Several Noteworthy Food and Drink Events to Try in September

September in Nashville is one of those in-between months when the weather is fine as wine, and the festivities are aplenty. And, let’s face it, we can use a few extra rounds right about now. From cocktails and laughs to twists on the classics and good causes, here are a few special events worth dusting off those party shoes for this month.

Nashville Cocktail Festival

September 7-11

Take a deep dive into all things cocktails at some of Nashville’s hottest cocktail spots with themed classes, tastings, and parties. As last year’s festival was canceled due to COVID-19, the line-up is the exact same and your 2020 tickets will be honored. Check the schedule for a host of events this week showcasing the authors, spirits, mixers, and bartenders who slay the craft. Two main events not to miss are the Polynesian Pop on Friday night, and Art Deco Night on Saturday happening at Centennial Park. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required upon admission. Due to the nature of this 21 and up festival Uber or Lyft is strongly recommended.

Nashville Cocktail Festival

Nashville Greek Festival

September 10-12

The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Catholic Church hosts its 33rd annual festival this weekend with a drive-thru-only celebration. While the three-day glendi (that’s Greek for “party”) will look a little different this year, all your favorite food and pastries will be available in premade packs. Preorders with scheduled pick-up times are available online.

Nashville Greek Festival/Facebook

Tailor’s Pop Up Dinners

September 11-12 and 18-19

As this Germantown gem moves to its new location at 620 Taylor Street, The Nashville Food Project (TNFP) has partnered with Culinary Creator Vivek Surti for his first in a series of several pop-ups at the non-profit’s West Nashville location. Widely known for his loving execution of the food he was raised on, South Asian American cuisine, you can expect some of the very same dishes with which he’s earned his ranking as one of Nashville’s top culinary influences. TNFP family says that they love Surti and his team and are thrilled to host him for this very special event. A portion of the pop-up’s proceeds benefit TNFP’s mission. Reservations required.

Free Slice Night at Five Points Pizza

September 14

When David Tieman decided to open his first pizza joint, he knew if he were to succeed he should learn from the pros about how to make the New York-style crust. That he did, and it shows. In celebration of Five Point Pizza’s 10th anniversary, enjoy a free slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza while supplies last at the walk-up counters at the 4100 Charlotte Ave. and 1012 Woodland Street locations.

Delia Jo Ramsey/Eater Nashville

Carpetbagger’s Comedy Hour

September 16

Located within Bode, a boutique downtown hotel, Sidebar is a “carport-turned-bar and good time parlor.” Whereas the bites menu is somewhat limited, the cocktail offerings include fun favorites such as the Wallflower made with gin, bergamot, jasmine, lemon, angostura, egg white, and hibiscus tea. Each third Thursday of the month, the bar will host comics from all over the country for Carpetbagger’s Comedy Hour. Guests and locals can enjoy laughs and good times while enjoying craft drink specials starting at 7:30 p.m. before the show kicks off at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for hotel guests, $12 for locals, and includes one beer.

Nashville Pride Festival

September 18-19

The actual festival will take place at Bicentennial Mall. Still, many of Nashville’s favorite restaurants and bars will be hosting festivities to coincide; make sure to check out your favorites. For example, 21 C Museum Hotel invites guests and locals to the Gray & Dudley Alleyway on September 17 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to craft their own unique Pride Penguin bandana. City Winery will host a Dining with Divas Drag Dinner on the 18th. And the Basement East will hold the festival’s official closing party on the 19th with a Sweet Tea Dance beginning at 4 p.m. with Deep Eddy Vodka drink specials included.

East Nashville Beer Festival

September 18

Celebrating regional craft beer since 2011, this one-day event hosts over 60 regional, national and international craft breweries in East Park. The Basement East has curated an eclectic mix of live performances by local artists on the East Side Smiles Stage. New to the line-up is the lager and lambic bar presented by Woodland Wine Merchant. To soak it all up, food trucks return to the festival this year. A portion of the festival’s proceeds benefits the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required upon admission. Due to the nature of this 21 and up festival Uber or Lyft is strongly recommended.

10th Anniversary Picnic Party

September 26

Given the fact that The Nashville Food Project’s (TNFP) role in community care, the non-profit recently made the tough call to make this crucial fundraiser virtual. The meals team is putting together picnic baskets for two. Choose from a vegan option, chicken, or beef — stuffed to the brim with fried spiced chicken tenders (with Alabama white sauce) or smoked beef brisket with all the fixins like roasted garden vegetables, biscuits with tomato jam, proper pimento cheese, and mini pies or TNFP “compost” cookies for dessert. Baskets come with beer and seltzer from Lipman Brothers and are priced at $50 to serve two people. Access to the virtual event is $20. Find tickets and more information here.

The first 75 baskets sold also come with lovely napkins made by the Catholic Charities Sewing Training Academy at McGruder Family Resource Center in North Nashville where TNFP stewards a community garden. In addition to the baskets, a virtual show with bluegrass sensation Justin Hiltner, and a screening of its 10th-anniversary video will be made available to participants.