Miami Grand Prix, Kentucky Derby, and May the Fourth
Plus Cinco de Mayo and Meatball is a saucy lovebug
There’s a lot to do this weekend — the F1 Miami Grand Prix, the Kentucky Derby, May the Fourth, and Cinco de Mayo — let’s get to the good stuff.
Oh, before we do — here’s a little reminder to tip your writer! If you’re sick of tip culture, then let’s call it buying me a beer! Subscribe now and keep me in hazy IPAs, please. Thank you!
F1 Miami Grand Prix
It’s race weekend in Miami and things are heating up. While the actual Miami Grand Prix is Sunday, there are qualifiers on Saturday. Here are some things you should know if you’re attending.
First and foremost — getting there is going to be a nightmare of epic proportions. Expect to sit in traffic for an hour or more just to get close to the Miami Autodrome (known every other weekend of the year as Hard Rock Stadium).
Also a friend told me that parking is $100 and, of course, Ubers are discouraged due to surge pricing. Add into the mix that Donald Trump is supposed to be at the race on Sunday (which means Secret Service) and you’ve got the perfect storm for delays and frustration. You’re going to need a $45 cocktail once you finally arrive.
Before you go in, take heed of bag restrictions: The only items allowed are clear plastic bags that do not exceed 12′ x 6″ x 12″, small bags or fanny packs that do not exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″, empty plastic or silicone drinking containers up to 32 oz, or diaper bags (that are subject to search). Aerosol cans (including sunscreen) are also prohibited.
Once you’re inside, however, you’ll find food and drink from a host of Miami’s favorite restaurants and chefs including Karla Hoyos, Michael Schwartz, Brad Kilgore, Cesar Zapata, and Michelle Bernstein. Keep your eye out for favorites like Cheeseburger Baby, Ms. Cheezious, and Sweet Liberty — also at the event.
If you go, look out for me — I’ll be there on Sunday. Life in the Fastlane!
Watch the cars go round and round at the Miami Grand Prix; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at 347 Don Shula Dr., Miami Gardens; f1miamigp.com.
Kentucky Derby Day
Get prepared to watch the most exciting two minutes in sports tomorrow at Batch New Southern Kitchen & Tap in Fort Lauderdale. Get dressed to impress with your Derby hats and seersucker suits and enjoy mint juleps and the finest Southern fare in South Florida. There will be prizes for the best hat and the best dressed person and pick the Trifecta for a $1,000 gift card! Run for the Roses!
Wear your finery at Batch Southern Kitchen, 525 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale; batchsouthernkitchen.com.
May the Fourth Be With You
If you’re a Star Wars fan, then I need not explain tomorrow, May the Fourth. If you’re not, take a moment to say the date out loud: MAY…THE…FOURTH (be with you).
To celebrate this momentous day for Star Wars fans (myself included — though only the ones that have Han Solo in them), there are two beer-related options for cosplaying your Star Wars dream:
J. Wakefield May the Fourth
J. Wakefield is Miami’s epicenter for all things Star Wars. Come out for a Star Wars-themed selection of beers on tap, along with a Star Wars-themed IPA can drop and a Star Wars-themed BA stout bottle drop. There’s also a Star Wars costume contest, a Star Wars Lego building contest, Star Wars-themed burger menu items by Cowy Burger, and Star Wars trivia at 7 p.m. While you’re drinking, Star Wars will be played on the main TV all day. The Force is Strong With This One!
Wookies are optional at 120 NW 24th St., Miami; jwakefieldbrewing.com
The May the Fourth Be With You Four Mile Fun Run at Funky Buddha
This annual four-miler starts and ends at Funky Buddha. Entrants (ummmm…Jedis in training) will receive a light saber to run with (along with a t-shirt). When you have completed your task, young Jedi, you will be rewarded with a beer. Stay for other Star Wars-themed beers, a costume contest, and more fun. Han Shot First!
Run like a Bantha is chasing you at Funky Buddha Brewery, 1201 NE 38th St, Fort Lauderdale. The race starts at 6:30 p.m. To register, visit splitsecondtiming.com.
Cinco de Mayo
If you’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo, there’s only one place for me — my friend Ralph Pagano’s Naked Taco. Go to any of his locations and you’ll find drink specials, Dia de los Muertos Catrinas, fire dancers, free shots, a DJ, great tacos, and more. I swear — if you haven’t been to a Naked Taco Cinco celebration, you haven’t been to a great Cinco celebration! Cinco de Drinko!
Get your drink on at Naked Taco (various locations); lovenakedtaco.com
Meatball is a Saucy Lovebug
If there’s one thing I know, it’s that everyone love a meatball — so why not take this saucy treat home with you forever? Meatball is a three-year-old male brown brindle terrier mix. His number is A2334465 and he’s currently in receiving.
Batch Gastropub is the sponsor of our dog adoption section. If you adopt one of these guys (or any dog because of Miami Checklist), Batch will supply you with a gift card for the amount of the adoption from MDAS. So get a dog, get a burger…or something like that. Contact me for details.
Meatball is one of hundreds of dogs available at Miami-Dade Animal Services. If you’re looking to bring a new best friend into the family, this is the place to start your search. Adoptions are only done in person, and you should bring a current picture ID and proof of current address. Dogs older than four months carry a $65 adoption fee and puppies are $85 — all dogs come home fully vaccinated, are dewormed, and have been spayed/neutered. In other words, adopting a dog is the best deal in Miami. Saucy!
Get Meatball at Miami-Dade Animal Services. 3599 NW 79 Ave., Doral; 305-884-1101; miamidade.gov/animals
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