Diesel Filling Station: Having trouble deciding whether you should celebrate Cinco de Mayo or the Kentucky Derby this year? Now you don’t have to choose thanks to Diesel Filling Station! Diesel will be celebrating the best traditions from both the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo at “Cinco de Derby” on Saturday, May 5, 2012 beginning at 4 p.m. Specialty menu items will be offered in addition to double drink specials. South of the border themed games, like the Tortilla Toss, will accompany Kentucky flare. Can’t decide between classic Derby or Cinco attire? Diesel has a simple solution: combine them! A fancy hat contest will be held during the event, with prizes awarded to the person with the best Kentucky Derby inspired sombrero! For more information please visit www.dieselatlanta.com or call (404) 815-1820.

Park Tavern: $1 Margaritas, $1 Dos Equis bottles and one of the best patios in Atlanta. Need we say more? www.parktavern.com

Cypress Street Pint and Plate: Cypress Street Pint and Plate is hosting a one-of-a-kind Cinco de Mayo celebration on Saturday, May 5! This special edition of Beer Geek Brunch will take a fresh approach to celebrating the annual holiday we know and love. Cinco de Mayo is, contrary to popular belief, not Mexican Independence Day. It is in fact a celebration of the Mexican Army’s unlikely victory over the French Army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862. In honor of this commonly overlooked fact, Cypress Street has themed the Cinco de Mayo menu to reflect this battle and will feature French beers that will “face off” against Mexican fare. The historically inspired Beer Geek Brunch will be a lively event, not to be missed. From 10a.m. to 2 p.m. diners will choose from a three-course Mexican inspired menu. Aside from the holiday festivities, as always, there will be fourteen beers on tap and forty bottled selections. For more information or to make a reservation call 404.815.9243 or visit Cypress Street Pint and Plate on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/CypressStreet.

D.B.A. Barbecue:  Put your party hat on and celebrate Cinco de Mayo all day and night at D.B.A. Barbecue during “Gringo de Mayo” beginning at 11:30 a.m. and get served by special guest bartender, Johnny Latte a.k.a. The Most Interesting Man in the Highlands. Enjoy $3 Dos XX pints, $5 margaritas, $15 margarita pitchers, and delicious Tex-Mex specials along with the live music of Parker Smith and the Bandwith at 9 p.m. For more information please visit www.dbabarbecue.com.

Bad Dog Taqueria: Pull out your sombreros and celebrate Cinco De Mayo in style with Bad Dog Taqueria. Joining forces with Dolce Vida Organic Tequila, Bad Dog will offer specialty cocktails and drink specials including $5 house margaritas and $7 FatAss Skinny Margaritas. Come hungry because Bad Dog will also be debuting their new Empanadas. Diners can choose from traditional brown beef empanadas, spicy chicken and black bean empanadas, and vegan roasted Poblano empanadas. T-shirts, koozies, and more will be given away courtesy of Dolce Vida Tequila. For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/BadDogTaqueria or call 404.370.8822.

The Real Chow Baby Ponce – At The Real Chow Baby on Ponce, Cinco de Mayo is more than a daylong celebration! Visit Chow Baby now through May 12 for a variety of Cinco de Mayo Drink Specials like the Bloody Mariachi, a tequila twist on the classic Bloody Mary and Jose Cuervo and 1800 Margarita pitchers! For more information please visit Chow Baby’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/chowbabyponce.

Tongue and Groove: The legendary Tongue and Groove is throwing down as usual on Saturday night. Join them for Glam Slam Saturday and receive $6 Corzo shots and Margaritas in honor of Cinco de Mayo! Please visit www.tngonline.com for more information.

P’cheen International Bistro & Pub: Join the crew at P’cheen for “Montezuma’s Revenge”, a party on May 6 for those that need a hangover cure to get their head straight the day after Cinco de Mayo. Ice cold Coronas, bottomless Mimosas, a DJ on the curb. What else could your hangover need? P’cheen’s delicious lunch menu featuring international sandwiches, delicious appetizers and an extensive beer and spirits collection will also be available. Please call (404) 529-8800 or visit www.pcheen.com for more information.

