Chef Kelly Burton is set to host an Italian-themed cheese and charcuterie board-building class this Thursday at Crystal Springs Hideaway. This event is just one highlight among several food and beverage gatherings taking place this month. With Dry January, Valentine’s Day, and Mardi Gras on the horizon, there’s plenty to explore.
On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 6 PM to 9 PM, TX Whiskey Ranch, located at 2601 Whiskey Ranch Rd in Fort Worth, invites guests to Whiskey Wednesday. The evening features a barbecue from Jason Wilson of Meat Therapy and live music by the Squeezebox Bandits. Tickets, priced at $11.99, grant access and include your first cocktail, with barbecue available for separate purchase. Guests must be 21 or older to attend.
The following day, Chef Burton’s class runs from 6 PM to 8:30 PM at Crystal Springs Hideaway, situated at 113 Roberts Cut Off Rd in Fort Worth. For $100 per person, participants will create their own cheese and charcuterie board to take home, enjoy a signature Italian cocktail along with a demonstration, and partake in an Italian wine tasting. Reservations are recommended.
From Thursday, January 15, to Sunday, January 18, Maple Branch Craft Brewery will celebrate comfort food with a Gourmet Mac ’n’ Cheese Flight for $24. This flight features four unique takes on the classic dish, each paired with a different craft beer: Four Cheese Mac with breadcrumbs and truffle oil matched with My Main Squeeze blood-orange hazy IPA; Hatch Green Chile Mac paired with Monkey Business hefeweizen; Nashville Hot Chicken Mac with Czech Ya Later Czech pilsner; and BBQ Mac topped with pulled pork and paired with Sir James Bock.
In addition, Rockfish Seafood Grill is celebrating its 28th anniversary with special promotions. Diners can enjoy $6 volcano shrimp, $4 small Rock-a-ritas, and $3 cups of gumbo. Customers can also receive $5 off Fish Market menu items from Thursday to Sunday, with locations in Fort Worth at 6333 Camp Bowie Blvd and in Arlington at 3785 S Cooper St.
On Saturday, January 17, the festivities continue with the 10th annual Bloody Mary Brunch & All-Western Parade Viewing Party at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse from 10 AM to 1 PM. Tickets are available for $200, with proceeds supporting Wish with Wings, a nonprofit dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of young Texans facing life-threatening conditions.
From noon to 5 PM, Martin House Brewing will kick off Winter Fest, encouraging attendees to don bright neon retro attire reminiscent of an ’80s ski lodge party. The event includes a hot chocolate bar for children and adults, live music from Whiskey Boys, and the unveiling of a new version of Our Pet’s Heads Are Falling Off, an 8% Hazy IPA. Entry requires a $20 wristband, which includes a souvenir glass and four 12-oz pours.
Fort Worth locals are invited to connect with Mardi Gras Near Southside at 5 PM at Liberty Lounge, located at 1501 E El Paso St. Participants can join the annual Queer Crawl Bar Crawl, moving from Liberty to Jackie O’s and Reflections. This event has no entry fee, and guests are encouraged to wear flamboyant carnival-themed outfits.
On Wednesday, January 21, Cuisine for Healing, a nonprofit focused on providing nutritious meals for those battling illness, will host a fundraising event called Cocktails for a Cause at Atlas Cocktail Bar from 5 PM to 8 PM. Attendees are encouraged to make a small donation to support the cause.
For those choosing to abstain from alcohol, the upcoming issue of Alive & Kicking will feature options for Dry January in its Last Call column.
