Tuesday, October 14
Having a party and don’t know what drinks to serve? The Museum of the American Cocktail has the answer: “The Great Cocktails of the Great Old Hotels, Part I,” a bartending seminar led by Komi’s Derek Brown and museum cofounder Phil Greene, will illuminate the history of classic hotel-bar drinks such as the Rob Roy and Singapore sling (drink samples and appetizers included). The event, which is $45 per person, begins at 6 at the Tabard Inn (1739 N St., NW) near Dupont Circle. For reservations, contact Phil Greene at pgreene@domainedecanton.com; click here  for more.

Wednesday, October 15
Lyon Park hangout EatBar (2761 Washington Blvd., Arlington) is also taking advantage of fall cocktail season. Bartender Gina Chersevani will teach a series of classes showing participants how to use bar tools, invent cocktails, and pair drinks with food. Each class costs $48 a person, and snacks will be provided. Students will leave with recipes and a jar of a house-made bar garnish. For reservations, call 703-905-4215. Chersevani will also hold classes on October 29, November 12, and December 3 and 17.

Thursday, October 16
What did Christopher Columbus have to do with chocolate? Find out during “La Dolce Vita: Chocolate, Grappa, and Wine,” a tasting and lecture presented by the Smithsonian Resident Associates program at DAR Constitution Hall (1776 D St., NW). Food historian Francine Segan will discuss the addictive sweet’s origins and lead a tasting of wine, grappa, and Italian chocolate. It’s $45 per person and begins at 6:45. For tickets, call 202-633-3030; click here for more.

Friday, October 17, and Saturday, October 18
Jackson’s Roasting & Carving Company (933 N. Quincy St., Arlington) is celebrating its grand opening with a two-day fair. On Friday, from 7 to 2, breakfast and lunch specialties will be served, and there will be demonstrations in latte art. From 11 to 4 on Saturday, there will be apple bobbing, pumpkin decorating, an Iron Chef-style sandwich-creating competition, a meat-loaf-slider eating contest, and a live blues band. For more information on the free festivities, call 703-312-1073.

Friday, October 17
Do margaritas and fine art mix? The Cultural Institute of Mexico (2829 16th St., NW) thinks so. At 6:30, it presents “A Taste of Modern Mexico: A Culinary and Artistic Journey,” which gives participants a tour of the mansion and the murals—by painter Roberto Cueva del Rio—that decorate its walls. Chef Patricia Jinich then demonstrates how to prepare a sophisticated Mexican menu as Alex Sotelo pairs each dish with a Napa Valley wine. A buffet dinner will be served. Tickets are $120 per person and must be ordered in advance. For reservations and more information, call 202-633-3030.

Saturday, October 18, and Sunday, October 19
For the 41st year, the St. Mary’s County Oyster Festival celebrates the start of the mollusk harvest. Head to the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds (42455 Fairgrounds Rd., Leonardtown) for a day of live music, an oyster-shucking competition, and an oyster cook-off. The festival runs from 9 to 6 on Saturday and 11 to 6 on Sunday. Admission is $5 per person each day. For more information, click here.

Saturday, October 18
Bark! What’s that, Fido? You’re thirsty for a . . . beer? If you and your pooch haven’t had a chance to crack an Oktoberfest beer, head to the patio of the newly opened Art and Soul (Affinia Liaison Hotel, 415 New Jersey Ave., NW) for its Barktoberfest celebration. Dog owners can sample snacks and flights of local, organic, and microbrew beers, while pups lap up dog-friendly Bowser Beer. The party runs from 3 to 5, and tickets cost $35 per person and $5 per pet (partial proceeds go to the Washington Humane Society). Call 202-393-7777 for more information.

Looking for a new DIY project? Local cheesemaker Bradley Parker of Pipe Dreams comes to Domaso (Hotel Palomar, 1121 N 19th St., Arlington) to lead a class on making your own goat cheese. He’ll also demonstrate a few chevre-friendly recipes, which will then be served with wine pairings. The class runs from 1 to 4 and the $50 fee includes take-home samples of cheese.To register, call 703-894-5104 or email Christianna Sargent at Christianna.Sargent@domasoteca.com.

Sunday, October 19
2941 Restaurant (2941 Fairview Park Dr., Falls Church) hosts a fall cooking class, “The Art of Pairing Wine and Cheese.” Sommelier Stefano Cappelli will talk about his favorite combinations and lead a tasting. The class will be held from noon to 2 and costs $110 per person. Call 703-270-1511 for reservations.

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