WEDNESDAY 02
CityBeat’s Bourbon & Bacon — If you like eating divine swine products or drinking high-quality brown liquor, head to New Riff Distillery for CityBeat’s annual Bourbon & Bacon party. Guests will enjoy samples of bacon-inspired dishes from local restaurants like Holtman’s Donuts, Pompilios, Cuban Pete, BrewRiver GastroPub and more. Wash the pork down with whiskey from Buffalo Trace, OYO, Woodford, Old Forrester and more — or just grab a beer. Tickets include 10 drink samples and all-you-can-snack food. 6-9 p.m. The event is currently sold-out. New Riff Distillery, 24 Distillery Way, Newport, Ky., citybeat.com.
You Won’t Miss Gluten — Whether eliminating gluten from your diet by choice or necessity, this class will teach you easily replace starches in your main dishes. 6-8 p.m. $70. The Learning Kitchen, 7659 Cox Lane, West Chester, thelearningkitchen.com.
THURSDAY 03
Holiday Entertaining — Get ready for the holiday season with recipes and tips to help you spend more time enjoying your guests. 6-9 p.m. $65. Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State, 3520 Central Parkway, Clifton, culinary.cincinnatistate.edu.
Entertaining with Cheese — The most important hosting class you’ll ever take, whether you’re throwing a party or just eating cheese in your bed alone. Learn to make simple but sensational cheese boards. 6-8 p.m. $35. Jungle Jim’s, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, junglejims.com.
Warped Wing Tapping — If you’re a fan of Dayton’s Warped Wing brewery, head to BrewRiver for a special tap takeover with giveaways and live music. 6-9 p.m. Free. BrewRiver GastroPub, 2062 Riverside Drive, East End, brewrivergastropub.com.
Cincinnati E.A.T.S. — Do you like dining and mingling? Cincinnati E.A.T.S. takes over Cricket Lounge with cocktails and appetizers, followed by a seated dinner and dessert. The organization — Epicureans About Town Society — is dedicated to supporting great, local restaurants and charities. Bring two canned goods to donate to the Freestore Foodbank. 6:30 p.m. $46.50. Palace Restaurant, 601 Vine St., Downtown, cincinnati.com/cincinnatieats/index.shtml.
FRIDAY 04
Date Night: Spiced Crusted Pork — Bring a date and create a main dish of smoked paprika-crusted pork and Swiss chard with quinoa. 6-8 p.m. $160 per couple. The Learning Kitchen, 7659 Cox Lane, West Chester, thelearningkitchen.com.
SATURDAY 05
Dad Day at Rhinegeist — Party in plaid with dad at Rhinegeist. The brewery celebrates the release of its seasonal brew Dad — a hoppy holiday ale — with a party featuring commemorative glassware and posters for the first 100 guests. The event is BYOD and BYOP (bring your own dad and bring your own plaid), with a special #DadPlaid photobooth and cozy holiday setting. BTW: Dad comes in a plaid can, which is why Dad Day has a patterned theme, not just because tartan is incredibly Christmasy. Noon-5 p.m. Saturday. Free. Rhinegeist, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, rhinegeist.com.
Cincy Brew Bus: Bourbon, Brews and a Winery Too — The bus stops at New Riff, The Littlefield, Henke Winery and Rhinegeist. Noon-5 p.m. $70-$75. Leaves from New Riff, 24 Distillery Way, Newport, Ky., cincybrewbus.com.
Kids and Teens in the Kitchen: Holiday Cookies — Kids ages 8 and older can learn to make cut-out cookies, royal icing and various decorating techniques. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $50. Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State, 3520 Central Parkway, Clifton, culinary.cincinnatistate.edu.
A New Holiday Brunch — Prepare an easy brunch for a winter holiday or lazy Sunday. 10 a.m.-noon. $65. The Learning Kitchen, 7659 Cox Lane, West Chester, thelearningkitchen.com.
Sushi Rolling and Dining — Learn to roll three kids of sushi. BYOB. 6 p.m. $25. Sushi Cincinnati, 130 W. Pike St., Covington, Ky., sushicinti.com.
Braxton Block Party — Braxton Brewing Co. hosts a Cov block party with live music from the likes of Tracy Walker, Pete Dressman, Motherfolk and more. They’ll also be releasing the first beer in their Heritage Series: Dark Charge. Tappings throughout the day. Food trucks available. Noon-1 a.m. Free admission. 27 W. Seventh St., Covington, Ky., braxtonbrewing.com.
Drink Local for Christmas — Test locally crafted wine and spirits for gift giving. Choose from 17 wines and 10 boozes. 2-7 p.m. $15. Woodstone Creek Winery & Distillery, 4712 Vine St., Saint Bernard, woodstonecreek.com.
Holly Jolly Roger Lunch Cruise — Christmas plus pirates! This lunch cruise features a family-friendly pirate crew, game, activities, turkey and a special appearance by Santa. Noon-2 p.m. Saturdays. Through Dec. $40 adults; $24 children. BB Riverboats, 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, Ky., bbriverboats.com.
SUNDAY 06
Repeal Day Celebration — On Dec. 5, 1933, the United States passed the 21st Amendment, effectively repealing Prohibition. Celebrate by getting drunk on Sidecars and Mary Pickfords in Jazz Age costumes at the Metropole at 21c. The restaurant and bar’s Repeal Day party honors the end of Prohibition with 1920s tunes, a burlesque show and classic speakeasy cocktails. Period-inspired costumes encouraged; mustaches provided by Metropole. Special room rates apply for those who don’t want to tipple and drive. 7-11 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. 609 Walnut St., Downtown, metropoleonwalnut.com.
MONDAY 07
Dinner Amongst the Stars — Local celebrities serve a meal to benefit the Still Strong Foundation and the Carlos Dunlap Foundation. 6 p.m. $250. Prime 47, 580 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-579-0720.
A Do-Ahead Brunch Celebration — Entertain with ease during the holidays with this make-ahead brunch menu, including savory goat cheese and artichoke frittata, baked crab benedict and a sparkling bellini. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $70. Cooks’Wares, 11344 Montgomery Road, Harper’s Point, cookswaresonline.com.
TUESDAY 08
A Trip to Vietnam — Learn classic skills such as seasoning and using spring roll wrappers. Create your own meal of pho and learn to roll your own spring rolls with rice noodles and veggies. 6-8 p.m. $70. The Learning Kitchen, 7659 Cox Lane, West Chester, thelearningkitchen.com.
Cookies Uncorked — Grab some friends for a night of cookie making and wine. The class includes naked cookies, icing, equipment and instruction. 7-9 p.m. $45. New Riff, 24 Distillery Way, Newport, Ky., newriffdistilling.com.