Sometimes it's nice to explore someplace new for the weekend. Other times, it's too tempting not to drink the DTSP-area Kool-Aid. (That may because it often has bubbles and is called "Prosecco"). This weekend, the Grand Central District called our names. Here's where you'll likely find at least one or two of us:
1. Say "Happy Anniversary" to Winesmith.
Hey, the third anniversary gift is "glass", which is totally appropriate here. Raise 20 glasses with them from Friday night. 20? Yup, 20. Don't worry — they're gonna give you food to absorb all the wine. Aug. 25: 6-9 p.m. $25, advance; $30, door.
2. Tribal music and beer nerds, unite.
Taphouse 61 has live music now — and Friday night Tribal Style will share their reggae magic until the wee hours. And, well, beer. Aug. 25: 8 p.m.- 1 a.m.
3. What's black and white and read all over?
The next art theme at Community Cafe. Seriously — it's called Black & White and REaD All Over and it starts Friday night. Expect black and white art, red art, black and white and red art, riddle art… you get the idea. Opens Aug. 25: 8 p.m.
4. Tip the scales in the Battle of the Burger.
And by tipping the scales, we're talking weight — there's not a single burger here that doesn't look delicious. Pictured: The Flaming Burger at Punky's Bar and Grill, which comes with jalapeños, pepper jack cheese and a Srirachi aioli (can we please all agree to simply call that "spicy mayo"?). CL's Thomas Hallock's (he writes those zany urban ex pieces y'all love so much) an official "judge" — but we suspect by "official" he means "really, really hungry." Go eat, then vote.
We're not gonna tell you to eat anything specific. All we'll say is that going to the GCD without having at least an order of their made-from-scratch hush puppies is a little like visiting Florida and never going to the beach.
6. Take Nitally's spicy soup challenge.
Does the word "Inferno" tell you anything? 48 ounces of heat, all for your slurping pleasure.
GCDA is rife with vintage shops, which we once called junk shops 'til we got classy. I own a $5 dresser I decked out with shells, and it's served me well.
8. Drink beer with PacMan at Right Around The Corner
Old school video games! For those of us who can't see traveling to Tarpon every time we need a fix of bad graphics and quarter-monsters, this is perfect. Did we mention they also serve beer? Craft beer, of course. Because, well, St. Petersburg.
Head to Punky's and paint a rock. Because that's a thing we do now. Seriously, though, despite the super-witty headline, this is a kid-friendly event. Aug. 27: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
10. Brunch at Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe.
We're not saying CL's Scott Harrell — of Sh*t Happened fame — has a problem with Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe's pimento cheese and a bottle of rose, but I believe HBS may be renaming that order the "Sh*t Happened Special."
There's actually way more than 10 things to do here this weekend — and the GCDA apparently has their shit together, so if these don't appeal to you — or if you want more Grand Central Goodness — check out their list of events, including a kick-ass dog's 18th birthday party/rescue fundraiser at Dog Bar.
Have a neighborhood we need to feature? Tell A&E editor Cathy Salustri about it!
This article appears in Aug 24-31, 2017.