C3 Presents and MCP Presents have joined forces to bring CounterPoint, a new two-day music and arts festival, to Atlanta, Georgia this September 28 and 29, 2012. The multi-stage festival with camping options will be held at the location of 2007′s The Echo Project, a 350-acre, scenic Chattahoochee river front property just south of metropolitan Atlanta. Partnering with local businesses, restaurants, artists and more, CounterPoint is expanding upon the format of its predecessor with the inclusion of interactive elements throughout the festival grounds. In addition to a stellar music lineup, planned environments include an arts village, extreme sports demonstrations, a beer garden featuring local breweries, a food truck component, local chefs, and a college football viewing area.  Detailed information and performers will be released in the coming weeks.

Produced by C3 Presents (Austin City Limits Music Festival, Lollapalooza) and MCP Presents (Camp Bisco, Lights All Night, The Echo Project), CounterPoint marks the first partnership for the two companies.

“As the Southeast’s beacon of culture and diversity, Atlanta is the ideal location to launch CounterPoint.” states CounterPoint Co-Producer and MCP Partner Brett Keber.  ”We are partnering with local vendors, restaurants, chefs,  breweries,  artists and musicians in order to create a world-class event that is also uniquely Atlanta.”

Located approximately 30 minutes travel time from Downtown Atlanta, Georgia, CounterPoint plans on bringing the city to the pristine festival site. Elements such as preferred viewing areas, VIP table service, multiple VIP levels, and car service will be available. Daily express shuttle service to and from Atlanta as well as day parking will also be offered for those guests not wishing to camp onsite.

Ticketing details and travel packages will be announced in the coming weeks. Visit  www.counterpointfestival.com for the most up to date information. Stay connected on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cntrpntmusic and on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/cntrpntmusic.

99X, the popular Atlanta alternative radio station, which is now on-air at 98.9FM, has announced its performer lineup for the 10th annual 99X Unplugged in the Park free concert series at Park Tavern. Celebrating a decade of free live music, every summer 99X encourages music fans get up close and personal with some of today’s best singer-songwriters and bands from the Southeast and beyond. This year’s performer lineup features the return of Unplugged veterans like The Whiskey Gentry, Charlie Mars, Kevn Kinney and Griffin House along with newcomers Packway Handle Band, Will Turpin and The Way, and Delta Saints. The weekly series is presented by 99X Organic X and is hosted by Matt Jones and will begin on May 6 and run every Sunday through September 30, 2012.  The free concert series is for ages 21 and up. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information and to see the full lineup, visit 99X online at www.99X.com/unplugged.

D.B.A. Barbecue is excited to pig out for National Pig Day at The Pig Out on Thursday, March 1, 2012 beginning at 6 p.m. In true pig out fashion, D.B.A. will suspend its regular food menu and replace it with an all-you-can-eat buffet for only $20! An array of pork barbecue cooked to perfection in the 1000 lb. Southern Pride Smoker will headline the buffet menu that will also feature suckling pig, ribs, bacon, pork rinds and pork inspired sides and dessert items, like bacon potato salad and candied bacon chocolate cake.  To help wash all that food down, specialty drinks for the evening include an assortment of moonshine for only $3 and $3 Red Hare Lager. For more information please visit www.dbabarbecue.com.

Free Ice Skating at The Rink at Park Tavern – An ideal alternative to the traditional Valentine’s Day dinner date for couples or friends looking for something fun and interactive to do on Valentine’s Day, Park Tavern is offering FREE ice skating at The Rink on February 14 with a $15 voucher that is good towards any food and drink purchase. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.xorbia.com/d/parktavern/. For more information about Park Tavern or The Rink visit www.parktavern.com.

Cypress Street Pint & Plate’s Blackout Valentine’s Day: If you’re looking for an alternative to fancy Valentine’s Day outings and frosty PBRs are more your style, Cypress Street Pint and Plate’s Blackout Valentine’s Day Party on Tuesday, February 14th is the place to be. From 7 p.m. to midnight. Cypress is turning out the lights (literally) and guests can enjoy Valentine’s Day treats like $1 PBRs, ½ off bottles of wine, specialty Sublime Doughnuts and beer pairings, and $2 Cypress Street House Ale by candlelight. For more information, please visit www.cypressbar.com or call 404.815.9243.

