The city loves the attention as much as we love a good pint after a warm sunny day. We are lucky to have our pick of several micro-breweries in the area, some just a few blocks (what’s up Marble?) from our downtown Albuquerque hotel.  The great part about this is we at the Hotel Andaluz get to keep our emphasis on local, by featuring local brews in our rooftop terrace, Ibiza and our lobby bar.

We are even more stoked when we get to celebrate ABQ Beer Week with our fellow bars and restaurants. ABQ Beer Week is a week full of events from beer tastings, brewery tours, tap takeovers and our event Taps & Apps on Tuesday, April 30th. We’ve invited four local breweries (Marble, Il Vicino, La Cumbre & Bosque Brewing) and paired their best brew with our tantalizing appetizers. This happy hour-style event is going to rock, and you don’t want to be left out. Make your reservations with Lauren right now 505.923.9013.

Cheers boys and girls to Albuquerque and ABQ Beer Week! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for updates on all event at the Hotel Andaluz. We hope to see you real soon…

Taste NM history in our many varieties in wine.

You may have heard that Hotel Andaluz had teamed up with local winery Milagro Vineyards and Winery located in Corrales, NM just outside Albuquerque. This was the launch of our wines dinners at Hotel Andaluz. This concept isn’t new, but it’s something wanted to bring to the heart of Downtown Albuquerque.

We were really excited to bring fans of Milagro to the hotel. Our chef prepared an exquisite menu paired with Milagro wines. Wine maker and Milagro founder Dave Hobson was on hand to tell us about each wine, it’s flavors and how to best enjoy Milagro Wines. The event was sold out and we saw lots of happy faces when the event concluded.

This was the first of many events planned for Hotel Andaluz in 2013. In the coming weeks we want to tell you all about our refreshed menus in Lucia, our revamped happy hour and the re-opening of the Ibiza rooftop patio. For our next Wine Dinner we have teamed up with another local winery, Casa Rondena. We are working on the details but mark your calendars for Wednesday, February 27^th. And if wine isn’t quite your forte, we are planning a sister event with local brewery La Cumbre. We’ll be hosting a beer happy hour with appetizer parings on February 15^th.

Keep checking hotelandaluz.com or ‘LIKE’ us on facebook  more information and how you can make your reservations to join us for some fun. Until next week.

Our mezzanine has been transformed into a local artist’s gallery that has art from corner to corner. Be sure to save a little time next time you’re in to walk through and enjoy these pieces by an array of local artists.

In addition to our mezzanine being transformed, “Art in Action” allows the community to have a behind-the-scenes look at local artists creating their art in the lobby of Hotel Andaluz each month. Eliza Schmid will be featured on Nov. 13^th and J. Waid Griffin, also a painter, will be featured the following evening. Both shows will run from 5 – 8 p.m. Hotel Andaluz will donate a percentage of sales that occur during “Art in Action” to Harwood Art Center, a community outreach program of Escuela del Sol, an independent, non-profit Montessori school founded in 1968. harwoodartcenter.org

“Hotel Andaluz has always had a focus on local artists, which is evident in our mezzanine gallery,” said Howard Jacobs, General Manager of Hotel Andaluz. “This program takes it a step further and our ongoing partnerships with local organizations will give our guests a taste of Albuquerque’s thriving arts scene.” We are really excited about this new partnership and want to invite the community and guests to come experience this with us. Hope to see you on November 13 & 14!

Highlighting New Mexico’s diverse history, six pavilions will span Central Avenue between Third and Tenth Streets, with additional attractions on the adjacent side streets. Even better…the event is free! Between the free children’s activities, car show and an art market featuring artists from all across New Mexico, this event is something the whole family can enjoy. And the event concludes with the Grammy award-winning Los Lobos taking the stage at 9pm.

To learn more, visit the Summerfest website or call 311.

Here are some hot trends for cool events:

Decor

Go bold and combine orange, hot pink and bright yellow for a lively color palette. Using vases of varying sizes, fill with citrus fruits such as tangerines, limes and lemons for a bright and festive look.

If you are looking to create a serene environment that says cool and chic, opt for a color palette that layers shades of white, ivory and khaki or combines white, blue and lilac. Pair these colors with seashells, rocks, sand and driftwood for a traditional “beach-y” look that is also eco-chic!

Dining

Summer in New Mexico can be hot, but we suggest these delectable treats to cool off your summer nights!

Beverages

• Vinho Verde is a great summer wine – light, refreshing and a little bubbly
• White Peach Sangria is a light, sweet departure from the classic red Sangria
• Try a summer twist on a classic cocktail — the Watermelon Margarita!

Foods

• Mango-Pineapple and Strawberry Brochettes with a Meyer’s Rum Mascarpone Dipping Sauce
• Crab Cakes with Roasted Corn Relish can be prepared as bite-size hors d’oeuvres or as an entrée
• Fire up the Barbie and grill Harissa Shrimp Skewers to pair with Roasted Jalapeno-Honeydew Gazpacho
• A grilled Shaved Ham and Manchego Quesadilla with Green Chile & Apple Chutney
• Gourmet popsicles are the new trend! Try our Chef’s Bourbon Peaches and Cream Popsicles

For full recipes of these dishes, CLICK HERE.