Weekend things to do: Autumn-inspired places to chill, getting spooky in Delray Beach

This is the final weekend of summer, technically speaking. Who knew? Some people, apparently. The Fall in Local Market on Saturday will energize the hot spot around Society Las Olas and Bodega Taqueria in Fort Lauderdale, American Social starts celebrating Oktoberfest and there’s a hay maze coming to Miami.

A 20-something acquaintance from Boca Raton, who used to live in downtown Miami, told me recently that the area of downtown Fort Lauderdale around the Wharf, Bodega Taqueria, Society Las Olas, Township and Rooftop is the hottest nightlife destination going in South Florida right now, especially with women. He looked tired.

On Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m., the ladies of Sunny Side Up Market will partner with Society Las Olas to offer the Fall in Local Market on the hip terrace at Society (301 SW First Ave.), distinguished by the massive sculpture “Thrive,” an Instagram star. The market will feature autumn-inspired vendors and artists, music, food trucks and more. Make a purchase and you’ll get a ticket for a free drink at Bodega across the street. Yoga participants (free, 6-7 p.m.) get a free mimosa. Visit Facebook.com/Society.LasOlas.

The tiki-themed hootenanny known as the Hukilau returns this weekend in a new location (the Mai-Kai being sadly unavailable), this year at the Beachcomber Resort & Club in Pompano Beach. One of the most popular public Hukilau events has always been the traditional Sunday afternoon show-closing party with surf guitarist Skinny Jimmy Stingray. It’s back, too, at the popular cocktail bar Death or Glory in Delray Beach, where Hukilau Halloween festivities called “Hereafter Party at Death or Gory in Hellray Beach” begin at 3 p.m. Sunday. For details on the party and Hukilau, check the Atomic Grog blog at Slammie.com/atomicgrog.

Wine Garden in North Beach Village is one of those places that inspires that “you feel like you’re not even in Fort Lauderdale” comments that you hear. It’s not meant as a slight to the city. It’s like a daydream: You drift off to a place that has no real geography, it’s a place of your own conception. Wine Garden is like that, but it’s definitely better as a night dream. You’ll find it down an alley with no sign, which opens up into a beautifully staged piazza, shrouded by trees and vines and warm lighting. And there is wine. Visit WineAndGarden.com.

On Saturday afternoon, a few block away from Wine Garden, more than 30 breweries from here and across the country will be pouring for FemAle Brew Fest at the Kimpton Goodland Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach. As the name suggests, it’s a celebration of women in the beer industry. So it’s an event with “women” and “beer” in the same sentence. What’s not to like? The outdoor, pet-friendly event is from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets cost $45, with a portion of the proceeds going to the no-kill shelter Abandoned Pet Rescue. Visit FemAleBrewFest.com.

Speaking of gender and beer, here’s a brew that, if I may put it this way, I am not man enough to drink. Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA (ABV somewhere in the 15-20% range) will be the featured pour on Saturday when Dogfish Head Miami celebrates 120 days in business in Wynwood. From noon to 11 p.m., the brewery will have specials on 120 — “the holy grail for hopheads,” according to drinkers at TapHunter.com — including as a beer slushy. Hey, now. Dogfish Head fanatics also can look forward to a special selection of vintage 2014 bottles to be popped as long as supplies last. Visit Facebook.com/dogfishmiami.

The 500 block of Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach will erupt on Friday night at Bumblefest, South Florida scenemaker Steve Rullman’s annual modern-rock throwdown. This year’s model will feature headliners Unwed Sailor and hometown heroes Surfer Blood, along with locals Hypoluxo, Cog Nomen, the Dewars, Ben Katzman’s DeGreaser, DirtBike and others. Tickets cost $20 at Bumblefest.com.

Tickets are on sale now for Hay Maze in downtown Miami, a seasonal celebration taking place around an 80-foot by 80-foot labyrinth with a leaf pile in the center. Running Oct. 22-Nov. 7, the event will include a pumpkin wall, food (Salt & Straw, Tacos & Tattoos, Cheeseburger Baby and World Famous) and — at the risk of getting lost in the maze like Kevin Malone — a private beer garden. Hay Maze will be open 1-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Tickets cost $15, $60 for entry to the maze and the beer garden, which will include unlimited beer. Proceeds from Hay Maze will be donated to The Home Team, a charity that assists young students in Miami. Visit MiamiHayMaze.com.

American Social in downtown Fort Lauderdale and Miami’s Brickell District will start their Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday with daylong specials (Sam Adams’ spicy Octoberfest release a highlight) through Oct. 3. Be aware that AmSo has moved its annual stein-holding competition from Sept. 23 to Sept. 30, to give you more time to work out. Visit Facebook.com/AmericanSocialLasOlas.

Argyle Coffee Roasters, a commercial roastery in downtown Fort Lauderdale, recently began rolling up the warehouse doors to offer a weekend pop-up coffee bar, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. The proprietors, husband and wife duo Manny Carrera and Amy Miller, are the perfect people to sit with over a warm cup to talk about coffee. Personal and informed, never pedantic. As they say of the pop-up: “Nothing fancy. Just great coffee.” Argyle is at 729 NW First St., near the intersection of Broward Boulevard and Powerline. Visit Facebook.com/ArgyleCoffee.

Speaking of which, National Coffee Day is Sept. 29 (already?!) and Circle House Coffee in Flagler Village (727 NE Third Ave.) will give you a free Mojo doughnut when you order a large espresso drink (Americanos not included). You can do the drive-through but they have some nice spaces to relax, including a large patio. Visit CircleHouseCoffee.com.

Tickets went on sale Thursday for the popular, pajama-clad Polar Express train rides, a Brightline holiday favorite based on the classic children’s story returning Dec. 11-30 — alas, a Miami-only adventure this year. A traditional sell-out in Fort Lauderdale for years, the Polar Express train rides from Brightline’s MiamiCentral Station will be the setting for a reading of the book as a cast of actors performs during a one-hour trip to meet Santa. Dancing chefs with hot cocoa and cookies and, as in the book, families are encouraged to wear pajamas. Even Dad. Ticket prices range from $50 to $70, depending on date and time. Visit MiamiThePolarExpressRide.com.

The hottest new bar to open in South Florida this season may be at the downtown Fort Lauderdale arts venue The Parker — yes, the new name is just The Parker — which will unveil its $30 million renovation on Wednesday (Sept. 22) with a concert by Firefall, Pure Prairie League and Orleans. It’s spectacular for many reasons, not the least of which is the dramatically larger bar in the new lobby. Not that drinks are why we’re there. But it’s not not why we’re there. The 2021-2022 season will include performances by guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, Los Lobos and Bruce Hornsby, humorists Lewis Black and Patton Oswalt, Bianca Del Rio and Seth Rudetsky, and Broadway star Alan Cumming. Visit ParkerPlayhouse.com.