Dine Out with D.B.A. Barbecue Benefiting the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research: D.B.A. Barbecue’s got a big heart this Valentine’s Day. On Tuesday, February 14th, D.B.A.’s owner and chef Matt Coggin is hosting “Dine Out at D.B.A.” in support of the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research.  Diners and bar-goers alike can take advantage of the full menu and are invited to enjoy his music, a special screening of Blues Man: The Life and Times of Sean Costello, giveaways, drink specials and more. The evening begins at 5 p.m. and 20% of the night’s sales will be donated to the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research. For more information, please visit www.dbabarbecue.com or call 404.249.5000.

STK Atlanta: Spend the sexiest night of the year at Atlanta’s newest hot spot. STK Atlanta’s first Valentine’s Day will be a night filled with fabulous food, drinks, and jewelry. Chef Jeremy Miller has crafted a special three-course menu for the evening that includes Kumamoto oysters, a bacon wrapped Brandt Beef tenderloin for two, and a luscious chocolate and cherry torte. The full dinner menu will also be available for guests seeking the fare that has put STK on Atlanta’s culinary map. Honesty Jewelry will host a trunk show for those last minute Valentine’s gifts and one lucky diner will win a wearable piece of Honesty Jewelry art. For more information please visit www.facebook.com/STKATL.

Sun In My Belly Five-Course Valentine’s Day Dinner: Since opening for dinner service last month, Sun In My Belly has been satisfying Atlanta foodies with fresh, artfully prepared dishes 6 nights a week. The Historic Kirkwood eatery is continuing this momentum by treating guests to a very special Valentine’s Day meal on February 11, 12, and 14. The special menu will include 5 incredible courses crafted by head chef Alyson Lueker and a specialty cocktail. $50/person. Visit www.suninmybelly.com or call 404.370.1088 for more information.

Café Circa’s Valentine’s Day Dinner with Francine Reed: Celebrate Valentine’s Day with dinner and the blues at Café Circa on Monday February 13.  Enjoy an intimate dinner that includes three mouthwatering courses as you sway to the sounds of Francine Reed. The special 3-course menu will also be served on Valentine’s Day and the full menu of small plates and delicious entrees will be available for guests craving the Café Circa a la carte menu. Enjoy glamour and intimacy in one place!  For more information and to make reservations visit Café Circa online at www.cafecircaatl.com or call (404) 477-0008

Chow Baby on Ponce – Happy Valentine’s Day, Baby!: Spend Valentine’s Day with Chow Baby on Ponce! Whether you have a hot date, you’re celebrating with your long-term flame, or you’re celebrating being independent, Chow Baby’s got the best drinks in town made with all fresh juices to make your Valentine’s Day truly special. Celebrate with special libations like pomegranate-infused Pama cocktails, champagne, half price wine and more! The best part – enjoy creating your own unique stir-fry dish with an assortment of farm fresh ingredients as many times as you like. For more information please visit www.poncebaby.com or call (404) 671-4202.

Genki Noodles and Sushi – February is I Heart Sushi Month!: For the entire month of February, Genki Noodles & Sushi in The Prado in Sandy Springs, Buckhead and Virginia-Highland will be celebrating I “heart” sushi month. Just for February, Genki will have the “I “Heart” Sushi roll available – a shrimp tempura and cream cheese roll that is topped with tuna, avocado and a wasabi cream and garlic chili sauce and served in the shape of a heart.  Genki will also have tempting Valentine’s Day inspired cocktails, like the Sweethearts Lemonade, all month long for just $6. On Valentine’s Day, each Genki location will also have a special three-course prix fixe menu.  For more information, please visit www.genkiatl.com.

P’cheen International Bistro & Pub – Valentine’s Day at a Neighborhood Haunt: Looking for great food, great drinks, and great service? How about all of that AND 50 percent off? Just grab P’cheen’s ScoutMob deal and head over for a fantastic Valentine’s Day dinner and taste of their homemade infused moonshine. Their seasonally influenced, international cuisine is sure to impress your sweetheart while keeping your wallet intact. For more information or to make a reservation please call: (404) 529-8800. Visit www.pcheen.com or call 404-529-8800 to make reservation

Tongue and Groove Latin Love on Valentine’s Day: Every Wednesday, Tongue and Groove and Flamingo Productions continue their 16-year tradition of hosting the hottest Latin night in town, Latin Elegance Wednesdays, and on Wednesday, February 15th their taking it to a new level. This post-Valentine’s Day celebration will begin free salsa lessons from 9-10 p.m. with Julien Mejia from Salsa Atlanta followed by a high-energy night of live salsa with Ray Sepulveda and his ten-piece band, while DJ King Tito is spinning tropical music in the Main Room.  For more information visit www.tandgonline.com.

