Austin's Best Food and Drink Events This Week

Dinner parties, farmer's markets, beer, wine, and more for the week of May 3, 2018

American Whiskey Festival

Thursday 3

AMERICAN WHISKEY FESTIVAL You'll enjoy bourbons, whiskies, and ryes from Kentucky, Tennessee, Canada, Texas, and more, at this annual showcase of potent potables presented by Michael Parker and the good folks at Opal Divine's. (And we reckon you'll enjoy them even more alongside the delectable hors d'oeuvres served up by Chef DJ.) How do we know this will be an enjoyable night? Because we've experienced the spirited wonderment that Opal's has hosted in the past, whiskey-lover! Thu., May 3, 7-10pm. (2018) Best Western Plus, 2200 S. I-35. $45.

BARKS FOR BEERS This beery extravagance benefits Divine Canines. Buy a glass at Blue Owl Brewery and use it for free pints at 25 breweries all over town, for the entire month of May. We mean, like, Black Star Co-op, Celis, NXNW, Southern Heights, Real Ale, St. Elmo, Thirsty Planet, and a whole pantheon of others. Through May 31 See website for locations of participating breweries, 512/593-1262. $30. www.divinecanines.org

DERBY ROSÉ FLOWER PARTY AT TWIN LIQUORS Celebrate the glamour and traditions of the upcoming Kentucky Derby with featured rosés on sale, a Mint Julep 101 demonstration, and a hands-on floral bouquet workshop with Austin's "Flower Chick," Mel Frontino of the Flower Social. Thu., May 3, 5-8pm Twin Liquors Marketplace, 4001-A S. Lamar, 512/442-6575. Free. www.twinliquors.com

Friday 4

TEXAS INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION Out at the Thirsty Mule Winery in Liberty Hill, it's the 2018 People's Choice Awards of this international competition. You sample the vintner's craft, you decide which are the best. This will involve tasting a lot of really good wine – but that's what you're there for, right? Fri., May 4, 7-10pm Thirsty Mule Winery, 101 CR 257, Liberty Hill. $45-75. www.txiwc.com

Saturday 5

CENTRAL MARKET: CELEBRATING WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES This Saturday at that excellent emporium of what's delicious and healthy, meet an impressive group of female entrepreneurs who will share business tips, stories of their passion for great food, and samples of their tasty products. From recipe developers to chocolatiers, pudding creators to snack makers, these women are sure to inspire your sense of can-do and your sense of OMG-this-is-so-yum! With treats from Pretty Thai, Pudding on Smiles, Delysia Chocolates, Culina Non-Dairy Yogurt, and more. Sat., May 5, 10am-6pm Central Market North, 4001 N. Lamar, 512/206-1000. centralmarket.com

CINCO DE MAYO AT LA CONDESA’S MALVERDE This Cinco de Mayo, they’re opening the Malverde event venue to the public and partying like there’s no mañana, so bring all your margarita-loving amigos for live DJs, dancing, and happy hour specials allllllll night long. Sat., May 5, 5pm-2am Malverde, 400-B W. Second, 512/499-0300. www.lacondesa.com

DECK NINE’S DERBY DAY PATIO PARTY Right there in the observatory bar, it's an elegant afternoon of cocktail specials featuring the Kentucky Mint Julep and frozen Pimm’s Cup, with deck snacks and an audio stream of the famous Kentucky Derby race. And stick around, why don't you, for the "Durty" Derby party that follows? Sat., May 5, 4-11pm Boiler Nine. www.boilernine.com

EMMER & RYE + CAYMAN JACK = CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION Austin's top-rated restaurant, right there on Rainey Street, offers free pairings of Cayman Jack margaritas and Kevin Fink's Red Snapper ceviche to all guests tonight. That, mmmmm, that sounds real good right about now, doesn't it? Note: for ages 21 and older, of course. Sat., May 5, 6-10pm Emmer & Rye, 51 Rainey #110, 512/366-5530. emmerandrye.com

LAS PERLAS: CINCO DE MAYO That's right, the doors to this lively bar will be open at noon, Asador is catering in the tacos all day long, and live music from Ex Romantica kicks in at 10pm. Sat., May 5, noon-2am Las Perlas Mezcaleria, 405 E. Seventh, 512/906-0143. 213hospitality.com/las-perlas-austin

ORF BREWING SPRING FEST Celebrate spring with music from Stone Wheels (two sets!), tacos from Lotus Joint, improv by The Brewery Players, and Orf Brewing's latest seasonal release. Sat., May 5, noon-6pm. (2018) Orf Brewing. Free. www.orfbrewing.com

SUPPER FRIENDS: CINCO DE MAYO Chef Claudia Vital honors the day by serving up a celebratory four-courser of Gulf fish ceviche, pork tamales, lamb barbacoa tacos, and flan accompanied by churros and fresh berries. And, hell, we didn't even mention the scrumptious appetizers. Sat., May 5, 7pm. (2018) Swoop House, 3012 Gonzales, 512/467-6600. $55. www.supperfriends.com

Sunday 6

Monday 7

Tuesday 8

Ongoing

BARTON CREEK FARMERS MARKET Saturdays, 9am-1pm. Barton Creek Square, 2901 Capital of TX Hwy. S., 512/327-7040. bartoncreekfarmersmarket.org

BEE CAVE FARMERS MARKET Sundays, 10am-2pm. 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave. beecavefarmersmarket.com

HOPE FARMERS MARKET Sundays, 11am-3pm. Plaza Saltillo, 412 Comal, 512/727-8363. hopefarmersmarket.org

SFC SUNSET VALLEY FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays, 9am-1pm. Toney Burger Activity Center, 3200 Jones, 512/414-2096. sfcfarmersmarket.org

TEXAS FARMERS’ MARKET AT LAKELINE Saturdays, 9am-1pm. Lakeline Mall, 11200 Lakeline Mall Dr., Cedar Park, 512/363-5700. texasfarmersmarket.org/lakeline

TEXAS FARMERS’ MARKET AT MUELLER Sundays, 10am-2pm Branch Park Pavilion, 2006 Philomena. texasfarmersmarket.org/mueller

BOGGY CREEK FARM STAND Wed.-Sat., 8am-1pm. Boggy Creek Farm, 3414 Lyons, 512/926-4650. boggycreekfarm.com

SPRINGDALE FARM STAND Wednesdays & Saturdays, 9am-1pm. Springdale Farm, 755 Springdale, 512/386-8899. springdalefarmaustin.com