Tony Abou-Ganim | Photo by Tim Turner Studios
The second annual For the Love of Cocktails gala tasting will once again take over the 64th floor of the Delano for an evening of incomparable mixology and breathtaking cityscapes. However, this time, the charitable affair (Feb. 12-14) spans three days and nights of cocktailing in the name of love, camaraderie and charity. Tickets to all events are available now at ForTheLoveOfCocktails.com.
C’mon, do it for the love of …
Wine
Kick things off February 12 with the Meet the Masters Wine Dinner at Aureole ($150, 6-9 p.m., in Mandalay Bay). Enjoy five wine-paired courses with welcome wine cocktails by author and world-renowned mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim, Dale “King Cocktail” DeGroff and Southern Wine & Spirits educator Francesco Lafranconi.
Socializing
The party moves at 9 p.m. to Franklin bar for Cocktails & Conversation, a lively mingle with your hosts and a cash bar. The possibilities are endless!
Bartenders
Curious how the other side of the bar lives? Party with industry members on their time and turf at The Life of a Bartender, an after-hours soiree at beloved bartender “clubhouse,” Herbs & Rye (3713 W. Sahara Ave, HerbsAndRye.com), midnight to 4 a.m. Gird your liver, friends.
Learning
Start drinking—er, learning bright and early (11:30 a.m., Feb. 13) with a day of spirited seminars, including “I’ll Take Manhattans” with DeGroff and “Making Great Cocktails At Home,” Abou-Ganim’s hands-on, ladies-only mixology experience.
Cocktails
This is it! The For the Love of Cocktails Gala at Mix pairs more than 30 bartenders with sponsored spirits for an evening of inspired, original cocktail creations, gourmet food and live entertainment, plus rare spirit tastings and cigar sampling. Not to be missed!
Relief
Produced by founder Abou-Ganim in concert with Back Bar USA and the United States Bartenders’ Guild, For the Love of Cocktails’ proceeds benefit the Helen David Relief Fund for Bartenders Affected by Breast Cancer. And should you need relief the morning after the gala, Saturday’s Bloody Mary Brunch at Della’s Kitchen should get you back on track.