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Nashville Zoo is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Your donations and visits support our mission to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership.

Sips for Species

At Nashville's wildest springtime party, enjoy samples of your favorite adult beverages as you stroll through the Zoo, learn about the Zoo's conservation efforts through up-close animal encounters, and enjoy live music and food trucks.

Friday, April 26
6:30 - 9:30 PM

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What to Expect

5oz samples from 40+ of our favorite beverage purveyors
Our favorite local food trucks & more dining options available for purchase
Up-close animal encounters and keeper talks
Explore our DinoTrek After Dark experience and come face-to-face with 20 Jurassic beasts
Live music and animal exhibits scattered along a strolling path (exhibit closing times vary)
This is an adults-only evening fundraiser, guests under age 21 are not permitted
Event is rain or shine - but don't worry, we know how to have a good time in the rain

Featured Musicians provided by Affinity Entertainment

Cay Aliese

Colby Deitz

Bella Raye

Tickets

General Admission - $85*

*Price valid through 4/19. Week-of prices increase by $5 for general admission and for designated driver tickets. Members save $5 per ticket through 4/19.

Designated Driver General Admission tickets available for $45*. You must still be age 21+. You will not receive beverage samples, but you will receive a water and snack voucher at check-in.

$10 from each ticket supports the Zoo's local and global conservation efforts.

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Beverage & Food Truck Vendors

Sips for Species features 40+ of our favorite adult beverage vendors and a variety of local food trucks!

Wines

Beachaven Vineyard & Winery
Bread & Butter Wines
Bully Hill Vineyards
Butter Chardonnay
Freixenet Mionetto
Frugal MacDoogal
Honeytree Meadery
J.Lohr Vinyards
Purple Toad Winery
Total Wine & More
Underwood Wines

Beers

Fat Bottom Brewing
Goat Island Brewing
Laguntias
Shock Top
SweetWater Brewing
TailGate Brewery
Yee-haw Brewing

Seltzers & Spirits

Alma del Jugar
All Hands Craft Cocktails
Beatbox Beverages
Big Machine Distillery Spiked Coolers
Bravazzi
Flying Panda Hard Sodas
Freshie Organic Tequila Seltzers
Lo Siento Tequila
Mamitas Tequila Seltzers
Mom Water Vodka Seltzers
Night Owl Espresso Martinis
Post Meridiem Cocktails
RPC Brands
Spirited Hive
Superbird Tequila Sodas
Surfside Vodka Tea
Teabird Hard Tea
The Long Drink Sodas

Mocktails

Better Than Booze
Fever Tree
Ritual Zero Proof Seltzers
Switters Iced Coffee

Food Trucks

Chivanada
Cousins Maine Lobster
La Pasita
Steaming Goat
The Doghouse
The Love Bus
The Mac Shack
TN Tatercakes

Know Before You Go

Check out a map of the event here »

Event Rules

This event is ages 21+ only, no exceptions. Children are not permitted.
No weapons of any kind.
No illegal substances.
Smoking (including vaping) is only permitted in a designated area, which will be noted on the festival map. Please do not smoke anywhere else. If found smoking in other areas, you will be asked to leave.
No large bags or backpacks. See our bag policy below.
No outside food or beverages. Water will be provided. Empty reusable water bottles are permitted.
No pets on Zoo property - including inside vehicles. Animal control will be contacted about pets left unattended.
Please respect yourself, your fellow Sips patrons and the Zoo property.

Travel Info & Parking

Be responsible. Don’t drink and drive.

Parking at Nashville Zoo will be FREE starting at 6 pm. Please remember that parking is free during the event, but if you leave your car overnight it must be removed from the Zoo between 6 am and 10 am or your car will be towed.

Bag Policy

Featured Conservation Organization: Alliance for Tompotika Conservation (ALTO)

ALTO's work is centered in Sulawesi, Indonesia - one of Earth’s most unique biological areas. At the invitation of local communities, ALTO forges partnerships to protect and restore imperiled species (including the critically endangered maleo, babirusa, sea turtles and more), tropical rainforests and other ecosystems while supporting the dignity and self-sufficiency of local communities.

$10 of each Sips for Species ticket benefits ALTO. Visit the Nashville Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers' Zootique at the event for more ways to support this conservation organization.