To kick off I “Heart” Sushi Month on February 1st, Genki Noodles and Sushi’s Virginia-Highland location will be treating guests to one free specialty I “Heart” Sushi Roll per table. The heart shaped roll – made with shrimp tempura and cream cheese and topped with tuna, avocado and a wasabi cream and garlic chili sauce – will be available all month long at all three Genki locations. Three tempting Valentine’s Day inspired cocktails will also be available throughout the month of February.

Cypress Street Pint & Plate NYE:
Cheers to the New Year at Cypress with good eats and free drinks. The doors will open at 8 p.m. so you can get your celebration started early. Guests can enjoy a free well bar and free house beer from 9 -10 p.m. If you work up an appetite (and it’s certain you will),  the midnight breakfast buffet will satisfy and what NYE party is complete without a champagne toast? Pre-sale party tickets are a steal of only $10 and $15 at the door–so there’s no excuse to miss out!

Cypress Street Pint and Plate is located on the corner of 6th street and Cypress Street at 817 West Peachtree,  Suite E-125,  Atlanta,  Georgia. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 2:20 a.m.,  Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until midnight. For more information,  please visit www.cypressbar.com or call 404.815.9243.

Tongue and Groove – Glitz, Glam & Groove:
Ring in another year of groovin’ at Tongue and Groove’s Glitz,  Glam & Groove New Year’s Eve 2012 celebration. Groove to beats by DJ Huda Hudia and DJ Bobi K all night and pause for a champagne toast at midnight,  snacks and party favors. Dancing is not required,  but recommended. Tickets are $25 in advance and the price increases after December 20th,  so get them while the gettin’ is good at www.tandgonline.com.

Tongue and Groove is located at 565 Main Street in Lindberg City Center,  just off Piedmont Road in Buckhead. Valet and self-parking are available. Call Tongue and Groove at 404.261.2325 and stay connected online at www.tandgonline.com,  on Twitter at @TongueandGroove and on Facebook: The Original Tongue & Groove – Atlanta.

Park Tavern – The Yacht Rock Review NYE Celebration:
Classiest. NYE celebration. Ever. Round up your friend and raise your glasses at Park Tavern this year with the smooth sounds of Yacht Rock Revue and Please rock’s DJ arsenal Quasi Mandisco and DJ MP3.P.O in the Piedmont Room. Ring in the New Year overlooking the midtown Atlanta skyline with an open bar,  all-inclusive drinks and food,  including fresh sushi,  gourmet hors d’ouvres and s’mores (yes, you read correctly). Doors open at 9 p.m. and the party will rock on until 2 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.parktavern.com.

Park Tavern is conveniently located on the corner of 10th and Monroe in Midtown at 500 Tenth Street NE,  Atlanta GA 30309. For more information,  visit www.parktavern.com or call 404.249.0001.

P’cheen International Bistro & Pub – New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day:
Munch on a late night breakfast buffet at your favorite neighborhood haunt,  P’cheen. They’ll be serving up some yummy breakfast foods to bring in the New Year deliciously and the best part? It’s free. If your NYE party plans are already set in stone,  then P’cheen surely has your New Years Day covered for their annual New Years Day Leftover Party. The afternoon will be filled with traditional New Year’s Day fare,  tunes by 10 different DJs and drink specials all night long. Who doesn’t love a good after party?

A neighborhood institution,  P’cheen has become known for its seasonally influenced, international cuisine, critically acclaimed BBQ, and extensive beer and spirit selection. A contemporary hot spot with a distinct local flare,  P’cheen features rotating work from local artists and guest DJs and offers a modern,  yet unpretentious menu of updated classics. P’cheen is located at 701-5 Highland Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30312. For more information or to make a reservation visit www.pcheen.com or call 404-529-8800.

D.B.A. Barbecue – New Year’s Day:
There’s nothing like following up a late-night celebration with a delicious next-day spread and it will be in abundance at D.B.A. Starting at 11:30AM they’ll be serving up some Fare for Good Fortune with all the good luck grub you can handle,  including collard greens and black eyed peas–the South’s traditionally acclaimed New Year’s Day dishes. Since NYD falls on a Sunday,  alcohol will be served starting at 12:30 p.m. so stick around for $10 bottomless Bloody Marys and Mimosas or a scorching $6 Habanero Moonshine Bloody,  if you dare!

