Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any additional questions about Taste of Pearl that are not addressed below, please contact our Event Department.
General Event & Check-In
What if it rains or snows?
Taste of Pearl will not be canceled in the event of inclement weather. We recommend dressing for the weather and bringing an umbrella in case of rain. All host locations are indoors, so you need only go outside to travel between them.
Where do I park?
Downtown Boulder is home to 6 parking structures and 5 parking lots, along with on-street metered spaces -- over 4,000 parking spaces! Parking in City of Boulder Garages is FREE on Saturday and Sundays, and metered parking is FREE on Sunday. Please see Downtown Boulder's Parking page for additional information, alternative mode options and maps.
Where do I check in?
VIP ticket holders should bring your ticket to Event Check In at the 1300 Block of Pearl Street on Sunday, April 6th beginning at 12:45 pm. The VIP portion of the event will begin at 1 pm. Please bring valid photo ID for every person in your party.
General Admission ticket holders should bring your ticket to Event Check In at the 1300 Block of Pearl Street on Sunday, April 6th beginning at 1:45 pm. The event begins at 2:00 pm. Please bring valid photo ID for every person in your party.
What should I wear and should I bring anything with me?
You will be strolling around downtown, so comfortable shoes are a must. If rain is forecast, an umbrella. Please make sure every member of your party brings their ticket and photo ID to check-in and to provide proof that you are over 21.
May I shop at the venues during the event?
Absolutely! In fact, most of the hosting retail locations have special offers for Taste of Pearl attendees, including exclusive drawings and gifts with purchase. Check out the Special Offers page or see each host retail location for details. Every purchase at a host location also provides an entry into our Taste of Pearl Giveaway drawing exclusively for attendees.
Don't want to carry your goodies with you at the event? No problem, you can use the Conscience Bay Company Wine/Spirit Check for these purchases as well. Our runners will collect items throughout the afternoon and take it to the Conscience Bay Company Wine/Spirit Check - located at the Visitor Information Center kiosk on the NE corner of 13th & Pearl.
Is this a family friendly event?
We recommend that children not attend Taste of Pearl as it is an adult-oriented event. Ticket holders must be 21 years of age or older. Furry family members should be left at home. Please contact our Event Department for further information.
How do you ensure that the lines won't be too long at each location?
The event has starting points at four different host locations to ensure that attendees are spread out throughout the event. If a line is long at one of the venues, you are of course welcome to continue on to the next and circle back.
Ticketing
How do I get my tickets?
You will receive an email confirmation with your ticket and may bring either a print out or electronic ticket to event check-in, but all ticket holders must check in at the event check-in located at the 1300 Block of Pearl Street on the day of the event. We are also able to find tickets under the last name of the person who purchased the tickets with their valid photo ID. VIP ticket holders may check in beginning at 12:45 pm. General Admission ticket holders may check in beginning at 1:45 pm. Please bring valid photo ID for every person in your party.
Do you offer a special ticket for Designated Drivers (DD's)?
No, there is no special ticket for DD's, though we do appreciate them!
What forms of payment are accepted?
We accept all major credit cards (American Express, Visa, Mastercard and Discover Card).
If tickets are still available the day of the event where can I purchase them?
If tickets are still available you may purchase them at the event check-in on the 1300 block of the Pearl Street Mall. VIP tickets will NOT be available for purchase the day of the event.
I purchased my tickets, but I didn't get a confirmation or e-ticket - what should I do?
Our confirmation email containing the ticket may have been caught by your spam filter. Please contact our Events Department and we will re-send it.
I purchased tickets, but now I can't use them - can I get a refund?
Tickets are non-refundable, but you may transfer your tickets to someone else before 5:00 pm on Thursday, March 27th by contacting the Events Department.
After Thursday, March 27th, tickets will be listed under the purchaser's name however you may still give them to anyone who is 21 years of age or older and has a valid photo ID.
When I click on Buy Tickets, it says they are sold out. Can you please just sell me two more?
Sorry, we are unable to sell additional tickets to the event. Because of the nature of the event, we sell a limited number of tickets to Taste of Pearl to ensure a quality experience for our attendees. You may join the waitlist and if tickets become available, you will receive a notification with a deadline to purchase the available tickets.
VIP Ticket Holders
What is included with the VIP Ticket?
The VIP ticket includes all the benefits of the General Admission ticket plus early VIP check in at the event on Sunday, April 6th from 12:45 pm to 1:45 pm, an exclusive cooking demonstration hosted by Food Lab (1825 Pearl Street); a signature complimentary cocktail at the new Boulder Spirits tasting room (1428 Pearl Street); and a one-of-a-kind wine tasting experience at Frasca Food and Wine (1738 Pearl Street).
I am a VIP ticket holder, when is my demo at Food Lab and wine tasting at Frasca?
Upon checking in, all VIP ticket holders will receive an additional paper ticket with assigned Food Lab demo and Frasca wine tasting times. To avoid congestion and to be courteous to Food Lab and Frasca staff, please only attend the demo/wine tasting at your scheduled times. Please make sure to arrive on time as they will begin promptly at the scheduled times.
Food & Drink
What are the pairings?
Restaurant and winery/distillery pairings are carefully selected by the chefs and vintners to create a delicious combination. Partnering businesses get to decide if they promote their pairings in advance or wait to reveal through the event program available at event check-in.
Will the wineries and distilleries be selling their wine/spirits?
Yes, most of the participating wineries and distilleries will be selling wine/spirits by the bottle. Each ticket holder will receive a $2 Off Coupon good for the bottle of wine or spirit of your choosing. Not all of our partners choose to sell their product at the event.
What if I want to buy wine/spirits, but don't want to carry it around with me all afternoon?
The wineries and distilleries have been provided with check-tags for each bottle of wine/spirit you buy. Take your tag and leave your bottle(s) with the winery/distillery at the venue. Our volunteer runners will collect wine throughout the afternoon and take it to the Conscience Bay Company Wine/Spirit Check - located at the Visitor Information Center kiosk on the NE corner of 13th & Pearl. You may pick up all of your wine/spirits at once there when you are ready to leave the event. All wine/spirits purchases must be picked up by 6:30 pm.
How big are the portions?
Food portions are determined by chefs from each restaurant, typically a bite-sized taste. A wine sample is a one ounce pour, though many participating wineries will sample more than one type of wine. A spirit sample is a quarter ounce pour. We encourage our participants to provide a small bite that can be sampled with a one ounce pour of wine.
Are there vegetarian and gluten-free options?
Specific menu choices are left up to the chefs from each restaurant to determine. While some may offer vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, if you have food restrictions, you may not be able to try everything at every venue.
Is there time to visit all 15 locations?
Absolutely. We encourage you to visit event check-in at the 1300 Block of Pearl Street no later than 2:30 pm, but you should have ample time to visit all of the participating retail host locations.
Still have questions about Taste of Pearl? Contact our Events Department