a 1930s-inspired speakeasy party at the hotel. With themed bites from Cup Cafe and a steady flow of Whiskey del Bac and special Borderlands brews, as well as a cigar lounge, the event will attempt to transport guests to Dillinger's time. In terms of entertainment, a photo booth, vintage car and magic shows, and live music courtvesy of Kings of Pleasure and Desert Melodies will keep attendees busy between the booze. The speakeasy will start at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23. Tickets can be bought online in advance for $25 with the proceeds going to the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation. For more information, visit www.hotelcongress.com.
ARTFUL FARE
Prepare for a classy evening of fine art on the plate and from the palette when the Tucson Museum of Art hosts the Crush Gala at the Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa. Beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, you can sip the evening's first cocktail while perusing the art up on silent auction. Then at 7 p.m. guests will be treated to a gourmet wine-paired dinner featuring your choice of pan-seared sea bass, braised short ribs, or seared Roman gnocchi. Afterwards, you can work off some of that decadent dinner by dancing to the live music courtesy of the George Howard Band. Tickets to the gala, which will kick off the Crush Wine Festival, are $225 and can be purchased online in advance for $225. The event is 21 and over. To reserve your space and for more information on the entire Crush Wine Festival, visit www.tucsonmuseumofart.org.
