Secret Society bashes

Next week, the upscale W.A. Frost kicks off a quartet of quasi-exclusive cocktail parties running through next summer. Billed as Arcanum: The Secret Society Series, each bash will be at "formerly hidden venues" in St. Paul, which "may include" the St. Paul Athletic Club, the University Club and private Summit Avenue homes. Details will be released to ticket holders a month before each event, but Tuesday's opener is at the old Commodore Hotel-turned-condo building. Expect food, drink and a 1920s theme. Gambling and "speakeasy debauchery" are promised, but the last one's probably on you.

6-9 p.m. Tue., $110 single event, $300-$425 packages, 79 N. Western Av., St. Paul, www.arcanumsecretsociety.com

Insight on tap

Brewery-fertile northeast Minneapolis adds another notch on its beer belt Friday as Insight Brewery Co. opens its taproom. Co-founder Ilan Klages-Mundt cut his teeth at breweries in England, Japan and Denmark during 2010 and 2011 before opening Insight with partners Kevin Hilliard, Brian Berge and Eric Schmidt. Somewhat drawing on around-the-world styles and flavors, the Nordeast newbie will feature a London-style brown porter, West Coast IPA, saison, English premium bitter and taproom-only yuzu pale ale.

Opening night hours are 4 p.m.-midnight Fri. 2821 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls., www.insightbrewing.com

Distillery tasting in Duluth

The waiting game is over. Minnesota's first full-fledged distillery tasting room opened last week. Well, technically Duluth's Vikre Distillery opened its Canal Park "visitor center" this spring, although they couldn't sell a proper cocktail until a city ordinance change was approved. Takeaway sales are still a no-no at Minnesota distilleries and they can't serve alcoholic products that they don't make (no cocktails with vermouths, liqueurs, etc.). We'll be seeing more tasting rooms in the not too distant future, but until then swing by Vikre.

3-8 p.m. Thu. through Sat. 525 Lake Av. S., No. 102, Duluth, 1-218-481-7401, www.vikredistillery.com

MICHAEL RIETMULDER