Science of Spirits, Brews, & Potions

Friday, October 2 | 6:30 pm - 10 pm | 21+ Step into a night where science meets craft, creativity, and cocktails. Science of Spirits, Brews, & Potions is a 21+ experience that transforms the science center into an after-hours playground filled with interactive exhibits, hands-on experiments, and spirited discoveries. What to Expect: Explore the science behind your favorite drink, then sample the results yourself. This blend of education, entertainment, and spooky October fun makes for one lively, adults-only night! Tickets Include: Tastings of specialty cocktails, mocktails, spirits, wines, and brews Educational demonstrations diving into distillation, fermentation & more Kid-free, after-hours access to the science center Shows in the award-winning Sudekum Planetarium DD tickets enjoy all the above except alcoholic beverage tastings. Tickets: General Admission: $70 Designated Driver: $40 Prices increase by $10 on September 25, 2026. Members save $5.00 Open activities Potion or Poison? Put your senses to the test as you sniff, examine, and guess which mysterious plants, mushrooms, and herbal blends are a potion—or a poison! Rubber Hand Illusion: Discover how your brain can be tricked into perceiving a rubber hand as your own, shedding light on anomalous bodily disturbances Van De Graff: Prepare for a shocking encounter! The Van de Graaff generator builds up powerful static electricity, sending sparks flying and making hair stand on end. Ghost Bubbles: Summon a cloud of ghostly bubbles! Watch as dry ice transforms ordinary bubbles into eerie, fog-filled orbs and explore the science behind sublimation while creating your own spooky spectacle! Spark of Life: Can you complete the circuit and awaken the machine? Use your body to close the electrical path and watch as the multimeter springs to life. Theremin: Make music without ever touching an instrument! Wave your hands through the air and summon eerie, otherworldly sounds from the mysterious theremin. Pepper’s Ghost: Is that a ghost… or just a clever trick of the light? Uncover the science behind this spooky illusion and discover that not all is as it appears! Special thanks to our activity partners: Vanderbilt Body, Mind, and Brain Lab & Nashville Nature Explorers Timed Activities Timed activities have limited capacity/ time slot. Consider attending an early show or line up early to grab your spot. Planetarium Show: Cosmic Frights and Laser Lights | 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm, 9:30 pm Experience an electrifying journey through classic songs that capture the mysterious spirit of October, as dazzling lasers dance across the planetarium sky. Live Science FIRE Show | 7 pm, 8 pm, 9 pm Learn about the chemistry of alcohol and discover which of your favorite liquors makes the best fuel. Fermentation, Flavor & Science Spotlights | Times TBA Go beyond the glass with engaging, science-driven discussions behind the drinks you love. Sassafras: The Potion, the Science & the Ban A crash course in wild fermentation, the untold history of Sassafras, and why the FDA banned this potion Honey, Yeast & Magic: Inside the Science of Mead Honeytree Meadery is here to explore the science behind mead, from the biology of fermentation to the chemistry that shapes its unique flavors, aromas, and character. Vital by Design: The Science of a Better Hard Seltzer Discover the story behind Nashville’s newest spirits brand, Vital Hard Seltzer. Learn how Vital came to life, what sets it apart, and the science behind crafting a better-for-you hard seltzer. Sampling Partners Belle Meade Bourbon Better Than Booze Honeytree Meadery Pickers Vodka Vital Hard Seltzer More to be Announced Food Available from Gypsy Crèpe Co & The Pepper Pott. Food Service opens at 6 pm Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to be the first to know when we announce participating alcohol partners, food trucks, and more. Interested in Volunteering? Sign up here. Special thanks to our Science of Spirits sponsors: