Cocktails, Tapas, and Bourbon Pecan Pie? Count Me In.
Every First Friday of the month, the streets of Downtown Bryan are transformed into a festival-like celebration of the arts, music, and culture of our vibrant community. While First Friday is a free, family-friendly event to attend and enjoy, there are several ways that I like to elevate my experience into a build-your-own type of adventure.
I usually start the night off at Ronin, partly because of their amazing cocktail menu (there are over 100 to choose from) but mostly because they have half-off cocktails and spirits from 5-6 PM every First Friday. My go-to drink is the Old Fashioned Pecans crafted with their house-made pecan-infused bourbon, pecan sugar, and cherry bitters. Ronin does all sorts of great infusions throughout the year with the very herbs and flowers they grow on their farm located just a few miles away from the restaurant. So, be sure to ask about any seasonal cocktails if you're feeling adventurous. If you're not a fan of Old Fashioneds or Bourbon per se, they have something on the cocktail menu for just about everyone.
Pictured: Ronin Farm and Restaurant
After grabbing a few drinks, head on over to D'Vine Cuisine for some tapas (small, creative appetizers or bites) and live music. If you're not familiar with D'Vine Cuisine, they typically only open for their private supper club dinners, but every First Friday, they host their D'Vine Social Club from 6-10 PM. The Social Club is a free, semi-upscale environment to try some of the tapas D'Vine offers through their caterings or supper dinners. Some of the offerings include blackberry and brie flatbreads, bacon-wrapped chorizo stuffed dates, or mini mojo pork tacos with a fig ancho bbq sauce. Perhaps the best part of the D'Vine Social Club is that the event is BYOB. Yes, you heard that correctly, you can bring your bottle of alcohol (beer and wine only, sorry fellow bourbon drinkers).
Pictured: D'Vine Social Club
The night wouldn't be complete without some dessert and a nightcap, so if you're looking to satisfy either craving, my next stop would be All the Kings Men. While the restaurant is primarily known for its killer BBQ (you NEED to try the candied pork belly if you go for lunch/dinner), they also make one hell of a Bourbon Pecan Pie. And yes, I always get a couple of fingers of bourbon to go along with it.
All the Kings Men
While these are just a few of the stops I enjoy making at First Friday, there are tons of other great restaurants and experiences in Downtown Bryan. Let us know what your favorite places to stop by are when hanging out Downtown!
Christopher Ortegon '21
Special Event Coordinator, Destination Bryan
Every First Friday of the month, the streets of Downtown Bryan are transformed into a festival-like celebration of the arts, music, and culture of our vibrant community. While First Friday is a free, family-friendly event to attend and enjoy, there are several ways that I like to elevate my experience into a build-your-own type of adventure.
I usually start the night off at Ronin, partly because of their amazing cocktail menu (there are over 100 to choose from) but mostly because they have half-off cocktails and spirits from 5-6 PM every First Friday. My go-to drink is the Old Fashioned Pecans crafted with their house-made pecan-infused bourbon, pecan sugar, and cherry bitters. Ronin does all sorts of great infusions throughout the year with the very herbs and flowers they grow on their farm located just a few miles away from the restaurant. So, be sure to ask about any seasonal cocktails if you're feeling adventurous. If you're not a fan of Old Fashioneds or Bourbon per se, they have something on the cocktail menu for just about everyone.
Pictured: Ronin Farm and Restaurant
After grabbing a few drinks, head on over to D'Vine Cuisine for some tapas (small, creative appetizers or bites) and live music. If you're not familiar with D'Vine Cuisine, they typically only open for their private supper club dinners, but every First Friday, they host their D'Vine Social Club from 6-10 PM. The Social Club is a free, semi-upscale environment to try some of the tapas D'Vine offers through their caterings or supper dinners. Some of the offerings include blackberry and brie flatbreads, bacon-wrapped chorizo stuffed dates, or mini mojo pork tacos with a fig ancho bbq sauce. Perhaps the best part of the D'Vine Social Club is that the event is BYOB. Yes, you heard that correctly, you can bring your bottle of alcohol (beer and wine only, sorry fellow bourbon drinkers).
Pictured: D'Vine Social Club
The night wouldn't be complete without some dessert and a nightcap, so if you're looking to satisfy either craving, my next stop would be All the Kings Men. While the restaurant is primarily known for its killer BBQ (you NEED to try the candied pork belly if you go for lunch/dinner), they also make one hell of a Bourbon Pecan Pie. And yes, I always get a couple of fingers of bourbon to go along with it.
All the Kings Men
While these are just a few of the stops I enjoy making at First Friday, there are tons of other great restaurants and experiences in Downtown Bryan. Let us know what your favorite places to stop by are when hanging out Downtown!
Christopher Ortegon '21
Special Event Coordinator, Destination Bryan