Check Out This Weekend’s Five Best Food and Drink Events in NYC – 5/15/2015

Barbecues, ball games, and boat rides may be on the agenda for Memorial Day Weekend, but what are you gonna do until then? Here are five events you need to get in on this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Bar 1805 Ibiza Hijack, The Dead Rabbit, 30 Water Street, Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m.

Bartender Charles Vexenat of Ibiza’s Bar 1805 is in Manhattan and brought the green fairy along for good measure. In addition to Vexenat’s absinthe cocktails, guests can enjoy absinthe opium pipes and punch bowl birdcages; moules frites will also be available as a special menu item. Those who may not be able to remember the event are in luck, as an illustrator will be in house drawing up the evening’s festivities.

New Brunch, Bara, 58 East 1st Street, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.

Want to switch up your brunch routine? Chef Ian Alvarez launches a new menu this weekend focusing on french-japanese fare. Highlights include house-cured bacon donburi, beet and apple salad, and buckwheat pancakes accompanied by salted plum honey and violet butter. To drink, the bar will also have traditional brunch cocktails on hand.

Make Your Own Rock & Rye…with Mister Katz, New York Distilling Co., 79 Richardson Street, Brooklyn, Sunday, 11 a.m.

Learn how to make NY Distilling Company’s rock and rye whiskey at this class hosted by distiller Allan Katz. Attendees will get the chance to try rye whiskey of various ages before trying their hand at creating their very own, which involves infusing dried Bing cherries and cinnamon bark among other unique ingredients. Tickets are $25 and include snacks and cocktail samplings; secure them here.

A Deliciously Decadent Afternoon of Chocolate and Cocktails, URBO, 11 Times Square, Sunday, 2 p.m.

Johnny Iuzzini hosts a gathering fit for Count Chocula himself. Sweets from over 13 chefs and restaurants including Butter & Scotch and The Black Ant will be available for unlimited sampling. To drink, cocktails from Porchlight’s Mimi Burnham and Seamstress’ Pam Wiznitzer will help wash down any leftover cacao. Additional activities include spirit tastings and swing music by the Stan Rubin Orchestra. Tickets start at $55, and readers can use the code “GURU” for 25% off both VIP and general admission tickets; secure either of them here.

Shakespeare Primavera, Theatre for a New Audience, 262 Ashland Place, Brooklyn, Sunday, 4:30 p.m.

The works of Shakespeare have had a long lasting cultural impact, particularly when it comes to the kitchen. In this food talk hosted by Francine Segan focusing on Bill’s Italian works, the historian addresses the culinary references found throughout his work. The discussion will also be accompanied by a tasting menu of Renaissance era delicacies. Tickets start at $35 and are available through the theatre’s web site.