The Charleston Wine + Food Festival (CHSWF) kicks off March 5 but the foodie fun around town is going on all week long. We’ve rounded up food-and-drink-focused events taking place throughout the Charleston area that are not officially associated with the festival but still contribute to the experience.
Lovingly referred to as “fringe” events*, these parties, dinners and bar takeovers offer an opportunity to indulge even if you never got around to buying CHSWF tickets.
*Some of these events call themselves “fringe,” while some are simply foodie events we wanted to highlight that happen to be taking place this week. Don’t get too caught up in the labels and get out there and eat, drink and be merry.
Bar Estrella at Estadio
Kick off CHSWF (and all of its unofficial shindigs) at Estadio with a Champagne and global potato chip pop-up. Fun! 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. March 5. Free to attend,
Barkada at Kultura
Join chef Nikko Cagalanan and the Kultura team for a special kitchen takeover by chef Modou Jaiteh, executive sous chef at Farm Bluffton. Originally from Gambia, Modou incorporates flavors of West Africa and the Lowcountry into his cooking. The evening features a counter-service experience with a collaborative small-plates menu. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. March 5. Reservations available but not required.
Wines of the Piedmont at Stems & Skins
Join Cameron Abbott, founder of The Piedmont Guy, at Stems & Skins for an evening dedicated to the wines of the Piedmont region of Italy. Abbott showcases family-owned wineries crafting distinctive wines. This is the first of several Stems & Skins fringe events, FYI. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 6. Free.
Sorelle Nightcap
Wood Fired Thursdays get the special treatment at Sorelle during CHSWF week. Head to the Broad Street restaurant for a late night party with Sabatino Truffle-topped pizzas and a selection of beers from Fatty’s. Dishes and drinks are served a la carte. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. March 6. Free.
Beautiful South’s Ham & Whisky Happy Hour
Beautiful South’s David and Tina Schuttenberg host a Ham & Whisky Happy Hour with the folks from Lady Edison Pork and Virgil Kaine. Enjoy complimentary, collaborative bites and cocktails, with samples of Lady Edison’s Country Ham and tastings from Virgil Kaine. Diners can also partake in Beautiful South’s full happy hour menu. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. March 7. Free to attend.
JMB Provisions at Dalila’s
Dalila’s on Spring hosts pop-up JMB Provisions, from chefs Mark Bolchoz and Jalen Reeves, all weekend long. Head to the Spring Street bar for JMB goods, which include pizzas, pastas and more. Hot tip: This is a great way to check out the food of Bolchoz, who is opening an Italian restaurant, Cane Pazzo, in Hanahan later this year. 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. March 7 and March 8. Free.
An Evening with Sohla El-Waylly
Head to the Trident Tech Palmer Campus Amphitheater (66 Columbus St.) for an event presented by Blue Bicycle Books. Chef, recipe developer, video producer and author of Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook Sohla El-Waylly joins Lindsay Collins, host and creator of Effin B Radio, for a conversation on Waylly’s Start Here. Buy your tickets online. 6 p.m. March 7. $30, $65/with signed copy of Start Here.
Porron Party at Stems & Skins
Join Philippe Broom, aka Philly Bottles, from de Maison Selections for a lively porron party. Not sure what a porron is? Shame! (It’s a glass pitcher with a long spout protruding from the side that’s meant to be shared among a group.) 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 7. Free.
Taste of Black Charleston
The Charleston Visitor’s Center’s annual Taste of Black Charleston features tasting stations that highlight local chefs, caterers and bakers. Guests can also enjoy an open bar, access to the Luxe Cigar Bar and an evening of live entertainment. Buy tickets online now. 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. March 7. $100/general admission, $275/friends of taste.
Karaoke Block Party at Graft
The Hue Society joins Graft for a killer CHSWF after party. Additional hosts The Sipping Socialite and First Wives Karaoke contribute to the fun, as do welcome bubbles from Don Luchi and late-night snacks. 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. March 7. $50.
Biscuit Brunch at Counter Culture Coffee
The crew from babas pairs up with Counter Culture Coffee for an aptly titled biscuit brunch featuring, well, biscuits, as well as blood orange mimosas and espresso martinis. Jam out to tunes from DJ Blacksmith. Buy your tickets online. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 8. $45.
Philosophers & Fools One Year Anniversary Party
Celebrate one year of bookstore/bar Philosophers & Fools with an all-day event that features a variety of local vendors such as Briggs Leather and Hermosa permanent jewelry, wine tastings with several different wine distributors and the debut of a limited-edition tote bag made by J. Stark and screenprinted by local artist Taylor Faulkner. Enjoy free popcorn all day (woo!), select books on sale and a pop-up from De Mare Raw Bar. From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. De Mare will be slinging $1 oysters and $5 bubbles by the glass. All day: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. March 8. Free; $10 wine tastings
Burger Pop-up at Herd Provisions
As part of its March series of burger pop-ups, Herd Provisions hosts chef Chris Coleman of Charlotte-based The Goodyear House to collaborate with Herd’s chef Jeanne Oleksiak on a special burger lunch series. Each week the visiting chef will create their own signature burger to be featured alongside Herd’s classic burger. Proceeds from the series benefit The Southern Smoke Foundation. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 8. Free.
Lowcountry Luau at Low Tide Brewing
Low Tide celebrates nine years on Johns Island with its annual blowout bash featuring food from Rebel Taqueria and Pineapple Express, live music by the Holy City Steel Collective, a limbo contest and more. There will be a specialty can release, a make-you-own seltzer Tiki bar and plenty of Hawaiian shirts. Starts at noon March 8. Free.
Women in Wine at Stems & Skins
This International Women’s Day, join Kellie Holmes, Angie Tunstall and Shelley Lindgren for a celebration of women in wine. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 8. Free.
Lillian’s Rooftop Party
Lillian’s Petite Market & Eatery hosts an unofficial rooftop after party after Saturday’s CHSWF Culinary Village, which is held just around the corner from the Congress Street restaurant. Enjoy music, a photobooth and Lillian’s full cocktail menu, available at the bar. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 8. Free.
Bar Rollins at Lowland
Popular wine bar, Bar Rollins (which shuttered last year, with plans to reopen in the near future), heads to Lowland Tavern for a late-night party featuring wine, cocktails, bites and music from DJ Slowcountry. Snag your tickets on Resy. Doors at 10 p.m. March 8. $25, Book on Resy
167 Raw After Party
167 Raw throws down during this late-night after-party. Guests can look forward to an open bar, raw bar, lobster rolls and other 167 favorites. Enjoy music from DJs Shane Barrett and Jack Callahan. Doors at 10 p.m. March 8. $150/per person, book on Resy
Slow Fish + Slow Wine at Counter Culture Coffee
Last year Slow Fish + Slow Wine got together to throw an impromptu party during Wine + Food and it was such a hit, they’re bringing it back this year. Enjoy Tarvin Seafood’s shrimp dip alongside “slow-minded” wines. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. March 9. Free.
Cloudy with a Chance of Booze After Party
Join local foodie influencers Cookin’ With Booze and Cloudy With a Chance of Vodka for an unofficial CHSWF after party at Rebel Taqueria. Guests can enjoy food specials from Luis Martinez and tunes from DJ Sparkbox. Starts at 9 p.m. March 9. Free.
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