Seven Great Events on the Culinary Calendar This Week

This week boasts an eclectic bunch of events, including dinner and a movie, the unveiling of a classic dive-bar remodel and the omnipresent beer fest. But there are also oh-so-trendy cocktail pairings, a craft-chocolate tasting, and the ever-welcome free pizza to honor a birthday. Here are seven great food and drink events from July 17 through July 21.

Monday, July 17
Mondays are rough. If you dragged your sorry self into the office this morning and have been suffering through every minute as if it were an hour, waiting and waiting (endlessly, agonizingly) for the end of the workday, this cocktail and small-plate pairing at Stranahan's Colorado Distillery, 208 South Kalamath Street, may mitigate some of your misery. If you can hold on until 5 p.m. on Monday, July 17, $25 will get you three cocktails and three small plates. Booze and bites will be available until 8 p.m.; check out the event's Facebook page for details and tickets.

Bistro Vendôme's Monday Movie Night is back with the film that sparked the sexual awakening of 97 percent of American girls born between 1974 to 1979: Dirty Dancing. Screenings and supping start at 5:30 or 8:15 p.m. on Monday, July 17, at 1420 Larimer Street. As always, you'll get a three-course prix fixe menu for $55 (drinks are extra) and an all-in-one date night; call 303-825-3232 for your table — and whatever you do, don't let them put you in the corner.

Tuesday, July 18
If you don't know about The Slow Melt — a podcast dedicated entirely to chocolate — can you truly call yourself a chocoholic? Maybe not, but you can boost your cred by attending The Preservery's Craft Chocolate Tasting on Tuesday, July 18. Simran Sethi, host of the podcast that covers the production, economics, history and eating of the cacao bean, will be there to guide you through tasting nine different chocolates from Belize, Bolivia and the Dominican Republic. Tickets are $25 and available at eventbrite.com; the event takes place at 3040 Blake Street from 6 to 7 p.m. And after having your dessert first (life is uncertain, after all), stick around for dinner.

The Park Tavern and Restaurant, 931 East 11th Avenue, resumed business back in April after an extensive remodel, but it's just now getting around to throwing a grand (re)opening party on Tuesday, July 18. Which is fine by us, because the rooftop patio with great views of Cap Hill is now open for your lounging and drinking pleasure. From 5 to 10 p.m., there will be a DJ, free appetizers and the usual Tuesday $2 drink and taco specials.

Keep reading for more food and drink events.

Wednesday, July 19
Hump Day always has a special magic of its own, but what about when it's paired with free pizza? Elevate Wednesday by stopping by any of the Mici Handcrafted Italian locations around town on July 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a free slice of pie. Choose from the DiGiromolo (mozz, Gorgonzola, pepperoni and pepperoncini peppers) or the classic Formaggio varieties. The fine print? You've got to eat in, and the offer is only good while slices last, so we recommend taking an early lunch.

Thursday, July 20
String cheese and beer: what a pairing. Despite your involuntary gag reflex just now, the combo works when it's the String Cheese Incident's keyboardist putting on a beer bash. Kyle's Beer Fest is returning to town on Thursday, July 20, at Great Divide Brewing, 3403 Brighton Boulevard. From 5 to 9 p.m., attendees will be able to sample from a selection of sixty beers and get in the mood for SCI's Friday show at Red Rocks (if that's your jam) by hearing a performance by the Kyle Hollingsworth Band. VIP tickets are sold out, but GA tickets are still available for $30. Find out more at the event Facebook page, and learn more about the festival's beneficiary Conscious Alliance (and purchase tickets) on its website.

Friday, July 21
If you didn't get your fill of Germanic goods at the Biergarten Festival a few weeks ago, don't worry: German Fest Denver starts Friday, July 21, running from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Lakewood Heritage Center Amphitheater, 801 South Yarrow Street. There will be plenty of polka-ing as German and Austrian bands will be performing throughout the weekend, so put on your dancing Schuhe and head over for a rousing round of the chicken dance. Kids will have face painting, a magician and balloon animals to keep them occupied while their parents enjoy Warsteiner beers and currywurst in the beer garden. The family-friendly event continues Saturday, July 22, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, July 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are a mere $7 ($2 for little ones ages three to nine) and can be found on the event website.

See the Westword calendar for even more food and drink events.