Congratulations, you made it through yet another working week. You might as well give yourself a pat on the back to celebrate -- or better yet, a drink or three.
The holiday fun continues through the weekend. From drunk Santas stumbling, err, caroling their way down Las Olas for free drinks to the Ugly Sweater brunch that will help sober you back up on Sunday, there's no shortage of seasonal cheer this weekend.
See also: More Food and Drink Events in Broward and Palm Beach Counties
Even if South Florida weather doesn't permit sweater-wearing this winter, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy an ugly sweater party or pub crawl! In case your friends disappoint you by not throwing their own Christmas-sweater shindig, downtown Fort Lauderdale has you covered with not one but two hideously knitted events. Whether you want to enjoy a Christmas themed "Thirsty Thursday" or a pub crawl rocking your favorite Christmas attire, you won't want to miss out on these perfect excuses to party. On Saturday, party for a good cause by joining the South Florida Club Sport for its Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl, which will hop around the liveliest bars Fort Lauderdale has to offer in an effort to save the Red Hot Chili Puppies of the Humane Society of Broward County. Taking place from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., the pub crawl will begin at America's Backyard, located at 100 SW Third Ave. in Fort Lauderdale, and will continue at Lucky's Tavern, Public House, and Off the Hookah. Check in between 7 and 8 p.m. Reserve your spot in advance for $20, or pay $25 at the door. Visit southfloridaclubsport.com, or call 800-497-1852. -- Gillian Speiser
Maybe you're just not a night owl. Or maybe you are and you just woke up still wearing that award-winning ugly sweater and discovered the prize is a pounding headache that's like a stampede of reindeer clomping across your skull. Either way, leave that hideous jumper on and head over to the Wine Dive in West Palm Beach. There will be plenty of delightfully greasy food to soak up any residual alcohol and coat that battered stomach lining. Even better there will be $10 bottomless mimosas and bloody marys PLUS a free shot of Fireball to anyone in an ugly Christmas sweater - nothing like a little hair of the dog reindeer to fix you right up.
3. 12 Craft Beers of Christmas
Starting Sunday, the Las Olas brewpub will feature a "12 Crafts of Christmas" beer tasting menu, featuring a dozen of the season's best beers. Each selection has its own subtle nuances of spices of the season including nutmeg, caramel, cinnamon, brown sugar and flavor notes of oat, fig and chocolate. The beers, a mixture of pour-it-yourself offerings on tap and bottled brews include Breckenridge Vanilla Porter ($7); Framboise ($9); Boulder Never Summer Ale ($8); Shiner Oktoberfest ($8); Blue Point Toasted Lager ($6); Newcastle Brown Ale ($7); Lagunitas Brown Shugga ($8); Samuel Adams Winter Lager ($6); Guinness Irish Stout ($6); Goose Island Bourbon Island County Stout ($12); Ommegang Take the Black Stout ($9) and Oskar Blues Ten Fidy ($11). The draft beers are an additional $2 off Monday through Friday during American Social's happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. - Laine Doss
On par with the fat man himself and his red-nosed caribou companion, Dr. Seuss's Grinch is one of the most beloved Christmas characters. He expresses both our revulsion at the season and all its cloying nostalgia, false good cheer, and crass consumerism. Then, he somehow goes on to embody our giving in to the season, the letting go of our jaded coldness. After all, it's Christmas. So, who doesn't enjoy reveling in all things Christmas and Grinchy? Join The Dive Bar Fort Lauderdale on Saturday for a Grinchmas Party. There will be Grinchmas cocktails, an authentic Whoville menu, and free Jell-o Shots. (The Grinch defintiely seems like a Jell-o shits kinda guy.) There will be live music at 7 p.m. with Teri Catlin, followed by The Goodnicks at 10 p.m. Saturday. There will also be the obligatory Ugly Christmas Shirt & Sweater.
If ugly sweater bar crawls just don't seem all-out, insane Christmas-ish enough for you, maybe a good reason to don a full on Santa Claus costume is more your thing? Luckily, Santacon returns to downtown Fort Lauderdale once again on Saturday. There will be Sexy Santas, Naughty Santas, lots of Drunk Santas, and some Biker Santas - the more creative, the better. Really mix things up by dressing up as an international Santa, such as Sinterklaus from the Netherlands. (He's got a hat the pope would envy.) Gather at Mangos Restaurant and Lounge at 6 p.m. and get ready to spread some Christmas cheer, season's greetings, and dirty carols all up and down Las Olas and Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Stops include Sweet Nectar, American Social, Vibe Las Olas, and even Yogurt Ur Way. (Santa likes treat, but he's gotta watch his figure.) All the stops will have drink and food specials for decked out Kris Kringles.
See also: Slideshow of Santacon 2012
You can contact Rebecca Dittmar, Arts & Culture Editor/Food Blog Editor at [email protected].
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