It's a good weekend for hottie spotting, what with the 2012 Olympics set to air, and an unusually high number of local events involving attractive people putting themselves on parade of one sort or another. How is this tied to dining and drinking you ask? Because of alcohol, my friends. All of these events afford you and your friends an excuse to partake in a celebratory drink or two. Or three. Whatever; it's the weekend -- live it up a little. After the jump, find five dining events this weekend in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
1. Palm Beach Craft Beer Festival
Throw on your finest Lilly Pulitzer/Ralph Lauren duds and head to Meyer Amphitheatre for the first-ever Palm Beach Craft Beer Festival from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds benefit local non-profits and the menu includes a number of homegrown favorites as well as brews from around the country. Get all of the details on the new event here.
2. Bikini Parade
What could possibly be more quintessentially Floridian than a horde of nubile young ladies cavorting on the beach in skimpy swimwear? Why, asking those ladies to assemble in a parade to raise awareness of skin cancer, naturally. Exit 66 -- where every day might as well be spring break -- is sponsoring the beachside parade on Saturday, as well as the after party at its 10,000-square-foot facility. The details of the event can be found here.
3. Make-a-Wish Bachelor & Bachelorette Dream Date Auction
Meeting people is easy when booze is involved and/or some of the people have agreed to put themselves up for auction (for a good cause, of course). The Make-a-Wish Bachelor & Bachelorette Dream Date Auction Friday night at the Opium nightclub is a chance to place bids on South Florida's "most eligible" bachelors and bachelorettes, all for the sake of raising funds for Make-a-Wish Southern Florida. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the auction starts at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $30 at the door. More details can be found here.
4. Rum tasting
While Clean Plate Charlie's own Laine Doss is taking one for the team at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans (where she gets to has to taste an amazing array of liquors), those of us stuck in South Florida for the weekend can head to Total Wine (11221 Legacy Ave., Palm Beach Gardens) for an in-depth rum tasting. The event is 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday. The cost is $25 per person, and seating is limited. Call to reserve a spot: 561-622-7340.
5. Opening ceremonies for the 2012 Olympics
Celebrate the majesty of athleticism...by drinking and eating a lot of heavy food. The 2012 Olympics are underway, and tonight's opening ceremonies are as good an excuse as any to hit the town for a bit of merry-making. Click here for a list of local Olympics-themed activities, including some taking place Friday night.
Down the Line
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