With the primary goal of serving up the best authentic hickory smoked barbecue in Atlanta,  D.B.A. is a favorite local haunt in the heart of the Virginia-Highland neighborhood. D.B.A. offers an expansive barbecue menu with comfort food and eclectic options alike,  this lunch,  dinner and social destination has also become known for its distinctly southern cocktail menu and weekly offerings. D.B.A. Barbecue is located at 1190 N. Highland Avenue NE Suite B Atlanta,  Georgia 30306. For more information,  please visit www.dbabarbecue.com or call 404.249.5000.

Diesel Filling Station – Breakfast All Day on New Year’s Day:
Begin 2012 with a hearty brunch at Diesel Filling Station in the Virginia-Highland all day and night. On New Year’s Day,  January 1,  2012,  starting at 12 p.m. Diesel will serve a special “breakfast all day” menu featuring a diverse selection of its signature brunch items. The expanded menu includes the new Benedict Explosion – a bacon explosion topped with cream cheese on an English muffin,  drizzled with honey and topped with a poached egg and hollandaise; and,  favorites like the vegetarian biscuits and gravy made with veggie sausage; the popular Death Muffin; French toast; and much more.  Couples can also enjoy brunch for two for $25,  which includes two brunch entrees and a choice of a Bloody Mary or mimosa pitcher or a bucket of tall boy beers. For diners in need of a little hair of the dog,  Diesel will offer a variety of Bloody Marys including its signature Bloody Mary that was recently featured in the New York Times.

Conveniently located at 870 North Highland Avenue in the heart of Virginia-Highland, Diesel was inspired by the Virginia-Highlands filling station that once stood in its place. With a decidedly local flare, Diesel offers an expansive high gravity and craft beer selection,  a clever cocktail menu and serves reliable comfort food with a twist. For more information and a full menu and list of events visit www.dieselatlanta.com or call 404-815-1820.

Cafe Circa New Year’s Eve Dinner & Celebration:
If a hotel ballroom and hors d’oeuvres aren’t your thing this year but you still want to celebrate with class and style, Cafe Circa is your spot. Start the night out with an intimate early dinner at 7:30 p.m. that includes three mouthwatering courses. If you’d prefer to dine later,  the second seating will be 9:30 p.m. and help kick off the NYE celebration. Dinner is priced at $45 per adult and the NYE celebration before midnight including Champagne Toast is priced at $15 per adult. Expect party favors,  live DJs and a fabulous rooftop party. Enjoy glamour and intimacy in one place!  For more information and to make reservations visit Café Circa online at www.cafecircaatl.com or call (404) 477-0008.

The Whiskey Gentry’s 3rd Annual Merry Y’all Tide Celebration will be taking place on December 2nd, 8.30p at Variety Playhouse.  Joining the band this year is ‘We Three Keane’s', Packway Handle and Shovels and Rope. Expect drunken Santa to making the rounds for photos with 2TPhoto. The Whiskey Gentry asks that you please make welcome three cans of goods for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, who will be accepting donations at the door the night of the event.

This event is sponsored by Caren West PR, PBR, Georgia Conservancy, Atlanta Community Food Bank & ScoutMob

Dip into D.B.A. Barbecue anytime this Sunday,  November 6th when they join forces with SweetWater Brewing Company for a daylong tap takeover to help raise funds for a great cause.  In addition to stocking their “tap tackle box” full of frosty SweetWater brews including 420,  IPA,  Sch’Wheat,  Georgia Brown,  Festive Ale,  Ghoulash and Crank Tank,  D.B.A. Barbecue will be giving away pint glasses,  brewery passes,  and lots of other great loot. Of course,  the Falcons game will be on at 1 p.m. and Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck is stopping by to give diners and drinkers a special live blues performance from 5 to 8 p.m.  10% of all SweetWater & D.B.A. Barbecue sales will benefit Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper,  an environmental advocacy organization dedicated solely to protecting and restoring the Chattahoochee River Basin. Visit D.B.A. Barbecue online at www.dbabarbecue.com for more information.