Ale Aboard! JCT.- Terrapin Bar Bash Loads Up Crawfish Boil, Bacon Jam, Ooo-Eee Sauce, Atlanta Funk Society and More on August 23

When JCT. Kitchen & Bar and Terrapin Beer Company come together to throw a Bar Bash, it is anything but typical.  From 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, sip (or chug) some of your favorite Terrapin brews including RecreationAle and Hi-5 IPA for only $3 a can. If you’re feeling a little peachy, tip back a cup of beer punch infused with Maggie’s Peach Farmhouse ale for $6.

Chefs E.J. Hodgkinson and Brian Meiler are not going to let you drink on an empty stomach! They will be cooking up a crawfish boil with Georgia corn accompanied by crawfish straight from the Gulf and local potatoes to feed two to three people for $17. If you’re not crazy about crustaceans, the Original JCT. burger topped with bacon jam and blue cheese ($10) will make an appearance, as well as a double-smoked sausage perfectly paired with ooo-eee sauce and pepper jelly ($5). The Atlanta Funk Society will have you twisting and hustling the night away with 60s-70s-80s tunes. If you’re anywhere else this Saturday, you’re doing it wrong. 

Party It Up on the Patio Tomorrow at The Optimist

Make plans to visit The Optimist on Saturday for a patio party filled with delicious food, lots of drink options and live music. For $17, you can skip the utensils and fill up on an authentic, Louisiana-style crawfish boil prepared by Executive Chef Adam Evans. 

Obviously you'll need some cold beverages to go with all that crawfish, and the restaurant has plenty to keep you from getting thirsty. Drink specials include New Orleans-style punches for $8 and $5 pints of the specially brewed cask of “Hoptimist” from Red Hare Brewing Company. This is also the perfect opportunity to try the spring cocktail menu with newly added drinks like the Scurvy Scoundrel made with Deep Eddy Vodka, lime and house-made grapefruit cordial and the Mermaid’s Crossing with pisco, passion fruit, lime, sugar, paprika and egg whites. Cocktails range in price from $8-$10.

So sleep in and come by at 3 p.m. when the event kicks off with live music from singer/songwriter Justin Borgman and stay for Stefan Cashwell at 7 p.m.! 

From the Bayou to Mexico, Get a Taste of It All at Atkins Park Tavern

This Thursday night's Tequila & Tacos dinner menu at Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland will knock you out of your usual taco and margarita rut. For the evening's special four-course menu, the tavern takes the lowly taco to new realms and pairs each taco type with a unique, refreshing Herradura tequila cocktail.  Dinner starts at 7 p.m. and costs $45 per person (plus tax and gratuity). For reservations, call 404-876-7249.

For those looking for a weekend activity, Atkins Park Smyrna Business Partner and Zac Brown Band Executive Chef Rusty Hamlin is firing up the big pots this weekend and filling them with crawfish, shrimp, potatoes, corn, onions, garlic and mushrooms. Party starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 28 and runs on over through Sunday, April 29. A bowl of crawfish and a few brews are mood food for Saturday and Sunday's live music lineup of The Squirrelheads, Soulhound, Patrick Scott , Zack Graddy,  and The Mar-Tans. All proceeds benefit the Georgia Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training. Saturday tickets are $10 at the door and $5 in advance and include a ticket for Sunday admission. Sunday admission price is $5 per person. Atkins Park Valued Guests may use Valued Guest points to purchase admission for 500 points. Get more info and purchase tickets online.

Don’t Miss the 8th Annual Crawfish Boil at Atkins Park in Smyrna

On Saturday, April 24, Atkins Park - Smyrna is holding the 8th Annual Crawfish Boil in Smyrna's Market Village. The Atlanta eatery’s special event gives guests three-pound platters piled with crawfish and all kinds of bayou fixings. There’s a $5 cover charge to get in with event proceeds going to Mustard Seed Communities. There will be live music outside in Smyrna Market Village from Blair Crimmins & the Hookers, Travel By Train and Lost City, and by Davin McCoy & the Attractions inside Atkins Park. Saturday hours are 11 a.m. - 3 a.m.

Through caring, sharing and training, Christian-based Mustard Seed Communities fosters homes and communities, uplifting the most vulnerable members of society, especially handicapped and abandoned children, and marginalized communities to bring joy, hope and dignity into their lives.

Atkins Park Tavern: Smyrna Market Village, 2840 Atlanta Road; 770-435-1887.