Mezcal & Burlesque; Lucha Libre; Tequila Competitions and More at the Ace Hotel
When Shane Finkelstein, producer of the wild and festive Top Taco New Orleans, started Agave Week last year, he had the vision to educate and entertain tequila and mezcal aficionados and service industry personnel through a series of events, dinners, parties and seminars. For Agave Week 2019, Finkelstein continues to expand the series by bringing it to the Ace Hotel with four fun-filled days beginning on Sunday, March 10th and culminating with Top Taco on Thursday, March 14th. Initial lineup of events follows.
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Noon – 4PM: Top Tequila Competition at Ace Hotel
In this exclusive seminar, attendees will learn the nuances of judging spirits for competition from some of the best palates in the industry. Attendees will serve as Peoples’ Choice Judges and participate in the Finals on Tuesday. Registration is limited to 20 spots only.
$165 per person (includes VIP ticket to Top Taco festival and Tuesday’s Final Round of Judging)
2PM – 5PM: Don Julio Scavenger Hunt at Barcadia
Day drinking with Don is back by popular demand starting at Barcadia. This fun and competitive event pits teams against each other as they race through the Warehouse District and French Quarter to find Don Julio clues and win great prizes. $50 per team (4 people maximum per team).
5PM – 8PM: Mezcal seminars, tasting rooms and panel discussions at Ace Hotel
Panels, tasting and discussions include: Scotch Lovers’ Guide to Mezcal; To Tequila & Beyond: An exploration of the Nine Agave Spirits; and a Rare Taste of Mezcal. Visit website for details on times, locations within the Ace Hotel, and pricing (free with VIP or Sunday Day Pass).
8PM – 10PM: Mezcalicious: A Delicious Taste of Mezcal featuring Trixie Minx & Her Burlesque Beauties at Ace Hotel
World Famous performer Trixie Minx will lead an all-star lineup of exhibitionists and artists to the sultry sounds of flamenco guitar. Sample an array of top-flight mezcals and our signature mezcal cocktail in this wildly entertaining event. $40 per person (free with VIP or Sunday Day Pass).
Monday, March 11, 2019
5PM – 8PM: Tequila seminars, tasting rooms and panel discussions at Ace Hotel
Panels, tasting and discussions include: Tequila 101 with Robert Carrillo; Farm to Bar Panel Discussion: Sustainability; and Why Great Tequila is Worth Waiting For. Visit website for details on times and pricing (free with VIP or Monday Day Pass).
8PM – 10PM: A Night in Paradiso: El Tesoro Explores the Five Senses at Ace Hotel
Guests will enjoy a variety of sensory experiences, as they create their own cocktail rim from the El Tesoro Spice Bar, watch a cooking demonstration by a celebrity chef, listen to the sounds of live Latin music by Javier Gutierrez, taste the flavors of agave in the finest tequila, and touch the heart of Mexico in this fascinating event. $40 per person (free with VIP or Monday Day Pass).
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
5PM – 8PM: Tequila seminars, tasting rooms and panel discussions at Ace Hotel
Visit website for details on times, locations and pricing (free with VIP or Tuesday Day Pass).
5PM – 7PM: Top Tequila & Mezcal Competition Finals at Ace Hotel
Finals for the 2nd annual competition, featuring over 100 top agave spirits. Back by popular demand is Guided Judging – attendees will be instructed on the nuances of judging spirits in a competition setting and have the opportunity to sample the winning entries. $20 per person (free with VIP, Top Tequila Competition Monday ticket or Tuesday Day Pass).
8PM – 10PM: Margarita 101 at Ace Hotel
Patron Tequila will shake things up as they teach attendees on how to craft the perfect margarita. Includes class and cocktails. $40 per person (free with VIP or Tuesday Day Pass).
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
9AM – 5PM: Academia Patron: CRT Certification Class at Ace Hotel
Industry members are invited to join Patron Tequila as they host Mexico’s Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT) for an informative educational Award “T” recognition seminar. The class gives attendees a rare opportunity to earn a certificate in tequila education, the only type issued by the CRT. *Includes breakfast and lunch. Class is free but requires advance registration and active ABO card.
5PM – 8PM: Agave Week Tasting Room sponsored by Modelo cocktails at Ace Hotel
(free with VIP or Wednesday Day Pass)
6PM – 8PM: Agave Dinners, TBA
Join brand ambassador from top spirits and some of New Orleans hottest Chefs for pairing dinners at area restaurants. Visit website for up-to-the-minute details.
8PM – 10:30PM – Lucha Libre, location TBA
Presented by Modelo, Olmeca Altos and Paretti Family of Dealerships, Mexico comes to New Orleans in this one-of-a-kind live action wrestling experience featuring some of the best luchadores in the world.
$25 per person General Admission; $35 per person Ringside (free with VIP or Wednesday Day Pass).
AGAVE WEEK PRICING:
- Agave Week VIP All-Access Pass – $99 per person (limited to 200 patrons)
Includes complimentary 4-day passes to all 8PM events, tasting rooms, panels and seminars. *advance registration required for some events. **does not include competition, scavenger hunt or Top Taco admission. - Agave Week Day Pass – $40 per person
Includes complimentary passes to 8PM event, tasting room, panels and seminars for selected day only. *advance registration required for some events. ** does not include competition, scavenger hunt or Top Taco admission. - Individual Agave Week Event Passes – prices vary (see above or visit website)
Thursday, March 14, 2019
7PM – 10PM: Top Taco festival (6PM Entry for VIP & First Tasting), Woldenberg Park
The grand tasting event of Agave Week is the 3rd annual Top Taco festival featuring over 40 of the best restaurants in New Orleans competing to make the top taco and top margarita. Guests can enjoy live Latin music from Otra and Muevelo; exciting brand activations and a new VIP experience – “A Night in Paradiso” sponsored by El Tesoro. Various ticket prices and advance purchase only. A portion of proceeds will benefit Foster Nola – a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children in the city’s foster care system as they transition into adulthood. For pricing, visit www.toptaconola.com.
For Agave Week details, schedule and tickets, please visit www.NolaAgaveWeek.com
For Top Taco details, schedule and tickets, please visit www.toptaconola.com
For discounted hotel packages, visit Ace Hotel Agave Week Discounts.
Stay up to date on Agave Week www.facebook.com/AgaveWeek and Top Taco NOLA at www.facebook.com/TopTacoNOLA and www.instagram.com/TopTacoNOLA.
