Deep into the summer, things have come to somewhat of a turtle-like crawl, but in the case of Summer Fest '09, that's a good thing because that crawl is between bars. Kicking off Friday and going through the weekend, the Equality Florida Bar Crawl joins with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to present a musical chairs of sorts for adults, with some of South Beach's best -- and only -- gay bars hosting various events. That's Score, Palace, Halo, Twist, as well as equal opportunity spots like Hotel Victor and the Tides Hotel. The weekend's festivities will be emceed by drag stars Geraldine and Fernan-D-Cute. A slew of events is planned -- Friday's Fashionista Fest at The Tides (8-11 p.m.) and Meltdown, the official Summerfest Women's Event at the Catalina Hotel's Maxine Bistro and Bar and Bamboo Pool Deck featuring DJ Nancy Starr (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.), Saturday's Sunburst Brunch at the Palace (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and Summer Storm at Score (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.), and Sunday's T-Dance and Pool Party at the Victor (1-6 p.m.), and Bar Crawl from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. Many of the venues offer up to three free Belvedere cocktails or Bud Lights. For specific information on events, venues and ticket prices (at the time of this writing tickets for the entire weekend were $50 in advance with 100 percent of proceeds going to the task force and Equality Florida) call 305-509-2700 or e-mail info@thepinkdollar.com. Not included in the price -- a cab, if need be.

From cabs to Cabernet, consider Capital Grille's Master Wine Tasting Event, an opportunity to try unlimited tastings of wines from Argentina, South Africa, Spain and California for $10 at lunch and $25 at dinner. The tastings, featuring 11 to 12 selections selected by the meatery's master sommelier George Milotes, are available until Aug. 23. If you do imbibe, we highly recommend a cab, too.

Same goes for happy hour at the newly opened Searock, 1400 20th St. near Miami Beach's Jetsonian Publix, where from 6-10 p.m. Thursdays the caipirinhas are flowing and the Spanish rock music is blaring. The place, whose name reminds us of the old days at Sushi Rock Cafe, bills itself as a local fresh seafood restaurant with live rock 'n' roll, a full bar, menu with items named after popular bands (Red Hot Chili Pepper Ceviche, for instance) no lines and no cover. We checked it out last weekend and although it was hardly rocking and there was no live music, just some Pink Floyd emanating from an iPod, we ordered some calamari and a tuna cake named after Queen and that rocked us. A few doors down at Shiso, a stellar scene of under-the-radar hipsters sipping, or in some cases, chugging, sake, to the tunes of an excellent DJ who created a vibe that was definitely not Miami and definitely a welcome change.

Live music reigns at Poplife at the White Room (1306 N. Miami Ave. in Miami) on Saturday, when Black Moth Super Rainbow plays along with Serengeti and Polyphonic. Tickets are $10 and complimentary Patron cocktails will be served from 9-11 p.m.

Live music is also on the menu at the newish Bancroft Supper Club, 1501 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach, where, in our opinion, the real headliner is the cuisine of Timo chef/owner Tim Andriola, who has developed a menu of organic and natural foods, using organic produce, artisanal cheeses and sustainable fish from local farmers whenever possible.

No luck needed for the full moon, which gets its own party at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach's Dilido Beach Club from 7-11 p.m. Thursday, with world lounge music by DJ Edwin Adams, discounted cocktails and beer, free (but hopefully sanitary) flavored hookah pipes, high-tech telescopes and food by top chef Jeff McInnis. Best of all, no cover charge.

No charge, either, at Club 50 at the Viceroy's new Wednesday Jazz Nights with singer Liset Alea, featuring free Atlantico Rum cocktails from 7-8 p.m. and drink specials until 11 p.m. Seems that this is the summer of discounted drinks, and why not? After all it's essential to stay hydrated in this heat.

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