Steppin' Out
A Spirited Week of Cocktails and Conversations at Bar Convent Brooklyn
A Spirited Week of Cocktails and Conversations at Bar Convent Brooklyn
Bar Convent Brooklyn, the two-day Kings County offshoot of Bar Convent Berlin, took place this week Industry City in South Brooklyn, spread out across three warehouse-sized buildings and adjoining courtyards within view of Gowanus Bay.
The conference is a trade-only affair and attracts thousands of international members of the bar and beverage community. This was my sixth year attending BCB and while I still have issues with the location, layout, and some specific logistics, it’s quite productive to have so many world-class brands and bartenders here in New York, both at BCB and out and about among the many parties, pop-ups, takeovers, tastings, and events.
This year’s montage of BCB memories is focused less on the many spirits I had the time to taste and more about the people behind them. Some are old friends while others are new faces that I hope to see again. But all of them celebrate this bar industry that I orbit and chronicle.
Monday
Dante x Trick Dog
While I was inundated with invites (a good problem to have, I know) for parties and pop-ups around NYC on Monday—the eve of Bar Convent Brooklyn’s official kick-off—I kept a low profile, attending just two events in Manhattan.
Over three afternoons at Caffe Dante, San Francisco’s award-winning bar Trick Dog, who celebrated their 10th anniversary last year (which I wrote about on VinePair), stepped behind the Greenwich Village bar to share a selection of their signature cocktails. Known for innovative themed menus, the Trick Dog team (represented by Founder and Owner Josh Harris, General Manager Nick Amano-Dolan, and Lead Bartender Colleen Downey) featured a throwback to their original 2013 launch menu, presented as a Pantone color swatches.
Trick Dog Featured Menu:
Modern Romance (Served Long)
(Bombay Sapphire Gin, Orange Bitter, Martini & Rossi Sweet Vermouth, Strawberry, Szechuan Pepper, Heavy Cream, Egg White, Lemon)Tomato Tango (Served On a Big Cube)
(Patron Silver Tequila, Luxardo Bitter Bianco, Raspberry, Tomato, White Cacao)
Cat’s Eye (Served Long)
(Grey Goose Vodka, Amaro Averna, Passion Fruit, Orange, Guava, Fizzy Water)
The Sleeping Angel (Served Up)
(Angel's Envy Bourbon, Amaro Meletti, Quince Brandy, Saffron, Lemon)
Honey Gold (Non-Alc, Served Long)
(Martini & Rossi Floreale, Tonic, Lemon, Salt)
I’ve been to Trick Dog a number of times over the years and featured the bar in my book Last Call, so it was great to catch up with Josh. I followed his lead and ordered what he was drinking, the non-alcoholic highball the Honey Gold, made with the excellent Martini & Rossi Floreale. It was, hands down, my favorite drink on the list.