Drinks Archives

I was having dinner with friends recently at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab in River North and was lucky enough to catch Dan Barringer (one of Chicago's Top Bartenders named by the Chicago Reader) behind the bar.

Bartenders are accustomed to working late nights. St. Patty's day parade day turns into our very own opposite day. Many of us start work early in the morning because have to be prepared for the influx of day drinkers.

Feel like really letting loose and shaking your booty on an off night? There is no lack of energy in this wrigleyville dance club.

Seeing the recent popularity of this cocktail, here is a video demonstrating how to make an Old Fashioned cocktail.

Recipe to follow

Have you ever considered dating a bartender? Beware! Dating is a tough thing for our industry. We have the unique opportunity to meet more new people in one night than most people with "regular jobs." 

 

The Wit Hotel has won a series of awards in the short time it's been open. I am proud to be a part of something that is making history like this on State Street. We just won the Golden Local Award from NBC 5 Chicago and we're toasting tonight with an award ceremony and free sparkling cocktail toast at 6:30 PM. All are welcome!

Here's a few other really cool things happening over there now...

During the month of January, I take a break from alcohol. Not for any shameful or puritan reason -- it is just a good cleanse to do and helps me focus on getting in shape. This January, I was woefully aware of what limited choices I have when I go out.

There are many people who don't drink who come into my bar. They might not like the taste. The might have an allergy. Or best of all -- they are driving their drunk-ass friends. It is for these people I wonder what options we can offer them.

I had my share of pint glasses of soda water, maybe with a splash of juice to jazz it up. Also, I enjoyed many a non-alcoholic beer. It's just meh.

Has anyone out there come across a good drink for our non-drinking friends? (FYI, I am back to my wine-drinking self now).

Politics and bars are usually a bad combination, but When Lupe Fiasco is involved it's a whole other story.

The MIXperience with Michael Buble in a small intimate performance comes to the Wit Hotel.

Contest winners from the popular radio station 101.9 THE MIX Chicago recieved an invitation to this private event at the Wit Hotel Today Febuary 1st from 6-8pm.

 

Read more...

Food and drink promotions quite often team up with charities. So it's no surprise that several benefits are happening right now for Haiti relief efforts. It actually makes for a really nice event because it is a way to get many of the same like-minded individuals out to a venue. The crowd has two things instantly in common: They like what the spot has to offer and they support the charity. This is a perfect duo for promoters...

In a very brief conversation with legendary House Music singer Byron Stingily it dawned on me that one of my beloved types of music has fallen very far from favor in Chicago, the home of House. One of the benefits from living in the nightlife is having great music to listen to all the time. Now one of the all time best forms is almost all but eroded due to the popularity of "fast food" music in the city that made House great. 

I have a pet peeve as a bartender (actually a few, but this is the top of the list). I also know that this should not bother me, and should be something that excites me when it happens. My pet peeve is when someone walks up to the bar and asks "What is your favorite drink to make?"

Most bartenders take this as an opportunity to masterfully craft the perfect cocktail for the patron. To woo them as a mixologist and make them blissfully happy.

More and more often bar- and nightlife-related competitions are popping up. Nowadays, you don't have to go to the polls, you can cast your vote online for your favorite night spot, cocktail, or bartender...

While most of the partying world waits for the weekend, I start out early with my personal favorite day of the week: Tuesday, or more specifically, TimBuck2uesday in Coup d'état, the lounge at The Shrine. In defense of Friday and Saturday (and Thursday too for the partying hardcore who swear it's the real start of the weekend) it's like this: Let's say you go to Vegas and try as you might, you just can't get laid. My friend, that means it's never gonna happen. The same holds true for fun at The Shrine during the weekends. Now on Tuesdays... it's just better than that.