Guinness head brewmaster Fergal Murray is a rock star to all serious Guinness aficionados, and those who appreciate a proper stout can join him tonight on a pub crawl around town that culminates at 11 p.m. with the Great Guinness Toast.
Murray was set to arrive from Ireland Thursday and is expected to make at least four stops this evening: Nallen’s Irish Pub (1429 Market St.) at 5 p.m., The Cherry Cricket (2641 E. 2nd Ave.) at 7 p.m., The Irish Snug (1201 E. Colfax Ave.) at 8:30 p.m. and Fado Irish Pub (1735 19th St.) at 10 p.m.
For the annual Great Guinness Toast, Murray will host a synchronized toast to celebrate the kicking off of the St. Patrick’s Day “season,” and also to celebrate the fact that consumers in the Denver metro area suck down enough of the foamy beverage to make it one of Guinness’ top markets. I joined the festivities last year and shared a limo with Murray and his entourage. I can say firsthand that this guy knows his way around a pint glass.
Murray is a one-man encyclopedia of information about all things Guinness, from its history and brewing processes to current global beer-drinking trends. (This year I will be opting out as I am brewing up something special of my own. I’ll be off on maternity leave after this week’s column.)
For the Great Guinness Toast, participating bars in the metro area and across the country will attempt to set a world record for the largest simultaneous toast. This year they’ve added an extra incentive. For every consumer who raises their pint at exactly 11 p.m. local time tonight and text messages “TOAST” to 4427, Guinness will make a donation for Recording Artists, Actors, and Athletes Against Drunk Driving (R.A.D.D.).
Red Hot
You thought Valentine’s Day was over? Not quite.
The sugary holiday hangs on this weekend with a few follow-up events. Tonight at Rise Nightclub (1909 Blake St.) Get Sexy Go Red Hot is a Valentine’s party for those who can’t get enough red hot lovin’ and want to share strawberries and whipped cream with their special someone in the VIP lounge.
DJ Geoff will whip together a lover’s dance mix, and the couple with the best head-to-toe red ensemble will win a special romantic prize.
On the other hand, over at the Bluebird Theater (3317 E. Colfax Ave.) on Saturday night, the Let’s Just Be Friends Ball is an anti-Valentine’s show that should lift the spirits of any but the loneliest hearts. With live music from the Hot IQs, Mr. Pacman, Cowboy Cursed and Lionsized, plus stand-up comedy by Adam Cayton-Holland, Ben Kronberg and Greg Baumhauer, it’s sure to provide a festive bash for the happily unattached.
7 p.m., all ages, $8, Ticketmaster.
Mardi Gras Playmate
It’s all about the holiday parties this week in clubland. Next Tuesday Vinyl Nightclub (1082 Broadway) hosts a massive Mardi Gras bash complete with a sexy hostess, Playboy magazine’s March Playmate, Tyran Richards.
Guys should plan to line up early; the first 500 guests will receive autographed copies of the March issue and the chance to grab a photo op with Richards. Guest DJ Fashen will rock the decks with mash-ups of hip hop, rock, soul and house music.
Drink up for charity
Here’s a painless way for lounge lizards to participate in the fight against breast cancer. Purple Martini introduced “The Cure” martini on Valentine’s Day, available at all three Purple Martini locations in downtown Denver, Boulder, and the DTC (800-877-4-VODKA-1 for locations).
For every The Cure martini they sell, owner Will Coleman plans to donate one dollar toward local breast cancer research efforts.
“We hope to raise a minimum of $10,000 for breast cancer research by the end of this year,” Coleman said.
Cheers to that. The colorful concoction is a blend of Stoli Peach vodka, Alize red passion liqueur, cranberry juice and Sprite, and sells for $9.
Kat Valentine writes about nightlife Fridays in 7Days. Reach her at kat@kingproduction.com or call 303-954-1568.
