Celebrate French independence at one of these Gallic-themed gatherings on and around July 14
The Beehive: The South End dining and music hot spot presents its 17th annual Bastille Day Soirée on July 11 from 5 p.m.–12:30 a.m. Transformed into a French cabaret for the evening, The Beehive boasts live bands and a menu that includes steak tartare and ahi tuna salade niçoise, as well as a Moulin Rouge-style burlesque performance by Mistress Manifest from 8:30–10:30 p.m.
Bow Market: Co-hosted by the French Consulate of Boston, a Bastille Day at Bow blowout takes place at the Somerville food hall a day early on July 13 from noon–6 p.m., featuring food from La Voile, Petit Robert, Formaggio Kitchen and Crémeux French Patisserie along with music and face painting.
Commonwealth Wine School: This Cambridge facility marks the occasion on July 13 from 6:30–8 p.m. with Queso Royale: U.S.A. vs. France, a blind wine and cheese sampling that allows participants to determine the best of the best in both categories.
Formaggio Kitchen (pictured): The Cambridge outpost of this essential stop for gourmet provisions hosts its own France vs. the U.S. of A. clash, pitting the best wines and cheeses from each country against each other in a battle for supremacy. Join this formidable event, which begins seating lucky participants on July 14 at 5:30 p.m., and vote for your favorites in a blind tasting led by the store’s experts.
La Voile: The Brookline location of this fine French restaurant once again hosts the French Library’s Bastille Day Celebration, a family-friendly affair that takes place on both floors of the eatery on July 14 from 5:30–10 p.m. that features French food (croque-monsieurs, anyone?), live music, dancing, face painting for les enfants, glasses of rose for the adults and prizes for the best French outfits.
